LINES OF A WAR RESISTER
(March 2003)

I once wore a three-piece suit
and bid for contracts
at the feet of Multinational Power
and visited Washington
and swam there
in the sea of lies
my dignity far beneath
Himalaya’s simple shepard
offering in his work-worn hands
a cup of tea for me,
his uninvited guest
Eyes direct and honest
broad smile beaming friendship sincere
“Auram se” quietly said,
“Take rest, brother.”

I know what I know
from my own direct experience
the change can happen
only from the inside
from quotidian introspection
It must be done
one by one
no other can do it for me
nor I for any other

Only this carnage
may cause me to turn away
in disgust
at what we have become
and thus to begin again
the long inward journey
to the One Source
of all Compassion