Tired

Water flows over the rocks, along a stream

Spreading happiness to all through their giggles and gurgles.

But my tired bones and flesh don't feel the cheer.

They groan with frustration, crying out in agony

"We want to go home.

We no longer can sleep on the hard floor.

We long to lay ourselves on the softer bed.

We want to let the water flow over us from the shower.

We want the choice of hot and cold water.

We only want to walk a few steps to reach the dining hall."

These words of pain do not affect my resolute mind.

Displaying no sympathy

It ordered the rest of my body to behave responsibly.

"This is no time to dillydally.

There's work to be done 

We can't afford to relax.

Let not the tiredness take control of you.

Fight it. Fight it with all your will.

Walk around.

Kid around.

Talk nonstop with anyone and everyone.

Do anything, but don't give in.

The pain will disappear, once you get home.

So, hold on till then.

Take care of the affectionate ones.

Let the flow of the stream rejuvenate you.

Listen to the chirpings of the unseen birds.

Amuse yourself by watching the fooling around of the little monkeys.

Observe the early morning moon fight the sun and the clouds.

Look at the green blanket of trees, shrouding the hill beyond the stream.

Smile at the Frangipani tree, standing alone at a height besides the stream,

Showering flowers on everything and everyone in its neighborhood.

Remember the full moon you saw last night, large and red as it lay on the horizon.

Take pride remembering the groundnut plants the children and you pulled from the large farm.

Surely the taste of the groundnut laddus have not been forgotten

Then there was that sambar, served on the temple grounds!

How can you forget all this and give into pain?

The trip is not done, a few more miles to go before you sleep.

So, buck up and carry on with a whistle in your lips.

I think James Brown's 'I feel good' is a good tune for this situation."