Prabir Kumar Mahanty
I was a poor, unblessed-born man, My boyhood slipped like grains of sand. Then poverty reshaped my days, And set my feet on herding ways. My youth was harsh, yet kept its grace, A God-loving heart in a nameless face. Unknown, unloved, by fortune bent, I bore my fate with quiet strength. I chose the soldier’s steadfast road, To guard the land where borders stood. There service taught my heart to stand, Unchained by self, with open hand. Through trials stern on distant lines, I learned to still this soul of mine. Its wandering storms I calmed and bound With duty’s oath and courage found. In prose and verse my thoughts took form, Preserved like embers safe from storm. Yet hope collapsed, my faith ran thin- I cast my words to fire within. But from those flames a lamp was born, A gentle light no dark could scorn. May weary hearts, in grief confined, Find strength within this voice of mine. Let none despair when nights are long, For dawn is pledged to rise in song. Through every loss the so...