7 Friends Poem by Sathya Narayana

Oh man, going in a golden palanquin...
ever thought, what is going on in the minds
tf those, who are bearing your burden;
and those hundreds following your path, blind.

Why they ignore their aching shoulders,
and laugh at your irritating ill-humor?
Look! Their sights are on your amassed lucre...
yet, afraid of the power-snake on guard!

When that vile serpent slips into the grass
they ground you and flee with your fortune
and don't dither to laugh at your traipse...
this time loudmouthed, with obscene lampoon! !

Thus passes away easily, your ill-gotten buck
to another waiting ill-minded crook!

Fancy vehicles of vicissitudes
vanish like smoke, when blow more knavish winds!

Come on, join our clan of pedestrians.
I have just seven friends; no slaves, to claim.

When I fall in my walk, they raise me anon...
when I bow they bless and when I rile they tame!

They share my tears and triumph; dream and feel
with spirit, unconditional and earnest
giving me grit, morale and might to battle
against the fetters, this life puts me to test!

When dead, on that fateful date, I'm sure
they take me, over their shoulders, with honor
tenderly, not to hurt my both remains, with care
and affably reach me safe, those heaven's doors.

(Seven friends stand for seven virtues, viz. faith, hope, charity, justice, prudence, temperance and fortitude)