A famous actor once came to party in town
a crowd went to him that included a clown
who appeared quite shabby in a long gown
which was torn and colored dusty brown
shaking hands, the actor was seen to frown
at a sad painted face decked with a crown
all of a sudden who pushed the actor down
who fell into the deep pool about to drown
hands that helped him up were of the clown.
Health health health
All of it is your wealth
Wealth wealth wealth
All of it be can be dealt
But not dear, your Health!
On the banks of a winding river
covered by shade giving trees
stood an old temple now a ruin
one day, was I mighty surprised
to see myself walking towards it?
The glaze from the noon fiery sun
as it struck many majestic pillars
at first blinded me; I could see
a deity of a goddess unattended.
Offering my salutations to her
I looked around to spot anyone
who would come this desolate way
but alas, no one seemed to exist
except me, in these lost quarters.
I walked the once trodden steps
when having heard a sharp noise
I turned around, to my wonder
the old sanctum door now shut
who shut that door, I wondered.
Around the farther side were
trees plenty next to a cool pond
with flowers growing amidst it
my eyes spied in the shade of trees
a monkey, a squirrel eyeing in awe.
The breeze and the fruits in bounty
took me to a dream of bygone days
I dreamt of that place back in time
how festivities rocked the still ground
where people flocked lost in joy.
The temple fair with pristine glory
attracted one and all, near and afar
a visitor in me now in different attire
there I saw a beautiful girl standing
at the steps of the majestic temple.
Was she beautiful, was she radiant
was something about her charm
observing all who were lost in fun
who she was, so bright as the sun
my mind at sea, churned thoughts.
I climbed the lovely temple steps
devotees praying to the goddess
somehow the glow on the deity
could very relate to that on the girl
one in divine, one in human form.
Casual inquiries it was made known
she was the child of the temple priest
a devotee who cared for nothing
engrossed in the service of his folk
worship a mother who was his child.
I circled with the crowd at every turn
her radiant smile, the mighty holy
doubts cleared with the compassion
she bestowed on us with her love
a mother pleased at her children.
At a loss, keep the discovery to myself
do I make it known, had I the courage
should I approach her I wondered
would she listen, as others her age
a woman, she of a countless age.
One day, she was playing with kids
getting close towards the little ones
when she sensed my approach,
the all knowing smile asking
was I attracted to her these days.
With courage, I went near divine her
while the kids not at close quarters
asking her, was it true, I had sensed
she the divine in human form said
keep it to you, which I did this time.
Days were spent meeting and asking
had she powers she could exercise
could she keep the village blessed
she would wait for them to pass a test
then, would decide to be a part of it.
Months passed by, days of joy to me,
one day, the priest’s daughter fell sick
ailments added to her father’s plight
one said of a physician with the king
might help her to tide over her state.
A journey to the palace was too far
to ask for a cure might invite wrath
a lad I was, to carry the message
private to the medic, to respond to
a person glowing, despite her pain.
I went to the court and with difficulty
manage to get his consent, for the call
but he asked a fee, which I doubted
any one, of the village could afford
but they could have tried and helped.
With sad tidings, I got the message
no one cared to help the priest
who did selfless service for them
helped bring blessings from Her
just as She had blessed him with Her.
Chiefs and landlords refused to help
in kind or in money, left him sad
the priest died, broke, just as he was
was this test you told of, she smiled
she was to pass, with me by her side.
Rain clouded to the delight of all
but my plight, no one could gauge
I lost her that night, hands in mine
radiant as ever, loving eyes upon me
in torrents, it poured from the sky.
The river nearby rose in anger
submerged all with its people
waves climbed the forsaken temple
they also washed away our lost selves
I must be glad to part with my body.
It all came back, I was driven here
a place where I loved a girl of glory
a divine Odyssey it got me here
left to reminisce the story of a ruin
would She come again for me…
If you liked reading this, hope you enjoy the sequel that continues as a story in Yajnavalkya
Goddess, whenever I look to you
I know you have known me
all my trials and tribulations
you wore them as a garland
to keep my worries at bay.
My offerings are to please you
but so trivial as they really are
when compared to the lovely gifts
countless that has been bestowed
these years on me by your good self.
In all my walks and moments
haven’t you walked with me
watching my every step that I took
correcting as a loving mother should
you were at my every beck and call.
I am greatly thankful to you
for having kept me company
I only wish you would hold my hands
lead me to places where I go after this
As I tread my steps now weary with age…
Happy Navratri and let Her blessings be upon you.
I took off fast on my horse
when I saw the forest on fire
You, who had ventured deep
amidst the pines, a while ago
dried as they were in the heat
scorching it was, this summer
a fire had started somewhere
had built itself now into a crown.
The logs of timber reduced to tinder
the horse though nervous did speed
through streaks of fire amid crashing pine
the dense smoke had made us to wheeze
wasn’t getting difficult for us both
could we surrender to the elements?
when you were there somewhere
lost yet near, waiting to be found.
As we gate crashed the rising flames
we did spy a patch of grass where
you were seen lying unable to move
with a heavy branch having fallen
that felled you as it came down
Tying the rope to the half burnt log
I asked my dear steed to back off
And then was, the tinder got moved.
I pulled dear you from underneath
Just as the fire seemed to engulf us all
‘Down you kneel’ I cried out to the horse
Helping you who could not now stand
to mount the stallion who was once
a part of a long forgotten battalion
then I jumped on to the stirrup
And how we sped, only the Lord knows.
With the fire singing on our heels
He stopped only when we were out
of the woods which had caught fire
But it kindled the lost love in us
never any fire can burn it down
nor the earth can engulf us down
partners we were, we will remain
Till these burnt woods remain…
The elixir of water is life.
Life swims, lands and takes off from it.
The strength of the wind is life.
Life soars, floats and flies off with it.
The sacred fire is life.
Life dries, burns and takes birth from the ashes.
The rays of the Sun is life.
Life sprouts, energizes and warms with it.
The song of rain is life.
Life gets its sails wet and drinks every moment of it.
Nature as always rations the elements to each of us laced with love.
Be it water, wind, fire, the sun or the rain, all play their parts to perfection in the nature of life.
I got up in the middle of one night
sensing one who was out of sight
The door that had been well shut
yes, there was someone standing
waiting to come inside that moment.
I put all force behind the closed door
as I lay across on the floor mattress
at that very time, someone did push
hard though the door did hold well
it was locked just as I had thought.
So many years have passed away
but the night still comes to haunt
was it real or was it my imagination
as I ponder with fright and wonder
who it was, the visitor, that eerie night.
The old woman was so dear poor
costly medicines were out of reach
The boy being left hungry for days
now forgot what cruel hunger was
The poor man did not know slight
to recover his house in plight.
The farmer had put his best effort
the crops failed with the weather
somehow he weathered the loss
but fell too short of words when
the state left him high and dry.
The worker who lost his job did
never know when to gain the next
every man and woman toiled hard
not knowing what future lay for them.
They provisioned food and wood
when the clouds of war would rain
The terror, the beast was unleashed
Safe neither the child or the infirm
The world dashed them on the earth.
Explosions rocked thronged groups
At places of public prayer and speech
The cries of the wounded who cared
Nor heard but read were numbers
to the established of the world.
Leaders met on dias invented ideas
of how to keep control over those
who lost control of their dreams
futures getting mashed up in the
binding grip of those who mattered.
When I started on WordPress 5 years ago, the first intention was to check if content was really King (SEO ranking), and over a period of time, it has proved right for me. Most of my blog titles when written along with Perceptions ranks on the first page of Google. This would not have happened without you, devoted readers who have been following my posts and commenting and liking them. For to the writer, there is no other inspiration than a good following of readers…
Celebrating today on the eve of the occasion of Holy Thursday
On World Poetry day, here is my contribution for my readers:
When it simmers in the summer
as it freezes in the winter
when it floods during the rains
as it dislocates during landslides.
When it pours lava from volcanoes
as boats gets capsized in swollen rivers
when the earth shakes during a quake
as an epidemic swallows a community.
When hunger and thirst is rampant
as there is no pay after work
when there is no food to buy
as there is no shop in sight.
When you get ransacked by robbers
and animals take off your dear ones
while there is no water to drink
as the light goes out of your sight.
While the limbs get distraught
as the organs in the body fail you
when fire engulfs homes and dreams
then a disease lays you low.
That is when you think of Him
who though appears nowhere to be seen
still watches over you, to see
how you conduct yourself
when life’s woes befall you …
Perceptions 