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!

***

Happy New Year 2020!

आओ लिखे हम-तुम 

कुछ नयी बातें 

आओ रचें हम-तुम 

कुछ नयी यादें। 

बीते सालों पर आओ करे पर्दा 

देखे सूरज जो उग रहा 

गुनगुनी धूप में आओ बैठे हम-तुम 

देखे ख्वाब एक नया सा। 

जो बीत गए है लम्हें 

फिसल गए जो हाथों से पलछिन

आओ भूल चले उन्हें हम-तुम 

बनाये लक्ष्य एक नया सा।  

जीवन चलते समय-सा

कुछ समेटता-सा कुछ पीछे छूटता-सा 

आओ छोड़ चले वो बातें 

बनाये जीवन एक नया सा। 

बहुत हुआ मेरा-तेरा 

जीवन में करे कुछ नेक सा 

आओ कर्मभूमि-से इस जग में 

बनाये मोक्ष कुछ नया सा 

एक नयी उमंग, नए हौसले सा। 

Wishing one and all a very happy and blessed New Year!

BROKEN...

The artifact you held on to your heart

shatters in a million tiny pieces,

You stand there and wonder

How to bring it together 

Where do you start?

Which corner you begin picking with?

Which direction you go?

Which piece to preserve?

and what to let go!

Amidst all this uncertainty 

You are blatantly aware

It won’t be the same marvel again

As it used to be once,

The strength the grace

It won’t anymore exhibit,

May be the pieces will

Make a mosaic of its own,

But won’t be quite the same!

No matter how broken it looks

Even after piecing up,

Remember it was once yours-

A thing of joy, and peace,

Hold on to it,

Face it eye to eye with head held high

with strength in your heart and

a prayer on your lips!

That’s what it’s all about...Hope amidst pieces.

***

Image Courtesy: Google Images

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!

'While I Trek With You!'

The swirling melodious terrains 

of white water,

The gushing cool breeze

flowing all along,

the scent of bright wild flowers

flaring up the senses,

The touch of the bees & flies

making their way,

The rubbing of our palms

as we walk together,

The glimpses of yours I steal

while you capture,

The constant murmur of my heart

ready to gallop on your single note...

...is all I paint,
is all I feel,

is all I breathe

while I spend my life with you!

इंतजार

बहुत दिन गुजरे 

मैंने उन गलियों का फेरा नहीं किया 

जिन पर उगे नीम की निम्बोलियाँ 

फोड़ते पिचकाते बिताई हमने

जाने कितनी जेठ की दोपहरें।

लाखों अरबों लम्हे बीत गये

नहीं चखा मोहब्बत का वो जाम,

जानते हो न 

तुम ही थे वो स्वाद 

वो मधुशाला का मधु 

और मेरा प्याला।

बीती सदियाँ, 

गर्मियों में तुम्हारे

पैरों का मखमल 

नहीं टकराया मेरे पैरों से,

बहुत रातें बीत गयी 

मैंने नहीं ओढ़ा तुम्हें

जाने कितनी शीत ऋतुयें आई-गई 

गरमाई जाने कहाँ गुम हुई…. 

बीतती रही घड़ियाँ 

गुजरती हुई निकली सदियाँ 

मैं आज भी वही खड़ी 

लेकर हाथ में खाली प्याला 

शायद कभी वो रस फिर से 

होठों तक आये 

जिसका स्वाद होठों से रूह तक 

छूकर सदियाँ मीठी कर गया। 

Image Courtesy: Google Images, a Painting by Hemant Majumdar. 

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...

Dreams, Keep Them Alive Forever!

They put fire under its feet

when lifeless, the wings of faith

unable to soar beyond and forever,

They keep it running

when soles rough and chapped

almost ready to give in,

They keep it afloat

falls, ebb, or cry

crushing every spirit to walk,

They are it's guiding light

when the night is dark

days too glaring,

Deep as oceans

High as mountains

Fragrant as lilac

Pure as motherly love

Dreams, they make it worth living!

Our life is what are our dreams are. There are days when we feel like giving up. Slow down we can and we must sometimes, to re-energize ourselves but we must never, ever stop dreaming. For dreams give wings to our life, a reason to live, and flight to our happiness. 

Image Courtesy: Google Images

A Fire...

Outside on the mountains

A fire reigns with splendor,

The heart cries, what a sight to behold

Red-orange vast spread of the

Colors of the autumn!

Inside, within me, deep in the core

A fire ablaze, in a streak or two

Sometimes volcanic

Picking up the dried crust

Like an oasis in desert!

Image Courtesy: Google 

बूढ़ी माँ ....

बूढ़ी माँ अकेली रह गई

परिंदों से उड़ चले बच्चे

तिनका-तिनका बना घोंसला

आज खाली बेजान रह गया,

बूढ़ी माँ बरबस देखती रह गई।

हाथों में लिए उम्र की झुर्रियां

होठों पर बस स्नेहाशीष-शब्द

काया कोमल जर्जर दीन-हीन

बस रह गई उसके साथ आज

बूढ़ी माँ मात्र शरीर रह गई।

यादों में जला कर बीते दिन के दीये

करती प्रकाश अपने जीवन में वो

आज में न जन्म लेती कोई नई याद

छिन-सा जाता हर पल, सुख-सा आज

बूढ़ी माँ नीर बहाती रह गई।

जोड़ कर अपने कपकपाते हाथ

ईश्वर से बस एक ही दुआ माँगती-

बच्चों का उम्र-भर सुख ऐश्वर्य

और अपने लिए एक नया धाम मांगती

बूढ़ी माँ अभी से स्वर्गगामिनी हो गई।

***

The new generation, I am not talking about the generation next to me or even the one after that, I am pointing out to the generation of kids to any parents. Yes, this new generation, parent's progeny are often impatient and always in a hurry.  The older generation, the parents are weak and old. The one who taught us how to walk, we don't have time to take a walk with them. We are busy, earning our money, too occupied in our struggles, in our progeny and network, and myriads of innumerous tasks that are unending. But what is ending every moment is the remains of the youth or energy within our old parents. They keep getting older by seconds. We, the new generation too. 

Give a thought, what do they ask? Riches, wealth, car, furniture! No, they just ask for a moment of togetherness with us, they want to smile and laugh with us and only demand attention and respect. The new generation can't even give them this? Is it the upbringing they received? Start this Mother's day with a solemn pledge and a staunch thought to care for the mothers (and fathers) you have neglected, spoken to in high volume and thought them as inexperienced with modern ways of life. They need you, today more than ever!

"At least they are happy", Bibhu Sharma's story!

Image and Video Source: HelpAge India, #WhySupportElders

Kissed by Hope...

A road lies ahead

Turbulent at times

Often running deep,

Accompanied with obstacles

All shapes and sizes

Almost every bit of the way.

What's different today!

Unswerved by the terrain 

I keep moving,

Even if just an inch

 I do not forget to at least drag,

I embrace the beauty 

Hidden in the chest of efforts

I enjoy the serenity

Taking birth every time I fall,

I gulp the storms

Life throws at me

I do not give up

For today, I am kissed by hope!

***

Image: From my eyes and iPhone at Avalon, Catalina Island, California.

Vacation!

Drop them!

Those who don't recognize you,

Those who leave your hands on a crossroad,

Those who do not value your heart

Life's too short to have them!

Embrace a new Sun

Take a dip in the Mediterranean

Dress up like you never did before!

Wear those white shoes that take you miles

The satin-laced bra you never tried

The shirt that pictures the universe

The shorts that makes you feel young

The necklace that touches your heart

Put on the glares

that filter the unnecessary

Yes, drape them all and drop 'them' all

Go on a Vacation with your new self!

Picture Source

Those eyes...

Photo by Ed Ross

Ah! There she is

How gorgeous beauty!

With roses pinned in her tresses

Fragrance has a new name today.

Her lips so full

Colored in blood, all inviting

Many a men set out to play

This game of flesh & desire.

Her body all adorned

Prepared she is, as a martyr

Every moment she is killed

By her acts sensuous & seductive.

Hungry eyes gnawing at her

Every inch scanned n lusted for

Who remembers if she has a soul

All she remains, a pretty object.

For once peek in the eyes

Screaming they will be, begging 

Leave me alone, let me go

For once let me smell

The fragrance of those roses in my hair!

P.S.: Loved writing this for Magpie-Tales #301

The Body, the Excess Baggage and 2016!

Yay! This New Year post was written for Blogadda's #TalesOf2015! activity and scored a place in the top 20 entries. Here is the list. 

Time is the only eternal change in universe. It never stops changing. The moment which we call present will become past in blink of an eye. Months, weeks and days become memories with each breath we take. Yes, like every other year, 2015 has also bid adieu and we welcomed 2016 with hopes and aspirations anew. Changing years mark not only change in calendar but provide us with a new beginning. Sometimes, I wonder if these are meant to give us fresh perspective in the monotony of life and everyday struggles.

I love new years because this is my shot at change. It’s a standard day to look back, a day to smile and learn. The biggest smile that 2015 brought to me was when I became a mom (again). Believe me, it’s so much harder to be mothering more than one. I am growing everyday as a person. Every day I am learning to be a mother, all over again. To understand and tend to the needs of two children, one being a baby who can’t speak and the other one, all expressive and letting you know she requires attention like before! Oh! It’s like walking on a tightrope and you can’t fall. But the runs between Ballet classes to diaper changes, the clock ticking with feeding times to early morning school preparations, this adrenalin rush brings a bliss of its own kind and will give birth to a lifetime of memories. Amen!

With this expected joy came lot of unexpected events. All related to my physical being! I never imagined this would affect my family in ways I never knew. This included my own expectations from myself, as a new mother. It was no less than an encounter with the End and yes, the saying, ‘health is wealth’, for the very first time in my left made sense. It’s so important to be healthy. Lying helplessly on the hospital bed, I was only thinking of myself, my body. It is all what matters in the end- the physical presence. Till Oxygen reaches your lung and you exhale Carbon-Dioxide, you are very much alive and yes, we are responsible to keep doing this beautifully for as long as possible. In those unhealthy moments, days and weeks, I took a solemn pledge to earn as much as wealth of health as possible, each day of my life now onwards. So, 2016 is all about the physical body because everything else just follows.

Like every year, I am not going to make a book full of resolutions. I think a lot of us do that and then after a few enthusiastic days, we shrink back in our efforts. 2016, this year, it will be something good, something healthy, at least one minute a day. In one of the books I read last year, they gave this amazing power of one-minute in my hands. Yes, this one-minute everyday will gradually bring us countless minutes without sulking, getting demotivated or just plain lazy. We all do that at some point.

For this, I am going to do as much as with my power, and all that which is in my power. Starting with, 2016, I am just going to let go of the 'excess baggage'! All the excess baggage that has cluttered my being has to go away this year (with a hope to learn to minimize accumulation of this clutter the rest of my life). As human beings we are hoarders. We hoard material things, abstract ideas, dead relationships and tons of memories. We as human beings can achieve so much, only if we find our inner symmetry. The perfect symmetry of the body with the mind. Starting with my physical body, I am going to reach to my mastermind. I am glad 2015 hit me hard and posed before me a few very basic yet very big questions-

Do I know how to breathe?

Google Image 

We all breathe to live. Have you ever thought to live to breathe? A few of us who practice various breathing exercises or those who practice meditation through breathing right knows the bliss in प्राण वायु ('praan vayu', the oxygen that keeps us kicking and writing). 2016 I am going to let go of all the unforgiving air my lungs receive. Yes, breathing right is an art, and this year I want to learn it from scratch, unlearning everything unnecessary. I am going to reward my lungs by opening them fully, breathing the essence of human existence. Easy it may seem to read but very difficult to achieve it if you have been doing it wrong all your lives. The trick is to learn it mindfully, not to lose hope and practice everyday. 

Is my mind free from fear?

There is a certain fear in my mind that may not make sense to a lot of you. Imagine a dangerous situation and you have to run for life. The only problem is I can't run! 2016 I am going to let go of the fear of being unable to run. Yes, unbelievable it may seem but I am bad at running. I gasp for air after a few minutes. Yes, I need to work on my breathing but I also need stamina. 2016 I am going to let go of the excess flab I have accumulated without being in need of it. I am not a polar bear who eats and hibernates. I am just storing, not even hibernating. I dream of fitting in my old clothes. My old pictures haunt me. To achieve these wishes, I have decided to lock horns with my weakness and signed up for a 5K run. I am practicing every day with a professional plan. Oh boy! it's hard to run for 1 minute for me and 5K is a 30-minute estimate. The trick is not to give up, let the oxygen in and keep running.

Do I have endless disk space?

Equally important for physical well being is to declutter those memoirs, endless burdening emotions and people/acquaintances/so-called friends which do not provide any life-juice. Our heads often are filled with lots of old memories that wrap us tight and make it impossible to make new beginnings. We consicously and unconsciously make comparisons, become envious, nag and whine. This all takes away many useful moments from our life, which can be creative and productive as well as helpful for others. 2016 I am going to let go of unnecessary burden from my mind and heart. This is in the form of emotional baggage. By making space in my heart, I am going to value the valuables, save time for tasks that will let me grow as a person and I will show gratitude to at least one thing/person every day. Decluttering may be hard but so important.

Do I need everything that I own?

To further let go of the excess baggage, I am planning to target to lighten my house. Giving away the

From Google Images

gently used clothes to the needy and homeless, the books read over and over again would be donated to the local library, thus spreading the love of reading. Toys would go to a orphanage and many other accumulated material things would have to go away this year. 2016 I am going to let go of everything material I am not using, and can be reused by someone in need.

As I list all my let-go(s) of 2016, I am starting to visualize how much light my body and my mind would be feeling. I just can't wait to actually make it happen. I know I am dreaming big but 2015 taught me the importance of right things, and 2016 will see the body changing and the excess baggage exiting my being. Amen!

This was my world in a recap and a glimpse of my dreams and goals for 2016. Enjoy, if you want a recap of our world in the year just went by-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEzyex2HvqA

P.S.-“I’m sharing my #TalesOf2015 with BlogAdda.”

"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.

गुजरता वक्त...

वक्त के साये में

सदा ही रहते हम,

लगता हमें कभी है काबू

और कभी बेकाबू

बस इसी जद्दोजहद में

जीते हम लोग। 

किसने क्या पाया

क्या अधूरा सा रह गया

जा रहा साल कराता ये हिसाब,

नहीं कभी कोई रहता हर पल 

होना ही है फ़ना एक दिन सभी को 

इंसान या वक्त। 

विदा हुआ वर्ष जो कल तक था 

हमारा अपना 

आज बाहें फैलाए हम मचलते 

नव वर्ष के लिए,

क्या नहीं तड़पता जूना वर्ष 

छोड़ उसे दिया हमने बस घड़ी की इक सूई पर। 

नहीं नहीं! वक्त नहीं रुकता कहीं पर 

हम भी साथ चले तो पाएंगे स्वप्न,

जो खड़े ताकते रहे

रह जायेंगे हो कर बदलते वर्षों का शिकार 

आओ, करे ये वर्ष अपने नाम

सिर्फ अपने ही नाम!

छोड़ सब व्यर्थ के बोझों को 

ले अपने कंधे पर स्वयं का सार्थक बोझ 

बुने नए स्वप्न,नई अभिलाषाएं

जोड़ कर हाथ ले ईश्वर का साथ 

और मिला कर हाथ करें जी-तोड़ मेहनत 

बस फिर हर वर्ष खुशियों के नाम 

हमारे और हमारे अपनों के नाम!

Wishing all my readers and visitors a very happy 2016. Dream big and work hard.

Image Source: Google Images

Yay! Good start of the New Year...This poem was selected by Blog Adda as one of the best for Tangy Tuesday Picks, edition dated January 05, 2015.!