178. I LIVED IN A CAGE
For a long time    I lived in a cage.
    I read Eternity’s life-illumining page.
    I felt the stark penury
    Of human existence-night.
Therefore I unified
    Earth’s excruciating pangs
    And Heaven’s all-illumining delight,
    Founded upon all-giving selfless light.
Sri Chinmoy, A Soulful Cry Versus a Fruitful Smile, Agni Press, 1977