I Have Not Asked (Birthday Poem For Myself) Poem by Bernedita Rosinha Pinto

I have not asked the sunrise to show its brightness
and wake me up every morning when longer I would like to sleep;
I have not asked the clouds to hold droplets of water
and wet me with showers of rain in the monsoon winds.

I have not asked the ocean to hold tons of water with salt
and compel the fishes to drink it and live in it all their life;
I have not asked the clock to tell me the time
as my own hunger alerts me when I should eat and go to sleep.

I have not asked for apples and pancakes at breakfast
as bananas and milk can also keep me healthy and fit;
I have not asked for liqueurs at dinner time
as I can sip hot chocolate rather than eat honey melon as my dessert.

I have not asked for friends or friendships to follow me
just as museums await no visitors yet they keep coming;
I have not asked for fairness in my hopes
when dreams themselves dance as mirages in my slumber.

I have not asked my memories or tears to follow you
when the last breath of my life will be lost in atmosphere;
I have not asked for your prayer
when your eyes will see my tombstone and feel aggrieved.

I have not asked for flowers as I sleep
as butterflies will hover around them and spoil their fragrance;
I have not asked my past recollections to chase you
as tomorrow should be peaceful and innovative for you.

I have not asked for heaven
when I proceed on my celestial journey as I know I deserve it;
I have not asked for favors or blessings while I lived
as grace and fortune has always held my hand while I kept walking.

I have not disarrayed respect for humanity
as it made my time on earth to move invaluably and gently;
I have never feared what the next world will be
as this earth itself has presented me with enough marvels and wonders.

I have never to laugh or cry, neither should you
for the journey I have traveled will be your route too though a little differently;
I have never to repent or regret for great was my time on earth
as courage and exuberance was ample within me all along life's way.

I have never to close my eyes eternally until time summons me
as bright is the sun that wakes me up each morning so candidly.
I have never to ask for love or hate, providence or prosperity
as the joys and sorrows, the struggles and achievements made me understand
and accept my pains over my gains proportionately.