Back from the promised land
Solemnly, everybody gathered together
Father led in prayer.
Mother soon joined
At dusk, there was a stillness all around.
It was going to be an all-nighter
Praying and singing devotional songs to the Gods.
Slowly and slowly the intensity in the room picked up
As the parents and elders started praying out in earnest.
‘O’ Lord though art our hope in times of despair and failure
You are our refuge and strength’
The devotional songs were sung in increasing strengths of passion
As everyone gathered tried in some unseen manner
To focus the unknown’s forces into some concentrated energy.
What has happened to us ‘O, Lord?
Why are we going through these times of difficulties and trouble?
Why has all our dreams and hopes been dashed?
Why are there roadblocks on our path?
What have we done to displease you?
Let not our sins fall on our loved ones., O Lord
They bring brother into the midst
All join in prayer and pleading for him
But brother is a non-believer
And watches nonchalantly at the goings around him.
Father’s hopes and beliefs are betrayed
By the one who tries to break away from the pack
Set upon the journey to the Promised Land
Came back all confused and lost.
Sits in a trance all day and is non-communicative
Breaks father’s and mother’s heart.
Tell us what happened son,
What has caused you to change so much?
What happened to the beautiful smile that lifted all around
What happened to the one who was to lead us all?
Brother keeps his silence
Father starts wailing out in agony.
‘O Lord take me away
I cannot understand what is going on.’
Mother cries on hearing this
This she cannot bear to hear.
Starts of on a thousand year old prayer
And everybody joins in.
‘What is the mystery surrounding our loved one
That has stopped us dead in our tracks?
His silence has forced all to keep quiet
Hoping he will speak out and tell us all’
It’ 2.00 am and the third set of prayers have just finished,
Devotional chants are now back in earnest.
Hoping the Gods will speak out
Or calm the room and fill it with meaning.
Father pleads with his lost son
Tell us your problems and share it with us
Have faith in God and in your loved ones.
Brother just shakes his head in despair
Finally blurts out, “I am all right,
Just leave me alone”
‘That’s not good enough’ father cries
We can’t let you drive yourself and all of us to the grave.
Brother sheds a tear, then smiles and says weakly
‘We must all have faith in ourselves,
That’s the important thing.
Couldn’t we all just go to bed
And talk this over some other time’
Father gets angry and flies into a rage
‘Just tell us the truth, son!
What’s holding you back?’
Tell us what these people have done to you,
Have they brainwashed you so much that you don’t
Care for us no more?’
Father is upset and tries to curse the world
That has so shaken his peace and happiness
‘O, God, suffer our enemies till eternity
Let all who turn against us die in hell’
Mother starts out on her chants again
Songs and prayers that she learnt at her mother’s lap.
‘These will protect you in times of trouble’
So she was told
Wonder whether they were ever meant for times like this?
Its 4.00 am and my father seems so tired
Reads out, along with each one of us from the holy books.
And try to find to solace in its words
as we all struggle to stay awake.
Eventually we lie down to get some sleep
Only to be awakened soon by the rising sun.
The new day brings a wave of freshness all round
We feel stronger as we get showered by the life giving rays of the sun.
That night we will never forget
(Or should we say ... we would rather forget!)
Of how we spent time together.
In trying to reach out to the Gods
In hopes of healing our hearts and lives.
[On reflection .....time probably better spent more usefully!! ]
Time is the great healer ( so they say :-)!)
And one day we will look back
At how we prayed for each other [actually prayers forced upon us(: !!]
Our wishes however will one day be granted ( hopefully),
Of that we are sure of!
For even rocks can listen
When prayed with such fervor! [ so they say :) ]