By Ayodhyanath Choudhary
Considering myself unworthy
I pray to God from the premises
but this sweet-sixteen—that fully-grown one
this known and that unknown
this white-complexioned and that blackish one
this very fast and that somewhat sluggish
this traditional and that modern
this enchanting and that forlorn
this red ruby and that pure pearl
this mature and that blonde girl
this one blushing and that one bold…
but most of them having strong holds
climbing up and coming down the stairs
do disturb, perhaps quite unaware.
To avoid them, I shut my eyes hard
but those seen sights attack my heart
vex my mind to a great extent
feel quite weak and likely to faint
not only today but even yesterday
not only yesterday but also in the past days
so today, finding myself the most unworthy example
I take an oath: never to come to the temple again.
[Ayodhyanath Choudhary, MA(English) is a poet, short story writer and lyricist. He fundamentally writes in Maithili, though he is equally versed in English, Hindi, and Nepal as well. He has been awarded for his contributions to Maithili Literature at regional, national, and international levels.]