On lighting a lamp

 

I light a single earthen lamp of gold

But deep down within, I stir:

If myself in exile, what is it I revel?

Which Dandak celebrates light, I wonder

How longer more, we never know

Ayodhya is far, and the years run slow

 

The flame flutters, it sees my heart

But it steadies itself, and speaks in soot:

You light the lamp, to not celebrate

But to burn the flame and glow the truth

To tell the world, you have fire still

To let regents rule while you choose to roam

And you light the lamp to remind yourself

After all the wars, awaits a home….