A Lone Wanderer Poem by Sasanka Sekhar Panda

I have crossed the
tropical rain-forest
in the wilderness
of the primitive darkness,
I have covered
so many unmapped shores,
I have walked among stones,
I have crossed the
waterless deserts,
I have travelled
from continent to continent
in search of wisdom.

I have seen the
trembling dews singing,
I have seen the reeds
swinging in gentle breeze
in the twilight hour,
when everywhere spread
the stillness in dry air.
I have seen faintly visible
patterns in the grey sky
painted by an unseen hand
in shade and light,
the contours changing
at every leap,
I have come across
symbols and pictographs
that my heart could not read.

I have seen people
fighting for dominions
millions fall and died
following two trumpets blown.
Still I am waiting for
that moment, when the
saplings of love and hope
will sprout,
spreading the message of
love and compassion
to live in complete
tranquility and peace.