The Woman At The Temple

By Rabani Dhingra

I sat there beside the door of the temple

All day long in the stillness of night,

And in the swift breeze of light.

With folded hands with hope, for hope.

Everyone gave me looks

Some were of sympathy and some gave me money.

But one was curious and asked me that,

why such an educated woman would behave like that?

I replied that I’d rather sit at the temple with folded hands,

Then living a profession, I don’t understand.

Because without passion even the sweet grapes of the vintner will be bitter,

And the cement of the labor will be weaker,

And the chef won’t be able to provide a delicious dinner,

And in the end, they’ll be just quitters.

But I am not afraid,

With eyes of fear,

I will appear,

With a heart of will,

I will fulfill,

Because past is a part of mine,

Present is the life of mine,

And, future is the dream of mine.

By Rabani Dhingra