I Give You an Ocean

Dr. C. NARAYANA REDDY

I give you an ocean
Wrap it all over your body,
Then look for its effect–
You turn into a fathoming thought
And become an embodiment of confidence.

I give you a road
Wear it on your feet,
Then look for its effect–
­You turn into a fit of anger
And become a crowd parading hunger.

I give you the sky
Fold and insert it in your head,
Then look for its effect –
Planets play to your tunes like dancing bulls
And stars come within your reach like lumps of butter.

I give you a flag
Unfurl and inhale it into your breath,
Then look for its effect–
Sticks march like torches
And huts echo like caves.

[This poem of Dr. Narayana Reddy, the celebrated poet and Jnan Pith awardee, is translated from the original Telugu by G. Ramakrishna Rao]