In the blessed garden of Eden
Lived Adam and eve as bidden.
Ying and Yang- blade and chalice
Complemented each other- with love, without malice
But the couple’s fate was written otherwise
The forbidden fruit loomed and attracted their eyes
Curiosity is blamed with killing of cat
Poor couple paid dearly for the act.
The heaven was not for the curious
But the complacent
And Eve stretched out-
Enquiring, intelligent
The hell broke lose in heaven
God became angry for once
How dare Eve defy and question the bidden?
Even dumb Adam stood by her- what a dunce!
The voice of enquiry was summarily punished
Eve was branded evil for ever
Adam did not quite understand
But stood by his mate- in sun and shower
Both were sent to live on planet earth
To struggle to live, to die, to give birth
To taste sorrow, bitterness and despair
But the new experience came as a fresh breath of air
Anxieties of earth were welcome
To the heaven’s staleness.
They tasted envy, but also love
They faced danger but also happiness.
Perhaps God in his infinite wisdom
Has never himself understood
To enjoy the good- one must taste the bad
Hope sustained the couple through many-an entangled wood.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
THE DAWN
After a restless night
A tired city woke up to a tired dawn
Engulfed by smog- sunrays weren’t any bright
Gone were the chirpy days- the trees also stood withdrawn
The sickly vapor lights reinforced the dullness within
An occasional jogger passed along- looking forlorn and lonely
Life was slowly dragging feet- another dull day was to begin
What a colorless way to live-I was ruing my destiny
Suddenly a cheerful crowing pierced the dullness- thick and frozen
As if the trance was broken- I jerked awake and looked around
Existing (it can’t be called living, for sure!) in a butcher’s small, smelly pen
Nonchalant of death staring down, a magnificent cock welcomed the dawn
Normalcy returned as if a magic wand touched one and all
The morning seemed fresh and bright
I was bemused- the poor cock responded to beauty and never thought to shirk his call
Life is short, painful and unjust- but long faces only prolong misery’s onslaught.
I would like to hope the butcher set it free and not sell
Yet I know it is unlikely-get killed it must and be devoured
But his attitude earned him rave farewell
He saved an entire city from endless self pity and richly deserved
To be called- HERALDER OF DAWN
A tired city woke up to a tired dawn
Engulfed by smog- sunrays weren’t any bright
Gone were the chirpy days- the trees also stood withdrawn
The sickly vapor lights reinforced the dullness within
An occasional jogger passed along- looking forlorn and lonely
Life was slowly dragging feet- another dull day was to begin
What a colorless way to live-I was ruing my destiny
Suddenly a cheerful crowing pierced the dullness- thick and frozen
As if the trance was broken- I jerked awake and looked around
Existing (it can’t be called living, for sure!) in a butcher’s small, smelly pen
Nonchalant of death staring down, a magnificent cock welcomed the dawn
Normalcy returned as if a magic wand touched one and all
The morning seemed fresh and bright
I was bemused- the poor cock responded to beauty and never thought to shirk his call
Life is short, painful and unjust- but long faces only prolong misery’s onslaught.
I would like to hope the butcher set it free and not sell
Yet I know it is unlikely-get killed it must and be devoured
But his attitude earned him rave farewell
He saved an entire city from endless self pity and richly deserved
To be called- HERALDER OF DAWN
THE OUTCOME
The novice is blessed with unawareness
Excited, determined – he has grand plans
Chartering his own way, confident of success
He is perfect replica of blundering Icarus
Through his chartered course, he falters and wavers but continues
God withholds the final judgment for the last moment
The outcome glorifies or nullifies the labor lost- the road taken
With hindsight wisdom- everyone is ready with advice
Praising or chiding the novice
Whatever be the outcome
I admire the novice for his guts to swim in unfathomable water
The outcome need not be the criterion of judgment
It is his sincerity, his faith, his labor- that matters.
Excited, determined – he has grand plans
Chartering his own way, confident of success
He is perfect replica of blundering Icarus
Through his chartered course, he falters and wavers but continues
God withholds the final judgment for the last moment
The outcome glorifies or nullifies the labor lost- the road taken
With hindsight wisdom- everyone is ready with advice
Praising or chiding the novice
Whatever be the outcome
I admire the novice for his guts to swim in unfathomable water
The outcome need not be the criterion of judgment
It is his sincerity, his faith, his labor- that matters.
THE ECLIPSE
Within an interval of fifteen days
Both sun and moon were betrayed
Demon Rahu overtook both
Their aspects were briefly shadowed
The pious people thronged rivers
And chanted prayers to ease their pains
Caught between the two worlds, I remained on edge
Bathing yet disbelieving the credulous strain
The pundits have proclaimed horrendous things
That would happen because of eclipse
What should I do? Feast the Brahmins?
The septic mind remains unconvinced.
Dear sun and dear moon
You have become wholesome again
But our fear psychosis fails to abate
We are dogged by premonitions until something does happen.
Both sun and moon were betrayed
Demon Rahu overtook both
Their aspects were briefly shadowed
The pious people thronged rivers
And chanted prayers to ease their pains
Caught between the two worlds, I remained on edge
Bathing yet disbelieving the credulous strain
The pundits have proclaimed horrendous things
That would happen because of eclipse
What should I do? Feast the Brahmins?
The septic mind remains unconvinced.
Dear sun and dear moon
You have become wholesome again
But our fear psychosis fails to abate
We are dogged by premonitions until something does happen.
A JOURNEY CALLED LIFE
She was beautiful- I never tired to look at her
She had grace, poise and vivacity- I felt such pride to be near her!
I was charmed by her swinging earrings
Her long plaited braid was so cool!
Her body possessed a fragrance so pure
I huddled just to drink it more
Her pearl like teeth, her graceful bearing
Her bangles, her bindis- exuded grandeur
She was the deity appeased and adored
The proud lady of the house – my mother!
Her wish- my command
Her need- my errand
I itched to get a pat on my back
I gladdened to snuggle close in her lap
Now she is weather beaten, haggard
Graceful yes, but pathetic alas!
She is bewildered, unsure of herself
She ducks into background at the slightest
With father gone, she has been staggered
No longer the mistress but a pathetic straggler
Subject to apathy, rudeness and ridicule
She has become quiet, bewildered and pained
But still I was not prepared that night
When I rang her up to enquire into her plight
The once graceful lady lost control and bitterly wept
Her tears saddened and shamed me no end
I want to gather her in my arms as a child
I want to comfort her as she used to when I was a child
But there are distances unbridgeable indeed
The aged are not welcome in modern dwellings
Mother, I hate myself for being the gutless person I am
I love you but will see you impassively going to hell
I know you will not grudge me my selfishness
The journey called life has weakened me but given you finesse.
She had grace, poise and vivacity- I felt such pride to be near her!
I was charmed by her swinging earrings
Her long plaited braid was so cool!
Her body possessed a fragrance so pure
I huddled just to drink it more
Her pearl like teeth, her graceful bearing
Her bangles, her bindis- exuded grandeur
She was the deity appeased and adored
The proud lady of the house – my mother!
Her wish- my command
Her need- my errand
I itched to get a pat on my back
I gladdened to snuggle close in her lap
Now she is weather beaten, haggard
Graceful yes, but pathetic alas!
She is bewildered, unsure of herself
She ducks into background at the slightest
With father gone, she has been staggered
No longer the mistress but a pathetic straggler
Subject to apathy, rudeness and ridicule
She has become quiet, bewildered and pained
But still I was not prepared that night
When I rang her up to enquire into her plight
The once graceful lady lost control and bitterly wept
Her tears saddened and shamed me no end
I want to gather her in my arms as a child
I want to comfort her as she used to when I was a child
But there are distances unbridgeable indeed
The aged are not welcome in modern dwellings
Mother, I hate myself for being the gutless person I am
I love you but will see you impassively going to hell
I know you will not grudge me my selfishness
The journey called life has weakened me but given you finesse.
MY GUN HAS BULLETS
Don’t patronize me
And laugh derisively at my face
If looks could kill, you are unrivalled
But as it happens- only my gun has bullets
Spare me your silk and satin
Spare me those frills and fancy display
I am uncouth, rustic and plain
I don’t give a damn to the games you play
You are proud of your histrionics
Do you really believe they are any worth?
No, silly fellow- your acts aren’t enough
Pygmies can’t reach the titan’s berth
Real solutions require not you but me
It is ivory towers versus harsh reality
While you babble –busier I get
And laugh derisively at my face
If looks could kill, you are unrivalled
But as it happens- only my gun has bullets
Spare me your silk and satin
Spare me those frills and fancy display
I am uncouth, rustic and plain
I don’t give a damn to the games you play
You are proud of your histrionics
Do you really believe they are any worth?
No, silly fellow- your acts aren’t enough
Pygmies can’t reach the titan’s berth
Real solutions require not you but me
It is ivory towers versus harsh reality
While you babble –busier I get
JEALOUSY
A red hot shot strikes at chest
A hot flush runs inside the loins
The neck is choked
The eyes befogged
Mind is numb
Nothing penetrates
It makes a fool of me in crowd
The heightened color of cheek
The weepiness of voice
I stand out marked a first rate fool
Oh jealousy, How I hate you!
Cursed indeed was my fate
To get such a malicious mate
But………in the aftermath
After the showdown –in the lingering bitter sweet state
I think I learn to live with you
Your presence is red hot….scalding
But suffices to show that love still burns
Bright in heart- at least mine
Perhaps it is better to suffer
Than feel nothing
You exist because passion exists
I am not lifeless.
Baptism by fire- that is what
You have done to me
You are part of my growth process
To discover myself I must
Necessarily wrestle you
You teach me to give space to others
To adjust and coexist with generosity
If I ever stake claim to sublimity
It is you who guided me from bestial to divinity
So the green eyed witch!
I am sorry to have maligned your name
Poke me with your thorns
As much you wish
I needed you to restore my
Faith in love, God
And Myself.
A hot flush runs inside the loins
The neck is choked
The eyes befogged
Mind is numb
Nothing penetrates
It makes a fool of me in crowd
The heightened color of cheek
The weepiness of voice
I stand out marked a first rate fool
Oh jealousy, How I hate you!
Cursed indeed was my fate
To get such a malicious mate
But………in the aftermath
After the showdown –in the lingering bitter sweet state
I think I learn to live with you
Your presence is red hot….scalding
But suffices to show that love still burns
Bright in heart- at least mine
Perhaps it is better to suffer
Than feel nothing
You exist because passion exists
I am not lifeless.
Baptism by fire- that is what
You have done to me
You are part of my growth process
To discover myself I must
Necessarily wrestle you
You teach me to give space to others
To adjust and coexist with generosity
If I ever stake claim to sublimity
It is you who guided me from bestial to divinity
So the green eyed witch!
I am sorry to have maligned your name
Poke me with your thorns
As much you wish
I needed you to restore my
Faith in love, God
And Myself.
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