Mrityunjay vs Mrityu

This was originally a play (rather a dance-drama) ideated by me and written by my friend Chitra with my inputs. I thought of sharing it, as I find the idea still brilliant. Lovely lines by Chitra, and she holds the copyright for it:

I.

Birth of Mrityunjay (the non-smoker)

Seen ever the life-giving seed?
Where comes it? From a withering flower
Loved ever the bliss of the morn?
The dark night is its father!
Loveliest is the blue sea after the black storm!
With life to end and life to begin
From darkness to light, from weakness to might
From sorrow to joy, from never to ever!
This my child, is the promise of life
And life alone!


Birth of Mrityu (the smoker)

Seen ever the life-taking 'friend'?
Where comes it? From the blossoming doom
Loved ever the sear of the light?
The glow at the end is its father
Deadliest is the white roll after the first whiff!
With life to end, now and again
From light to darkness, from might to weakness
From joy to sorrow, from ever to never!
This, my victim, is the promise of death
And death alone!


II.

Youth of Mrityunjay (the non-smoker)

Brilliance is the light about you
Leading you to the green of the tree and the blue of the sea
The melody in your ears alive
With the laugh of a brook and the sigh of a chime
The flavour of the first shower
Tingling delicately on your tongue
A whiff of breath bringing to you
The perfume of flowers and the fragrance of the earth
The feel of the air divine, living every part of you!
This beloved one, is the gift of life, the gift of joy!


Youth of Mrityu (the smoker)

Brilliant is the lighter in your hands
Leading you to the glow of the tip and the dark of the dungeon
The melody in your voice gone!
With the fumes of tobacco and the sigh of a friend
The flavour of the first brand
Burning strongly your tongue
A whiff of breath bringing to you
The catch in you life and the noose of death
The feel of the air deadly, killing every part of you!
This beloved one, is the gift of smoke, the gift of death!


III.

Death of Mrityunjay (the non-smoker)

O my friend dear!
I drink in the beauty around
I touch the fragrance around
I see the air warm
I taste the song in the breeze from the tree
I live this life lovely!
From the fair mountains to the green seas
From the deepest earth to the highest skies
Your energy, your blood, your life! Is but my life!
Come friend, dance with me! I am but your child!


Death of Mrityu (the smoker)

O my friend dear!
I drink the blood in you
I burn your lips delicate
I sear your pockets bare
I taste the song in your voice dying
I kill this life lovely!
From the first whiff to the last breath
From the deepest hell to the unattainable heavens
Your energy, your blood, your life! Is but my lfe!
Come friend, die with me! I am but your death!