These Days!

Life's become so unrecognizable

mine and yours

and of the neighbor's who lives next door

and the one who lives at the far end of the street,

and countless others whom I don't know!

Waking up each morning

holding a strand of hope,

wishing for courage and peace

to get by this day, with grace and life

and without fear of the next day!

Living each day with memories

of people close to your heart,

head dug deep in piles of endless work 

but heart yearning to break free and to

relish the warmth that once used to exist!

Mind often finds itself in muddles,

dilemmas and dark thoughts,

juggling between the strong and the 

weak side of inner self

chanting the mantra of the hour 'hang on'!

Amidst of the mind and the heart 

tricks and the dreams to pursue,

I stand up for one more day with gratitude

ready to sing, write and dance a little

and rinse & repeat!

***

The Fire Within!

Pristine, pure

the glorious fire within,

Succumb to it

make it your very own!

Do not be scared

do not lash it away,

Let it burn you,

and consume you fully!

Kins, words, promises

signs of all things transient,

None holds you,

you belong to none, in effective truth!

Let your eyes show it

let your heart feel it,

Let your breath hold it

the fire within!

Let it kiss you,

pore by pore,

Inch by inch of your existence

submit yourself without a doubt!

Embrace, hug, kiss it

the best possible you could!

The fire is all your flesh & blood,

All that you are, all that you could be!

Devour it, the FIRE WITHIN!

Time, O time!

Time, O time!

I wonder where you live,

yesterday you were a past tense,

may be in future I will have

you in my hands

because your present tense

seems to slip like sand on a seashore.

I question what did I do to you

did I made you proud with all I am

or disfigured your preciousness.

Often I peep inside

and think hard what did I do with you.

Many a Sun took birth

only to end with dark nights,

they promised time on hand

like nurture in a mother's bosom

where did you elope

whom did you choose

'cos I stand empty handed

with regrets in my heart

and brine in corners of my eyes.

Do you know

I wanted to choose you to marry.

Shattered are the dreams to make a home

adorned with a fulfilling meal 

of happiness topped with contentment

of love living between entwined fingers

and bodies wrapped in satin,

you disappointed me

or may be I left you hopeless,

'cos I look for you each moment

only to, not find you on my bed

or smiling at my breakfast nook.

Time, O time

I promise to be a good gal

like ages ago,

come hold my hand

pat my shoulder

swirl me in the air,

I will laugh and toil

rise to fame and life

like the phoenix, never to vanish,

Time, O time

only if you be mine!

The Light Within...

"Be Yourself"

A closed box

Stifled breaths

Grabbing holds

A very restless mind...

Lock it someday

Drop it from the highest peak.

You were once a swimmer newborn

dive deep in the soothing turquoise,

Quench the child in you

blow the dandelion,

Immerse in the melody of nature

stomp on the fall-leaves,

Move the inflexible do the difficult

dance on your favorite tune,

Throw away the glooms

dress up in Saffron-Orange,

Let the Earth be your piano

wear the symphony of anklets,

Dry the tears in your eyes

Adorn them with the deep of kohl.

...Yes, for once "Be Yourself"

Today, let the mask drop

let the truth reign

let the soul be free!

This poem is written for the Poets on the Page's first prompt-January 2016. It was to explore yourself, un-become what you are not, drop everything that isn't you and embrace the real you.

"खुदा"

खुदा मस्जिदों में

नहीं मिला करता

ना ही मंदिरों के

कीर्तन में श्याम

सजा मिलता है ।

मौजूद है 'ईश'

मेरे कण-कण में,

रगों में दौड़ते

खून की गर्मी में,

साँस लेते इनमें

मेरे लक्ष्यों में ।

जो खुद को पा जाऊँ

पा सकूँगी गीता के सार को,

जो भेद पाऊँ निशाना

अर्जुन की मानिन्द

बन पाएँगे मोहन

सारथी मेरे।

वर्ना तो

मंदिरों मस्जिदों के

फेरों में,

गोधूलि के जाप में,

अजानों की पुकार में

बस यूँ ही

मिटती जाऊँगी मोक्ष की तलब में।   

*Image Courtesy: Google Images

The Phoenix!

However I try to hide

the more my words scream,

naked and bereft my soul stands

singing to the tunes of cold sorrow,

Waiting for the phoenix to rise

with a new ray of life!

This poem to me represents a new start. I do not know but I am curious is the Phoenix ever lived? Whatever is the myth or the belief the "phoenix" word has always attracted me and I wanted to write something that talks about it. This poem is my answer to that curiosity. A new life and a hope even after difficulties is what is phoenix to me. While searching for a image that best resonates this poem of mine, I came across pictures of the Phoenix rising (as in the poem), new buds and plants coming to life, and the one you see above. This image by Stefano Bonazzi felt perfect for this poem, because it portrays a new life. 

Image Courtesy- Google, Stefano Bonazzi