EMPTY PAGES

EMPTY PAGES


As I lay down one night in thought,
Dream angels took hold of me and
Carried me up in their wings to
A gate in the heavenly land.

From this heavenly gate emerged
None, but the Lord Himself, no doubt.
He asked the angels to bring forth
The book of my life and read out.

They brought a leather bound volume,
The sight of which did me excite.
I was sure destined for heaven,
I told myself with secret pride.

The angels turned silently each
Page after page of the big book,
Without uttering a word and then
The Lord gave me a kindly look.

He said: “Son, how come that you have
To show me just empty pages”?
I bowed and asked Him: “ But, my Lord,
There certainly some mistake is.

I have always worked hard and I
Have not wasted a single day”.
He smiled and touched me on my head
And this is what He had to say:

“My son, you did work for yourself,
As hard as any human can.
But I write only those deeds that,
For others, are done by a man.

You have to go back to the earth.
You must fill those empty pages.
I will yet wait for you my son,
I have been waiting for ages”.


* Written in 8-8-8-8 abcb form.


M C Gupta
6 Jan. 2005