A Small Desire — Abnish Singh Chauhan

Listen, my dear Mother!

Please listen to me,
I have a small desire:
‘to sing for the suffering ones.’

My lovely Mother!
Someone told me—
You believe in karma,1
and stand with those
who walk
the path of dharma.2

Lo, I sing a song now—
but, why does my voice tremble,
why do my words tumble
like the fragile leaves
falling from
an unsteady branch?

O my kind Mother!
Could You please
lend your grace
to my trembling voice?
to my tumbling words?
as it was lent
to your dear ones,
who sing with ease and charm,
having your love and praise.

***



Footnotes:
1. Karma: A person’s actions, both good and bad, in this life and past lives, influencing his or her future experiences.
2. Dharma: The righteous path or moral order guiding individuals in alignment with cosmic and societal principles, representing the eternal, universal truth.