DELIVERANCE
written by: Dilip Mohapatra
@dilipmo
I picked up the chisel
from my toolbox
and carved your face
out of the dense mist
that ensued from my
vaporous dreams
and then I sculpted your arms
that engulfed me
to hold me in a python’s hold.
Then I picked up my claw hammer
and searched for the brightest stars
from the galaxy
and pulled out two
that blinked benignly
to transplant on your face
to give you sight.
Then your eyes come to life
and flash up
and with one stroke
of your incinerating gaze
you erase my presence
you obliterate my existence
and turn me into glowing cinders
that soon whimper and sputter
and reduce into formless ashes
to be blown away
by a whiff of wayward wind
and I am lost forever
in an endless oblivion.
MAY 2017 / JAN-FEB 2019 AUTHOR OF THE MONTH at Spillwords.com
Dilip Mohapatra (b.1950), a decorated Navy Veteran started writing poems since the seventies and is a regular contributor to Spillwords. His initial foray into the world of literature was through poetry workshops in college and inspirations from his teacher Jayanta Mahapatra, an acclaimed poet in contemporary English. His poems have appeared in many literary journals of repute and anthologies worldwide. Some of his poems are included in the World Poetry Yearbook, 2013 and 2014 Editions. He has ten poetry collections to his credit published by Authorspress, which have received raving reviews in multiple literary journals globally. He has also authored two short story collections and two professional books on management and leadership. He is the recipient of the prestigious Honour Award for complete work under Naji Naaman Literary Awards for 2020 and holds the honorary title of ‘Member of Maison Naaman pour la Culture’.
He lives with his wife at Pune, India.
Latest posts by Dilip Mohapatra (see all)
- Zeroing Out - August 1, 2026
- Lead Kindly Light - May 2, 2026
- Mind Those Gaps - January 30, 2026
