Yesterday was a day
To be remembered
For me and
To remind me –
Politely, wisely, lovingly –

Of the roads not taken
Showing me –
Directions in darkness

Man-made darkness
Self-made darkness

Now I decide –
To follow yesterday
To change my ways
Of looking at things
And responding to them—
Wisely, standing rock-like
Unperturbed—

Standing in the midst
Of attacks rock-like –

I was told yesterday—
Politely, wisely, lovingly—
All my past deeds to people
Done, will vanish
I listened with admiration

And later  bemused mused
On the wisdom of those
Who we often ignore
And make ourselves Ignorant
 
Of the mistakes of judgment
We pass –

Yesterday guides today
And tomorrow
Yesterday does not die
Like Prahlad
Sitting  on Holika’s
Lap, in the midst of
Lapping  flames
It soaks us   afresh
(Like the colours
Of yesterday’s Holi)
To make us begin
A new day, in a new way …