Desire

 A Sage set out to roam the world 

Teach it things he had known.

First in the crowd, he spotted a man, 

Fighting with another over a loan unreturned.

"Oh, these money-hungry rats!"

The Sage spoke, irked.

"Desire destroys!" He reminded his followers.

He roamed about a park and spotted a few teens.

"Raging hormones!" He shrugged, "Desire extreme."

He met a performer, pausing for claps, 

"You desire fame." He warned her.

A writer refused to sell away his art.

"You desire recognition, let it go."

He warned, "Or else starve!"

Back to his humble hut, alone at last, 

He suddenly felt a restlessness, 

Sick in the stomach.

Doctors were called, Fakirs summoned, 

Some gave him tricks, some advised, all amiss.

The wise old man gave him a cup of drink, 

"God calls this elixir of life, try some."

"This can work, it seems", with that 

He drank the wine down, slept in peace, 

Waiting for a miracle to unfold in ease. 

God appeared in his dreams and smiled.

"You desire to be alive?"

"I do! I do!" The Sage cried.

"But don't you want to be One with me?"

"Can't I, while I am alive still?" 

"Ah, but Desire destroys!" God reminded him.

~ Suranya