Two streams

Two milky streams flow independently, instilling life to varied grass and weeds,

Happy to have life their way, ambitious, energetic and fun-filled,

Glistening myriad stones and pebbles, scuttling across lands and mountains,

Witnessing zillion people and civilizations, oblivious of their common origin,

Sharing waters unknowingly deep down, getting replenished from the same glacier,

Scared of proximity fearing loss of identity, heedless that union will bring volume and strength,

Fighting destiny abortively for many quarters, becoming one Ocean assuming invincible stature,

Conquering Patience, trust, time and pain, transforming into immortality…

Flower, Star and Wishing Star

There are flowers and there are stars and then there is a Wishing star. All of them have enamored mankind since its very inception. Their existence can be dated back into mythological times and this renders a dash of mysticism to them. They bewitch us, tempt us, and intrigue us in their own individual ways. Flowers can be seen by the eye, felt with hands and smelt with nose .Many flowers have been identified with various Gods and Goddesses which elevates them to position of reverence and awe. In Hindu Mythology ‘Lotus’ is often Lord Brahma Himself personified. Stars can be seen by the eye and in some way felt by few fortunate beings. Stars are many, each one symbolizing something animated in the large azure expanse of the sky. Wishing star is a class apart. It can be seen but not with the naked eye, felt but not with hands, smelt but not with nose, heard but not with ears and communicated with by only one special individual. Since ages men and women have dreamt about Wishing star and believed that there is one for every one. But very few have the fortune in a Life time to have a chance encounter with one’s Wishing Star.

This Wishing Star may not always be on the skies above. It may be found anywhere anytime and anyhow in the milieu around us. In the first confluence we may even fail to recognize it as it may deceive us by masquerading. But it is with time that one realizes the difference between this Wishing Star and flowers and stars. Once you recognize, it is impossible to let it go. It becomes an integral part of your life and sometimes life itself.  Flowers wither and lose their charm and fragrance with time. Stars too die out and vanish like a speck of dust in the ocean of galaxy. Wishing star blossoms, becomes more charming, and adds shine to the individual’s life as time elapses. Very often it feigns us with its negative dark side. It may even scare in certain cases. But with every communication it draws us closer to itself. One begins to admire it, idolize it, deify it and hold in veneration.

Unknowingly mortals begin to dream about possessing it forgetting that it’s a Wish Star which can be only wished and not owned. Fortuitous are the ones who happen to feel their wishing star. They can guide, advise, teach important lessons of life but not become yours. It is preposterous to even think of owning them. They are like wandering Clouds that bring blessed rain to our parched souls. They are cool breeze that bring succor to the breathless being. They show new paradigms and compel you to think beyond the archetypal. Their capacities to add the Midas touch to the life of those they brush past make them special. Do not try to bind them as that suffocates them. They are as free as the flowing rivulet. If you try to hold them they slither from your hands like sand. Let them be what they are best at. Being a Wishing Star!

The Clownish Life

Once in marketplace on a sultry May Saturday afternoon ‘Clown’ happened to meet Life in a book shop. Clown was searching for some fiction to tickle her creative mind and Life stood quietly in a corner in one of the aisles. At first Clown did not recognize her being their first close encounter. She looked like any middle aged woman but something about her bewitched the Clown completely. What it was Clown could not contemplate? With long silky tresses, big black eyes, glowing skin, childlike smile and an enigmatic aura about her she captivated Clown’s attention like a Bollywood heroine just out from a Yash Raj romantic flick. Clown soon noticed that it was not just Clown who was fascinated by her but there were few other ‘Gentlemen’ who looked enamoured. While Clown was still wondering whether to go to her and start a conversation one of the gentle men wasted no time and began flirting with her. She stood there motionless as if slyly smiling inside her bosom, as if mocking at him and asking him to stop fooling her. There was absolutely no emotion from her side and she moved ahead to the next aisle as if avoiding this gentle man. Clown was a mute witness to this entire event.

Life had barely managed to reach the next aisle another gentle man followed her. He seemed to be a known figure of the town and inquired as to who she was. Since this gentle man was high and mighty Life was a little scared. Out of reverence for his position in society she introduced herself in a feeble shaky voice and left in a jiffy. Moving on to the next aisle this Semi-God followed her and soon they both started conversing. Life realized she had a lot to learn from him. Thoughts, intellect, humour, creativity, likes, pains, stress, spirituality and yes sometimes love; they both exchanged what each felt for the other. It looked like the most perfect of bonding in such a small interval of time. To Clown they looked absolutely weird. Best friends forever that is how they described their relation. Clown left after sometime although she was quite enjoying their talks since Clown had a show in the evening.

Next week Clown again visited the book store this time for something on mythology. Clown could not understand her obsession with mythology, spirituality and philosophy since childhood. The unknown world beckoned to her more than the known. For some unknown reasons Clown felt more comfortable in the warm friendly arms of strangers than the cold strange hugs of friends. As Clown wobbled into the welcoming aisles she was pleasantly surprised to see Life standing right there in front of her. This time Life didn't look that attractive. There was sullenness about her. Her long tresses looked less silky, the big black eyes were a little less black, the glow of the skin had diminished, the smile had lost child-like innocence but she still held on to her enigmatic aura. What surprised Clown was that this time Life was staring straight into her. Clown noticed Life ambling towards her and in a second she was gazing at Clown with an intensity that shook Clown’s soul. There were questions she had for Clown.

Why was Life asking Clown questions? Who was she to ask her anything? What did Clown owe to her? Life gave her nothing. They didn't even know each other. But Life was adamant. She wanted answers. Clown asked Life to accompany her to the Circus Arena for a cup of coffee so that Clown could get a chance to at least know who she was. With a little hesitation Life agreed. In the next fifteen minutes they were sipping Irish coffee. Ah, the aroma of the place mesmerized Clown. The Amphitheater with its events added more excitement to the already hot Cup of Coffee. But Life was too persistent. Without wasting any time she introduced herself and described the various orgies of her lifespan. She had had quite eventful experiences. She had innumerable laughter but there were countless tears. She had moments of peace but stress had been the constant demon. Love filled the joyous hues but hatred and neglect made many wounds. Cheaters there were many and she still looked for loyalty and togetherness. Definitions changed with time so did people. Strangers became friends and friends turned strangers in the wink of an eye. Why yes why Life asked the Clown. But Clown stood confounded and bewildered.  Why was Life asking Clown all these questions? Where was Clown’s stake in all this? What was Clown’s responsibility? How was Clown answerable to Life? Before Clown could speak anything to Life she probably understood Clown’s dilemma. Life kept looking deeply into Clown’s eyes as if challenging Clown to look back at her. For once Clown too gathered courage and looked straight into hers. What Clown saw in her eyes took the very breath out of her. Clown felt being thrown down from a cliff. Like somebody hit Clown hard in the safest vaults of her heart, like the waves of the sea slithered underneath Clown’s feet taking away the sand and leaving Clown fumbling for grip. Clown saw her own reflection. The questions were her own. The persistent stubbornness for answers was her own. The echoing laughs her own, the painful tears her own, friendly strangers her own and strange friends too were her own. Life was asking for answers and Clown had none… Clown stood numb gazing at the void that lay in front of the Circus Arena hoping one day Life shall have her own answers….

Still

Birds vindicate your chuckle, Skies whimper with you,

Trees swing to your song, Flowers blossom your narration,

Streams mime your feelings; Winds invoke your thoughts,

Destiny seduces your wants; Hope beguiles your pain,

Heart is restless still; still Semblance is to be descried,

Motive is to be reckoned still; still desolate Soul rambles. 

She

Where the greatest Warrior lost,

Where the boundless Sun dimmed out,

Where the facile intelligentsia fumbled,

Where the indomitable Gods turned just idols,

There you stood all strong and mighty

Astounding the world with your doggedness

Those twinkle in your eyes,

That smile on your face,

And that spark in your soul!

Can You?

Can you hear what the deepest silence echoes?

Can you bear what the meekest tear conveys?

Can you speak what the faint heart drips?

Can you see what the pale eye grips?

Can you resonate what the wound cries?

Can you render what the smile hides?

Can you read what the quivering lip gushes?

Can you feel what the servile spirit touches?

Dyad

Rein -in said the intellect, Go-on muttered the heart,   

Keep it closeted advised sanity, Let it blossom chirped spring,

Strap-in shouted the milieu, Pour-it-out gesticulated the cloud,

Bridle it informed the day, Fructify resonated the night,

Harness it whispered fear, Manifest it dared faith,

Feign it counseled reality, Embrace it notified Life.