The Real Challenge

[Mehtab Singh]

I was having one of those days, and so wrote this. It's funny how we are quick to talk, advice, convince others around us when they are in a particular situation. Yet we can't stand upto our own words when Akaal Purakh slaps those situations on us. This poem is written as a slap to my own weak and hypocritical nature, which may show some a reflection of what we really are.

How easy it seems to talk about Him

And then make a face when life gets grim

How cool it is to talk about death

Yet you freak out when you are out of breath

How convenient it is to talk and preach

Telling people about a God they need to reach

Yet when the moment of your test comes

You shiver with fear and grind your gums

It is so easy tell an inspiring story

To talk about history, wars and glory

Living up to that dignity is in fact the real deal

Unless you can do that, who cares what you feel

The real challenge is not to talk merely big words

And have people follow you in huge and massive herds

It is to be ready to give it all up at any cost

Unconcerned whether you win, or if you have lost

We talk about the Singhs who faced a merciless slaughter

Didn't care to lose every son and daughter

Yet today people like me who are quick to slip away

Who are empty within, yet have a lot to say

When times are good and life is smooth

I won't stop talking in spite of pain in my tooth

And then comes the storm of misery and sorrow

That's when I realize that I am totally hollow

The real challenge is not giving advice to others

And then weep on losing your sisters and brothers

The real challenge is to stand firm like a rock

Not caring if you face insults or mock

Talking big all these years is all I have done

Check if I have anything inside, the answer is none

The real challenge is not useless arguing and debating

But putting up a smile when the world is degrading

It was so easy to cut, copy and paste

Now I think, how much time did I waste

Pointless arguing and meaningless debates

Led me away from the Lord's blessed gates

Gurmukhs are like babies, carefree and content

They rely on Vaheguru alone, and are happily dependant

They trust Him for everything, He provides for all their needs

They serve him forever, in their thoughts, words and deeds

Manmukhs such as me are like some people who are old

Dependant unwillingly, unhappily, and can be cold

We may talk about Hukam and bhaana day and night

But that's because we feel helpless and can't put up a fight

We fake being Gurmukhs, we fake being satisfied

We pretend to be bhagats, yet are always petrified

We talk about how life ought to be spent

Yet we couldn't figure out, what life even meant

The real challenge is not in what all you say

Nor in your actions when you pretend to pray

It is not in what you claim to think in your brain

Rather facing situations head on, come loss or gain

I admit myself, that I am just all talk

The real challenge however, is to walk the walk

I know I have no idea whats gonna pull me through

Now I ask you, "do you have it in you?"

~ Mehtab Singh

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

[curious_man]

mehtab veera.. ure poem just didnt slap me on the face.. but even kicked my butt!!

very inspiring.. poems really coming from deep within ureself are soo inspiring.

Waheguroo

[humkire]

sada veer mehtab singh syaer vi hai!!! DHAN GURU NANAK!!!!!

absolutely brilliant! as dharam singh zakhmi once said in 1977 in malaysia ....'dhyan ka dhyan rekhna atee zaruuri hai' . also reminds me of what someone once said ''Godliness is not just your actions but in your reactions'.

[Guest HaRdKaUrWaRrIoRz]

best poem ive read in a really raelly long time, as a matter of fact, as far as i can rem this is the best poem i have read!