Thorny Brinjals

Thorny Brinjals

 

The frenzied fancy of a classmate

for some thorny brinjals to taste

expressed once during a chat

over the pomp of Krishna’s Barat

from Sunabedha Dhenkanal to Nayagarha

to snatch Shanti from her parental hold

Bridal hospitality was simply captivating

over forty years its grandeur viewers sing.

But missed it by all his unlucky classmates

missing rich and rare cuisines’ tastes

on fresh fishes just netted from the river,

wild hens from forest and tender deer

rare vegetables that only locals cultivate

sweets and candies from all over the state

kindled in Krishna mercy, me, not to frustrate

must he fulfill the fancy of this aging classmate

Shanti, Krishna’s spouse as inspiring support

the vanishing breed never vanished from their thought

Abandoned, man this breeds as he progressed

None knows “Is this for the worst or for man’s best.”

Over the years search was on under the friendship spell

to such bondage, love in any other form looks pale.

At last they got hold of it

in their last Nayagarha visit

Their joy, pride and tears of emotion

at the moment while taking possession

enthralled by thoughts over the friend’s feel,

over his contentment relishing the brinjal meal.

and their thoughts of the moment

and the thoughts subsequent

laden with love for me,

a friend since our vests never touched the knee.

indebted me lifelong as its consequent.

that humble me dwarf and knee bent

with gratitude that nothing can dent.

Glittering it further, in hot humid weather

braving the age and distance to cover

carried Krishna propelled by shanti madam

to deliver brinjals to this poor Sudam

sick depressed worried

thoughts vacillating, varied

far inferior to Sudam of that era

propitiated over ages with Krishna’s aura

suddenly silenced at Krishna’s entry

thus singing the friendships glory

sweating on travel over many a mile

carrying the thorny brinjal with a divine smile

that piered my heart bleeding with gratitude

friendship at heart's abyss touched the highest altitude

X   X   X

 

Hey Krishna! You repeated the epical story

even excelling over Krishnas friendship glory”

Unlike you the duo never met at Sudam’s hut

but at Lord Krishnan’s opulent emperor’s fort.

unlike you Krishna did not travel with his chariots' fleet

but made Sudama to travel miles on bare bleeding feet.

unlike you Krishna never carried dishes to Sudam’s taste

but enjoyed Susheela’s hand fried raw rice for her hubby’s classmate.

Lord Krishna as Kanha had a deeper love for friends

with age as Krishna he forgot his friends at life’s bends

you remained as Kanha sweet for friends

extending same love true rill life ends

do not forget friends Krisha as Dwarkadesh

Pray your friendship to stay like Kanha tender and fresh.

X   X   X

Laugh you may with Shanti and other classmates

on the simile and metaphor as here, I illustrate

but to tell you all my gratitude on love

these words showered by goddess Saraswati from above.

 

P K Routray

in the service of Lord

 

(Krushna Rath is my classmate since IX class i.e 1962.He could search thorny brinjals of my tate and brought to me when I was suffering and captivated in house. Here is an impulsive thought on his honor)