Every now and then with parched lips
the farmer looks up to the skies
to deliver the blessings of rain
but then knows he has to endure
the mighty trials and tribulation
of a long simmering Summer
before he can enjoy the fruits
of a cool pleasant Monsoon…
The tree of love I planted as a seed
while in despair when I felt lonely
it started branching out to all those
who needed love and care as a tonic.
They came to me now and again
with love I tended to them all while
I forgot my despair bestowing care.
Now I am blessed with folks around
who glued them to me with gratitude
and that is when I looked around me
the tree of love had got them all back.
This poem was inspired from APJ Abdul Kalam’s quote…”I had a sparrow as a pet it flew away one day then I had a squirrel it ran away. I planted a tree and they both came back”.
He had always lived the bandit way
and became irate by the day
A ship is what he wanted to be on
how he liked to sail on the high seas
but then his habits came haunting
when he set sights on the treasures
that sailed the seas with men on it.
Once he raided a ship with his buccaneers
full of chests, this one belonged to a King
had always dreamed of, to conquer one
all this shiny wealth would be his, if only,
he could reach home by the green islands
but got cursed by the captain and his crew
who got slaughtered with their cutlasses
thrown to the seas for the waves to bury.
A storm was brewing in the distant sky
it could hit them this week or the next
they all spent drinking the stolen liquor
went into a stupor that lasted many a day
it was when, someone noticed a patch
on his skin which turned into a rumor
they would all overthrow their chief
for the disease would cause havoc
if allowed to run its usual course.
The next day, they started an argument
the pirate was prepared, having noticed
the patch on his skin and their reactions
With his flaming pistol, wrecked them all
before the calamity could strike them
throwing their bodies and guiding the ship
through channels of rocks and great fish.
The storm hit him and his ship for days.
got wrecked when it hit the rocky land
it was an island and he did not despair.
He got occupied carrying the chests
full of gold, silver, emeralds and rubies
buried them in deep holes dug by him
when the job mighty done, was he happy?
the next day, the disease knocked him
ration of fresh water and fruits dried up
the curse of the plunder came to haunt
he was rich but the wealth of no use now
his body lay dried in the sun on the rocks
searching for dear water, when all around
it splashed in fury not giving him a drop.
One day, I opened my window
to see children playing below.
But alas, the showers came
the rain god got the blame.
As the sparrows wet in vain
the waters flooded the lane.
The kids roared like insane
while parents took their canes.
They heard their mothers calling
followed by the lightning falling.
This time they yielded with pain
sadly, I shut my window pane.
Health health health
All of it is your wealth
Wealth wealth wealth
All of it be can be dealt
But not dear, your Health!
Life is a wiff of air…Ending sooner than we presume.Yet, we crumble thinking of tomorrow,That never ever comes.All we experience is the past,And waste the present in apprehensions. Yet, how lovely is the present;The greatest gift of God,With its beauty all around,Inviting us to perceive, and createIndelible joyful memories,To cherish in the days to come. […]
Apprehensions — English Literature and Grammar
When you were a lovely child
How you loved the flowers
How you loved the birds
How you loved your friends
How you loved the trees.
The love filled breeze that caressed
The love packed playful winds
The love filled calm of the moon
The invite of the love filled mornings
How you laughed in love abandon.
How love filled was your smile
How cheerful was your love
How adorned love was around you
Love was in your eyes as you walked
For there was much to learn and love.
Love followed you mighty everywhere
Love was so kind and yet so innocent
When we turned to love filled youth
The same Love so turned possessive
Love came warped with apprehension.
Love was more of getting things your way
Love was more of praises and rewards
Love was filtered and scattered by demands
How you became famous and love died silently
When love dear was to be your friend forever…
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
We became chat friends at a net cafe
Most of the time we sat next to each other
Not knowing it was she and I him
We did wait for the bus at the stand
Just a smile passed when our eyes met
Our mind always busy with the distant pal
One day the pal was all gloomy while chatting
Inspite of my inquiry she kept quiet
I smiled at the stand but she didn’t look
I sat in the seat as she stood thoughtless
I offered the seat next when it went vacant
Her exam results were out, she confided
Oh, is that all, I smiled cheering her up
I am leaving tomorrow for I cannot stay
won’t you be seen at the net cafe then
I will not be there as I need to pack up
She bid a sad bye as she got down
I saw her walk and disappear in the blocks
While the bus carried my sadly hurt weight
The next day dawn, I logged in at the cafe
She had put a mail thanking me for support
she was leaving the city as it was not in her
to crack the exam even in her third attempt
also was not sure if she would chat with me
I looked at the vacant seat beside me
Then it struck, she too had said the same
Logging out, I broke into a run sweating
the bus was waiting as if asking me to board
I hopped into it and off where she left it last
I retraced her last seen steps into the blocks
meeting and confirming it was her was vital
walking in the sun long my vitals were failing
when a car bumped into me with her in it
What are you doing here, she asked tending
I came to meet a friend who is flying today
But miss I did just like this car gave me a kiss
Do you want me to drop you at the airport?
Yes yes! I scream, my dream having come true
In the cab I asked her where she was leaving
Both the answers matched and then I asked
What made her think she should quit study
She said she had fallen in love with her pal
Who went pale on hearing such sweet words
I don’t know how to tell him, her eyes damp
cause the pain in the heart now unbearable
Now that you have told him, he would know
I haven’t told him it is you I told, she flamed
Her looks made me all the more to smile
Can you tell me how it happened, I teased
The exam or love is what you want to know
I am asking you on your love stupid, I joked
How can you call me stupid, she flared up
If you can call me umpteen times on chat
Why cannot I sweetly one time in person?
Ajay, you of all persons, she exclaimed!
After a silence that seemed an eternity
She told the cabbie to turn back home
I am not going anywhere but here
as she held my hands with gleeful eyes
With Ajay why can’t I Vijay over my exams?
What a great waste is war
For it puts everything to waste
It is all for a need they say
To bring back the lands together
But that is what they said long back
When the united land was divided.
It is all for a need they say
But it takes away our needs
there is nothing left to feed
no place to work or play
no houses left for us to rest.
As the enemy is on the march
we are looking to resist and rest
how long can we run from the land
where in peace once we did dwell
where the winds of war seldom came.
Then you came and felt the need
good counsel came from all sides
but the need made you pay no heed
in the midst and stuck in the mire
Is it too late to turn back now
when the evil of war became your peril?
Perceptions 