Warm Wishes on Your Special Day

 

On your first  wedding anniversary

oh, lovely ' made for each other" couple

may the warmth,, playfulness,, your comfortable acceptance of each other

serve as strength, guiding light, as you march towards

many more happy anniversaries to come !  

Unwavering love shines forever, at all times, in all circumstances 

be it  during sunshine or rain, at times of plenty or adversity 

May you be the anchor for each other, a pillar of strength

to reach great heights of happiness, peace, and life long bonding,

Proud, happy parents watch you with fondness and  delight 

observing the natural flow of  your love, concern for each other 

and shared interests be it cooking, eating, the cinema  or nature 

May God's blessings be with you Chikku and Devi

 not only on this grand, first, special anniversary 

but forever guiding and protecting you

whole through your loving years together!

Autumn Dread before the Mirror

She looked at the first strands of silver in her hair 

then, the first wrinkle days later

shocked, in denial, apprehensions of more

the first instinct was to curse the mirror 

Then feelings of despair, melancholy

a tear, few more and then a flood of tears..

all for good, as a powerful shift happened 

in understanding her position, her situation 

Awareness, that it's not unique 

that it happens to everybody 

that it's the law of nature 

that the day is followed by night

and then day again 

autumn followed by winter

and then spring again! 

Focus changed to making most of the present 

share accumulated wisdom gained over the years 

the mirror was no longer a threat 

a mere reminder that life is cyclical

that birth and death of seasons, of life itself 

is natural, inevitable, to be accepted not feared 

And then peace replaced doubts, fears, apprehensions

it was just peace, peace , peace

flooding the body and mind.... 

NB: This Poem has been included in the anthology "Auburn Ambrosia" published by Soul Scribers Society for the Yercaud Poetry Festival.

Autumn Time of a Nation

As I moved to the venue of our residential complex 

to join , partake in the 78th independence day celebrations 

multiple thoughts raced to my mind and sped away 

On the one hand ours,  a nation with a great, hoary past

yet on the other, seemingly a young country 

if counting done, from date of independence  

Whichever way you look at it, Bharat, India , Hindustan

has come full circle, to a state of autumn time 

time to introspect on the losses, gains and the way forward

During the event, I sang a Hindi film song

A song of early independence days, urging countrymen

to leave past behind- the sadness, resentments and complaints

and embrace a new future of hope, possibilities

 opened up by science, technology and willingness to work hard 

Autumn time evokes a sense of transition, reflection 

appreciate the efforts of the past, achievements thus far 

yet willing to let go of old beliefs, habits, relationships

that no longer serve us- shake off the feelings of divisiveness

disruption, discord, disarray, disharmony

A seemingly simple task, made so difficult

by vested interests, not wanting us to move forward

but eternally live in the past, dwelling on the differences 

Differences in attire, worship, languages, social habits 

Our true nature though is all about the similarities 

similar longing for love, peace, happiness 

looked at this way, don't we all want the same things !

Autumn time is the right time, for a person, firm or nation 

to reach out for the gathered wisdom of lived experiences 

conserve energy for future challenges 

rather than fritter it away on the trifles 

have a deeper connection , sense of community 

Autumn draws attention to the impermanence 

reminding us of the inevitable cycle of birth and death

she encourages you to cherish the present 

have a balance between work and rest

to contemplate and find peace 

Key is not being a pawn to sinister designs ,

reminding ourselves again and again

that we are all souls in human bodies

of different colour, shape, sizes

but with the same flame of light within

What better time to remind ourselves

of the common heritage, culture, ethos 

brotherhood and bonding of generations 

"Born and living in this same great country 

we all love our mother, from the bottom of our hearts! "  

NB: This Poem has been included in the anthology "Auburn Ambrosia" published by Soul Scribers Society for the Yercaud Poetry Festival.

Scared to Dance?

Are you scared to dance? Worried who’s looking?

Or asking yourself “what would people say?”

Concerned about gossip travelling from ear to ear?

Then, opt for soul dancing instead

And you will never look back!



A soul dancer, can excel in earthly dance too

Can slip in and out at will

like a lotus immersed in water, yet above it

not a care or worry , as soul dance a spiritual exercise

dancing in communion with God

allowing the spirit to move you, in the eternal, joyous dance

No blocks, cobwebs or interference from the mind



Just quiet peace , attuned to the universe

With feelings of intimacy towards the whole world


NB: This Poem was written for Soul scriber's Society and published in their anthology titled "Soul Dance-Cadences of the Soul". 

Soul Dance – Reclaiming your natural self

The soul is ever dancing

Being free, being light, its very nature

Restrictions only when in body form

Then, curbs come on the natural flow

On the bliss of being carefree

On the mood to dance anytime, anywhere

The hesitation only here, on Earth

As there’s no time or space in the universal realm


Come, let’s cut through space & time

Even while in the body form

To gain access to dance, the hidden language of the soul

Soon we become part of the sacred dance,

Watching and being part of the cosmic dance,

Naturally, effortlessly….

Movement happening from within,

Straight from the soul!

NB: This Poem was written for Soul scriber's Society and published in their anthology titled "Soul Dance-Cadences of the Soul".

To Dear ST on Her Fifth Birthday

 From an infant to a toddler 

To a healthy, robust five year old 

"Seniors Today" is marching ahead 

Attracting more and more silver haired

With each passing day!  

In content, sheer variety, competent anchors

Dedicated & dynamic back end team 

Making waves, is our "Seniors Today" 

Like Robert Browning's pied piper 

'ST' enchants seniors with diverse attractions  

Poetry, singing, reading, cooking, the crafts

'Guftagu', gardening, health, meditation, 

Astrology, numerology, you name it! 

Haven in a hapless world 

A safe sanctuary for seniors

For sharing, bonding, celebrating the golden years! 

Happy birthday dear ST, from us gratified seniors

Many happy returns of the day!   

NB: I composed this poem on the occasion of the anniversary and recited during the online meet on 15th July 2024.  

Life

 

Some poets sit with pen and paper, to decipher

to ask the question "What is life?"

vast majority though can afford no such luxury 

they are born, and before they know it 

death is knocking  at the door 

Between point A and point B, time is spent 

going through the motions for making a living 

working , eating, breeding, nurturing off springs

and it's time up - no introspection or contemplation 

Asked "Any regrets?",  at the time of death 

for many, it was not about what they did wrong

but what they did not do- spending more time with loved ones 

going on that trek, pursuing career in art, music, area of passion 

Instead of being a people pleaser, trying to please everyone 

every time, or trying to fix what's 'wrong ' now or in the past 

accepting what is - without resentment, without judgement

making the best of what's available in the present 

can all help to living a peaceful life... 

Just getting on with your life, letting go of the past 

having a sense of humour, not taking yourself too seriously

yet not feeling guilty about loving yourself 

can all help to living a joyful life...

Being curious, having an open mind, learning continuously

being active in adversity, doing something , anything 

rather than give up helplessly- See the cup as half full, rather than half empty 

can all help to embracing a fulfilling life!  

NB:  I composed and recited this poem during the online meet of the Seniors Today Poetry group on 14th June 2024.