Genesis

Anita Panda

• Publisher: Ernest Publishing
• Year: 2021
• eBook ISBN: 9789389995718
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Literary Collections
• Index: Literature

This book is a small collection of poems, composed by Late Col Surya Panda between 1979-1993, titled 'GENESIS'. Each poem is a jewel with his 'magnum opus'-

Ode to the Ganges'. Deeply philosophical with sombre musings, meditations and reflections on life, love, loss, war, peace, death and Nature. Some of them are almost prophetic, like a preview or trailer of his own demise years later.With a sense of 'Déjà vu' and epiphanic. Mature beyond his years when written.

An optimist and fighter to the core, Surya succumbed finally to aggressive 'Malignant Melanoma' in the early hours of 9th January, 2021 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. But not without a fierce and determined fight until his last breath. This brave son of the nation was draped in the tri-colours of the Indian national flag, given a spectacular 21-gun salute and cremated with full military honours by the Indian Army. He departed in style just the way he had always wanted to. Befitting a valiant soldier!

Amongst his many achievements, Surya was instrumental in safely bringing down a 'sick' Army helicopter from the high-altitude Siachen glacier down to the base camp. He was also one of the selected few officers to have visited Israel to master Drone technology in 2006 and actively involved in the adventurous and sports activities of the Indian Army. One of the chosen two to have participated in the VIth International Hot air Balloon contest in 1990.

This is my labour of love and commitment. A sister's humble and heartfelt ode to her valiant soldier brother. I feel as emotional as proud to present this work to all the readers who knew and never knew Surya. The unsung poet, warrior, soldier and multi-faceted man. Dedicated to a noble and rare soul who lived his life and faced his death with heroic courage and a smile. To keep alive his legacy and spirit. For "soldiers never die!" JAI HIND!!

1

THE SEARCH

December 1979

I was there all the year,

Waiting for you to come near.

Waiting here and waiting there

I was waiting for you everywhere.

I left my home. I left my dears.

I left everyone,

With whom I shared so many cheers

I left everyone. I left everything.

Just to see your moonlike face.

I went to the green plains there,

I went to the mountain top

I waited in the king’s court,

I waited for you everywhere

But I couldn’t find you anywhere.

At last I went to a beggar’s hut,

And O’ Lord! I found you there in his heart.

You were there, happy in your serene smile

I felt so happy I cried

Although I was away miles and miles.

2

THE YEAR OF THE DISABLED

November 1981

The firmament is crimson,

The sun is fading.

Birds are drifting towards their nests

To share their day’s earning.

And far below down on the earth,

A black figure is huddled in sordidness

Staring at the passers-by.

His eyes are black. His teeth are yellow.

His body an ember. His life hollow.

He is ugly. He is wretched. He is dirty.

He is an invalid. God forbade him to walk!

He stares into the bushes. His eyes light up!

He smiles baring his golden teeth,

But soon his eyes lose their glow

His black lips are locked again.

He had spotted a picture,

In the growing bushes.

On a cracked wooden board

A cripple, smiling with a banner in his hand.

Written in bold but faded and spattered letters

‘THE YEAR OF THE DISABLED!’

3

LOST LOVE

May 1982

There is a tree now far away,

On the banks of a river.

Amidst the thick, coarse bushes

Where street dogs often urinate.

In the long, silent dark nights,

The bats shriek and the big owls

With eyes wide open

Often give a frightening howl.

It is here I once received love,

The leaves have fallen and the tree

Has committed itself into silence.

I often think of going there to peer through the darkness,

Or just listen to the shrieking bats.

Or in wild despair to compensate for my lost love!

Pick a handful of darkness to bring back with me.

I know the bark is no more green,

I feel I have lost my way.

And now I beg at strangers’ doors

To receive love at last in small change.

4

SURVIVAL

January 1984

Push ups,

Bulging muscles

Beads of sweat

The sound of ‘kiae’

He lives to fight!

Sunken eyes,

Distorted face

Ribs prominent

Sack on shoulders.

A ragged figure

He fights to live!

5

ARISE! AWAKE!

April 1984

Oh! When?

Who will sing the song?

That had its birth far off

Near the rolling stream.

In the mountains

Amidst glades of forests deep?

I am thirsty.

Who will quench my thirst?

Forever quench it?

This thirst for life?

W...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Prologue
• Contents
• 1. THE SEARCH
• 2. THE YEAR OF THE DISABLED
• 3. LOST LOVE
• 4. SURVIVAL
• 5. ARISE! AWAKE!
• 6. THE CONVICT
• 7. THE UNKNOWN
• 8. A LUNATIC’S SONG
• 9. HALF SMILE
• 10. A VOICE AND NOTHING MORE
• 11. LIFE
• 12. A LITTLE SMOKE
• 13. BORN AGAIN
• 14. DESPERATELY SEEKING
• 15. FUNERAL
• 16. THE LAST FAREWELL
• 17. THE ROYAL VULTURES
• 18. ODE TO THE GANGES
• 19. THE RISING MOON
• 20. RESURGENCE
• 21. AD VIVUM
• 22. PEACE BECKONS
• 23. WITHIN MY HEART
• 24. A QUESTION
• 25. AND THE DEW
• 26. PAPER BAGS
• 27. MEMORIES
• 28. BY THE LIGHT OF A TALLOW CANDLE
• 29. STUMP VISION
• 30. THE LAST POST
• 31. LET US LIVE