SOLILOQUY
Written on September 13, 1958, at Khudei, Chang Area
There was a time in my life
When I saw beauty in all objects of nature .
I saw the trees and I derived wisdom;
I saw the flowers and I found pleasures;
I saw the birds and my heart was dancing!
Oh how did I long for solitude and meditation !
Alas, there was also a time in my life
When cloud overshadowed my way, nay, my mind!
It was silent years , - the wasted ones!
All my pleasures were faded away.
It was all because I had a lust
Towards vain things, the so called vanity .
But comes again a season, a time of refreshing .
No doubt a time of blessing!
I walked alone but my heart sang!
I climbed up miles, scorched, wearied and exhausted
But when I got the top 1 felt myself
As if I reached the haven of rest!
I strolled miles and miles till I reached the stream.
Oh how often my heart throbbed and my body shivered .
But when I bathed in the rolling streams
Which come from the thick forest of hills,
And sat upon the bridge to listen to its music
I forgot myself and praised the Lord its Author.
All these I took as an adventure .
But even, in the midst of this pleasures,
When I looked back at my past my heart pained,
And when I looked forward my mind worried .
Hence I neither looked back nor forward but did in the present.
For Jesus said, "Take therefore no thoughts for the morrows."
I always walked ahead or behind of my men (Luggage bearers).
Sometimes walking fast, sometimes slowly but always alone!
Alone in solitude but amongst the pleasures!
As I walked I thought, I sang, and I laughed!
Oh to be alone in nature with God is the blessed and fairest!
Oh how do I long again for solitude and meditation!
RECOLLECTION
Composed after 411 days of adventure in 1958 and 1959 I wrote it down in 1960 at Impur.
One thousand nine hundred fifty eight and nine
Were the blessed years of mine, destined by God.
As Abraham of old, the true friend of God
I was called ! Oh how lovingly He called me.
He led me , He walked with me and talked with me .
Oh how sweet and blessed is to walk with God!
Walked alone but with God's abiding presence
I climbed the hills being wearied and exhausted
But when I reached the top of the e'rgreen hills
I viewed all around the beauty of God's hand.
Then sang my soul the wonder of God's creation,
I felt as if I reached the haven of rest .
I Strolled miles and miles till I reached down the stream
Though often my heart throbbed and body shivered
Yet when I listened to its sweet, sweet music
And bathed in the cold, cold refreshing water
Which rolled down from the thick forest of the hills
I lost myself in the wonder of God's power.z
The wonder of wonders is God's creation.
How often people failed to see its beauty
Because they lust after earthly vanity .
But then I saw the trees I derived wisdom;
When I saw birds and flowers I found pleasures;
I saw beauty in all objects of nature
I always walked ahead or behind my men.
Sometimes fast, sometimes slow but always alone.
'Lone in solitude but amongst the pleasures .
As I walked I thought, I sang, I laughed, I prayed.
How sweet and blessed to be with God alone.
Oh how do I long again for solitude
HOW CAN I DENY HIM
Written on Dec 11, 1958, at Shiyong, Konyak Area
Morning comes after a night.
Though often we are despaired of hope
God prepares for those the things unseen.
For what men's eyes had not seen
Nor ears heard, neither mind perceived
Those things God prepared
For them who love Him.
Though I am unworthy of His love and care
Yet I see His unfeigned love wherever I go.
Then how can I deny Him
When He is so loving to me?
Now I simply cast my burden upon Him
And I am free, free like the clouds,
Loose like the wind, and gay like the birds!
WHERE ARE YOU LAYING
Composed on Dec 25, 1963, at Yeotmal
The moments are fleeting,
The years too are passing,
And the lives are aging,
Then whether are you going?
The winter's slanting rays,
The heaven's Milky Ways,
The present evil days,
Tell about the end days.
Every tick of the hour,
Every drop of the shower,
Shouts from the great tower
The end of the life's tour
Christ is surely coming ,
The world too is dooming,
Then where are you laying
Your timeless life building?
(Mission Calling by Rev Dr T. Alem Meren is a collection of poems written over the years to inspire people especially young Nagas to take up mission work. Every Tuesday, the Morung Express will feature this column. As the writer states: “God laid upon my heart a burden to challenge the young people of Nagaland for Christ’s Ministry beyond our home”).
Written on September 13, 1958, at Khudei, Chang Area
There was a time in my life
When I saw beauty in all objects of nature .
I saw the trees and I derived wisdom;
I saw the flowers and I found pleasures;
I saw the birds and my heart was dancing!
Oh how did I long for solitude and meditation !
Alas, there was also a time in my life
When cloud overshadowed my way, nay, my mind!
It was silent years , - the wasted ones!
All my pleasures were faded away.
It was all because I had a lust
Towards vain things, the so called vanity .
But comes again a season, a time of refreshing .
No doubt a time of blessing!
I walked alone but my heart sang!
I climbed up miles, scorched, wearied and exhausted
But when I got the top 1 felt myself
As if I reached the haven of rest!
I strolled miles and miles till I reached the stream.
Oh how often my heart throbbed and my body shivered .
But when I bathed in the rolling streams
Which come from the thick forest of hills,
And sat upon the bridge to listen to its music
I forgot myself and praised the Lord its Author.
All these I took as an adventure .
But even, in the midst of this pleasures,
When I looked back at my past my heart pained,
And when I looked forward my mind worried .
Hence I neither looked back nor forward but did in the present.
For Jesus said, "Take therefore no thoughts for the morrows."
I always walked ahead or behind of my men (Luggage bearers).
Sometimes walking fast, sometimes slowly but always alone!
Alone in solitude but amongst the pleasures!
As I walked I thought, I sang, and I laughed!
Oh to be alone in nature with God is the blessed and fairest!
Oh how do I long again for solitude and meditation!
RECOLLECTION
Composed after 411 days of adventure in 1958 and 1959 I wrote it down in 1960 at Impur.
One thousand nine hundred fifty eight and nine
Were the blessed years of mine, destined by God.
As Abraham of old, the true friend of God
I was called ! Oh how lovingly He called me.
He led me , He walked with me and talked with me .
Oh how sweet and blessed is to walk with God!
Walked alone but with God's abiding presence
I climbed the hills being wearied and exhausted
But when I reached the top of the e'rgreen hills
I viewed all around the beauty of God's hand.
Then sang my soul the wonder of God's creation,
I felt as if I reached the haven of rest .
I Strolled miles and miles till I reached down the stream
Though often my heart throbbed and body shivered
Yet when I listened to its sweet, sweet music
And bathed in the cold, cold refreshing water
Which rolled down from the thick forest of the hills
I lost myself in the wonder of God's power.z
The wonder of wonders is God's creation.
How often people failed to see its beauty
Because they lust after earthly vanity .
But then I saw the trees I derived wisdom;
When I saw birds and flowers I found pleasures;
I saw beauty in all objects of nature
I always walked ahead or behind my men.
Sometimes fast, sometimes slow but always alone.
'Lone in solitude but amongst the pleasures .
As I walked I thought, I sang, I laughed, I prayed.
How sweet and blessed to be with God alone.
Oh how do I long again for solitude
HOW CAN I DENY HIM
Written on Dec 11, 1958, at Shiyong, Konyak Area
Morning comes after a night.
Though often we are despaired of hope
God prepares for those the things unseen.
For what men's eyes had not seen
Nor ears heard, neither mind perceived
Those things God prepared
For them who love Him.
Though I am unworthy of His love and care
Yet I see His unfeigned love wherever I go.
Then how can I deny Him
When He is so loving to me?
Now I simply cast my burden upon Him
And I am free, free like the clouds,
Loose like the wind, and gay like the birds!
WHERE ARE YOU LAYING
Composed on Dec 25, 1963, at Yeotmal
The moments are fleeting,
The years too are passing,
And the lives are aging,
Then whether are you going?
The winter's slanting rays,
The heaven's Milky Ways,
The present evil days,
Tell about the end days.
Every tick of the hour,
Every drop of the shower,
Shouts from the great tower
The end of the life's tour
Christ is surely coming ,
The world too is dooming,
Then where are you laying
Your timeless life building?
(Mission Calling by Rev Dr T. Alem Meren is a collection of poems written over the years to inspire people especially young Nagas to take up mission work. Every Tuesday, the Morung Express will feature this column. As the writer states: “God laid upon my heart a burden to challenge the young people of Nagaland for Christ’s Ministry beyond our home”).
