To my first Teacher - Ma

I don’t remember when the lessons started,
Probably even when I did not know how to talk!
You taught me; dear Ma; to smile at the faces that looked at me with curiosity
Holding my little fingers as I reached out to feel the world around…

Then I took my first step forward
You were always there to help me take one step at a time!
To smile and hold me in your arms when I fell,
Taught me to stand up again and walk to the end of the path!

The first word, the first song, the first tear, the first love…
You were always there dear Ma…

As I grew and learnt the ways of the world
You walked beside me, showing me the difference between the right and wrong!
Taught me not to forget the plant, the flowers, the green grass and the trees,
As I walked life’s path, overjoyed by victories!

Held me close as I cried, hurt by the ways of the world
Taught me how to look ahead, to see the silver lining in the dark cloud!
Who else could have done this…but you dear Ma!
The unconditional love, the selfless sharing of the smallest piece!

You taught me the power of prayers, to thank the Divine
To be kind to all creatures, to listen and learn from all.
Taught me to live a life with gratitude;
Only you could have done this; Ma!

Today, when the years have gone by,
I walk through life and in the blue skies I fly,
And can do things on my own!
Sometimes I feel your opinions “old fashioned”
And I reason with you – “You don’t know the world outside”; I say
“It is not what it used to be during your times, you know”
You smile and nod silently as if to say
“I’m there for you ...just in case you need me, my dear!”

Our Friendship...

If I could speak your language,

If only I could share my thoughts

I could tell you how much I love you

For this is love that cannot be bought!

I remember each day; since we met

I remember; at the thought of separation, as a little boy, you wept!

I can hear you inspite of the din,

I love to rejoice with you when you win!

I remember how we ran across the green fields - wild!

On the beach that summer, we swam against the tide!

I love to see the smile in your eyes

I will stand by at your feet, as you reach for the skies!

Your family is mine and I shall protect them too,

For I can tell from the good, the bad and the ugly few!

Will you always love me ?

As I will be old one day,

Will not be able to bark as I do today

Will you then be by my side, dear one?

Will you walk with me, when I cannot run?

We are friends and so shall we be till I die;

Plant a tree on my grave but please do not cry!

The green leaves and the flowers will remind you of me

And our friendship... forever shall be!

India - Our Motherland!

A few lines for all Indians staying across the world-

“Even though we are all far away
Let me remind you of our beautiful land, in a very special way.
Up in the North, Mountains clad with melting snow,
At the foothills, Mother Ganga peacefully does flow.
Cutting across the mighty rocks,
Taking in her stride all the shocks!
With her youthful laughter and gurgling sound,
Along her banks, the Nation she has bound!
Down into the plains she flows
Our fertile land, the food grain grows!
Smile on her face she merges into the sea
Some still believe, a holy dip –all sins washed, purifies thee!
To the West are the sandy dunes,
Sweet desert songs in the earthy tunes!
The harsh summer beat down, the red chillies dry
Night falls early, in the cold desert, you hear strange birds cry!
Bright colorful attire, smiling children on the streets
The ‘Dal Baati Churma’, O! Sure is a treat!
The Western Ghats have their own story to say
Winding roads, thick mist, green trees lead the Malabar way!
The mountains blend into the sea to the west
People singing & dancing, India at her best!
The Southern tip sees the ocean waters blend
You can tell one from the other; but nothing to mend!
The Eastern shores have so much of history
Each carving, each temple, each broken statue, tell of the invaders bigotry!
Up in the Northeast, the drums do sound
Two leaves and a bud – Earning us the Dollar and the Pound!
O India, Our Motherland, We take a pledge today,
We will bring you honor, even if we are far-far away!”

Light !

Oh! there is darkness all around!
Is there someone who can show us the way?
Darkness of superstition, illiteracy and dipping values!
'Rise and shine'– they say
Who will light the fire and show us the way?
Those were days in history, where people gave up all they had,
Loving our motherland was an honest feeling, and not a fad!
Leaders we have heard of, times so tough they must have seen
They gave their blood, to give us our freedom; what a fight it must have been!
Have we forgotten and put all this behind?
Is this the freedom they had in their mind?
Today, promises are made, only to get the votes
Buying and selling under the table with the colourful notes!
Who will show us the way today? What is right and what is wrong?
Each year our leaders sing a different song!
Rise O Young Indian and let determination bind,
Spread the light of knowledge, so none is left behind
“ …Tamasoma, Jyotir gamaya”
From the darkness to the light

On The Tracks of Life

(Picture: Krishna Kumar)
On the tracks of life, I wait for you
They say you know when love is true!
In the sound silence I hear you say
“Yes I promise you, I will come… And come this way!”
This is my home, lush green around
You will be happy am sure; you will hear no sound!
Only of the wind, that sings of love!
And of bees and birds in their nests above!
I am reminded of a song- “…hold my hands and I will take you there…”
On the tracks; I wait for you, my lady fair!
My brain does think and my heart does feel
Precious moments of life, time does steal!
How long will I wait here for you, dear one?
How many more wars to fight and battles to be won?
As the sunsets over the mountain slopes
Another day gone, a long wait, but my heart still hopes!
Do come home my Love – let my wait not go in vain!
For if there is a tomorrow, I will be here again!

(Picture : Krishna Kumar)

For all those years….
We watched the sunset together….
Walked the rough roads; holding hands,
With a smile on our face, may be a tear in the eye!
Did you feel the longing grow?
Did you feel the sweat on the brow?
We were so close then …
And now…so far!
Why do feelings change with time?
A void created as you crossed the line
Submerged in the ocean of people….
An emptiness I did feel!
As I stand at the far end…waiting…
Watching the sunset …these days alone…
Memories like waves , break on the rocks…
Then merge into the vastness of the sea !
Years have gone by, but I still wait…
May be, to hear from you…
Can we not walk the path once again?
Holding hands, before its too late?

Memories of a leaf!

(Picture by Krishna Kumar of Digital Strokes)

(www.kichukrish.blogspot.com)
As I fell to the ground for the first time
And waited for the wind to drift me away
To a different world, so strange, so new
Does this happen to all or to a special few?
I think to myself – was my life worth the while?
When I was green, and close to my mother,
There was family, roots and sister and brother!
Life was fun- I swayed in the wind, bathed in the rain,
Laughed with my friends, cried together in pain!
Am afraid of the future, afraid of the land I will go
Will I get love, will I be cared for, like before?
Will I get back my colour? Or will it be a new start,
Why is it that from home I have to part?
As I wait, I listen to the silence around,
Is someone crying; since I am not to be found?
Did I do enough, did I leave a mark behind?
Did I wipe a tear and was I always kind?
My vision blurs as I wait for my final call,
I see myself, against the blue sky, standing tall
A new journey, home away from home
Feelings of fear and happiness, together they come!
With arms open wide and a twinkle in the eye
With hopes for tomorrow I bid goodbye!