poetry

Material life is an illusion, confusion reigns supreme
Some people trade their time for sin, and others only dream
Of ways to combat misery, and find a way serene
While drowning in the ocean, of the universal scheme

People born in passion, lusting for women and wine
In ignorance all good sense is lost on wasting time
The good become conditioned too, their apathy a crime
For while they grin the rest will sin, and say everything is fine

You may say we are pessimistic, and that may be quite true
Because we come from the same place, we used to be like you
Advancement takes some time, for the moment all we can use
Is distaste for our conditioning, for this you should excuse

For now we have given up so much, not changing overnight
But the attempt is made to make the grade, so please use oversight
For there is real love of Krishna, a love that is not insane
And for those who surrender to Him, there can be only gain

So let's praise the godly devotees, for achieving what is great
For sacrificing everything in this world of lust and hate
Excuse their imperfections for one day they will shine
And bathe in love of Krishna, in an ecstasy divine

Turning blind, I lost my mind, and to a forest path I came
Enter here a sign showed clear, and find yourself some name and fame
Without recourse I entered forth, into that darkened atmosphere
Without delay I found a way, that seemed to shed a light so clear

Then I saw everywhere I looked, a means to find security
The forest so large, seemed to divulge, a livelihood for eternity
I could satisfy myself in so many sensually pleasing delightful ways
In the forest there is room for all, who want to live by night or day

With proper protection all plunderers could be kept at bay
And the eyes and ears and nose and tongue and touch and sight can have their say
After all who can deny the joy the senses seem to bring
If I took a little from here and there I could do most anything

But after countless lives that seemed so long, I saw that next to right was wrong
And what once seemed eternal bliss became austerity on and on
I felt disturbance all around, in fear of tiger, crow, or jackal
But what I really saw was no more, than my family tying me in shackles

The forest had seemed so opulent, unlimited desires so inviting
But I went astray, and as I turned away, around me coiled creepers tightening
I called out loudly for a friend, but only attracted envious snakes
A friend in need is a friend unwanted, the material forest means you give, I take

Then along came rats and beasts and vultures, taking away all my possessions
For those who sin Laxmi runs thin, and I entered into grave depression
Still all this aside, I still tried, to maintain my body and expand my home
For there are many poorer and phantasmagoria, tells me I am not alone

I was still young and could still persist, the search for wealth I could not resist
After all, gold is tangible, though some may say just will-o-the-wisp
And while the wife is standing by my side, like a whirlwind she can't be denied
Her needs may change as much as fashion, but I reaped a reward of passion and pride

And there seem to be some good friends, devoid of duplicity and pretence
But I turn away, my back exposed, they desire to stab it in my absence
The trees at least, had seemed to me, a piece of mother natures beauty
But now I see the majority, are harsh, devoid of piety

I had built a cottage by the river, all kinds of opulence it did deliver
But as time went by, the river ran dry, just another Indian giver
In the material forest, wherever you live, the people form a government
And tormenting demons feasting on flesh unto the highest posts ascent

I thought I would frolic in the woods and lounge about on royal lawns
But there were so many unseen obstacles pricking me like thorns
I had chosen a wife, so young, so nice, who seemed to be a benediction
Then I saw like flies, a thousand eyes, cursing and causing such restriction

So I looked toward the crows and vultures to try to learn some relaxation
But they were insignificant, mother nature and her bogus incarnations
The monkeys seemed to live a life devoid of all prestige and pretending
But they were just lowborn, eating, sleeping, mating, and defending

So my time was spent in such torment, but my taste for life was not all spent
Until one fateful day death came my way, I was crushed beneath an elephant
So yes it's a sad story but I must insist, the material forest does exist
And while here the message is clear, the ways to choose form an endless list

But when I awoke and looked around, it was just a dream that I had discovered
To teach how to rise up from that place, until my soul becomes uncovered
And after countless lives of ignorance, no longer do I need to roam
In the forest there is a narrow path, that can lead me to my real home

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare