“Wherever Thy Majesty Leads” is a poem written by Bhutanese rapper Kezang Dorji as a class 11 student in 2007 on Bhutan’s transition from Monarchy to Democracy. The poem was sent as his entry for the “Children and Youth Festival 2007″. His poem won the “Grand Jury Award” in the open category. The poem is an expression of the mixed feeling of the poet as a youth on Bhutan’s transition from monarchy to democracy.
“Wherever Thy Majesty Leads” – Kezang Dorji
My dreams dream of things that don’t change
Just dreams but dreams are – Isn’t it strange?
As rainbow hue, of glory, moments soon disappear
Only traces we possess sometimes of yesterday’s cheer
My wits when pondered much upon such truth
I found tomorrow within this charming youth.
A role, forsooth, as a self I do hold to play
For my darling Bhutan has changed her way.
What the path folds so distinguished to show
That persuaded Bhutan to turn a desperado?
Yet to be formed and formed few groups are.
Now they debate to proclaim the destiny afar.
Would one of them be sent on His behest?
But they stand amidst the callow east and west.
Despite these my chaste Kingdom has to tread
And one of them, false or real, will lead.
The heart inside of me queries – Is Bhutan ready?
Are her shoulders mature enough to hold democracy?
I suspect – haply my countrymen’s knowledge
Are deceived not to a politicians advantage
Politician! The tongue slipped. Leaders we need.
With whom Bhutan whole can boldly tread
And advance from good to better to the best.
As the Monarchs would they battle the bad?
Or come to the crowd, mingle, and then feast?
And what of that some delinquent youth may say
To wanton still as the night swallows the day.
Haply some barbarians are already born
Who may in insanity their parents scorn
For this hundredth year of glory drew the line
Plying wine to the home of Himalayan folks divine.
And those who know not what is good or bad
Will make, upon false pledges, few heads glad.
Invention brings whereabouts of whence senses fail
Haply these herald the apparent to prevail
Now when eyes witness the dim fading sun
Thoughts begin to guess of what morrow will be done
With the mind in some sort of fear instilled
Protesting ‘gainst the deuce aftermaths we might yield.
Naught shall be the victim of this battle but I
If in oblivion this youth still does lie.
But-O Lord! How shall I have my influence.
To such one? For this age lacks experience
Perplexing it is to all at this youthful range
If few things we cherish don’t change..
Sometimes I wish to be of yonder glades
Whence resides remote folks as were made.
If Hogwarts gives me Harry and his wand
I would adventure my youth in such Alice in Wonderland
Only if? For all wishes never turned true
But declared morrow is by that now we do.
Oh! Dear countrymen, Bhutanese are, we know
Of Bhutan we come-to her soil we owe.
Remember our forefathers all time devil days,
Their sacrifice, their blood to give us our place.
To the one the minds worship I prostrate
Let my kingdom of one nation and one people perpetuate
With her folks with endless epic to joy to tell.
Give me strength to animate in dreams that dwell
Let the one to be as our virtuous kings govern
Let my countrymen of this alien woods learn
So they will know of what they need
And the treasured goodness of heavens will proceed.
Much events, history thus holds, to relate
Peril amid the alien woods we creep;
Nature changes its course for men debate,
Gaps widen, oneness thins, fear grows, hopes sleep,
Suspicion clouds, views leer-Thus brothers fight
For futile shadows. Meddlers intervene.
In bloodshed colors fade paired with cruel plight
Beauty creeps as in some cursed nightmares seen
But such boldness to follow thy grace brings
Thy ancestry thy profound might unfolds
To redeem our nation void of damned things
Beauteous and joyous be that sight beholds
Our faith warranties utter ecstasy
Till time stops by thy gracious dynasty.
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