Sometimes

Sometimes as kiss of morning dew on the flesh,

Sometimes as mysterious fog on the mind,

Sometimes as recalcitrant stream on the heart,

Sometimes as detached snowflakes on the brain,

Sometimes as indulging raindrops on the soul,

How many more marvels do thou hold for her? Sire!

The Bard

The Bard ensconced crooning on the guitar,

Of kings and kingdoms and shepherds plenteous,

Opulence and beatitude and abjection and pang,

The story of mankind in its lanes and by-lanes.

With cherubs and dames and greybeards around,

All stupefied and beguiled with sheen in their eyes,

To his fables and legends that reflected their lives.

The Bard ensconced crooning on the guitar,

Till the drowsy sun slept and the moon ensued,

Burnishing the night sky with its charming semblance,

Relinquished by those who doted on his lyrics.

When I heard him murmuring the song of life,

Smiles obliterated and tears conferred by compeers,

Smiles conferred and tears obliterated by outlanders.

The Bard ensconced crooning on the guitar,

Of the wounds that led to changing lives,

Of the charities bestowed by unknown populace,

Of the rains that accorded greenery to fields.

Praising the invisible rapturous hands of love,

Eulogizing the unconditional ubiquity of hope,

Applauding darkness to transpire the light.

The Bard ensconced crooning on the guitar,

When men tussled with destiny to surmount,

When determination humbled all nefarious,

When humanity confounded even the invincible.

Another

Another milestone achieved,

Another lesson learnt,

Another smile beamed,

Another tear lurched,

Another pain clasped,

Another pith gained,
Another flower wilted,
Another bud blossomed,

Another image obscured,

Another insight poured,

Another debility humbled,

Another  twaddle drubbed,

Another mark made,

Another vista earned,

Another day wended,

Another  journey interposed.  

I Thought

I thought I saw a Jelly Fish,

Leisurely swimming in the pond,

But it turned out to be a Wish,

Melodiously humming my favourite song.

I thought I saw a blazing Gun,

Threatening folks with its barrel,

But it turned out to be happy Children,

Having fun and zillion stories to tell.

I thought I saw fresh Flowers,

Blossoming happiness to those who seek,

But it turned out to be rainy showers,

Washing tears secretly rolling down cheeks.

I thought I saw a Star anew,

Giving hope and optimism rife,

But it turned out to be you,

Erasing pain and renewing faith in life.

From Hunk to Monk

Sitting on the wrought-iron bench, watching the pearly waves slowly kissing the shores Milky suddenly glanced on a bunch of children playing football. They all looked so happy, engrossed, excited, care free and ignorant of the worries of everyday life. For them life was a game and game life. One of the kids though reminded her of somebody whom she chanced to meet some time back. This boy had the same twinkle in his eyes, naughty smile, intelligent forehead and strong arms. Milky called him and asked his name. He replied, “Paurus!” with the same commanding husky voice. That brought an immediate smile to her face. Reason being their names too were the same. She got up from the bench as it was nearing dark and sauntered along the beach towards her home.

Deliberately she took a longer route to her nest. This little boy brought back certain sweet memories in a flash. She saw herself in a cabin of a corporate. A Review meeting was scheduled. This was her first day in workplace after a long leave. As everyone was seated the CEO introduced them to one of the new members in the team. Tall, dark, bespectacled Hunk. “He is Paurus. Joining us from today.” Since the first meet Paurus looked different. What it was she could not immediately gauge. With time they all got to know a lot of ‘things’ about him. Some work related other related to his juicy personal life. There was no doubt what so ever that he was a hard worker, a complete workaholic. He showed tremendous outcomes within a short span. But as no one is perfect he too had his flaws. Short tempered, yes that was his biggest weakness. He got angry at small things, shouted at his subordinates for delays and soon earned himself the title of ‘Steamy Pot.’

Some envious ones whispered about his personal life as well. Some said he had a fetish for women, others said it was wine and still others claimed it was wine, women and wealth, the 3 important Ws (weaknesses) of life. The jealous tongues were wagging and elevating the already famous hunk almost to a stature of a celebrity. Milky had absolutely no idea about the mysterious Sphinx.

Soon life threw her right in front of him. They were both to work on the same project. Her well wishers warned her about him. Milky was more than cautious lest He took advantage. As expected he flirted on the very first day. She mused, “The Demi-God doesn't want to waste a day!” As time elapsed she was completely awestruck with his methodological ways. His control over subordinates, his intelligence, his ability to think beyond the normal, urge to innovate, change and re-engineer  He was all this and much more. Above all he inspired his peers to give their best. He not only asked them what to do but showed them how to do. He would often say, “Gems cannot be polished without friction.”  Milky realized that this man was much more than what he revealed to the world. What people talked about him was not all truth. She grew curious about him; something told her she knew him already. But time and again events proved her wrong. She would hear something cheesy about him every now and then. Sometimes it was about wealth, sometimes women. Wine did not trouble her much!

As the project progressed so did their friendship. Yes, they had groomed into the best of buddies. They shared everything; from favourite movie stars to food to stress to spirituality to teasing each other. They were comfortable in each other’s company. Now even wealth and women did not trouble her. They were friends for a life time. What Milky did not know was there was something troubling Paurus. This was devouring him slowly and gradually. He often complained about stress and being dirty. One day Paurus disappeared! There were no messages, no phone calls. He was probably giving himself time to realize the Truth.

Paurus did return but in a new Avatar! Head shaven, beard and more calm and composed. The twinkle in his eyes was replaced with Buddha-like serenity. The naughty smile was overtaken by Monk-like visage. Paurus had metamorphosed into a Hermit! He said once, “Every saint has a past and every sinner future.” This time again he had like a true leader not only asked what to do but showed to the world how to do! He never met her again after that; stopped even being friends with her. All this while she boasted of her own spirituality to him but this sinner showed her how stunted she was to him even when it came to spirituality.  The Hunk had transformed into a Monk. Detachment, work, meditation, aloofness, focus and goodness now epitomized him. She was happy for the Monk although she missed the Hunk. They were separated in the physical plane but were united in the spiritual realm. They never acknowledged it explicitly but the ‘Connect’ once established remained even stronger. She made last ditch efforts to stay beside her friend but the Monk had discovered the goal of his life. She was hurt deep down for losing a friend but happy that the friend was triumphant in finding himself. He had covered the journey of a life time in a short span, “From Hunk to Monk.”

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!