Perception

You are very reluctant to smile
it doesn't matter whether it's Ego's doing
or shyness is the culprit
fact is observers conclude
you are an "unfriendly bloke
who rarely smile...."

So go ahead and do it
it exercises more muscles than a frown
just smile more and more
fake it till you make it! 

Irony (2020)

Plotting, planning, indulging 
in arson, massacre, murder
of innocent people
all in the name of religion   

Strange, they aren't conscious
of the central tenet of 
the very religion, as they indulge 

"Karma"-  the whole world 
knows its implications....

What is your Driver?

Of the many on planet Earth, living their lives

some are 'inner directed'

while most are 'other directed'

they need and seek approval

for every action they do

spend most of the time wondering

whether others respect, love them! 

The 'other directed', collect things

hoping for other's appreciation

are easily affected by body shaming

swayed by criticism, praise....

The 'inner directed' on the other hand

draw their self-esteem from within

it is inner voice that guides them

to feel good, to do or not to do

criticism and praise be damned!

A big threat though is the social media

luring the once 'inner directed'

to hanker after 'Likes' and "Wows'

Restoring balance, being open to inner direction

is the only sure way to tranquility and happiness!  

NB: This poem has been included in the anthology released during the Prime International Poetry Festival organised on 16th Feb 2020 at Mannarkad , Kerala. 

If only...

This poem is a translation of my poem in Hindi titled "काश."

If only 'these traitors'
hadn't made so much noise over rape incidents
the good name of our nation
wouldn't  have been sullied, internationally

If only the youngsters did not use Uber/Ola
and instead bought new cars for travel
the sales of auto sector wouldn't have
come down so badly

If only the common man
ate less 'onions' or not eaten it at all
like our dear Finance minister
so much of hue & cry
wouldn't have happened over 'trivial matters'

If only the average citizen
focused less on ordinary issues
like inflation,unemployment, Eco slowdown
farmer distress and the like
and stressed more on nation, nationality and national pride
Bharat's place would have been very high
in the comity of nations! 

If only...

Blind Worship

Die hard fans of film stars, politicians, cult figures
over a period, get brainwashed
fawn over every word of their 'Hero'
believe their 'deity' could do no wrong!

Everything they do, even the wrong
very wrong things like drunken driving
or "Drunk with power" actions
obvious to everyone else as 'Faulty'
are all lapped up, justified by the 'crazy' 'loony' fans

Are the ones with cult status
commanding sheepish, 'sheep like' following
really blessed, fortunate, very lucky in life?
well history tells us otherwise!

The cult like figures, exceeding brief
history reminds us
came to very sorry, tragic ends! 
all that glitters is not gold! 

Why Papa?

Papa, teacher scolded me again
when I ask you for new uniform
in place of torn ones
you point to our neighbour
who doesn't even send his kids to school

Why papa, when I ask for a chocolate
once in a while
you say "Look at the neighbour
they eat food only twice a day"

If you want to compare with neighbours
why not with the house across two streets
who have a beautiful house, clothes, comforts
why compare with the weak?

Don't we want to become stronger
and better day by day papa?
or is our lot to remain thus - remain
satisfied that we are better than neigbour!

My text books are torn, secondhand
I have no toys to play
OK, OK, I won't ask anything
at least, will you please stop
talking of neighbours every time
and everyday in our house?

Junk Food

Feeding on the fears of people
stroking insecurities
inciting negative passions
may work in the short run
for the vested interests

For the long haul though
the hype and high of junk food, doesn't last
it is only a matter of time that
people come back to home food
made with care by a loving mother

It is love and love alone
that triumphs in the end...

NB: Happy republic day to all fellow citizens