A Different Kind of Hero

Not all heroes come to the rescue.
Some step back and cheer for you.
Not all heroes have shining armours.
Some instill hope in dreary corners.
Not all heroes ride steeds that fly.
Some ignite a spark in your mind.
Not all heroes wield a sharp lance.
Some till the earth with their hands.
Not all heroes have superpowers.
Some translate sunsets and flowers.
Not all heroes lead battle armies.
Some clean the rivers and the seas.
Not all heroes save damsels in danger.
Some choose to walk to protect Nature.
Not all heroes have great conquests.
Some create vaccines against viruses.
Not all heroes wear a flowing cape.
Some become examples of change.
Not all heroes are decorated knights.
Some use verse to spread the light.

A Season Called Christmas

It may be cold and snowy outside, but it’s the season
Of hope.

It may be dark and cloudy at night, but it’s the season
Of giving.

Santa arrives with his bag of joys, for it’s the season
Of love.

And on this day, His Son was born, so it’s the season
Of glory.

Come one, come all, let’s rejoice, for it’s the season
Of miracles.

Come with gratitude and faith; let’s all celebrate a
Merry Christmas!!!

Musings for the New Year

Month after month, year after year,
Space scientists struggle to answer
This question – Is anybody out there?

With them, everyone else wonders –
Are we all truly alone in this universe?
And is this for the better or for worse?

But do signs of alien life really matter?
Or how far all the galaxies are scattered?
Or the location of black holes and stars?

Now, how about when a neighbor suffers?
How do you ease their sadness or fears?
Or is being compassionate a big bother?

Do you help your brothers and sisters?
Would you care or lend your shoulder?
Or do you chase glamor and grandeur?

As the curtains drop on the past year,
Let us all pledge to always be together,
Listen to and empathize with each other.

Let Humanity be the focus this New Year,
For the question we all should answer
Is about ourselves – Is anybody in there?

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.