Notes About The Poem
November.21-2024
Starman Poetry Contest
Sponsor- Tom Woody
~ Placed Third~
Time Traveler
(Onam is Kerala’s state festival based on the belief of the annual visit of Mahabali, the legendary king of the land, now an occupant of the netherworld.)
I am Mahabali, the king who ruled the land of Kerala.
Now a Time Traveler from the netherworld.
I loved my land and my people as best as I could
With unstinted commitment and devotion,
I served my people and strived for their welfare.
They loved me in turn, never a protest was raised.
The state was in its glorious phase with peace and prosperity
Abounding all across the far reaches of my kingdom.
Every village and town, each nook and corner,
Rang with hearty cheers and songs of mirth.
Freedom and welfare were the hallmark of my reign.
With my fame escalating day by day, even gods grew jealous.
Never suspecting any fraudulence and not knowing,
It was Lord Vishnu who came to me as a Brahmin avatar,
And when asked for some land to do worship,
That could be measured in just three steps,
I granted the boy’s wish, being compassionate.
Soon he grew into mammoth proportions,
Covered the entire universe with his two steps!
I realized that the boy was Lord Vishnu in disguise.
Seeing that there was no more land left,
I bowed before the boy offering my head for the next step.
He pushed me to the netherworld, but with a boon,
To visit my land and my people every year.
I have been visiting my people all these years
But with each visit I have seen only decadence
My land, once the abode of peace and prosperity
Has now become one of disunity, corruption, war and violence
Sadly, I have resolved not to visit my land anymore.
This is my final visit with a warning to all my people;
“Learn from the past, and the endless tortures suffered
That instead of division, oppression and disharmony
You should find common ground to stand and thrive,
For in unity lies humanity’s joy and progress.
Leave behind greed and the mad lust for power.
Alter your course and heal the wounds of the earth.
Let love and peace guide you now and unto eternity.”
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