by Shikhandin
Shikhandin’s poem is on being driven, with examples of Dashrath Majhi and Jadav Payeng, written like a note to self.
So many extraordinary humans
in this world. Folks who live unimaginably
exalted lives and die
unknown. Their stories untold. Therefore,
when you begin to reach for that
distant star’s light, do it quickly. Once
a man carved a mountain
with a mere chisel and hammer. Alone. He
toiled for twenty-two years. Another built
a forest tree by tree. Each must have spent
long questioning days in solitary
drudgery, pelted by derision from time
to time. If you think their lives
were spent in self-indulgent
sweat-soaked soliloquies, you are less
than the shallow pools disdained
even by minnows. Redefine
passion. Tread further and further
until your fear of drowning
becomes a solid reality. This is the time
to plunge in. Explore.
You’ll never know what you
can do until you completely let go.
Shikhandin is the nom de plume of an Indian writer who writes for adults and children. Her published books, as Shikhandin, include “Immoderate Men” (Speaking Tiger), and “Vibhuti Cat” (Duckbill Books). Shikhandin’s recent accolades include pushcart nominee by Aeolian Harp (USA) 2019, winner 2017 Children First Contest curated by Duckbill in association with Parag an initiative of Tata Trust, and first prize Brilliant Flash Fiction Contest 2019 (USA). Read more about her on facebook.com/AuthorShikhandin/
