Month: October 2023

The Folded Page

It was a strange time.
Standing at the edge,
I was unable to decide –
Should I take the step?

A lot had been advised.
A lot also introspected.
Yet I stood on the line
Fearing the unexpected.

What if I should fail?
What if I should lose?
Defeated by self-blame,
I searched for a truce.

Should I turn back?
Should I reconsider?
Maybe another plan
Could avoid failure.

Frustrated, I scribbled
“I Can’t” on a blank page.
Then, left it folded,
Trying hard to forget.

With no decision yet
I unfolded the page.
The crease had split
The written phrase.

Then, it was that I saw
The “I Can” in the “I Can’t.”
And, with a feeling of awe
I let go of my “Shan’ts.”

We all need such messages
At the crossroads of our lives.
And, this is how a folded page
Helped me overcome my strife.

Mirth

O! What is a life worth
If it is devoid of mirth?
Like the stars at night
Some laughter delights.

So laugh away with joy
Like little girls and boys.
Open your eyes to see
Moments to be happy.

There’s always a choice
To be gloomy or rejoice.
When you get the chance
Make merry and dance.

Like Nature, free yourself.
Watch trouble ease itself.
Let mirth become a habit.
It’s a vitamin for the spirit.

The Old Postcard

Up in the old dusty attic,
Locked in a wooden chest
Lay a pale faded envelope
With some odd trinkets.

Among them, a postcard
With a voice long-forgotten,
And a picture of a boulevard
Like treasure from the ocean.

“To Paris!” The year – 1970!
The cogwheels of my mind
Were churning up memories
Of a time I had left behind.

We were young and in love.
Together in the city of lights.
I remembered the Eiffel tower,
The kisses, poetry and wine.

A time that was so romantic,
Yet it was never meant to be.
Frozen in a postcard in the attic
Now just a remembrance, sweet.

Ah! How time keeps moving on!
I pick up the broom and duster
The postcard lies where it belongs
As a song sets my heart aflutter!

The Pledge

I may feel I need my own space,
And you may think you’re better off alone.
But the law of human nature says
I am because you are; we all share a bond.
So, let us all take this pledge today
To always share our thoughts, come what may.

The Goddess

Blow the conches, beat the drums!
Maa Durga arrives in her nine forms!
Behold the first – Maa Shailaputri – riding a bull.
A trident and lotus in Her hands She holds.
She is the root and foundation of all existence.
Maa! Grant me stability, prosperity and strength!
Behold the second – Maa Brahmacharini – in white
With a rosary and water pot in Her hands divine.
She follows the path of austerity and celibacy.
Maa! Grant me spiritual knowledge and self-discipline!
Behold the third – Maa Chandraghanta – riding a tiger
With weapons in ten hands that, on evil, wreak disaster.
She is the symbol of courage and bravery.
Maa! Remove obstacles and protect me from enemies!
Behold the fourth – Maa Kushmanda – riding a lioness
With weapons and a rosary in Her ten hands.
The creator of the universe, the cosmic egg is She.
Maa! Grant me creativity, energy and well-being!
Behold the fifth – Maa Skandamata – riding a lion
With Skanda in her lap, and lotuses in two of four hands.
She is the epitome of motherly love and affection.
Maa! Grant the welfare and protection of my children!
Behold the sixth – Maa Katyayani – riding a lion
With radiant beauty and holding a sword in her hand.
She is like a warrior and can destroy all evil.
Maa! Grant me courage and victory over adversaries!
Behold the seventh – Maa Kaalaratri – riding a donkey.
Dark and terrifying, a sword and noose She weilds.
Of ignorance and darkness, She is the destroyer.
Maa! Grant me protection from negativity and fear!
Behold the eighth – Maa Mahagauri – riding a white bull
Radiant and pure, holding a trident and damaru.
She represents purity and spiritual growth.
Maa! Grant me peace and serenity, and purify my soul!
Behold the ninth – Maa Siddhidatri – riding a lion
Holding a discus, mace, lotus and conch in Her four hands.
She enables the attainment of supernatural powers.
Maa! Grant me wisdom and spiritual knowledge!
Maa Durga, my Goddess! My Supreme Mother!
Before You I bow, and offer my sincere prayers!
O Mother! Bless me and accept my devotion!
O Mother! May I never lose this spiritual connection!

Om Jai NavDurge Namah!!!

Peace

It takes just one spark of anger
To set hearts ablaze with hatred
Leading to bloodshed and war,
Mindless destruction and death.

The dead cannot love or hate.
That’s the prerogative of the living.
Of what use are the dead anyway?
Life is only for the alive and kicking.

The need of the hour is peace
To save Humanity from extinction.
Let peace reside in every heartbeat,
Every family, every city, every nation.

Let it fall like raindrops from the skies
Dousing the flames of bitterness.
Let’s give up all resentment and unite
To create a happy world for generations.

The Girl and the Butterflies

There once was was a girl who loved butterflies.
Every day she saw them flit among the flowers
With their colorful wings dazzling in the day’s lights.
Every day she wished to fly like them in the bowers.

As she prayed, there came together some magical powers
And lo! She transformed into a Monarch’s likeness-
With her wings and a quill, she became a poetess.

PS: This poem is a rhyme royal. Rhyme scheme is ABABBCC.

My Withered Rose

Somewhere in a corner of my mind,
Deep within dark caverns labyrinthine,
There lies a dusty memory in repose
Very much akin to a withered, red rose.

The petals are dry, but deeply shaded
With just a little fragrance, now faded.
And frozen in space and time, with it
Are stem, leaves and thorns complete.

In moments that are entirely my own
To that secluded chamber, I feel drawn,
And I relive precious moments of my life-
Moments that have long passed me by.

The scenes evoked are vivid and bright.
The events and people all come to life.
It is as if time stopped in its tracks
And turned around to take me back.

Hooked, I long to seek the rose again-
To revel in the walk down memory lane.
The rose lies motionless in suspension-
Withered, yet alive, by untold emotions.

He Lives

I see Him in the flowers.
I see Him in the trees.
I see Him in the caterpillars
And in the buzzing bees.

I see Him in the meadows.
I see Him in the seas.
I see Him in the rainbows
And in the mountain peaks.

He lives in everything that moves
And in everything that breathes.
He lives in all things everywhere.
He lives in you and me.