YOU HAPPENED

I was sitting at the dusk
Reflecting on the day
As the sun kept sliding 
making way for the moon....

The orange of the sky
Shimmering on the river below
Made a crimson hue
on the still waters

I was silent, serene and satiated
Smiling to a some distant song
Playing far away in the recess of my mind
And then you happened.

You made the dusk feel like dawn
As the sun decided to stay still
And the trees swayed to the melody
Of the nightingale's sweet song.

Serenity surrendered to strife
Between the mind and heart
The silence was marred by a thousands screams
That said " no" to you happening in my life.

But since , in my life, you happened
the satiated smile was a thing of past
A discontent grew, fuelled by the desire
Restless spirit looking for rainbows at night.

You touched my life
like a stone that made ripples
like an ache in my soul
like a longing unfulfilled.

You happened for a reason
For now when I slip into the arms of night
I would have known what it is
To have an imperfect life and an unrealised dream.

NEED MORE TIME

I love you Lord and will come to thee
But before I come there's a lot to see.
There so less time and so much to do
Once I am done, will come to you.

The breaking dawn of a summer morn
The falling dusk when the night is born
 I am yet to see, I am yet to feel
When the dancing trees at your altar kneel.

The snowy  peaks dressed in virgin white
Like a Christian bride, oh what a sight.
The recklessly rivers and the shameless streams
Rush to the sea to fulfill their dreams.

I am yet to go, following the rainbow
where the sky hugs the earth, in love, you know
There is so much beauty and so much love
the world you made is like the heaven above.

Limitless Beauty you bestowed on us
But men too have created  many wonders
Such classic movies, such engrossing books
Beautiful paintings worth more than it looks

Soulful music that seeps in your soul
It joins the pieces and makes you whole.
The  dance and drama have a language of its own
Transports you to a world you have never known.

Lunch with friends or candle light dinner
Never ending debates where everyone is a winner
A stroll in the park or a picnic in the woods
A simple honest life sans all  falsehoods.

Last, not the least is the desire in me
To wipe off the tears on every  child's face I see
I want to laugh and I want to cry
Want to make a difference  before  I die

So much to see and so much to do
List is long  but the days are few.
For all these chore I need time for sure
Not just  one lifetime but many more.

I FLY

When the church bell rings
And nightingales sings
Don't ask me why
Into the deep blue sky
I fly

With the sun kissed hair
Where no one would dare
When the moonlight shine
With a glow divine
I fly

When I see a trace
of a smile on ur face
When you hold my hands
And the moment stands
I fly

When we sway to our tune
Under the moon
When you give that stare
That says you care
I fly

When you sit by my side
And I am in ur arms wide
When you hold me tight
And I know everythings alright
I fly

Your love gives me wings
I fly to where angel sings
You add meaning to my life
The Day you are gone
I will move on
But that is the day when my dear love
I die.

MA

I remember that lady of my childhood 
The lady I called MA
For me she was the fulcrum 
My world revolved around her and papa

Papa seemed tough and stern then
But she was as soft as butter
Hint of a tear in our eyes would melt her
Before any word we could utter.

Her deeds big and small, we took for granted 
I never wondered from where she could find,
The powerhouse of energy she always had
Like a watch that would never unwind.

Her day would start at the break of dawn
Preparing meals for the four children she had 
She fed, clothed and sent them off to school 
Anyone else would have gone mad.

You would think that her chore would be over 
But now her day would just start.
There were no maids to assist her
She would alone play all everyone's part.

She would become the cleaner and clean the house 
She would become the chef and cook food.
She would be tailor to sew the torn dresses 
She would be a mother hen if any of us would brood

But she barely had time for all this 
To her own school she would rush.
She was a teacher in a nearby school
In a colony that was not so plush.

She would return in the afternoon from her school 
And she would rush to finish all to be done.
She would be fresh and all smiles when we returned
For in a short while again,she would be gone.

This was something close to her heart
She had enrolled herself in postgrad class.
With a household to run and four children 
Still with flying colors she did pass.

All children were close to her heart
But a fact we all did know 
our brother , the youngest was the apple of her eye
Though never did she let it show.

When I think of that lady, full of life and energy
My heart is filed with awe and respect.
She did all she could and much more 
Never did she anything in return expect.

As I look at her now I wonder
Where has all the energy gone?
This frail looking old woman 
Is not the lady we have known.

I wish I become like she was 
So my children would later say
Our mom was full of energy 
We too should be like her one day.

LOVE, DON'T TRY TO DEFINE

A thought that brings smile on your face
A memory that pulls at your heartstrings
A tender feeling that engulfs you
A look that turns chilly winter into spring

A longing that refuses to go
A yearning that keeps growing
A want that keeps burning in your heart
A desire that's mind blowing

A Symphony that reaches its crescendo
A ballad exquisite and enthralling
A sonata that leaves you misty eyed
A melody worth listening and recalling

A painting with a riot of colors
A sculpture that's carved with hands
A dance form exuberant and joyous
A drama of life from far away lands

What is it? We don't know
Is it a longing, or a feeling divine?
Feel it, like art, beauty and music
Love, please don't try to define.

SALUTE THE SOLDIERS

When at war, in the comforts of our bed we lay

They were at the border,fighting night and day.
At peace, we discuss and debate with intellect
They are still there, our country they protect.

While we crib about how tough our life is
Their life is a treacherous symphony.
When we complain of crowd and traffic
They in their lonely barrack yearn for company.

In this age of too much communication
They wait for news from home.
When we do Skype calls and video chats
They wish for phone signal in their room.

When we complain of the difficult weather
Of heat or humidity or rain.
They only wish to see another sunrise
In the most dangerous terrain.

When we protest against their brutality
Of having fired in self defence
They are laying their buddy in a casket
Sending him home in a situation tense.

When we debate if it is Democratic
To be told to hoist the National flag
They make the ultimate sacrifice for nation
And go home in the body bag.

They are so much like you and me,
a common man with dreams big and small.
Yet when it comes to courage and valour
They win hands down and outshine us all.

Even though they are like us all
There is something that sets them apart
For we talk of love for our nation
They walk the talk, by taking bullet in the heart.

Whatever we may say or do for them
We can never repay their debt
Let's salute our soldiers every time we see
This homage to pay, never forget.

LOVE,LOSE AND LAMENT

Why is that we chase after people who avoid us
why do we care for them ,who do not feel
Why pine for those for whom we do not exist 
why do at the altar of such people we kneel

He who breaks our heart becomes our heartthrob
And makes us cry through the night becomes our star
Never do they shed not a tear for us though
Detached they watch the drama unfold from far

Look at that Person who is by your side
The one to whom you mean the world
The one you always take for granted
His heart at your feet he always unfurled

It pains him to see the tears in your eyes
Not caring for whom its being shed
What he would do to see smile light up your face
Yet you yearn for the heart of steel instead

God makes us fall in love, with those who do not care
While he enjoys the drama, of tears, heart break and despair
Wouldn't it have been wonderful,If we all fell in love in pairs
The one you loved, always loved you back,No love triangles, no clandestine affairs

But it is not in our nature, with what we have, to be content
We always run after the moon, to love, lose and lament

KARWACHAUTH

Today again I wait for thee
Gazing longingly
At the sky...
Though throat is parched
And lips are dry
There is not even a sigh!

From you today
In my humble way
Can I ask for a boon
As you shine bright
Tonight and all nights
May my love always shine...O moon....

Oh come on now
Don't hide behind the cloud
We are waiting just for a look
Have conquered hunger
And suppressed thirst
Hell lot of resolve it took

Why play hard to get
Come on don't fret
please show your lovely face
Then through the sieve
I will see my love
A face that's full of grace

Come out and stay
And see if you may
The Love that we share
It doesn't end here
And it's my prayer
May it Grow stronger year after year

DIWALI

The diyas are lit
The darkness surrenders
It's diwali again
But my heart wanders

Let me light a diya
For the soldier who did return,
But not as a son, a husband, a father
But as ashes in an urn.

Let me light a diya
For the girl who was stabbed to death in daylight
For she spurned the advances of a man,
And he took her life to avenge the slight.

Let me light a diya
For the life that was nipped at bud.
Just because she happened to be of the wrong sex
she was murdered in the womb in cold blood.

Let me light a diya
For the farmer who decided to end his life
Rather than see his children go to bed hungry
Or the flesh being traded of his wife.

Let me light a diya
For the girl who brutally was raped
And the world called it her fault
When in the white sheet she lay draped.

Let me light diya
For the child who was denied medical aid on time
As she passed away in her mother's arms
Her innocent eyes asked " is a bring poor a crime?"

Let me light a diya
For all innocent lives that were lost
For you and me did not care enough
For our apathy, with their life they paid the cost.

So the last diya is for my conscience
That is no more alive.
I remained a mute witness to the injustice around me
To change the things, I did not strive.

ME

I am me, just a spirit free....

I am the rays of the sun breaking through the dawn.
I am the wind that blows your hair on your face every morn.

I am the dew that shines like pearl on the light green leaf
I am the sea gulls call which breaks the quiet of the coral reef

I am the misty cloud with unshed tears on the earth to fall
I am the rainbow in the sky that brings cheer to one and all

I am the lush green trees that sway in the breeze with a melody sweet
I am the headstrong hill that stays so still with mysteries replete

I am the rivers that gushes, and flows and rushes to see her lovers face
I am the sea that stays, through tides it waits, for her warm embrace

I am nature, I am beauty, I am joy, all that and more is me.
or
I am me, just a spirit free

DRAMA OF LIFE

Seconds turned into minutes
Minutes went hours way
At the blink of an eye the hours flew
And it was another day
Day turned into months
months graduated to years a little too fast
Before I could catch a breath
I was like a boat without a mast

I have been drifting along the waves
To go where the sea meets the sky
The more I try , the more it eludes
I wonder where I am headed and why

I have been spinning with the wheels of time
Since the day my journey I did start
Not knowing the story of the drama being played
Not knowing what exactly is my part

but amidst all life's confusion
One small thing I do know
From the dust I have come
To the dust will I go

WOMAN , EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE!

I sometimes wonder, when we were in the womb of our mothers, did we also worry then?

God, will my mother have an easy birth? Will the elder sibling feel jealous and left out? Will my granny be happy that a female child is born? There can be numerous questions worrying that small head of  a baby girl, but we have no means to know.

What we do know is that ever since her birth, in  all her various roles as a daughter, sister, girl friend, wife  mother, a woman has a habit of worrying. No, not for herself  but mainly for others. For all the people she holds dear.

Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, but here we are discussing the general disposition of a woman. An ordinary woman like you and me.  A woman with a worrying mind, a sensitive heart and a beautiful soul.

Worry  they say, robs today of its joy. Worrying they say, is like sitting on a rocking chair which gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere. But tell me, who doesn't like sitting on a rocking chair? Knowing very well that it won't lead us anywhere, we still rock ourselves. Don't we? 

So is the case with worry. Of course it's an ideal situation if you don't worry at all. If you are always positive and brimming with self confidence. With not even the slightest hint of a dark cloud hovering on the horizon. Then I would say you are very lucky. More power to you. I wish I was like you. But I am not and so are many woman out there who are constantly worrying about one thing or the other.

To them I say...Go ahead woman, worry. Worry for that exam next day,  worry what to wear for the party next week, worry about the weight you have gained around your middle, worry for your husband's increment that you so are so eagerly waiting for, worry for that promotion you so deserve, worry for your sons project at school,  worry about your pet that you left behind on vacation, worry whether your maid will turn up tomorrow when you have guests for dinner......worry for all this and more!!!

Worry your pretty head, if you may. But while worrying, just remember one sentence. The one sentence that gives me faith to carry one, the one sentence that puts everything in the right perspective the one sentence that negates all the worrying and is the essence of it all..

"WOMAN, EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE”

LOVE AT THAT FIRST SIGHT

Her face was unspoiled by beauty
Tresses like dark clouds haloed around
Her eyes honest and sincere
Concealed a mystery profound

Her gaze looked through my soul
My darkest secrets lay bare
Naked I felt before her
For eternity I just stood there

Its true she was no beauty
No poet would ever sing her praise
But there was some charisma about her
An epitome of poise and grace

She was as fresh as dew on the green leaf
As soft as the suns first ray
As sweet as the nectar in the flower
My heart at her feet now lay

I know not if I will ever know her
Or in my arms will I ever hold
I know not if we have a tomorrow together
Or it will remain my story untold

But I know I want her by my side
To hold her, to touch, to caress
This enigma that is now before me
For all my life I want to possess

What's this thirst that I can't quench
What's this yearning that won't go away
What's this fire that is all consuming
Is it love that's finally come my way?

TOGETHER WE ARE COMPLETE

She is all that I am not
Together we are Complete.
She's the moon that shines bright
me the dark night where we meet.

She is the cool breeze that rustles the leaves
me the tree that sways.
She the soft drops of seasons first shower
Me the child that plays

She is the dazzling summer sun
Me that sunflower that will bloom
She is happiness personified
Me the epitome of gloom.

She the river that rushes through
me the deep blue sea.
She as stable as the rocky hill
me like a bird, am free.

She is a beautiful nightingales song
A melody heart achingly sweet
me the rhythm all gone wrong
of a ballad incomplete.

She is all that I am not
Together we are complete.
God had plans for us to be one
Two hearts with the same heartbeat.

 

THE GIRL CHILD

They all decided to kill her
and she had yet to take her first breath
for she was guilty of being a girl 
so they sentenced her to death

But luck was on her side 
It’s too late, the doctor said
they took it in their stride
Deciding to let her live instead.

This is how she came to this world
God and luck had to play a part
but with time everything changed 
with her innocent smile she won their heart

Our little girl happily blossomed
in all their love and affection
Things were fine until the day
her brother came to get all attention

Everyone doted on him
and he was spoilt rotten
He got the best toys and games
While she was always forgotten

Our girl accepted the new equation 
that she was less than her brother 
but with her grit and determination 
she marched ahead without any bother.

She passed school in flying colours 
and wanted to study to be a doctor 
but brother education was more important 
Her ambition remained a mirage and mocked her.

In the college too she excelled
but before she could wear the graduation gown
she was by her family compelled 
To get married and settle down

So our not so little girl now 
had her own family to look after
she charmed her way in their hearts too
Her home reverberated with love and laughter

Soon there was good news in family
A flower was about to bloom
though it made her look ungainly
She fell in love with bud in her womb

Mother in law was over the moon
the father in law too was the same
an heir was to be born soon
He will carry on the family name

I will play cricket and football with my son
Proud would be father let everyone know
He will be an engineer and join my business 
my footsteps my son will follow

Her heart was filled with dread
when all their plans she did hear.
What if it’s a girl instead?
Her doubt she had to clear

Oh no, the first born cannot be a girl
They all very clearly said
Daughter after the son is all right
After all, we are broad minded

So if it's a girl you have to get rid
before it's too late to do so.
First born a daughter, we forbid
this we would like you to know.

Hearing this the would be mother 
Felt a rage fierce and wild
How can I with my own hands smother
the life out of my child?

As a daughter, sister and wife
Hundreds compromises I did make
but for once for my unborn child
the entire world I will forsake

My child is my flesh and blood
whatever be its gender
Nine months in my womb I will carry
to your pressure I will not surrender.

And because you cannot understand this
nothing from you I do expect
and I cannot live in a family
where for a woman there is no respect

You call her Durga, Kali and Laxmi
You give her a revered name
but if she is born in your family 
why does she bring you shame?

Girl or a boy is mine to keep now
in my child you have no more stake
I refuse even to find out the sex
this decision is entirely mine to make

With her head held high she walked out of house
Leaving all that was hers, behind
The child in the womb she did take with her
And the new found purpose in her mind.

  

A POCKETFUL OF HAPPINESS

Stars in my eyes and sun in my hair
I fly, I waltz, I smile with no care.
The birds are singing a melody so sweet
I can sense their mood, its so upbeat.

The winds hug me tight and won't let me go
It messes my hair in a playful mood, i know.
The trees are dancing to a half forgotten tune
"Its spring", they say, but how come so soon?

There's a rainbow in sky thats only for me
The clouds laugh, as I dance with glee.
The mood is so festive, its hard to believe
Everyone's so happy and its not even Christmas eve

Who could have filled so much happiness in me?
Wondering and beaming I can only think of thee.
I put my hands in my pocket and what do I see?
A pocketful of happiness you had left there for me.

GO FLY!!

Want to have your feet on the ground? Go Fly. Life is pulling you down? Go fly!

"Are you out of your mind?" You have all the liberty to ask. Please give me a chance to explain my point of view. "Point of view " is what it is all about.

Well, if you feel the need of having your feet firmly on ground, means you have arrived in life. You must have achieved your dreams and then you start feeling as if you are suddenly floating in the air. Understanding fully well, how fleeting and transitory things are, you tell yourself," I can't let success go to my head, I have to have my feet firmly on ground."

Let us imagine another scenario. Life has been tough and you feel nothing is going right for you. You have issues with friends, family, your bosses and in general with life. The chip on your shoulders is getting heavier by the day

My solution for both the cases-Go fly!!

"Fly? Huh? Certainly one can't grow wings overnight. And what's so special about flying on an airplane, anyway? We have been doing that since ages. So what will I achieve by flying?."

You will, you will. You need to fly with open eyes and an open mind, and ask for a window seat, please.

As the plane takes off, look at the city beneath. The tall skyscrapers gradually starts shrinking and they start looking like your Child’s toy. Very soon, they are just tiny dots in the entire canvas. The same way, all your troubles will become insignificant, once you just change your horizon. You just need to Look down on your problems from above. Just ask yourself, will I remember this fight with my wife, the next month? Will my child's marks matter the next year? Will this increment make such a difference to me five years hence.? When you change the horizon of time, they will cease to be as scary and stressful.Just look down from above. There goes your problems and worries.

As your plane cruises along the amongst the clouds, you are technically not on the earth. But even in your absence, heavens have not fallen. Even in your absence, the earth will take 24 hrs for a rotation and the sun will always rise from the east. If you had any feeling of being Atlas and that the Earth rested on your shoulders, you can safely let it go. See, you are flying in the air but the dooms day has not arrived. So let go of all the self importance you always carried as an extra baggage. Life would become so much easier.

Take another look. The city which is actually a giant looks like a dwarf. Millions of tiny dots, those dots are building, every building has many flats, every flats have on an average 3 to 4 people. You can't even see them even if they stood on the rooftops. How insignificant people are!!! They are mere specks , tiny, insignificant little specks in the whole universe .And what big egos these specks carry!!

There you are, I am sure your feet will be firmly on the ground, once you understand how insignificant you are in the vast canvas called universe.

So next time, you are feeling low, or you need to be brought down to earth. Just Fly. No, you need not buy that expensive ticket , you need not board that plane at all. Now you know the trick. Just let your mind do that flying. There is no limit to where you can go. Soar high, fly ,but keep your eyes on the ground. When you come back, I promise you , you will have the perfect balance, your feet on the ground and your spirits soaring high.

A MOUNTAIN'S PERSON..THATS ME

A misty morning on a hillside,
I smile and push the blankets away.
The dawn is just breaking 
Morning is tip toeing softly to lay a claim on the day
Holding my breath I move towards the balcony,
opening my eyes in anticipation of the sight,
sight of the sun kissed mountain touches me
With its ethereal beauty and majestic might

Its always been love at first sight,
Though falling in love was never my intention
Its a bond that has no reason..no logic
Its a pull that's beyond comprehension

I was never a daughter of the mountain
Nor a bride of the hill
But they are a part of my life
And till my grave, they will

I can pass my days looking at them
Day in and day out
Their silence speaks to me
Love is what its all about

They stand a mute witness in history
To dynasties rising and falling
They have seen heroism and treachery
In their laps many a men found their calling

Now as i look at them
I am very sure that they know me
There she is, in this life too , they think
Starting at us unashamedly

For ever since my birth in this universe
I am bound in love, never to be free
I love their strength,their silence, their serenity
Yes....a mountain's person....that's me..

STRESS FREE SUNDAYS

The alarm doesn't ring
Its the noon sun that wakes you
The tea is sipped with half closed eyes
With a favorite biscuit or two

You slip back between the sheets
For another short nap till brunch
But you do devour the paper before
And have a little something to munch

Breakfast in bed was the cliche
brunch in bed is the new in
With a tall glass of wine you plan
A beautiful day which is yet to begin

The weekdays are for work
A man has to earn his bread!
But this day is for pure leisure
For family, friends and lazing in bed

As the sun goes down to sleep
You dress for the party in town
Or the movie in theater perhaps
Where all your worries you drown

You have to recharge you batteries
For the demanding week ahead
Its only the sundays that you live
Other days you are dead...

ETERNAL HOPE

As the day slowly melts into nothingness
The dusk shyly hides behind the day
The night is dark and all mighty 
For its feels is here to stay

Night does seem sinister
Hope for some time it does sway
But then Sun starts peeking from the clouds
Rays of sunshine come your way

This is how it always is
Hope always follows despair
Light always follow darkness
Life is nothing, if not fair.

CRY WOMAN, CRY!

It started as a mist, gradually the vision was marred and then slowly a single tear trickled down the eyes making way for the others to follow. No, I was not sad. Nor was I in pain. No one had broken my heart. There was no reason for me to cry. But, I was crying. It was watching a movie and the scene was such that i could not control my tears. I am sure this is the case with most of the women.

Tears make me feel alive, tears make me feel relieved, tears make feel thankful. Thankful that I still have a heart that can feel. Thankful that I still have the courage to show my emotion. Thankful, that there is still hope and I am still alive.

As a child and a teenager tears were a tool to get what I wanted. There were other times too. I remember crying every time we returned from summer holiday at my grandmother's. I remember crying every time dad got transferred and we had to say goodbye to friends. I remember crying for my siblings when they fell sick. I can say that I truly understood what "crying a bucketful of tears "meant when I read the book "Thorn birds" by Colleen McCullough.

Growing up, who can claim to have loved and not cried? Well, they say, love is happiness. It may be true, but to get there you sure have to swim through a river of tears. No one can claim to have loved without crying at least once!

Like any other Indian bride I too had a tearful send off. I cried when I had my miscarriage and I cried when I had my baby in my arms a couple of years later.

Tears have different flavors. Tears when you are happy, tears when you are sad, tears when you are in pain, tears when you miss someone, tears when you are mad at someone, tears when you are seething with anger and tears when you are just feeling helpless.

So, whenever you are feeling like it, go ahead, cry your heart's content. Trust me, you will feel so much better.

When God made a woman, he gave her many extra responsibilities. To fulfill all these, she needed extra strength. So God gave her a weapon, her tears.

Never ever think that a woman who cries is weak. You may laugh at her if you see her crying over some stupid movie, you may call her unprofessional, when she is trying to hide her tears as her boss is firing her. You may call her a sentimental fool, when her eyes water as she is applying dettol on her child's grazed knee. Call her all that. But never call her weak. For a woman's strength lies in her tears. A woman, when she is crying is just recharging her batteries and she will come out twice as strong.