A BALLAD ON SELF-REALIZATION

A tale,

Of two pals,
Ego possessed the former,
Self-respect imbibed the latter.

The former faced problems, complained;

The latter solved problems, smiled.
One, choosy and demanding;
Other, suitable and acceptable.

Fortunately,
Acquiring jobs,
In a corporation,
Standing at the threshold
Of promising careers,
Days rolled on
And the day arrived
For promotion.

Self-respect surpassed,

Ego lagged behind.
Thoughts converted into self-realization,
Truth revealed.

Ego satisfied merely the senses

"I want this" and "I want that"
Self-respect implied acceptance
"I respect this and I accept that."

To further proceed,

To reach the summit,
'I' and 'my' be discarded,
'We' and 'ours' be adopted.


[Published in 'melange', the Sunday supplement of 'The Sentinel' on 28 February 2010]