Defeat-পরাজয়

  
Defeat 

Our defeats are as bitter as our victories are sweet—
And which of us forgets her worst defeats?
But if, for each defeat, however harsh, 
We also have a tiny victory,
We then might be content—or not aggrieved.

Defeats can come from Nature or events 
Or through our fellows—foes and friends and kin.
The closer the tie, the more the hurt that's felt, 
The worse the conflict that may rage within,  
And the longer it may take to find resolve.

The whims of Nature and the winds of chance 
May let us be—or lead us here or there 
To savor victories that come from luck 
Or suffer from defeats ascribed to gods—  
Whose favors some may seek and others spurn.

A defeat at another's hands is hard to bear, 
But if we've battled as we should, we then 
Can dress our wounds and gather strength to fight 
The battles that we know await ahead— 
As all our pathways run through battlefields.

But when we bring defeats upon ourselves  
From hubris, anger, negligence or fear, 
We then may take these as our lessons learned 
Or lose our confidence and discipline 
And spiral then towards a living death.

For some, a battle is a welcome thing. 
For others, it is something to avoid.
Yet even staunchest pacifists are caught 
In wars in which they battle to survive— 
And life itself must end in its defeat.

When deep in fever and in anguish, we 
May pray for our release—that comes or not. 
But a deeper wisdom may reside in this— 
To see our losses as we do our gains—
And sneak a laugh or two, when facing death. 

2018, September 29th, Saturday
Brooklyn, New York