The Threshold Lamp

An earthen lamp burning at the threshold

Desolate and pensive, envied those others

Decorating the window sills and ornamental table-tops.

So often it reflected its unhappiness, with the wick

Shifting restlessly and flame wavering.

The perfumed oil did very little to appease its

Dissatisfaction at being isolated and ignored.

The lady of the house fed it with some more oil

To last the entire night, caressing the wick

And with that touch of love and trust

It glowed with happiness and content.

While all others faded into darkness and lay lifeless

It proudly paved the way for passers-by,

 A lone source of light on a moonless night

All alert and attentive to welcome the Goddess of fortune

And guarding against bad omens striking the household.

A realization dawned, bringing in a clarity of vision

As to the faith entrusted in him to perform a task worthwhile

While others spent their illusory life and lay futile.

-Vinita Surana ‘Kiran’