Where did we go wrong?
Love has left our hearts empty,
hatred consumed us with its open jaw.
Humanity sailed away long ago,
compassion fled into the unknown,
benevolence trapped in a dungeon of greed.

One man holds the fate of all—
poisons our minds, divides and conquers.
Deceit is what he sows,
foolish puppets that he reaps.
We fight for peace with death,
life is what we give him.
Don’t be fooled by his flattery—
for that is the feast, keeps him alive.

Where did we go wrong?
If only there was a reset button…
Yet—
Fret not, not all is lost,
for we are still here,
So, try a little, give a little,
love a little, be compassionate.
For hope is still alive.

Now I realize
How foolish it was of me to think
Of you as an outsider.
You reside in me—
In all I see, and all I cannot.
I wasn’t aware.
I regret the years
Squandered in search
Of you.

I searched every corner of four walls,
In smoothly chiseled faces,
In the fragrance of incense,
In the glow of candles,
In every bead I counted.
Yet I overlooked you,
And missed you.

He said, “Come, my master delivers.”
Oh, is he a fool, just like I was?
He calls you names,
Fancier than another’s.
He compares you with theirs.
I, too, was once in a herd—
Separate from other ones.

But now I realize:
One grain of sand
Cannot be different from another.
You and I and Him
Are not separate entities.
We are bound to you,
As you are bound to us.
There is no You and Us—
There is only ONE in All,
And All in ONE.
Now I realize.

Oh mind of mine,
Hush! Be quiet!
Aren’t you exhausted from singing?
Singing of the minute just gone,
Of expired heartaches,
Of the minute yet to come,
And of the uncertain tomorrow.

Silence, oh loud one!
Your songs weary me.
Your voice casts a dark cloud
Over my sunny day!
Free me from your shackles,
Oh phony master —
I ain’t your prisoner!

Let me ascend,
Ascend high into the blue sky,
Over the green haven,
And let me compose my own song.

By Sudeep Karki