Poem-Mukund P Rao

Atonement

We were so good together,
You and I,
our frivolous laughter and sounds of joy,
still ring in my ears.
Oh!
How I yearn those years.

There were days when we sat together,
watching dusk turn to night,
by the beach or beside a brook,
whilst I sipped my coffee and read a book.

Your presence was always comforting,
like air for my sustenance,
or water to quench my thirst.
but,
Alas!
Those days have come to pass,
I leave my house,
But to you sans glance.

You bide your time,
and sometimes give a gentle nudge,
remind me of my past transgressions,
and yet give me another chance

Yet that too I spurn,
and I let you burn to cinder.
slowly as you can bear it no longer,
tornadoes start to churn the ocean,
volcanoes spew ash into the sky,
and the entire earth begins to shake and groan.

I do wish I could help you Mother,
I do try so very hard,
Mother Nature!
For our trespasses,
do forgive us,
for we are ignorant
and we know not what we do!

Mukund P Rao (March 26)