I Can't Be Your Ram

i have been here for ages
i am today, and i will always be,
i came before you,
i came before time,
i created the universe,
and then i carved you
to make my garden complete,
i can't be just your ram

i have been here for ages,
as raman, rahman, ramen, ramsay,
as rampreet, and rambha,
as ramee and ramani,
ramshaw and ramsbottom,
i live both as ramvir and ramjeet,
i glow in the dark as ramdeep, 
and i shine as ramjyot,
i thrive in ramlila
and in ramadan, as well,
i live in every soul,
i can't be just your ram

i have been here for ages,
and brought life when it's due,
and took it, when it's time was up,
i am too big to be confined
to temples, churches, mosques
and gurudwaras,
i am too small to be seen and felt,
where egos grow too big,
and wisdom too shallow,
i am in everyone, everyone is in me,
i can't be just your ram

i have been here for ages,
beyond the edges of space and time,
what a pity
that you claim
you'll give life to me,
even the potter
who carves me of earth,
stops short of giving me life,
who are you to give life to me,
giving and taking life
is just my job,
who are you to disfigure my garden,
and run a sham,
i can't be your ram!



© sashikant mohanty