What’s in My Name

What’s in my name? It was never mine.
Although I’ll bear it for my entire life.
No, I had neither choice nor any say
in the name I’m called with every day.

So what’s in my name, you would say?
Call me differently, and I’ll be the same.
But when I think about it, I do realize
that my name was never really mine.

It was what my family envisioned for me
when I arrived – their hopes and dreams.
In that name, they felt all the happiness.
That name resounded with my existence.

With this name, I will never feel lonely
for I’ll carry with me a piece of my family.
The name I bear may not be my definition
but behind it lie the purest intentions.

So what’s in my name? Well, it’s clear –
it’s a sign by my ancestors, my dears.
It was never for me to use by myself.
It’s not a description, but my inheritance.

Take a Pause

Now, what would be a cause for a pause?
We could carry on endlessly like a clock.
More work could be accomplished daily
if there were no reasons for a dilly dally.

Just imagine a life where you don’t stop
and keep on spinning like a child’s top –
A series of tasks, reports, and deadlines –
More profits and improved bottomlines.

Now, pray, come with me to the garden.
Let’s walk, taking the path less trodden.
Look at the ladybugs, all red and black
on the white roses lining the dirt track.

The grass shines like Indian emeralds
as dew glistens on leaves and petals.
Listen to the symphony of the evening –
The bees humming, the birds singing.

And yonder are the dark olive-green hills
standing stoically not unlike sentinels.
Witness the skies turn bright crimson
as they say goodbye to the setting sun.

Can you see the shapes in the clouds?
Two fiery dragons engaged in a bout.
Let’s stroll on till the moon peeps out
lighting up our way in a silver shroud.

Tomorrow will arrive at its quick pace
and its series of chores and challenges,
but wouldn’t you agree that it’s better
if you took a break in the lap of nature?

Rejuvenate the cogwheels of the mind,
forgetting the deadlines for some time.
Take a long walk, and you will figure
that this pause will make you the richer.

The Meadow

Meet me tonight in the meadow of my dreams
under the moonlit sky and the cool silky breeze.
Let me hear the strong beating of your heart
as you hold me so close in your loving arms.

Let the sleepy poppies awaken as they overhear
you whisper sweet little nothings in my ears.
Let the curious white daisies blush as I describe
the glow from the fireflies in your blue eyes.

Let the fragrance of the lilies spread in the air
as you weave them, with your hands, in my hair.
Let me sing to you songs that profess my love
as you say you love me as infinitely as the stars above.

Let the scent of our bodies mingle with that of the grass
as our love grows past seconds, minutes, and hours.
O! Meet me every night with the meadow as the witness
to the neverending spring of our love and our trysts.

A Tale of Water and Stone

One fine day, Water and Stone
got into a heated argument
about who was more powerful
and couldn’t reach a consensus.

So they asked all the little birds
flocking at the side of the river.
The birds got into a conference,
but couldn’t arrive at a decision.

Then, Water suggested they ask
the sunshine in which all bask,
but Stone said the rays were biased –
They often shone on Water’s surface.

With no answer yet to the question,
they went to the wise old woman,
who lived at the edge of the village.
Yes, she was known to be like a sage.

The evening sun was almost setting
while she put down her cup of tea.
She was busy weaving flower jewelry
to be sold in the market for pennies.

Just as she put on her shoes to leave,
the two approached her, still fighting.
After hearing both of them speak,
she shook her head and said wisely,

“There are times when I have seen
water breaking stones into pieces.
and times when water has been held
by stone dams and embankments.

So, here’s the answer to your question –
The most powerful is Circumstance.
Be gone, for there’s work to be done!”
With that, she left, singing a folk song.

It would seem that she had finally lit
a candle in the dark for the two misfits.
And so it was that with no argument,
the two enemies became best friends.

The Little Joys of Life

And so I commission my pen to write
about the things that make me smile.
The list is lengthy; it takes me a while
to search in the caverns of my mind.

The smooth, cool floor under my feet
when I wake up after a night’s sleep.
The sight of the pretty colored flowers
when I’m in a rush during office hours.

The moon shining through the window,
a book that speaks words I didn’t know,
the sound of the sea caught in a shell,
the stories that my granny used to tell.

Discovering an old diary with scribbles,
a jar full of almond cookies to nibble,
photos and albums full of memories,
souvenirs of times when I was carefree.

The rainbow arching on a rainy day,
seeing the little ones laugh and play,
traveling with friends on long drives –
These little things bring joy in my life.

Vaisakhi

Listen to the voices singing!
Listen to the drums beating!
See, they all are celebrating
the festival of new beginnings!

A day that’s revered and sacred.
Uniting all with a common thread.
The rituals and traditions may differ,
but not the emotions and fervor.

A day that marks Ganga’s descent
from the heavens to cleanse our sins.
Also, the bountiful harvest of spring
that the first day of this new year brings.

Look at the temple decorations,
the bustling fairs and processions.
People taking dips in the holy rivers,
the bhangra dances, and the langars.

The folk songs and prayer ceremonies
with the giving of alms to the needy.
And if you still can’t guess what day it is –
Let me tell you, my friend, it’s Vaisakhi!

I Know You Care

I know you care when you choose to pick
litter from the streets to keep them clean.

I know you care when you choose to speak
words that inspire instead of causing injury.

I know you care when you choose to sow
seeds that make evergreen forests grow.

I know you care when you choose to give
food and water to fellow brethren in need.

I know you care when you choose not to throw
chemical waste into the pristine rivers that flow.

I know you care when you choose not to spread
pollution that kills life with every breath.

I know you care when you choose not to assault
the ones who are weak and without any fault.

I know you care through what you do every day.
Your actions show more than the words you say.

I know you care when you continue on this way,
and I’ll follow you in this evangelism of caring.

Mind Matters

The mind is a trickster.
It’s like a shape shifter.
Searching for patterns
in realms of confusion.

At times, it falls in love
at the very first glance.
At times, it breaks up
after years of romance.

At times, it sees hope
in situations so dire.
At times, it gives up
after dousing the fire.

At times, it’s dreaming
of things so unreal.
At times, it’s thinking
of answers to riddles.

At times, it convinces
to walk down the path.
At times, it debates
the decision for hours.

Failures or successes –
Webs of perceptions
woven with the senses
by the lord of intellection.

What’s fruit for one man
is poison for the other.
Yes, it’s all in the mind,
my sisters and brothers.

Wings

This is the story of little Louie.
A story that tells the truth truly.
One fine day, he was on a tree
doing his bit chomping leaves.

And suddenly, what did he spy?
His own image in a pond nearby.
A lumpy green thing with eyes,
and short legs; he was surprised.

He shook his head with dejection.
Unhappy with his pudgy reflection.
In shock, disbelief, and depression,
he was dismayed at his situation.

And when the tears had been cried,
he went back to what he did in life.
Munching leaves with all his might.
Eating, eating without knowing why.

And there were times he did stray
towards the pond and see his image.
Repulsed he was with his ugliness.
Reviled, disgusted and so helpless.

And all he did was eat the leaves.
He did not smile, nor did he speak.
Rounder and greener became he.
Gobbling and nibbling on the tree.

Then came a moment on one day
when everything came to change.
Around himself, he spun a thread
spinning it till he covered himself.

Alone, he stayed in the darkness.
Not knowing what days lay ahead.
Memories reshaping in his head.
His body evolving in the little bed.

Hours ticked by, followed by days.
On the branch, his cocoon swayed.
The leaves he no longer craved.
The pond forgot he ever existed.

Till an invisible force shot through
his body, and all he did was push,
breaking the walls of the cocoon,
emerging in the dark like the moon.

Exhausted he was, a little confused,
suddenly aware of his form anew.
Wings on both his sides so colorful.
Spreading into a flight so beautiful.

The pride of the garden and bowers,
sipping only on nectar from flowers,
little Louie had come a lot farther
from his days as a pudgy caterpillar.

Oh, happiness and happiest of times
come to those who patiently abide
and believe in all the powers divine
to reveal the true wings of their lives.

Introspection

In moments that I can call my own,
Negotiating with my muddled mind,
Turbulent thoughts shout and echo
Reaching out for help but can’t find.
Opens then my third eye to look within,
See through the forest of confusion,
Peel away the layers that mar vision,
Enlightening myself by introspection –
Concious and deep inner examination
Till the muddy waters settle to reveal
Inside me are the answers that I seek.
Overcoming all that’s overwhelming,
Never forgetting and forever evolving.

PS: This is an acrostic poem penned by me. Do join the first letter of each line and see the word that is revealed.

I’m a Woman

I’m the morning mist veiling the green hills.
I’m the silvery dew dazzling on rose petals.
I’m the raindrops creating rainbows in the skies.
I’m the still lake reflecting bits of sunshine.

I’m the tidal wave crashing on sandy shores.
I’m the flashflood uprooting the earth’s floor.
I’m the hurricane sweeping everything in my way.
I’m the hailstorm destroying cities in a day.

I’m the drizzle bringing forth trees from seeds.
I’m the river giving all souls the final release
I’m the delta spawning civilizations that bred.
I’m the ocean churning up both life and death.

I’m not limited by my shape or the path I make.
I’m not limited by my color or the form I take.
I’m pure, I’m sacred, I’m the incarnation of strength.
I’m gentle, I’m powerful, I’m water – I’m a woman.