I was made to leap
Over the vault of stars,
Across the sunlit bars,
But not to fall asleep.
I was made to sing
Not sorrow's dirge-like songs
Bemoaning human wrongs,
Of a diviner thing.
I was made to know
Transcending mortal mind
Knowledge of soul-kind
Towards which I must grow.
I was made to toil
Not for self alone,
For all and yet for One
On this eternal soil.
I was made to see
Not with this failing sight
Enamoured of the night,
The hid divinity.
I was made to live
Not these few human years
So fraught with pain and tears,
My life, my joy to give.
I was made to love,
Not this human lust
That fades and falls to dust,
But One who dwells above.
Growing from birth to birth
Escape not by the sword
Or heavenly reward
My destiny on earth.
I was made to fly
To worlds of light within,
Embrace all souls as kin,
I was not made to die.
First published in Mother India -July 2004