At The Gates Of Heaven Poem by Ganesh Veeraraghavan

At the gates of heaven….

At the portals of heaven I stand
Don't know why they make me wait
Isn't it an open door to pass?
For the good and virtuous

Gatekeepers quite astute
They give greetings polite
" Speak how you lived on earth
What good use is your human birth? "

"Surprised I am by your questions
Even heavens don't keep accounts?
Take it man, heaven's guards
Hear me, and let me pass

"I always lived to high standard
Equal to my advent high birthed
In learning was ranked most high
Marks always hundred nigh
Amongst highly learned, few can compare
Wisdom to the world, my pages offer
Poetry to lift mankind's soul
Light and wisdom, ever full

"Wealth I made, but with dignity
Put to good uses for the society
Miles of roads, hundreds of shelters
Copious water dug many wells
Temples constructed to turn the godless
Many will knock at these gates
My door opened to every beggar
None returned in despair

"High positions I held in office
My work, no future can erase
I died as a leader of humanity
My biography is now serious study

"I spoke the truth always
I judged well and punished the liars
Not a sin i knowingly committed
Not a virtue I knowingly omitted

"I never worked for name or fame
Honour or not I considered all the same
Though humanity considers me a legend
I have never felt any time proud"

Can I have these guards overwhelmed?
My eloquence has them silenced?

They just put a few questions
Sending me to the kindergartens

Guards…
"It's not sin or lies which count here
A yearning for virtues, it's positive measure
It's not in your throat if you lie or not
Your desire for truth, gets marks right
A deadly sinner, but heart most contrite
Finds easy pass like it's birthright
A legend of virtues, but heart vain
No heavens he can gain….

"Did you see who planted your virtues?
Who watered them to grow honours?
Who made you generous and truthful?
Who was the brick of your temple?
Who guarded you from sin?
Who stood in between?
Who spun your words to make fine poetry?
Who crafted your biography?
Who made you a legend?
Who made your works reverend?
Who gave you this great energy?
To serve who gave you opportunity?

"Did you see the One behind those beggars?
Did you thank Him in your prayers?

"Did you live a life simple?
Did you feel any time truly humble?
For the humble and grateful it's easy pass
No wait at the gates, no guards"


Good simple direct questions
Demands only common sense
If I could have answered yes even once
If I had learnt well life's lessons
God would have waited every morning hour
Before I let the early sun indoor!