The Old Maidservant

The old woman doesn’t pass

this way any more

Whatever happened to her?

She was a widow

Expressed by the white she wore!

She surely went everyday

to some rich man’s house

to do cleaning jobs like sweeping

swabbing and washing dishes

the belly fire she needed to douse!

Poor old soul did she need

to work, to make a living at this age?

An age when she should recline

on an arm chair or play with

her grandchildren to spend her days!

I used to find her on the village road

Walking down on shaky feet

Wearing worn out flip-flops

Is she too ill to attend her humble office?

Or has she left her Lord to meet!             

Xavier Bage

Mon, July 18, 2016

The Truth Silences Me

The preacher had said,

“The most favorite place

for the Satan to hide is religion.”

As a God fearing man I didn’t agree

I wanted to throw back at him

The strongest retort.

But time and again

His words have proved true             

Every time there is bloodshed

Butchering, blasting, bombing

Of human lives in the world                

To assert one or other diety

I have heard the evil laughter

Among the tattered human flesh

In the blood splattered on the streets

Louder than the cry of the wounded,

Shocked and orphaned children

Truth has compelled me to keep silent!

Xavier Bage

Sat, July 16, 2016

The Diamond Within Me

Mistakes

I’ve committed many

In my ever learning life

And when my mind awakes              

Between the pieces of sleep at night

It embroils itself in strife!

At a fork I stood

Chose I the path on my left

When perhaps the one on my right

Opt to walk I could

I took a chance and kept to

The best in my intuition’s sight

When in the world wise people

Gather money, wealth, land, houses

All that I had I sold

To purchase a diamond beyond all price

“What use the stone?”  Some still ask

To the rainbow rays I hold!

The diamond I don’t possess

Yet its luminescence enlightens my path

How blessed I am, no one knows!

My hands have the power to truly bless   

Rich I am in joy, peace, graces

To the light within, the nature in greeting bows!

Xavier Bage

Sat, July 16,  2016

What is Karma After All ?

What is Karma after all

That on each living soul might fall?

Sooner or later on the earth

Bringing them suffering or pleasure

None can escape the call!

Is it the fruit of the offenses we commit?

Is it the result of what we exit

In acts of omission

In intended acts just and unjust                

The joy we cause, the pain we inflict?

A chalice to drink, is it our fate,

that is to catch up with us late,

make us reimburse what we borrowed

whether we like it or not

must face  judgment, there is a date!

Is my suffering  a making of my own?

Are they rocks at me thrown

By the evil-inspired enemy?

Thorns he lays on my path, independent is he?

Because he wears the gold crown?

Xavier Bage

Wed, 13 July 2016

Still They Happily Sing

It has rained all night

All around it’s a sight

Every matter is soaked

Still they happily sing!

Tress all sad stand silent

Their leaves down bent

Heads, torsos, faces, limbs

Still they happily sing!

Their nests are drenched

On twigs they’re benched

Not a dry spot is seen

Still they happily sing!

Head to claw they’re wet

Their coats raindrops met

God, what pains they bore!

Still they happily sing!                                

Xavier Bage

Tues, July 12, 2016