Columnists
The Leper of Goindwal
A Poem by MICHELE GIBSON
He was weak but sought the journey nonetheless
With pain and hardened temperament
Through milky eyes he studied the descent
A red and rashy testament to hope
Leaning at the wall on crusty skin, chaffed against the edifice
Frescoes bloodied by the ailment he laboured with
*
Guru Amar Das built the well
The leper traveled far to test the lore,
And studied, as he leaned upon the walls, the history there
On every step he fumbled with his careless feet
But felt the cool air rising from the pool
It cleared his cloudy eyes and calmed his skin
The gentlest caresses welcomed him
*
Amar Das had laboured with the pot,
Each day brimmed with water from the Beas
To ease the thirst of many, in humility
To honour his Guru Angad and his destiny,
In constant service to another.
The leper brushed his cheek against the frescoes,
And raised his eyes, he shook loose years of shame,
His shoulders fell, his face cast up, his mouth agape
*
He could hear the water but his eyes were everywhere
The history and the wonder witnessed in the walls
Lulled by others in their solemn prayers
Arresting all his former cares,
His gait eased as he descended to the pool
Captive to the Guru's gentle face,
Captured by the imagery's embrace
*
He had meant to swim the tank at Goindwal
As story told the water was the cure
He stepped into the pool, but stopped there
Endowed now with the will to see
The descent had made him blind to his affliction,
The ascent now radiant with certainty.
January 23, 2010