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The Land of Dreams

written on the eve of India’s Republic Day of India
which is celebrated on Jan. 26 every year

Some distance far away, the drumbeats sound
__And echo victories now past;
__Where clouds of slavery had cast
Their shadows; every place a battle ground,

And every house, a soul devoid of God.
__I’ve smelt heroic scents in books
__Whose yellowed pages are where brooks
Of ancient histories have come and trod

To tell me all was not what it now seems,
__These colours, orange, white and green
__Shall stand through years that intervene
And teach the world about this land of dreams.

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Satyananda Sarangi is a young civil servant by profession. A graduate in electrical engineering from IGIT Sarang, his works have featured in the Society of Classical Poets, Shot Glass Journal, Snakeskin, WestWard Quarterly, Sparks of Calliope, Page & Spine, Glass: Facets of Poetry, The GreenSilk Journal and elsewhere. Currently, he resides in Odisha, India.

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16 Responses

  1. Paul Buchheit

    Nice poem, Satyananda. India is a great country, especially having survived 100 years of colonization.

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Greetings, Sir!

      After surviving centuries of foreign monarchy and colonialism, it’s remarkable how India has stepped up to the contemporary dynamics of the modern world.

      A proud feeling indeed.

      Reply
  2. Margaret Coats

    A fine poem for your country, Satyananda. The central stanza has intriguing things to say about the living history of the land of dreams, which is to be found flowing in the pages of books. To know what the colours have to teach, I looked them up, to find that orange represents courage and sacrifice, white peace and truth, and green faith and chivalry. May India be filled with these blessings and virtues now and in the future!

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Thanks a ton, Margaret ma’am.

      To be honest, it has become my habit now to see your thoughtful comment on every poem of mine here.

      Love and best wishes.

      Reply
  3. C.B. Anderson

    It’s nice to read a colored story that isn’t strictly all about the red, white and blue. God bless you.

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Thank you C.B. Sir. I always look forward to your comment on my work. On last few occasions, I was really disappointed not to have any.

      Best wishes.

      Reply
  4. Sally Cook

    So refreshing to read something positive written about one’s country.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  5. Satyananda Sarangi

    Thanks a ton, Sally ma’am.
    I read your poem “Some Advice from the Untalented” towards the end of 2022, it has stayed with me.

    You inspire.

    Reply
  6. Brian A Yapko

    Satyananda, this is a wonderful poem about “the Land of Dreams” — an appellation for India that I have not heard before. The poem speaks from the heart of victory after great trial. The phrase “every house a soul devoid of God” is particularly haunting. Happy Republic Day! Yours is a country with an extraordinary and rich history. It is a dream of mine to visit India some day.

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      The phrase “every house a soul devoid of God” denotes the scenario where every house did not have the faith to set things right in colonial India – much like the human soul without its faith of God.

      May your dream come true soon!

      Best wishes.

      Reply
  7. Paul Freeman

    A heartfelt tribute, which came across as such.

    Thanks for the read, Satyananda.

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Greetings, Paul Sir!

      Always a pleasure to have your insights here. Thanks a ton.

      Hope all’s going great with you.

      Reply
  8. Talbot Hook

    For some reason, this line is particularly evocative to me: “I’ve smelt heroic scents in books” . . . .

    Thanks for your poem.

    Reply
  9. Susan Jarvis Bryant

    Satyananda, what a beautiful poetic celebration of the Land of Dreams… your wondrous words have me revelling in the splendor of India. Thank you for the linguistic trip. Very well done indeed!

    Reply
    • Satyananda Sarangi

      Susan ma’am, a wonderful feeling to see your comment here. Your constant encouragement keeps me going.

      Reply

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