‘Lord,in my first life,
I was scavenging for morsels of food,
Slept on the pavement, ate on the pavement
And saw my children growing by the roadside.
From this life, I learned humility.
In my second life, I was born as Mahar.
I had to tie a broom to my waist
To sweep away my polluting footprints,
Spit in a pot hung to my neck
So as not to pollute the soil.
I learned the meaning of forbearance.
In a third life, I was born differently-able,
Led a life of missed opportunities
And spent sleepless nights
With tears on my soft pillow.
I must be a burden to society
Though my mother diligently
Camouflaged my fears.
However,endurance is the greatest lesson
I learned from this precious life.
The fourth one was so terrible,
I was born black in the U.S.A
And suffered the crooked and knotted
Guillotine that racism is,
Though from outside everything seems fair.
I learned from this life that patience
Is the greatest eye-opener.
Now Lord, what next?
Give me some good stuffs in the next life.’
The Lord looked at him,
Strolled His fingers on his hair and said,
‘Son, each life teaches us something.
The fool forgets,
Only the wise remembers.
In the next life, you will be a bright star
And the world will take notice.
Mind fallow, senses well under control,
Intentions pure,
heart filled with love,
You will be born as a leader
To lead the whole world
In the clear path of righteousness.
Soon, the universe will revolve
In the revese direction,
The land will turn around,
As does a potter’s wheel.
New valleys will be formed,
Mountain ridges will tear apart,
New gulfs cut out,
Ancient heights overturned
And new ones will spring up.
Many animals will be destroyed
And the small part of human race
That will survive will be enveloped in darkness.
To darkness, you will bring light.
Go my son.
Pramila Khadun