MOTHER'S LAMENT

Would I could hold my peace,
And let reason prevail.
Alas! There is no chance of that.
And now in the low ebb of your affairs
I can no longer silent remain.
My spirit groans under the burden of your sins,
And my soul lies chilled from the errors of your whims.

Folly has taken wing,
And hovers over the land with a savage beak!
And yet headlong you hurtle down the path
Which in the end must surely maim and kill.
O foolish errant children mine,
Kindly listen to my earnest plea,
And you may yet escape the woes of a harsh decree.
I am the self-same mother who gave you birth,
From my womb did you all emerge.
To me you will return when your day is done,
None can this final act of life overcome.
With my paps I gave you suck.
From my munificence I nourished you throughout,
The key of knowledge I granted you,
To know your fashioner,
And to know me too.

Certain of my nobler sons I entrusted to your care,
Sent to guide you and the truth to declare.
Them you spurned with utter disdain,
And now stare dull-eyed into emptiness in vain.
I see you waxing proud before my face,
And strange marks upon my body have you made,
Portioning me out like carrion in the sun.
And glaring at each other like hounds on the hunt
Cruel hateful jests upon each other you make,
Tearing and maiming like beats of prey
A little learning too hath made you mad
And think ye are partners in heavens affairs,
Not so my children this can never be,
Look into yourselves for the true reality
That nearness to God is your only hope
And separation from Him a terrible woe.

Written by Darshan Manocha