Faith

Do I need a faith to live a life

directed by others' choices,

regulations and practices

observing  rituals to go to

some heaven about which

no one is certain?

When the sea breeze

touches  my senses my faith

grows  in majestic loveliness.

The smell of my love's chest

entices me more than the rose garden.

When my child learns to walk

holding my hand I feel  

the joy of heaven

and share with friends, neighbours

the unseen future

the joy of  life's faith.

Is not my daily chores

religious rituals and more humane?

They say I must visit temple

or church to build faith-

Why????

Haven't we divided the world

along church steeples

and temple peaks?

Haven't we shed enough blood

by reciting Om and Azan.

My faith is in the

naughtiness of  my children,

the sulk of my lover,

the medicine bills of my parents,

I whisper to life -

Why are you away - come

make the bliss of heaven for me.

Life itself is the greatest faith.

Love -  the only festival.

Those are my rituals

do not disturb my Faith- Please.

Sabita Sahu