Be wise

Desire is inborn;
Fear is implanted;
Both at loggerheads.

Desire defies not;
Fear concedes not.

Desire goes stealthily;
Fear rules steadily;
Passion oozes wisely.

Desire dies slowly;
Fear echoes proudly;
Life lies listless.

One lives only once.
Next whence?
Why this pretence?

‘Eat, drink, and be merry! ’.
Charvaka says.

‘Annihilate the desire,
Pray, slave and repent
Till you die’,
Moral teaches us.

It is left to you to choose
There from
13.06.99

poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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