Holding On... Poem by Ruta Mohapatra

Let go, let go, said the Buddha,
Let go, let go, said all wisemen,
Nothing is permanent, nothing is yours,
You are a traveler, just passing through!

I listened, I read, I heard,
But still held on…

To life, to living, to little things,
A pen no longer working,
Memories of my dear ones,
Memories of the places I liked

A torn dress, a dented bowl,
Broken furniture, old books…

I am no saint, no superman,
My heart beats, sinks, swells, dances,
My emotions in constant flux,
My nature defeats all my learnings

I am human!
I suffer…