Bhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-14

Bhagiratha’s Bounty and Other poems-14

English Translation: T.S. Chandra Mouli

Telugu Original : Kandukuri Sreeramulu 

14.Conscience of Ocean

For fishermen who trust sea for a living
sea offers a base, sea becomes a grave.

Those who care not lives
dare tsunamis, defy authorities
those who know not networking to shatter lives
know well to spread a net for a living.

When asked to govern people
it says we rule them like lord Yama,
when cautioned it with a crushing curse
it scorns them like unwanted intruders,
when advised of adverse impact for misrule
it states,  “We are the auras! We are auras too!”
When pleaded to pity poor fishermen
it retorts as to purpose of lathes and cartridges.
When cursed with nemeses
for shooting at Gangavaram
it calmly queries about validity of re- birth.
When told of futility of vote or ebb and tide to topple them
it arrogantly justifies competence to continue in authority.
A sword that can smash vocation fondly loved
remains invisible,
even if seen it shimmers as visibly invisible
to slip into the scabbard.
One that views the society as a sea
acquires needed tools and technique.
One who makes the sea his conscience
masters dynamics of operations.

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(To be continued-)