My Heart Goes Out....

My heart goes out
to my countrymen
who are so tolerant
even when manipulated
used and abused for years...

By foreigners at one time
later, and now by those
supposedly their own -

By leaders of all hues, from right to left
in various fields, whether politics
industry, labour unions, hospitals
police or schools...

Just look at them currently
patiently waiting, in long queues
accepting, not complaining
earnestly believing that all this
is worth it for a better tomorrow...

Oh how could anyone
betray, let down
such simple folks
as my countrymen?

yes, my heart goes out
to my countrymen
so simple, tolerant
patient and trusting....

Eye Contact

Amaravati Poetic Prism 2016 ( International Multilingual poetic Meet) was organized by the cultural centre of Vijayawada & Amaravati on 13th & 14th November 2016 at Vijayawada. This poem was recited by me on the occasion.


Oh what do I need to do

to get you to look at me

when I speak….

Eye contact while conversing

less and less over the years

the competitors for me changed from the TV

to the PC, with today the smart phone

becoming the chief villain!

A point to note dear

is the difference in the nature

of me and my competitors

they being inanimate

are not vulnerable like me

They don’t care

whether you do multiple jobs

while interacting with them

as for me it’s a cut

at the very root of my self esteem

when even the life partner

has no time to make eye contact

while conversing with me…

Oh what do I need to do

to get you to look at me

when I speak?

Home Work

A child not doing his home work
could land himself in trouble
may find he is unable to follow class
could face teacher's wrath and punishment

when adults don't do home work
not one. but many could be affected
whether relocating at the drop of a hat
marrying consequent to, love at first sight
or buying flat on a sudden whim..

And if Governments don't do their home work?.. ...

"We Want You Both"

Amaravati poetic prism 2016 (International Multilingual poetic meet) was organized by the Cultural centre of Vijayawada & Amaravati on 13th & 14th November 2016 at Vijayawada. I recited the following poem in Malayalam which was inspired by Supreme court judgement of Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Robinton Nariman conveying court’s dismay and alarm at how family splits psychologically affect children and its impact on society.

  
A translation of the same in English is given at the bottom


രണ്ടു് പേരും വേണം


“മൂത്തവൻ നിനക്ക്

ഇളയവൾ  എനിക്ക്‌”

കൂടെ വാശിയും, വൈരാഗ്യവും പങ്കിടുമ്പോൾ

അറിയുന്നോ നിങ്ങൾ

റൊട്ടി   കഷ്ണത്തിൻ ഇടയിൽ

പിടയും പിഞ്ചു പൈതലുകളിൻ അവസ്ഥ … …

വേദന,  ആഘാതം ഏകാന്തത

പിന്നീട് അപകർഷ ബോധം
പേറിയുള്ള ജീവിതം

ഒരു ആയുഷ് കാലം വരെ….

നില്കു,ചിന്തിക്കു,, , പരിഗണിക്കു

എടുത്തു ചാടും മുന്പ്, ഒരു നിമിഷം

"ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ മാത്റം കഥയല്ല

ഞങ്ങൾക്ക് രണ്ട് പേരും വേണം…."

Randu Perum Venam ( We want you both )

"The elder one for you
younger one for me"
while sharing them, other goods. property
as also anger and revengeful  feelings
are you aware of  the plight
of the struggling,  helpless  ones caught
as in between two pieces of bread...?

pain, shock and loneliness
and later. an inferiority complex
ridden life for
an entire life span... 

Stop, think. consider
for a minute
before you take the leap
"this is not your story alone
we want you both...."

In India Today

Extortion in today's India
whether a crime or not
depends on who
or which group is doing it

After all theft
when engaged in by the privileged
is described in soft, sanitized terms
as embezzlement.... 

Missed Opportunity

Money begets money
health begets health
stink begets stink
are sayings of universal truth...

No wonder then
people spit on the footpath
on Indian roads, soon after
the foul smell from garbage
and urine hit their nostrils....

The 'broken window theory' helped
to  solve Graffiti problem of New York
similar attempts have been  made
in pockets, here and there in India
to draw pics of Gods/Goddesses
on the  walls near footpaths
to stop urination and littering...

It's human nature to litter
a place that's already littered,
reluctant as people  are to dirty
clean sparkling places

The mission 'Swatch Bharat' needs
lot more thought, creativity and action
to address root causes of problem
to ensure  long time permanent solutions
if not, it may fizzle out
as another missed opportunity
that began and ended
as mere photo Opportunities ...



Note: The broken windows theory is a criminological theory which seek to maintain and monitor urban environments to prevent small crimes such as vandalism, public drinking, and toll-jumping so as to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness, thereby preventing more serious crimes from happening.