Cleaning of soul, A poem composed by Ranjit K Sahu

CLEANING OF SOUL

A poem composed by Ranjit K. Sahu 

Create a space for your soul in your life,

Loaded with the world’s material burdens,

Every little thought of conflict or strife,

Aggravates your pain and your heart hardens.

No peace is found where purity is lost

In the thoughts that wander in restless minds

No joy is lived if peace is the paid cost,

Given that body succumbs to the grinds.

Often has a dip in the Ganges flow

Fueled a feeling of having cleaned the soul,

So divine is the water that souls glow,

Once they connect with the creation whole.

Ultimately the soul prays with a bow,

Loathed in the Ganges as her waters roll.

Note: The artwork published as a background image is painted by Ranjit. It is called “The Lady with Magnolias.”

Brief Biosketch of the poet: Ranjit  Sahu, an American poet, was born in India. At present he is employed as a Research Scientist in the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA. He is a visual artist painting using oil and acrylic as media. His interests include portraits and landscapes as well as other natural elements. He has recently developed an interest in photography. He has published books of  poetry in English ( 2005: A Year of Love (2005) and Drunk (2006) ) and one volume in KDP (Bits of Childhood) Companion (2018), The Wonder of Creation (2021). He also has published a volume of poems in Hindi ( Kuch Lamhe Kuch Jazbaat (Some moments some feelings) 2014).  He has a few collections of poems in Odia as well. He is a freelance columnist and  writes semi- technical articles for various magazines other than his routine research. Presently he is working on several volumes of poems with different themes in English and Odia. His forthcoming collection of poems is “ The Bronx to Boston and Back”, a collection of English poems in free verse. Sahu has an interest in developing a new form of poetry combining elements of acrostics and sonnets of which he has recently published a few.

Personal statement of the poet

I believe nature and humans share an intricate relation and most of my  work revolves around nature and its elements and human relations. My  purpose is to use art for both entertainment as well to incite love for nature in people. Art is an effective medium for healing from both stress and conflict in life. I have been involved with the event  “Poetry Cafe” for over six years while residing in The Bronx, with a view to help the inmates of Palladia Inc., find a new meaning in life through interest in poetry and served as a judge in the competitions designed to encourage the inmates to express themselves. I believe that  art is important to understand the beauty of our existence on the planet.