I know the road that leads to Phoenix Park

Winding swiftly through the quiet of dream-sleep

Where the fire-birds drink dew-sparks of the Unknown.

Cool waters rush variedly in that calm

Of garden filled with pearls and onyxes of song.

No flowers and golden-red apples of thought

Springing from the sweet-scented soil of Night

Bedeck the road, but past the frill of light-and-shade

Sometimes is seen the phoenix of vast and fiery wings

Beating its way untraceably through vision’s sky.

Who sees the home of this utter loveliness

Where space is terminated and time comes to a stop?

When I sit in that orchard of meditation

Viewing the sun-brilliances of its play

It becomes clear: what gravitates the urge

For the forbidden fruit is the sound of self.

It is because from Knowledge Ignorance was born

That Phoenix Park is now the eternal Road.

 

 

RY Deshpande

7 May 1977


Image Courtesy Google