THE TALE OF THE FARMAAN...
Starts off with a beautiful picture
I was drafted as a special deed, and carried the seal of Royalty
An assurance from the Ruler, to his faithful, valuing his Loyalty
The words on me bore a promise, that the rights of his beloved land
Would be his daughters' inheritance, by the Emperor's command
I was stored in the safest places, with utmost respect and care
By the man and then his daughters, as I proved who was the heir
All was fine till it happened, that the lands mentioned in me
Lured the attention of many, by a recent discovery
They were found to be a treasure trove, for beneath their fertile earth
They contained abundance of iron ores, that multiplied their worth
For his army and treasury and greed, the prince sought to seize
The precious realm I authorized, quelling his father's decrees
Between my hunters and holders, I became a bone of contention
My hunters wanted to destroy me, and my holders sought its prevention
My presence meant that the heiresses, were legal holders of the domain
My absence gave the astute prince, a chance to cleverly gain
The daughters sought my safety, because my safety meant
Preservation of the green valleys, that mining would otherwise dent
The elder heiress took me out, of the safe in which I was kept
"You are the tether and saviour of my lands", she said and wept
"I must protect you from dangers, and produce you at the court
To safeguard my esteemed lands, I need your presence and support.
Till then I'll hide you somewhere, a place where none can guess
To find you, they will need every ounce of resourcefulness they possess"
She placed me secure in a box, and took me down the huge hallways
"I'll not lose sight of you", she said, "I'll oversee you always"
She sowed me in a huge stone planter, partly hidden by drapes
Watched over by her painting across, obscure to those who traipse
The twin portraits of the sisters, appeared to share the task
"Will you grow to save us, or betray us", they both seemed to ask
The sublime scents from the courtyard, of the herbs, medicinal and rare
Was tranquil and I lay dreaming, when I was jolted by the nightmare
The hunters were shown the way within by her betrothed, an evil louse
They killed the guards, they killed the helpers, they killed everyone in the house
Till she was left to battle alone, yet she displayed courage and dare
She fought them though outnumbered , with verve and valour rare.
She never disclosed my location, though they tormented her every breath
She deceived them with my imposter, she succeeded even in death
The younger heiress returned and was shocked at the terrible loss
She stood crying near the portrait, unknowing that I just lay across.
Faced with the threat of a similar fate, she had to flee from her home
And I for whom these lives were lost, lay still beneath the loam.
I was remorseful that I had caused, such bloodshed and such losses
Were irreplaceable lives worth losing, for such materialistic causes?
What do strifes and wars achieve, except destruction and pain?
By killing and inflicting horrors, what does anyone stand to gain?
Isn't peace more precious, than the profits of a thus clinched goal?
Isn't victory worse than a loss, that is gained by ripping one's soul?
As days rolled by I lay rueing, and a few sought me but in vain
Until a stranger dropped in, with assurance and methods trained
He searched around the mansion, thoroughly and at last he slowed
As he neared the twin paintings facing me, I thought he slowly bowed
To my elder mistress he offered, a courteous adab sincere
His acknowledgement of her qualities, brought out his own nature clear
Before the younger he stood still, his eyes brimmed with emotions strong
He stretched his hand and then held back, wondering if he was wrong
But his heart held sway and he yielded, for a while before he stepped away
And turned around to where I hid, towards me he made his way
I held my breath as he dug into the soil in which i lay concealed
He lifted the box that held me, broke the clasp and I was revealed
The world seemed to freeze for a moment as he held me in his hands
He too seemed immobilized that he held the key to everyone's plans
I could serve the Prince's purposes if the stranger hands me over to him
Or I could save the valleys and its dwellers from a future grim
Undoubtedly I hold powers, powers that are frantically sought
But are they really stronger than, the power of the stranger's heart???
Sandhya.
03.12.2016
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