A broken smile,
A joyless laugh,
I wish I could take
these away from you.
Wise wrinkles,
False teeth,
I wish I could take
these away from you.
I wish I could sleep
with my head in your lap,
and have you stroke my hair,
with your healing hand.
I wish you could sleep,
with your head in my lap.
My hand on your brow
could make you happy again.
I wish I could live,
with you forever.
And in the shade of your love,
die, before you grow old.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Ultimate Aim
(Prompt:"Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes." by Benjamin Franklin
A soldier's words to his wife before he leaves for a battle)
I am no one, a blank, a vacuum,
If not for my beloved country.
My nation is my body and my soul,
And the blood flowing through my veins.
You, my love, are a part of me, as I am a part of you.
And as we both are a part of this kind, fertile mother India.
Who does dare to threaten, with a warning of violence,
This great nation who has taught peace to the world?
Don’t you feel your blood boil,
And your muscles prick,
When the shrill sound of the radio,
Announces those who’ve set foot,
On this holy land,
With malice in their hearts.
I leave tomorrow, as duty calls,
The ultimate aim of a soldier’s life,
Looks right into my eyes and beckons,
To fight for my nation to my last breath.
When I go tomorrow, my love, very far away from you.
From where my naughty mutterings, may not reach your ears.
I beseech you, my dear, not to pray for me.
But to save all your prayers, for our harmonious homeland.
I cannot promise a safe return,
When in this world, nothing is certain,
But death and taxes, and my love for you.
The only promise that I can make,
Is that I will never cause you shame,
By showing my back to the foe.
May I stand without fear, in front of a rogue bullet,
before it seeps blood, from our brave nation’s chest.
Not only me, but many like me,
Will be willing to die, in this battle for pride.
If I die in the battle, I only ask you once,
not to lament my death, Not to shed a tear.
Just place a white rose on my grave,
Then, turn around and walk away.
A soldier's words to his wife before he leaves for a battle)
I am no one, a blank, a vacuum,
If not for my beloved country.
My nation is my body and my soul,
And the blood flowing through my veins.
You, my love, are a part of me, as I am a part of you.
And as we both are a part of this kind, fertile mother India.
Who does dare to threaten, with a warning of violence,
This great nation who has taught peace to the world?
Don’t you feel your blood boil,
And your muscles prick,
When the shrill sound of the radio,
Announces those who’ve set foot,
On this holy land,
With malice in their hearts.
I leave tomorrow, as duty calls,
The ultimate aim of a soldier’s life,
Looks right into my eyes and beckons,
To fight for my nation to my last breath.
When I go tomorrow, my love, very far away from you.
From where my naughty mutterings, may not reach your ears.
I beseech you, my dear, not to pray for me.
But to save all your prayers, for our harmonious homeland.
I cannot promise a safe return,
When in this world, nothing is certain,
But death and taxes, and my love for you.
The only promise that I can make,
Is that I will never cause you shame,
By showing my back to the foe.
May I stand without fear, in front of a rogue bullet,
before it seeps blood, from our brave nation’s chest.
Not only me, but many like me,
Will be willing to die, in this battle for pride.
If I die in the battle, I only ask you once,
not to lament my death, Not to shed a tear.
Just place a white rose on my grave,
Then, turn around and walk away.
You Started Something
------------------
When we are in love, we forget that there was a time when we weren't. When love starts waning, we are not ready to accept the fact. We try to defend it and do not give up easily until life takes its own course and informs you in no uncertain words that it is over and it is time to move on.
------------------
Days were bright and shiny,
nights were just too short.
When your playful eyes,
promised me the stars.
You started something candid,
that won my innocent heart,
I felt complete and happy,
and sure that this would last.
Like the vicious circle,
This was too good to be true.
It had to end someday,
I wish though not so soon.
Your vacant, distant eyes,
comfort my fears no more.
Your heart is not with me,
I can feel it in my soul.
I am too scared to let go,
and take on a different road.
I am too brave to cling,
And let you lead me on.
Life will take its course,
Like a river it will tread,
This thing that you started,
Will slowly die its death.
When we are in love, we forget that there was a time when we weren't. When love starts waning, we are not ready to accept the fact. We try to defend it and do not give up easily until life takes its own course and informs you in no uncertain words that it is over and it is time to move on.
------------------
Days were bright and shiny,
nights were just too short.
When your playful eyes,
promised me the stars.
You started something candid,
that won my innocent heart,
I felt complete and happy,
and sure that this would last.
Like the vicious circle,
This was too good to be true.
It had to end someday,
I wish though not so soon.
Your vacant, distant eyes,
comfort my fears no more.
Your heart is not with me,
I can feel it in my soul.
I am too scared to let go,
and take on a different road.
I am too brave to cling,
And let you lead me on.
Life will take its course,
Like a river it will tread,
This thing that you started,
Will slowly die its death.
A Faraway Light
A trance ends with a shattering clamor.
The light from the golden days recedes,
like the fading memories of a dream,
whose joy and sorrow know no bounds.
Throughout the world the darkness dwells.
Flowers wilt with the smouldering sorrow.
The rainbow sheds its colorful attire,
And puts on a mournful cloak of gray.
Life seeps out of the comatose earth.
Sky burns red in the fire from hell.
In land devoid of the essence of joy
Tears evaporate and smiles freeze.
A nightmare ends with a silent wave.
A faint sunray peeps at the gloom.
The lifeless earth shakes itself,
and rises up to fight its battles.
A tiny sapling raises its head,
and looks around at reviving land.
After days of depressing doom,
A faraway light is brighter than sun.
The light from the golden days recedes,
like the fading memories of a dream,
whose joy and sorrow know no bounds.
Throughout the world the darkness dwells.
Flowers wilt with the smouldering sorrow.
The rainbow sheds its colorful attire,
And puts on a mournful cloak of gray.
Life seeps out of the comatose earth.
Sky burns red in the fire from hell.
In land devoid of the essence of joy
Tears evaporate and smiles freeze.
A nightmare ends with a silent wave.
A faint sunray peeps at the gloom.
The lifeless earth shakes itself,
and rises up to fight its battles.
A tiny sapling raises its head,
and looks around at reviving land.
After days of depressing doom,
A faraway light is brighter than sun.
Emerge
(Some Random Thoughts)
Wake up!
From your self-pitying stupor.
Look around!
At the land of abundance.
Reach out!
For the stars far-away.
Stick to!
The ground beneath your feet.
Banish!
All thoughts that hold back.
Arise!
As a pure-white soul.
Emerge!
Confident and victorious.
Wake up!
From your self-pitying stupor.
Look around!
At the land of abundance.
Reach out!
For the stars far-away.
Stick to!
The ground beneath your feet.
Banish!
All thoughts that hold back.
Arise!
As a pure-white soul.
Emerge!
Confident and victorious.
Abandoned
A devotional song in Hindi says:
"Sukh ke sab Saathi,
Dukh mein na koi."
which means,
"In your good times, everyone is with you,
But in your hard times, there's no one."
--------------------
Why do you turn away?
All of you!
From me, who you
once called friend.
Was it so fragile?
The thread
that bound us together
to keep us one.
Today, it was broken
by the weakest force.
Only on the grounds
that I'm happy no more
--------------------
"Sukh ke sab Saathi,
Dukh mein na koi."
which means,
"In your good times, everyone is with you,
But in your hard times, there's no one."
--------------------
Why do you turn away?
All of you!
From me, who you
once called friend.
Was it so fragile?
The thread
that bound us together
to keep us one.
Today, it was broken
by the weakest force.
Only on the grounds
that I'm happy no more
--------------------
Nostalgia
(My first Acrostic)
Never again will they be the same
Over! those days in mama's arms
Sand Castles built by little hands
Torn down and dragged away
Across the oceans by thoughtless waves
Little moments wilt with time
Garden of roses though dry and wild
Its fading fragrance still does linger
And fills my aging heart with yearnings
Me?
Am I the Candle Flame
flickering with the assault of wind?
Or Am I the gust of wind
that in its path teases the candle flame?
Can you see me in the steps
that lead up to the home of Lord?
Or do I exist in the feet,
that tread their way up to divinity?
Can I be felt in the song
that wanders around the tall trees?
Or Am I the lonely lass
who meanders singing songs of love?
Am I the abundant nectar,
that finds its way into a butterfly's mouth?
Or am I the pretty insect,
That sighs in ecstacy with the sweet sip?
Do I travel with the light,
from the lamp of the fast moving train?
Or am I the black darkness,
chased by the train on its nightly tour?
Who am I?
Am I the one whose pen,
has overflown with these words?
Or Am I the one whose eyes
devour each word as they move from top to bottom?
flickering with the assault of wind?
Or Am I the gust of wind
that in its path teases the candle flame?
Can you see me in the steps
that lead up to the home of Lord?
Or do I exist in the feet,
that tread their way up to divinity?
Can I be felt in the song
that wanders around the tall trees?
Or Am I the lonely lass
who meanders singing songs of love?
Am I the abundant nectar,
that finds its way into a butterfly's mouth?
Or am I the pretty insect,
That sighs in ecstacy with the sweet sip?
Do I travel with the light,
from the lamp of the fast moving train?
Or am I the black darkness,
chased by the train on its nightly tour?
Who am I?
Am I the one whose pen,
has overflown with these words?
Or Am I the one whose eyes
devour each word as they move from top to bottom?
Together
(Created for a friend who will be getting married soon)
In God's bright world, everything's meant to be,
An end for each beginning, a beginning for each end.
For the beautiful earth, there is the sky above.
To cover it like a sheet, to prevent it from harm.
For every river flowing away, there is the sea that awaits.
To welcome to its lovely waters, and merge into one forever.
Each dark sparkling night, has its own bright moon.
Bringing happiness and hope, to rejoicing little stars.
I am so glad that for me too, there exists that special one.
The one who will hold my hand, and walk with me on path of life.
In God's bright world, everything's meant to be,
An end for each beginning, a beginning for each end.
For the beautiful earth, there is the sky above.
To cover it like a sheet, to prevent it from harm.
For every river flowing away, there is the sea that awaits.
To welcome to its lovely waters, and merge into one forever.
Each dark sparkling night, has its own bright moon.
Bringing happiness and hope, to rejoicing little stars.
I am so glad that for me too, there exists that special one.
The one who will hold my hand, and walk with me on path of life.
Eternal
I was picky, no one could catch my eye.
But you did.
I was unapproachable, no one could ask me out.
But you did.
In a world of opportunity, no one persists.
But you did.
I am smart, no one could win my trust.
But you did.
I was a closed door, no one could open me.
But you did.
I am honest, I thought no one would lie to me.
But you did.
Learning from past, no one could fool me again.
But you did.
I was loyal, I thought you wouldn’t cheat me, ever!
But you did.
I was strong, I thought no one could hurt me!
But you did
I was happy, I thought you wouldn’t break my heart!
But you did
In dark days, I thought no one would care enough.
But you did!
It’s hard to accept mistakes, no one usually does it.
But you did!
Sorry is a difficult word, I thought you wouldn’t utter it.
But you did!
Regaining trust is tough, I thought you would not bother.
But you did!
I felt, a thousand ships couldn't sail me back from distress.
But you did!
Silenced by past, no one could make me smile again.
But you did!
And the day I died, I thought you would not follow me.
But you did.
One life was good, you wouldn’t love me afterwards.
But you did.
Love surely ends one day, I thought this, too, wouldn’t live.
But ours did.
Body ends with one life, I thought hearts don’t go on.
But ours will!
But you did.
I was unapproachable, no one could ask me out.
But you did.
In a world of opportunity, no one persists.
But you did.
I am smart, no one could win my trust.
But you did.
I was a closed door, no one could open me.
But you did.
I am honest, I thought no one would lie to me.
But you did.
Learning from past, no one could fool me again.
But you did.
I was loyal, I thought you wouldn’t cheat me, ever!
But you did.
I was strong, I thought no one could hurt me!
But you did
I was happy, I thought you wouldn’t break my heart!
But you did
In dark days, I thought no one would care enough.
But you did!
It’s hard to accept mistakes, no one usually does it.
But you did!
Sorry is a difficult word, I thought you wouldn’t utter it.
But you did!
Regaining trust is tough, I thought you would not bother.
But you did!
I felt, a thousand ships couldn't sail me back from distress.
But you did!
Silenced by past, no one could make me smile again.
But you did!
And the day I died, I thought you would not follow me.
But you did.
One life was good, you wouldn’t love me afterwards.
But you did.
Love surely ends one day, I thought this, too, wouldn’t live.
But ours did.
Body ends with one life, I thought hearts don’t go on.
But ours will!
Dear Little Angel
(Dedicated to Riya, the new born daughter of my friend at office)
Dear little Angel, open your eyes.
A whole new world awaits you.
You sleep away, the day goes by,
And all its colorful sights too.
Look how people hold their breaths
As you dream about the fairy land
Smiling away your toothless smiles
For reasons yet unknown to world
Open your eyes, or you will miss
The orange and red hues of dusk
Say sweet goodbyes to uncle Sun
As he settles for his nightly rest
Dear little Angel, thank you so
You opened your eyes to look at us
The full moon brightens world around,
And far and wide this cheer spreads
Dear little Angel, open your eyes.
A whole new world awaits you.
You sleep away, the day goes by,
And all its colorful sights too.
Look how people hold their breaths
As you dream about the fairy land
Smiling away your toothless smiles
For reasons yet unknown to world
Open your eyes, or you will miss
The orange and red hues of dusk
Say sweet goodbyes to uncle Sun
As he settles for his nightly rest
Dear little Angel, thank you so
You opened your eyes to look at us
The full moon brightens world around,
And far and wide this cheer spreads
Just Like You
Moving along the busy road,
In a noisy crowd, I walk alone.
I can’t be sure, but it does seem,
All faces look like you.
Frames reveal another world,
A rainbow in its true colors.
I stare at them, and soon decide
These paintings look like you.
Standing on the lonely beach,
Golden waves do enchant.
I am surprised, but it can be.
The moon looks just like you.
Woken by the bright daylight,
All around a cheer descends.
I try hard but can’t ignore,
The sun does look like you.
Safe in your heart, I laugh again.
Clapping aloud just like a child,
Feeling ecstatic as I am sure,
That God looks just like you.
In a noisy crowd, I walk alone.
I can’t be sure, but it does seem,
All faces look like you.
Frames reveal another world,
A rainbow in its true colors.
I stare at them, and soon decide
These paintings look like you.
Standing on the lonely beach,
Golden waves do enchant.
I am surprised, but it can be.
The moon looks just like you.
Woken by the bright daylight,
All around a cheer descends.
I try hard but can’t ignore,
The sun does look like you.
Safe in your heart, I laugh again.
Clapping aloud just like a child,
Feeling ecstatic as I am sure,
That God looks just like you.
Go Home!
(A lover's advice)
She is the one, who loves you
She is the one, you belong to
She loves you more than I can ever
You are hers, not mine. Never!
She waits for you when you are late
She is your friend, she is your mate
She is not sly, she is not clever
You are hers, not mine. Never!
Don’t fool her as she really cares
Simplicity is all her silence bares
You hurt her but she smiles forever
You are hers, not mine. Never!
Go home! Be nice to your wife
She has been waiting all her life
Both of you look good together
You are hers, not mine. Never!
She is the one, who loves you
She is the one, you belong to
She loves you more than I can ever
You are hers, not mine. Never!
She waits for you when you are late
She is your friend, she is your mate
She is not sly, she is not clever
You are hers, not mine. Never!
Don’t fool her as she really cares
Simplicity is all her silence bares
You hurt her but she smiles forever
You are hers, not mine. Never!
Go home! Be nice to your wife
She has been waiting all her life
Both of you look good together
You are hers, not mine. Never!
Bumblebee
What is this noise?
That splits my brain,
This constant buzz
It irritates again
Oh no! It’s getting louder
From one ear to other
This din goes on
To make me shudder
Let me sleep as I’m tired
I plead you, oh! Awful Racket
My dear Incredible Drone
Can you shut up for a bit?
That splits my brain,
This constant buzz
It irritates again
Oh no! It’s getting louder
From one ear to other
This din goes on
To make me shudder
Let me sleep as I’m tired
I plead you, oh! Awful Racket
My dear Incredible Drone
Can you shut up for a bit?
They're my Battles
(A brave colleague who wouldn't share his troubles used the words "They're my Battles")
I am brave and I am proud,
Of the way I’ve lived my days.
To me, this life is not a pain.
It's made me what I am today.
Things may have gone bad,
Things may have revived.
It hasn’t been a smooth ride.
it’s made me what I am today.
Each day brought a new lesson,
From some I learnt, some I forgot.
Some I chose, some just came my way.
They’ve made me what I am today.
Till now, I’ve met a lot of them,
People with different ways of life.
Some I liked, some I could not.
They’ve made me what I am today.
If ever, my life is not too easy,
I cannot complain, I cannot cry.
They’re my battles and I’ll fight alone.
They’ve made me what I am today.
I am brave and I am proud,
Of the way I’ve lived my days.
To me, this life is not a pain.
It's made me what I am today.
Things may have gone bad,
Things may have revived.
It hasn’t been a smooth ride.
it’s made me what I am today.
Each day brought a new lesson,
From some I learnt, some I forgot.
Some I chose, some just came my way.
They’ve made me what I am today.
Till now, I’ve met a lot of them,
People with different ways of life.
Some I liked, some I could not.
They’ve made me what I am today.
If ever, my life is not too easy,
I cannot complain, I cannot cry.
They’re my battles and I’ll fight alone.
They’ve made me what I am today.
My far-away Muse
(An ode to the moon)
Behold, child,
Caretaker of the night
Happy moon
Golden bright
Look at it laugh
As it washes the dark
Behold, child,
My far-away muse
It watches the earth
In a quiet truce
These blank stares
Are all it dares?
Behold, child,
Its face fickle
A ball in the field
Or a polished sickle
Phoenix of the wild
From its ashes revives
Behold, child,
The dark sky smiles
As the sly crescent
Travels many miles
Can it hide the steals
before the Sun perceives?
Behold, child,
The brave soul
In the sparkling pool
It drifts alone
Banished by the Day
It has risen again
Behold, child,
Caretaker of the night
Happy moon
Golden bright
Look at it laugh
As it washes the dark
Behold, child,
My far-away muse
It watches the earth
In a quiet truce
These blank stares
Are all it dares?
Behold, child,
Its face fickle
A ball in the field
Or a polished sickle
Phoenix of the wild
From its ashes revives
Behold, child,
The dark sky smiles
As the sly crescent
Travels many miles
Can it hide the steals
before the Sun perceives?
Behold, child,
The brave soul
In the sparkling pool
It drifts alone
Banished by the Day
It has risen again
Deep Within
(Deep within my heart...)
I laugh
I cry
I accept
I lie
I am a funny heart
That suffers wrongs
That keeps peace
That breaks into songs
I love
I hate
I envy
I care
But deep within
Where solitude stays
I feel no fear
I weep for days
I laugh
I cry
I accept
I lie
I am a funny heart
That suffers wrongs
That keeps peace
That breaks into songs
I love
I hate
I envy
I care
But deep within
Where solitude stays
I feel no fear
I weep for days
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Hidden Truths
(Day and Night viewed in a different perspective)
Sun brought a day, bright and cheerful
Birds paved the sky and butterflies danced
Children frolicked and dirtied their hands,
In the puddles, left by rains of the night
People smiled happily, without a care
Joys were shared and malice forgotten
Many new possibilities came with the day
Also, a feeling that too much was visible
Somewhere in an alley, they found him
The man killed by the love of his life
Barely breathing, a haggard woman lay
With no one but her dog by her side
The day brought out the bitter truths
Hitherto*, hidden by the dark night
Smiles vanished, birds stopped chirping
All waited for the soothing night again
*up till now
Sun brought a day, bright and cheerful
Birds paved the sky and butterflies danced
Children frolicked and dirtied their hands,
In the puddles, left by rains of the night
People smiled happily, without a care
Joys were shared and malice forgotten
Many new possibilities came with the day
Also, a feeling that too much was visible
Somewhere in an alley, they found him
The man killed by the love of his life
Barely breathing, a haggard woman lay
With no one but her dog by her side
The day brought out the bitter truths
Hitherto*, hidden by the dark night
Smiles vanished, birds stopped chirping
All waited for the soothing night again
*up till now
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