Hem Raj Kafle
I hear one say:
This land, the trees and the fruits
belong to me,
I inherit these from my ancestor;
I hear another say:
No, this land, the trees and the fruits
belong to the earth
and therefore to everyone;
Then I am inspired to write!
I hear one say:
The soil has potential,
I have knowledge for greater crop,
And the entire harvest will be yours;
I hear another say:
No matter what it’s worth,
Tilled or left barren,
You can’t touch a speck of it;
Then I am inspired to write!
I hear one say:
We have some time
but time will not wait;
I hear another say:
Mind your business
and do not waste my time;
Then I am inspired to write!
[Hem Raj Kafle, PhD is Associate Professor (English & Communication), and Head, Dept. of Management Informatics and Communication School of Management, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal. He is also a highly acclaimed poet, who writes in English.]