Torn

 In matters of the heart

Where do I start

It is a tough phase

Let me cut to the chase

 

In a relationship status - committed

A doubt has emitted

There is one who tugs at my heart

And from the other draws me apart

 

What have myself into I got

It has put me in a spot

The head is in a muddle 

And I am in trouble

 

I can’t ask 

any help in this task

though I know you are there 

and do care

 

It is so deep 

That I’m losing sleep

How do I choose between the two

I don’t know what to do

 

A Hero

For Swami things took an unexpected turn

Not a coward! Title he had to earn

 

It was the news of the boy who kept the tiger at bay

By fighting it from atop a tree for a day

What do you say to that? Asked father

It can’t be a boy who did it! Said swami, A grown up rather

 

Wiser than a newspaper? Are you? Said father with a sneer

Courage is everything, strength is nothing when it comes to fear

But said swami, Father, How can that be? 

What can courage do if a Tiger should attack me?

 

Let alone fight a tiger, it will suffice

Tonight if you sleep in my office, alone to be precise 

An attempt to distract

Was disposed without tact

 

Seeing no way out his luck he cursed

Can I start from the next month’s first?

Father nodded his head

And into the office he was led

 

Dusty office, hidden scorpion

Nothing could change his father’s opinion

Lamp in the room? 

It was too much to presume

 

An open door was his last ask

Only if he promised to complete the task

Or else at school the story

Would be told in all its glory

 

As he lay alone in the room

He could feel the impending doom

He hated the story in the newspaper 

Why did the boy have to do such a caper

 

With the passing of time

And with every chime

Rustling of leaves or the owls hooting

Sent his heart beat shooting

 

Noticing the flickering tree shadows on the walls

Mani’s encounter with devils he recalls

Covering himself fully with the sheet

He could hear his chattering teeth

 

Hurriedly he spread his bed under the bench

Felt the comfort of being in a trench

Covered himself from head to toe 

Unknown to himself he fell asleep so

 

His sleep wasn’t so sound

He saw a tiger and was stuck to the ground

The tiger pounced on his back

And sharpened his claws ready to attack

 

Scratch, scratch Swami heard 

And a light thud

It was right next to him

It wasn’t in the dream

 

He tried to open his eyes

Unsuccessful were his tries

He realised he was alone

He suppressed a groan

 

Something moved in the dark

Was he the devils mark

His end was near 

That was clear

 

Why wait in horror 

He crawled out in terror

Hugged the intruder’s leg tight

And bit it with all his might

 

‘Aiyyo’, cried the man in pain

Trying to free himself in vain

In a flash came father and servants with a light

The man gave up without a fight

 

The next day the news was out 

The headmaster said he was a true scout

Swami was showered with praise

And it went on for days

 

For Swami things had turned

A hero's title he had earned

 

I want to be with you

Once I was with you
I felt the feeling
A feeling so good and true
 
A feeling you made me feel
A feeling so special
That it is a big deal
 
For me to share
The feeling that comes
And lay myself bare
 
Of the pain I hide
The pain of missing you
Of you not by my side
 
Fighting tears and aches
I want to be with you
No matter what it takes

Dreams

I lie on a pillow
waiting for my brain to slow

 

for my sleep to be sound 

to wrap me all around

and be fully bound

 

even as consciousness leaves

the sub-conscious weaves

and my brain heaves

 

a landslide of situations

different associations

and many manifestations

 

through adulthood, childhood, adolescence 

maybe fears, fantasy, experience 

and happiness, tragedy, violence 

 

Asleep on my pillow

In dreams I wallow

The Great Indian Kitchen

Oh I don’t want to fly 
Very high up in the sky

Happy to be tied down 
And make as my own 
A new family, new home

A mother so caring, so warm
Teaching me every norm
To keep the men calm

And when she was not around 
Is when I found
What she has to contend

I tried to push and shove
I tried to love 
The floor that needs to be swept

I looked to share 
But there was no care 
For women are cows

I am an individual finely bred 
Not just to be of use in bed
And be tied to the house

If I don’t listen
I have to contend with the power of men
And be shown my place 

My spirit is dying 
I am crying 
With silent screams 

It’s time to walk out 
Without a doubt
To live life on my terms

Oh I don’t want to fly 
Very high up in the sky

The Medals

It was a walk through time
looking at all my medals
They were not a dozen to a dime

Right time in the right place
That was true
but not in every case

Planning was a way
With loads of patience
there was no chance to sway

Sometimes it was a scramble

But with determination
it was never a gamble

What about those I missed

Did I try hard enough
or run out in the midst

Was I a loser     

Was I an escapist
If I look closer

I'm covering the scars

Losing some battles  
to win the war

River called Life

A river is a river, always there

Crashing through the rapids

Sweeping gently on the flats

Flowing always, never still

A river is a river, always there

Encountering the obstacles

Meandering past without fighting

Flowing always, never still

A river is a river, always there

Enriched by the tributaries

Widening and deepening it’s path

Flowing always, never still

A river is a river, always there

Constrained by the dams

Creates havoc if pushed

Flowing always, never still

A river is a river, always there

Never in a hurry

Don’t push it

Flowing always, never still

इज़हारे-इश्क़

 Saw the following post by Sachit on FB.

क्यों इस तरह मेरी चाहत को ठुकराए जाते हो?

फूलों सा नाज़ुक मेरा दिल, क्यों इसे बेदर्दी से कुचले जाते हो?

इज़हारे-इश्क़ हो चुका है, बरसों पहले 

फिर क्यों इस हक़ीक़त से इनकार किए जाते हो?

and triggered the following from me

वोह अनकहा, अनसुना एहसास, 

ज़िंदा रखता हैं मेरी सांस

छुपाने का हैं जो मज़ा

दिखाने में हैं वोह कहाँ

इंकार में भी होता है इकरार

ऐसा ही हो तो हैं ज़ालिम प्यार

The show must go on!

We are story tellers,
We travel, we sing, we dance
We are revelers,
Whenever we have a chance

But now that we are stuck at home

We rack our brain

Can all we do is write a tome?

How do we entertain

Rehearsals on skype

Play readings using zoom

Are of a different type

While you are in your room

There’s a different kind of magic in the air

And As the times have shown

It is only fair

To say that the show goes on!

The Cover is not the Book!

There’s a well known expression

You only get one chance to make a first impression

There’s another that is not in favour

Never judge a book by its cover

Should one work hard to impress

Or not really take any stress

Biases are created in a thrice

And one has to pay the price

Do we really have the power to glance

Or is it that we’re taking a chance

So open it up and take a look

The cover is not the book

अभी था यहाँ गया वो कहाँ

अभी था बचपन, गया वो कहाँ ?
जब भी मैं सोचु बीत गए ये दिन कैसे ?

यादों को आवाज़ देता हूँ, छेड़ के दिलों के तार।
चला जाता हूँ एक सफर पे ढूँढ़ते हुए सारे निशान।

जीवन के हर मोड़ पे मिली मुझे, बाहों में डाले बाहें
वो भीगी भीगी यादें और मीठी मीठी बातें,
वो टूटे हुए सपने और मुट्ठी भर आसमान ,
वो नासूर ज़खमें और मरहम लगाते हुए हाथ,

ये है जीवन का साज़।

कल की सोच में आज को न छोड़ो
बीते पल या कल फिर न लौट आएगा
जैसे फिसली रेत मुट्ठी में

ये सोच कर फिर मैं शुरू करता हूँ सफर
परछाई को पीछे छोड़ कर
जब तक कहीं दूर यह सवाल लौट आये

Mann ki Baat

As I was writing the previous one, I felt like changing it a bit

Bhaiyon aur behno Please vote me back

We’re the bestest party in the pack

I have lots of things to show

And on my laurels glow

Oh no no to ask me is in vain

GST and demonetisation have been a big pain

I believe in taking everyone ahead together

In great reforms India trails none other

Development projects are in top gear

Acche din are very much here

Oh no no that cannot be 

distressed farmers and unemployed youth I see

                                                            

Mitron what can I do, 

To prove that I’m always working for you? 

Reservations, triple talaq, and direct cash transfers

Are just a sample of plans I have in my charters

Oh no no don’t try to make me sway 

And bidding you good morning I’ll call you another day

Wait! Don’t pay attention to what you hear about me 

It’s the corrupt who want to get rid of me 

Though I’ve been called a disaster  

I’m not the accidental prime minister

Oh no no it’s not just what I’ve heard

My vision is not blurred

Aadhar and digital surveillance is for your good

My intentions are misunderstood

I am the chowkidar and protector

I will eliminate every terrorist and trouble maker

Oh no no these jumlas are effective tools

To make us voters fools

we will build a new India, put your bet on us 

Do you have another option for your trust

You gave them seventy years, that is a lot

It’s only been 5 years give us another shot

Oh no no we know it’s a lure

We will not fall for it that is sure

The Voters Dilemma

Wrote this as a 1 minute script - inspired by the Spider and the Fly

Bhaiyon aur behno Please vote me back

We’re the bestest party in the pack

I have lots of things to show

And on my laurels glow

Oh no no to ask me is in vain

GST and demonetisation have been a big pain

I believe in taking everyone ahead together

In great reforms India trails none other

Development projects are in top gear

Acche din are very much here

Oh no no that cannot be 

distressed farmers and unemployed youth I see

Mitron what can I do, 

To prove that I’m always working for you? 

Don’t give up hope, give me another shot

It’s only been five years and that is not a lot

I thank you, for what you’re pleased to say

And bidding you good morning I’ll call you another day 

Wait! Don’t listen to what the others have to say

It’s the corrupt who want to keep me at bay

Think of the country and Use your intelligence

Do you have another option for your allegiance?

Oh no no maybe you’re right. my head is in a spin

I think I should help you win

सब कुछ धुंधला हैं क्यों

आईने के सामने जो मैं खड़ा हूँ 
सब कुछ धुंधला हैं क्यों  

दिल की तमन्नाए थी 
लेकिन दिल को हमने समझाया था भी 

जो पल ढल गए उनकी यादों में 
मन को मचलने न दिया हमने 

सीने में जो जलन थी 
हमने आग तो बुझाई भी 

सपनों के जो दीप जले थे 
उनकी लौ को सुलझाया भी है 

वो न समझी हमें जब 
तन्हाई को मंज़िल बनाई तब 

आँखों में तूफ़ान हैं 
पर नमी तो नहीं आने दी हैं 

मैं आइना देख के हैरान हूँ 
सब कुछ धुंधला धुंधला क्यों हैं  

चश्मा जो निकाला  परेशानी में 
सब कुछ साफ़ हो गया एक घडी में 

I wonder why it happens so

I wonder why it happens so

You are never in the know

The mind breaks all barriers

Chasing wishes like harriers

I’m truly happy with no one about 

That I’m sure without a doubt

But then why do I keep 

Remembering her before I sleep

I’m not the inquisitive type

Listening to gossip and tripe

Instead of raising my brow

I seek stories of her on the go

If I don’t have expectations

I will have no dejections

Yet with a sigh and moan

Look at her photo in the phone 

It’s a constant thought 

Love it is surely not

I wonder why it happens so

You are never in the know

Trees!

A tree has different meanings

For people of different leanings

Some share a wonderful bond

For others it is a source of fund

A source of shade for a walker

For birds and insects it is a shelter

Sacred for some communities

Others treat it like commodities

Trees give us clean air

Sometimes also a lair

There is also some food

But for the greedy its only wood

Buddha was enlightened under a tree

Hiding among trees kept Robin Hood free

The apple tree gave Newton gravity

And helped Veerappan keep Rajkumar in captivity

Be it the trees planted in a park

Or those along the sidewalk

Those planted with passion

Or cut for growth of the nation

  

Every tree has a story

It is a piece of history

Let us give it a hearing

For every tree has a meaning 

Where have all the sparrows gone

I finally wrote a song!

Of course, my song is inspired from the song... 'Where have the flowers gone' tune and a bit of the lyrics too.

Where have all the sparrows gone, long time passing?

Where have all the sparrows gone, long time ago?

Where have all the sparrows gone?

They’ve disappeared and they’ve gone

Oh, when will they ever come?

Oh, when will they ever come? 

Where have all the sparrows gone, long time passing?

Where have all the sparrows gone, long time ago?

Where have all the sparrows gone?

Gone with worms and insects small

Oh, what will they get to eat?

Oh, what will they get to eat?

Where have all the insects gone, long time passing?

Where have all the insects gone, long time ago?

Where have all the insects gone?                                

Gone with spaces lush and green

Oh, where will we find them now?

Oh, where will we find them now?

Where have all the green spaces gone, long time passing?

Where have all the green spaces gone, long time ago?

Where have all the green spaces gone?

Gone for concrete everywhere

Oh, when will we ever learn?

Oh, when will we ever learn? 

What’re we then doing now, time’s just passing

They have been gone too long, long time ago

What’re are we then doing now?

Are we trying hard enough?

Oh, how will we bring them back?

Oh, how will we bring them back?

People are just doing their bit, long time passing

Trying to woo them back, long time ago

People are just doing their bit,

We need to join our hands

Oh, Come forward all and one  

Oh, Come forward all and one

Sparrows will come back here long time passing

Absence will be of the past, long time ago

Sparrows will come back here

They will be surely be back

They will not be too long

They will not be too long

  

Bottled Water!

San Francisco bans sale of bottled water... though primarily for reducing the plastic waste created by the bottles. It inspired me to write this one on bottling water.

Where the water is a basic human right and needed for life

Where it is a part of nature

Where it has not been packed into plastic bottles

By every major corporation

Where it is still available to all

Despite access at tireless distances

Where governments have not lost their way

Into the big bogs of greed

Where citizens still strive to see

How clean water can be free

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Without You

The dark sky turning bright,
With the rising ball of fire,
Wow! it is a brilliant sight
          But why is it sire
          That I don't enjoy this?
          And it is you I miss!

The winding roads up the hill,
With breathtaking views round every bend,
Send up my spine a thrill
          But why is it at the end
          That I don't enjoy this?
          And it is you I miss!

The beauty of the peacock plume,
Spreading out in a dance,
Can get me out of ant gloom
          But why is it that I'm never in a trance
          That I don't enjoy this?
          And it is you I miss!

The beautiful sky so clear,
With galaxies and stars shining,
It is as if I am very near
          But why is it that my heart is always pining
          That I don't enjoy this?
          And it is you I miss!

The Walk of Life

As you walk the path of life

Don’t think of it as strife

It’s just a state of mind

for the right balance to find

there maybe grief

but it will be brief

if you keep trying

to not keep crying

of others feelings you care

keeping your life bare

its good to think of your wish

at the cost of being selfish

to you people matter

some hurt you by their chatter

only  with time you will find

that those who matter don’t mind

talking and sharing is not a ruse

to friends use

walking with friends in the dark   

is like a walk in the park

you are a lonely seed

friends are what you need

it’s important for him to be an ace

doesn’t matter from which race

As you walk the path of life

Don’t think of it as strife

Don’t for milestones gloom

But in moments bloom