Wonderment over the Wide World

There's no dearth, of things to be in awe,

To be in wonderment about

the marvels of nature- from the blue sky, of daytime

to the twinkling stars in the night sky

to the mysterious depths of the huge ocean



Why, the human body is itself such a wonder

how the complex system works in unison

the cells repairing itself rejuvenating

the heart beating nonstop for years

until it's time to say good bye!



As a child we have no problem expressing wonderment

to watch open-mouthed, ask many questions

marvel at a beautiful rainbow, or the flickering fireflies



It's when we have lost the knack of embracing wonderment

when ego has stepped in or ennui has set in

that we start saying things like

oh yeah, the sunset seen it come and go

a number of times, what of it?

It’s then, that life becomes listless



The charm is gone, we just go through the motions

running after what someone else thinks is important

desiring to be labelled 'achiever', the 'successful one'



Eschewing wonderment is a big price to pay

after all, what's life sans a little bit of awe

expectation each day of new discoveries, curiosity, excitement

about the bountiful and mysterious world we live in... 

NB: This poem was composed for and recited at the Seniors Today Poetry Meet on 4th April 2025 on the theme Vismaya/Wonderment

Flying High

He looked at the kites, far up in the sky

Kites of all hues and shapes were on show

After all, it was the kite season of Western India!



People everywhere in open spaces, rooftops, gulleys

Adults and children alike, revelling in the fun, excitement

For there is nothing like flying a lovely kite

As they soar up in the sky, almost as if

It is the flyer, who is on top of the world!



He recalled his own time of flying

Of flying kites with their unique tail and body type

Then, as a child he believed he would always soar high

Up above, like the colourful joyful kites

That was prior, till childhood gave way

to youthhood and middle age

and now, soaring was a distant dream!



A dream that had turned sour with

Too many people telling him what’s not possible

Advising to quit day- dreaming and come back to earth!

And he felt like a broken kite, weak and defeated



Ah, if only he could go back to those days

Full of confidence, zeal and drive with belief

That anything was possible; that soaring high was natural

If the kites could do it, you could too! 

NB: This poem was composed for participating in the monthly contest of Million Muse Facebook Group. I received a certificate for the effort. 

Breezing Beyond Borders

Gentle breeze, breezed through the land of Himals/ranges

Sagarmatha, Annapurna and many more..

then, went far beyond,  oblivious of borders 

be it  India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China or Bhutan

borders that are sacrosanct only to the puny humans...

The breeze could only see simalarities

in fauna, flora, agricultural pursuits 

the embrace of nature and happiness writ 

on the faces of people, coexisting in harmony  

So much in common between people 

cultural ethos, values of right and wrong

food choices, seeing the guest / "Athiti"

as God, to be welcomed with open arms... 

Moving on in its journey, a gentle prayer

emnated from the breeze- "May this lovely region

retain, the innocence, simplicity 

 lost to an extent by modern world exposure 

May they continue to live in love, peace  harmony 

in line with the glorious heritage!  

NB: This poem was written for and published in the anthology "Global Rhythms"     

A unique Friendship

Friends since time immemorial…

Two neighbouring nations, Nepal & India,

Sharing borders, having common languages

Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Avadhi & more

 

Even as status changed for both, from

Princely states/ Himalayan kingdom to free republics,

the goodwill, friendship survived, thrived…

With common thread of culture and tradition

 

The wise one born in Lumbini, Nepal

Enlightened in Bodh Gaya, India

Binding two nations spiritually

As does the common Hindu traditions

Rituals, customs,  way of life…

 

Even  when, skirmishes at times between neighbours

A common heritage, binds and sustains the friendship

Overriding differences, aberration        

For this fondness, attachment

Between the two nations

Is time tested, enduring, unique

A friendship, one of its kind!  

NB: This poem was written for and published in the anthology "Global Rhythms"  

                                                           Please click on video

Poetry, Peace and Inclusiveness

 

At a time when there is a maximum amount of conflict

At a time when non inclusiveness is at its zenith

We talk of peace and inclusiveness

And expect poets to do the job!



The dark clouds are above, not just over one nation

But many all over the world

It’s said that when the people are ready, the leader appears

So all over the world, we now have heads of state

Who claim they will make their own country, great again

And to hell with all others, to the environment or human values!



Tall claims by autocrats, not necessarily translated on ground

Seemingly they don’t care either, so long as they have power

And a large number of brainwashed, cultist followers

For whom empty slogans, would suffice to keep them yoked!



As for poets, not everyone with a gift of the word

can be hailed as poets, those that bat for status quo

praise the king for graces or tokens of favour

these specimens weak- kneed and self-seeking

are long forgotten, obliterated from the pages of history!



The real poets though, courageous and willing

To defend and write on their conviction can indeed

Make a difference for peace, inclusiveness and many more

For after all, these noble souls operate from the heart, not the head!

NB: This poem was composed and recited during the Seniors Today online poetry meet on the occasion of the World Poetry Day on 21/3/2025. (Theme: Poetry as bridge for peace and inclusiveness) 

Pensive Moments

 

She has assigned today for herself, to spend time with self

Children had left for school, spouse for the office

Having applied leave for the day, she was free to ponder

Introspect on life thus far, which on a regular

routine day was a luxury amidst the pressure & chaos



As she watched the people passing by

Urgency and even worry writ on the faces of some

She was glad that for this day she had given

A holiday to worries and sorrows



With a calm free mind, she would look

At her relationships, her work, life priorities

Are they on rail or too far off the track?

What course correction at this stage of life

Would make the difference between a

Life going through the motions

And one fulfilling and satisfying?



In the evening when the children returned

From school and spouse from office

She was all smiles- Hadn’t taken so much

Time as she had expected

She had got answers to all the questions

Plaguing her mind for a week

The mind was now calm and clear With the future appearing bright, sunny and serene…


NB: This poem was composed for the Million Muse FB Group's February Month poetry contest ( on prompt picture) and won a Gold Award.  

In Search of Sunrise

He had come to the southernmost tip 

fleeing from a host of fears, anxieties 

daunting challenges of day -to -day life 

Many others had come too- to experience 

the multi coloured soil, the natural beauty 

the Vivekananda rock memorial

the sight and sound of the ocean 

It was almost a week now...

He felt calmed, yet not confident enough 

to return to the whirlpool of life's taxing demands 

It was then that he heard

a mock fight between a young couple 

debating whether the rising sun or the setting sun 

was more arresting, more captivating...  

The rising sun, one argued 

was not just feast for the eyes alone...

the hues of gold are a symbol of renewal and hope 

it's a promise of a fresh beginning 

a call to leave behind the shadows of yesterday 

Embrace the exciting opportunities of a new day 

a metaphor for rebirth, it reminds you

"No matter how dark the night, the sun will rise again" 

Protagonist got up and walked 

leaving the young couple behind 

for him, the clarity had come  

He was now ready to go back 

to face the world with new confidence, new vigour

The debate and the sight of the magnificent sunrise 

had done the trick....