So, since when did happiness become a problem?
Didn’t God make all of us in a likeness of His own?
We spent millions searching for a gene or chromosome,
and describing all the neurotransmitters in tomes.

Did we find the secret to everlasting contentment?
A pill, powder, or syrup to eliminate all resentment?
Could we capture exuberance in a little bottle
for a shot of exhilaration to put life in full throttle?

Why did it take us centuries to finally realize
how happiness can be manifested in our lives?
That, at times, we need to stop spinning on our axes
and seek within ourselves a state of pure bliss.

A touch, a melody, a fragrance, a taste, a picture
that revives a memory or creates a feeling of rapture.
Being thankful for all that was, is, and yet to come.
And giving away things to those who have none.

Not all of us were born with a silver spoon,
but we all have what it takes to be happy as a boon.
Just like a basket is spoilt by one rotten apple,
a smile easily spreads the jollity virus in people.

Light is best appreciated when there is darkness.
Just so, life is balanced by cheerfulness and sadness.
And if you need guidance, take a look at the little ones.
So, since when did happiness become a problem?

It was a very simple question,
“Who ate the cookies from the jar?”
that Mother asked her children.
Three pairs of eyes looked at her
thinking about the repercussions –
the rebuke, the beating with the ruler.
The possibilities scared all of them.
Silence and fear filled the atmosphere
broken by Mother’s question again.
Till the little culprit stepped forward
and with a tremble, said, “I ate them,”
while the others thought, “He’s dead!”
Then, Mother did the most unexpected.
She smiled and hugged him, and said,
“As you spoke the truth, you are forgiven.”
What the children learned that day was –
The path of truth may be frightening,
but it is the right one to be on…always.

If I ever met an old-lamp genie
who could grant me wishes three,
well, what would those wishes be?
And should I really stop at three?

I’d wish the aurochs would return
and also, the pink-headed ducks.
I’d wish the tourtes could fly again,
and cheetahs roam the Asian plains.

I’d wish there was a magical cure
for every sickness in this world.
I’d wish we had the supreme power
to realize that we are the cause.

I’d wish we did not need sadness
to know the value of happiness.
I’d wish the desire to oppress ends
and we could walk hand in hand.

The wishes I have are more than three,
so the third and last wish would be –
to make a wish for three more wishes
till there were no wishes left unfulfilled.

It begins with an inspiration,
a fleeting thought
speeding through the mind,
and then its caught.

The idea scribbled on paper,
then crushed and trashed.
Slowly, it starts to shape up
in the second draft.

The words play together
to build the narrative –
A similie here; or a metaphor,
create a bit of imagery.

The verses start forming
with meter and rhyme.
After writing and rewriting,
flow the chiselled lines.

Here comes the final version.
and with an artsy flair,
it is released from seclusion,
ready to be shared.

Such is the evolution
of a work of poetry
A journey from evanescence
to a joyful reality.

Deep within each person,
there lies a large reservoir
of an energy named desire,
that, to emerge, lies waiting.

Even Gods are unspared
from the forces of desire.
Such is its cosmic power
when it arises and flares.

The desire to be king.
The desire for beauty.
The desire for immortality.
The desire for strength.

In countless instances,
desire has driven
both mortals and angels
towards destruction.

Blessed are the saints
who can harness desire
like the taming of fire
in household kitchens.

Blessed are the ones
whose only desire
is to serve the Maker
through His Words.

Blessed are those
who can steadily hold
the double-edged sword
of desires in this world.

A seed pushes through the forest floor.
In silence.
The earth heals after a thunderstorm.
In silence.

An eagle glides in the vast blue sky.
In silence.
Dawn breaks through the dark night.
In silence.

A lake reflects snowy mountain tops.
In silence.
Moon beams shine through the window.
In silence.

A candle melts to spread light all around.
In silence.
Trees give shelter through their shadows.
In silence.

Silence is magic, silence is medicine,
Silence is releasing, silence is strength,
Silence is clarity, silence is powerful,
Silence is sacrifice, silence is love.

The yin to the yang of noise and chaos,
silence can enlighten and build purpose.
So, whenever vision is marred by confusion,
know that the answer lies within …. in silence.

Once upon a long time ago,
there were three young lads –
Pain, Courage and Fear.
They found a treasure map.

The gold was in the ocean
for whoever ventured forth.
And so they went a-hunting
in the sea on a rocking boat.

At the time to take the plunge,
Pain complained and hid away.
Fear decided to make the jump
but returned shivering and pale.

Now Courage dove in the waves
deeper and deeper unflinchingly.
He found the treasure in a cave,
and then lived ever after happily.

Beauty lies in the smallest of things.
A silk cotton seed floating in the wind,
a butterfly with gaily colored wings,
a pearly shell that the ocean brings.

Beauty lies in the commonest of things.
The grace of a pendulum as it swings,
the dew shining on gossamer strings,
the light bouncing off a little earring.

Beauty lies in the strangest of things.
The Moon and the Sun while eclipsing,
the leaves turning red before falling,
an orchid bloom like a baby sleeping.

Mind not the earth as it keeps spinning.
Mind not the clock as it keeps ticking.
But, pray, take the time to stop and see
the beauty that surrounds you and me.

Is there a price for everything?
Does everything have a cost?
What then is the best bargain?
To what extent would it drop?

Lost in the maze of questions?
Take a pause to look around –
A mother’s love for her children,
a rusty memory lost and found.

The sun shining in the morning,
the fresh breeze after the rain,
the laughter of the little ones,
the sound of musical refrains.

The gurgling of flowing rivers,
the rainbow with colors seven,
a smile that sets hearts aflutter –
All these cost nothing, my friend.

This is an acrostic poem penned by me. Do join the first letter of each line and see what you get.

Behind the wall,
Everybody wants acceptance –
Hopes for unconditional love.
I’m sure you are no different.
Now the truth is simple.
Do you also see?
There is no miracle.
Here is the key to the
Everlasting verity.
When you seek something,
All you have to do is give.
Let the wall down.
Let your wishes live.

I went on a journey alone
down a long, winding road.
On the way, I met some flowers.
I rejoiced in seeing their colors.
A few smiled at me cheerfully
while other prickly ones hurt me.
Then, there were the great trees.
sheilding me from gusty breeze,
with sweet fruits that I could eat,
and leafy beds for me to sleep.
The road I walked had rocks in it.
On some, I stumbled down and fell
while others let me sit and rest
giving respite to my tired legs.
As I skipped to the road’s end,
I came to a mighty, blue ocean.
In it, I swam with all my strength,
against the tides and currents.
Till I reached my final destination –
A place that was beyond description.
With no crowns or victory trophies,
just a sense of satisfaction in me,
for this journey I took by myself
is the bittersweet story of life itself.

Sometimes we are disappointed by people or circumstances. This is largely due to our expectations from them. But what if our perception and expectations could change? Here is a poem that attempts to do that.

(Please note – this is a reverse poem, so read it both ways- top to bottom and bottom to top.)

This is what I believed.
To limit my expectations!
My parents never told me-
Try and achieve anything
Like the spider and the king
I mustn’t believe in stories!
My teachers never told me
To chase all my dreams
I don’t have the strength
My friends never told me –
I deserve the best from life.
All that I heard was this-
You can’t! You shouldn’t!
The world never told me
I could work to succeed.
And this is what I believed.