Hasmita Shah, 2000

If I could stop the flickering flame of desire

From turning into an all consuming fire

If I could learn to temper my emotions 

And not become enslaved by lust and passion

If I could break free from the constrictive shackles of greed

And arrest my anger before it sprouts from seed

If I could expose my vanity and pride

Leaving them nowhere inside me to hide

If I could stop attaching great importance

To my labels of office and influence

If I could savour today’s moment without worry

And await tomorrow without any hurry

If I could remove all these layers of vices

No longer would I find myself in crisis

I would find instead detachment and tranquillity

No torment but calmness and serenity

No turmoil but everlasting inner peace

No sorrow but infinite happiness and bliss

No hunger but complete satisfaction

No aspiration other than true perfection

Maybe then I could start discovering me

A Jain spirit yearning to be free

A compassionate soul seeking liberation

And searching for the path to ultimate salvation