Hearty note

This is a poem written by me, dedicated to “Hope”, in these grim times of hunger in Gaza, war in Ukraine, refugee woes and tariff traumas across nations.

NEVER GIVE UP

When mountains of trouble tumble down, When the loyalty of friends has disappeared, When those whom you helped try to shun you, When those of whom you expected something slink away, When those basked under your glory deceive you,

When those whom you made avoid you, When those whom you admired doubt you, When the thorns outnumber the flowers, When those who preached principles, betray them. 

When you are saturated with shocks, When the body refuses to take another step, When the devil of pessimism knocks persistently at your door, When the darkness of the night seems everlasting, When the spirit tells you it has fought enough, When everything is at its lowest ebb,

It is then,

Then, that you must not give up. The path may be long, And the bare feet may bleed, The tears may pour down incessantly, And the heart may be as heavy as lead.

It is then, that you must not give up.

It is then, that you must not complain, For he who complains accuses himself.

Every night has a day following it, Every deep river has a bank on the other side, After the rains come the rainbows,

And after the pain comes the healing.

Rajendra Aneja
Mumbai, India