Waiting Hopefully

The sound of bullets, tore the peaceful sky into pieces,
Was it my imagination? Or did it actually happen?
Ah! It’s a year now gone by, since they killed mercilessly!
What happened there after? Well, we light candles, fight in the parliament,
But who will wipe the tears of the little one who has lost everything !
He does not even know what really happened, he just can’t feel his mother around!
People talk, Just talk, - but walk the talk?
Well – lets wait and watch, till they finish there own game – “Kissa Kursi ka!”
Am not angry, just pained, at the apathy,
An unknown policeman, an ordinary man, who cares?
He waits in custody, trial ? The country bleeds to protect this lone killer !
How long ? Is a question we ask, we the people, How long do we have to wait,
For justice, for safety, for peace, for a better world that we can leave behind.
What a difficult question? Any answers….Its a year gone by! .... and answers?
They are waiting – The generation next.

Growing Up

Did I hear a laughter or was it a cry?
Was it sorrow or happiness that went by?
We hear so many things as we walk the path of life
Some we understand and some we connive!
What is right & what is wrong
Question after question in our minds throng.
Can we forget and forgive the past?
Is it easy or through lives does it last?

Balancing the debits & credits; we do so oft
We forget the nice, the beautiful, the kind and the soft!
Memories like clouds drift around
I relive each one till reality brings me crashing to the ground!

All those games we played as a child,
Today they seem like a dream, facing life; with nowhere to hide!
The grey haired granny, with a voice so shrill,
Her big long hands, as if they had license to kill!
The little boy, worked hard at the corner shop,
Was sent to the city – Why ? Ah they had a bad crop!
The school bus honked, as we late comers ran,
A loud voice from behind the wheel – the driver, a burly looking man!

Then, years of growing, and the feeling shy,
Pride, anger when there were no answers to the “WHY?”
The first steps out alone into the “big bad world”,
“Don’t do this & don’t do that” – pieces always being told.

One day at a time, my world did grow,
My first meeting with him and the want for more!
Did I like seeing him, did I wait all day?
I remember each line, and all what he had to say!
When we walked the busy streets
Did I hear the honk, or was it my own heart beat?

Time passed on, paths then separated, and we went our ways,
But the feeling ! – Well , lives in my heart to this very day!

Today, I listen hard to the sound of life – the low and the high,
And say to myself, “I don’t want to miss anything as life goes by!”
Each moment, each sound, each smell, each voice,
Tells me now – “in life, we all have a choice”

War on Terror - We will Fight!

( For what happened to us all Indians on 26/11)
Who are you, behind the innocent face?
What creed, what caste, which religion, which race?
Were you born with hatred ? Or, was it chosen by you?
You make a child cry , a mother weep, each day a terror new!
Like us, you too have a home, your kith and kin
Am so sure they would never be a party to your sin!
In the name of God, you shower bullets far and near
You drive in the minds of people disbelief and fear!
What will you say, when you face Him one day ?
What is the reason, to your bullets, the innocent fall prey?
We didn’t know you, neither stole marbles during a game
Then why do you kill in religions name?
Life is too short, make friends not war
Spread love and brotherhood both near and far.
Use your valour – O fearless one!
To serve your country – you don’t need the gun!
Learn to protect the old and hungry , to heal the sick
Today you bring animosity between countries – the mistrust so thick!
We have learnt to tolerate, but we are brave,
We love our country and will stand by each other – when times are grave!
Your spread fear and death to us – but in vain!
We have done it before – we will do it again!
You cannot win, whoever you may be,
Till the last man – each time ; we will protect our country !
India, fear not, dear one, you have many a valiant son
Our fight against terror, they have already begun!
VANDE MATARAM ! JAI HIND !
( I salute each hero; heard and unheard of - who gave their lives to keep us safe.)

Eternal Colors of Life

(Pictures taken at Kanya Kumari - Before and After sunrise)
Each morning as a new day dawns
I look out for the eternal painter
Who has spilt the color across the skies,
Simple strokes , making our lives worthwhile
His laughter of beauty breaks out in the seas,
Each moment triumphs in the green grass and trees.
He loves his work, I am so sure
For not a season goes by without colors so pure!
Have you ever heard the chant of the seas?
The voice of the rivers, felt the dance in the breeze?
Look out for you will find, vibrant colors, the beauty in the sand
An evening sky, a rainbow with the VIBGYOR band!
Who could he be? Many a times I have thought
Where do I find him? Many a lesson he has taught!
A prayer, a thanks , these words are small
Give me the knowledge to understand this all
Day breaks to give us light, live another day
Colors all around, yes , there is the black and the grey!
In the eternal music, I hear his voice,
I hear him say, “Its your canvas and hence it is your choice!”

A Fisherman's heart!

(Picture : KanyaKumari -Oct 08)
The call of the sea! O! Bountiful mother
Without you where would I be ?
Even before the sun does rise
Even before the first bird flies,
I reach out to you for my livelihood.
You are sometimes nice and sometimes rude!
Crashing into my little boat, you come,
This is all I have, help me to feed my little one!
She awaits my return with fear in her eyes!
“Come back safely” – softly , in her heart, she cries.
I have seen so many colours on you
Sparkling sunlight of the dawn and the evening blue!
In my little boat each dawn I go
Wave after wave , you have always helped me to flow.
My father, my uncles, all knew you so well
I was but a child, waiting on your shores, picking up shells!
Slowly as I grew, I joined them too
Eyes closed, praying hard but trying to be the brave new!
I could feel my father’s hand around me – holding me tight
“My dear one”, he said, “this is the fear you need to fight!”
So many years, so many tides
So many storms, sometimes no place to hide!
You are the one who has taught me how to live
From you I have learnt to earn happiness; when you give
O bountiful mother, let me be born again
To be ever giving and never to be vain!

Prayer for Peace

( Photo: From a Church in Kodencherry, Kerala. Thanks to Terrince)

“God, Forgive them for they know not what they do…”
Who could have said this – but only you!
You taught us to forgive, You taught us to love
You healed our hearts, You healed our souls,
Why did we hurt you?
Why to the devils did our hearts get sold?
Not a drop of water we could offer you, O Lord!
As You carried your cross – across a path so hard!
Will we be forgiven- I think even to this day
Is there redemption – In what way ?
Those were the yester years – but have we changed ?
The old still cry, the innocent bleed
We still stand and watch the weak being caned!
We are civilised, we fly jets in the air,
But stop to think – have we wiped a tear?
So many mothers still weep today
So many innocent still fall a prey!
Give us the light, O Lord! , show us the way,
With wealth and greed let us not go astray!
Let us not choose a path so wrong
Let no one be the king with a crown of thorn!

( I wrote this post the Delhi Blast! when will we live in peace!)

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!”