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Saturday, October 17, 2009

Let there be light…

Today’s the festival of lights – the entire world is out there laughing, bursting crackers, lighting candles and oil lamps, decorating their surroundings and having fun. And here I am, cooped up in my dreary room, clattering away on the keys of my laptop with a vengeance.

Why? I wonder, do such moments of joy leave me devoid of happiness? Why does the light outside seem to cast even longer shadows deep inside me? Why do I feel incapable of enjoying the occasion?

I don’t think I have the answer to these questions. I don’t even know what brings me joy any more – if anything does. I don’t know if anyone realises the battles that go on deep within, between my warring selves.

Somehow, one of Longfellow’s poems, ‘The Day is Done’ seems just right for today. Sorry to be raining on your parade, but here it is:

The day is done, and the darkness
Falls from the wings of night,
As a feather is wafted downward
From an eagle in his flight.
I see the lights of the village
Gleam through the rain and the mist,
And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me
That my soul cannot resist:
A feeling of sadness and longing,
That is not akin to pain,
And resembles sorrow only
As the mist resembles the rain.
Come, read to me some poem,
Some simple and heartfelt lay,
That shall soothe this restless feeling,
And banish the thoughts of day.
Not from the grand old masters,
Not from the bards sublime,
Whose distant footsteps echo
Through the corridors of Time.
For, like strains of martial music,
Their mighty thoughts suggest
Life's endless toil and endeavor;
And to-night I long for rest.
Read from some humbler poet,
Whose songs gushed from his heart,
As showers from the clouds of summer,
Or tears from the eyelids start;
Who, through long days of labor,
And nights devoid of ease,
Still heard in his soul the music
Of wonderful melodies.
Such songs have power to quiet.
The restless pulse of care,
And come like the benediction
That follows after prayer.
Then read from the treasured volume
The poem of thy choice,
And lend to the rhyme of the poet
The beauty of thy voice.
And the night shall be filled with music
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.

16 comments:

Ashley said...

Happy Diwali Sumit...
Maybe the way to enjoy the occasion would be to simply walk outside and stand beside people bursting crackers and watch the lights and their smiles.... :)

PS: Read this poem for the first time...Its beautiful...Thanks for sharing.

Sumit said...

Ashley, wish you a happy diwali too. :)

Tangerine said...

Happy Diwali! :)

I am sure the light will catch on to you and brighten ur year!

Grayquill said...

I often find when I am down these are the times God is speaking and I need to be calm and listen.
BTW - thanks for sharing some Longfellow.

Dazediva said...

Happy Diwali to you !

I can relate to you - the abundance of noise and light really just showed me how much noise and air pollution we are creating .. Some of the scenes I witnessed on the drive to my grandparents for dinner yesterday on Marine Drive were enough to make me want to get out of the car and smack a few people for the sheer stupidity of their actions !

(this one couple left a 2 year old kid near the chakri firecrackers and he almost got hit in the face with it!)

N said...

pretty poem...thanks for sharing :)

the light will shine and the joy does come. even if a little slow, and though you cant hear the approaching footsteps...it surpises you at times...just when you stop looking

Megha said...

Happy Diwali...just pick up a fulzadi or anaar and light it...i bet you gonna enjoy it :)

Vinita Apte said...

Hey Sumit..being away from family in festival season makes you feel that way. This mood will wither off...just go with the flow and Chin up Mate :)

Corinne Rodrigues said...

Oh I've had some lousy Diwalis and Christmases too...mostly comes from being lonely...and you know what? It's okay to feel that way (or so I think). Who says we have to feel festive when it's a certain day on the calender? Did they ask us before they fixed these dates? ;)
Take care...and be happy or festive or whatever you wish, but be YOU.
Corinne

Chatterbox said...

Beautiful poetry!
Every day is a celebration with a different mood & experiences. Don't limit yourself to the scheduled festive days and celebrate each moment the way you please.

You are a gifted writer, Sumit.

Keep up the good work!
It's my first visit to your blog,would like to come by for more soon.

Cheers!!

Sameera said...

I am hoping that the next day turned out better atleast :)

Roshmi Sinha said...

Wonderful poem! Thanks for sharing...

Wish you a very happy, safe and prosperous Deepavali/Kali Puja... !!! May the festival of lights bring lots of happiness and colour into your life and a New Year blessed with prosperity!

Xanthipe said...

I have hit upon ur blog somehow...but sure it's a great find!I loved the poem and would re-read when I am in the times of low spirit.

Saya said...

Thats a beautiful poem. Thanks for sharing.

MangoMan said...

i know these words r gonna seem unreal to u...but ppl r nt always wt they seem...

i can totally relate to u...but i dun know wot to write...

i know dat mine will be the last image that would cum to ur mind when u try thinkin of ppl u wud go talk ur heart out to...but try reversing the equations sumtym...

"theme change karo, boss"!! its high time...

Dave "Loose Cannon" Wills said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog. Glad I can cause a smile or laugh every so often.

This poem reminded me of Divali from the first few lines I read. Part of my roots lie in Trinidad & Tobago so it's all very familiar to me. I miss the deyas and the bamboos and the lights and the food!

Shubh divali!