The Diwali Conversation

Ma! Why did you light the diyas?
So their light, like knowledge, dispels the darkness of ignorance.

Ma! Why did you draw the rangoli?
To invite wealth, prosperity, and positive energies.

Ma! Why did you make the karanjis and chaklis?
So we can share them with our friends, neighbors, and family.

Ma! Why did you bring the anar and phooljhadi?
Their brilliant flashes show the victory of joy over despair on Diwali.

Ma! Why do we celebrate Diwali?
Because Lord Rama defeated Ravana and returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years in exile.

Ma! So what happens after Diwali?
Hmm. That’s a good question, my dear.
Never forget …

Like the lit diya dispels darkness, seek knowledge to get rid of ignorance.
Like the colorful rangoli, work to invite wealth, prosperity, and positive energies.
Like the karanjis and chaklis, share with those in need.
Like the anar and phooljhadis, spread joy that triumphs over despair.

And …

Like Lord Rama, be the instrument for good to defeat evil.

So what did you understand, little one?
Well… in that case, I think Diwali should be celebrated every day.

How true! If people celebrate Diwali every day, the world would really be a better place.

The Runaway Pinky Toe

Once upon a lazy afternoon
As I was ambling to the living room,
I stubbed my pinky toe against the door,
And it rolled away across the floor.

As I cussed and sweared loudly,
I must’ve frightened the little chappie.
For off, it dashed like a small mouse
With me after it through the house.

It scurried out down the paved driveway,
And I hopped behind with a foot in the air.
Into the front yard, it then turned
While I kept shouting out for it to return.

And if there ever was a crazy scene,
It’d be of my pinky toe being chased by me.
And what made the whole thing so zany
Was my incomprehensible hollering.

So, there I was a hop-hop-hopping
While my little pinky toe was escaping.
It wobbled right around the house,
And over the fence, it jumped to race out.

It was then that I leapt with all my strength,
And caught it midair in it its rightful place.
But I crash-landed with a painful full-split
And a scream so loud, you must’ve heard it.

I slowly rose and hobbled to the front door
Wildly elated to reunite with my pinky toe.
But, of course, it could’ve been a lot worse
Had it not been my pinky toe, but my nose.

Whose Decision is it, Anyway?

It’s that time of the year again.
When we rally to celebrate our independence.

The hoisted flag flutters high
Inducing in all countryfolk a feeling of pride.

The national anthem is heard everywhere,
And patriotic songs reverberate in the air.

Children and grownups, with golden words, speak
Of freedom fighters who set our country free.

But, while freedom has been bequeathed,
In today’s times, who decides if I am free?

Surely, if the freedom fighters sacrificed,
And, for freedom, gave up their lives,
Then it must be they who decided.

Or then, there is the government
That leads the country from up front.
So surely, it is decided by them.

But then, there are also the influencers –
The intellectuals and opinion makers.
This decision must surely be theirs.

What about the super-rich businessmen?
The economy thrives because of them.
They must be the ones to decide, then.

How can I not consider the preachers,
Spiritual guides and faith leaders?
Yes, they must be the ones, for sure.

So, under all this glorious confusion
Lies buried the question of my freedom.

And as I ponder over this,
A few more questions come to me.

While freedom has been bequeathed,
Isn’t it I who is free to decide …

Who will lead me?
What will influence me?
Where I will spend my money?
And which path I will take towards the Almighty?

Isn’t it I who is free to decide …

What I can do to contribute
To the growth of my country and people?

Eighty years ago, on this day,
A nation emerged from the darkness of tyranny,
And its people saw the light from freedom’s rays.

So, now, isn’t it I who is free to decide
How to keep progressing towards this light?

And, however miniscule this decision may be,
It is mine, for it is I who decides that I am free.

The Monster

There’s a monster that, believe me, lurks in the house
Who looks as innocent as it can be!
Oh, it’s a demon with an unending grouse,
And in disguise, it attacks covertly!

It’ll steal the moments from your day and night
And replace them with senseless thoughts!
Suddenly, the clock seems to run out of time
For the things you loved doing, and you’re fraught!

Now, you’re mesmerized by its hypnotic stare.
Addicted, you start craving for more.
Even through all this suffering, you just don’t care,
And everything else gets thrown out the door!

The size of your waist starts increasing,
But you’re glued to your seat on the couch!
Your eyes complain, and your sight starts diminishing,
But that monster’s something you can’t do without!

It’s time you picked up the cudgels
And fight yourself out of its hold!
My friends, be brave! Don’t falter, don’t bungle!
Turn off that TV and destroy its remote!

The Taste of Summer

Summer tastes like mangoes
Sour raw mango pieces drying on the rooftop
Waiting to mingle with oil and other spices in pickles.
Their sharp aroma would fill the house
And make its way into conversations.

Summer tastes like mangoes
Ripe golden Alphonso pulp blended with sugar and cardamom powder
And served as Aamras with meals.
Its intensely sweet and luxuriously creamy flavor
Made each mouthful feel like a royal treat.

Summer tastes like mangoes
With an extra salty zing from sweaty palms
Because they were stolen from the trees in the neighbor’s orchard
With friends, on lazy afternoons.
Each bite was worth the mad dash to the fence to escape.

Summer tastes like mangoes
In my grandmother’s pickles, mother’s Aamras, and those shared with friends.
Summer always tastes of love and memories.

‘Til Infinity

If the inkpot was the ocean,
Then
Not all the ink would be enough…

If every quill was a raindrop,
Then
Not all the rain would be enough…

If each page was a flower petal,
Then
Not all the blossoms would be enough…

If every moment was a breath,
Then
Not all the lives would be enough…

To express my love for you.
‘Tis as simple as that –
I love you forever and ever and ever.
‘Til infinity.

Defying Odds

Once you understand that
In this Universe, which is 93 billion light-years in diameter,
With a 100 billion galaxies,
And 400 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy,
With 8 planets revolving around the Sun,
And 5 nonillion living entities on our planet, Earth,
With 8.3 billion humans,
And 22.5 million people born on the same day,
You are the only you,
Then, you have already defied all odds
To just …
Be.

So just …
Be
Your unique self
That completes the tapestry of humanity,
The cherished Earthling,
Spawn of the Sun’s starlight,
Full of galactic stardust,
With matter and antimatter,
With vacuum and plenum,
Everyday…
Just be…
You.