Lovers in Winter

Many hate the cold of winter

but not them, it reminded them 

of times they met- the cool stylish clothes

the thrill and warmth of huddling together 

The season always brought cheer in December

shopping for and celebrating Christmas

Santa Claus, toys and the jingling of bells 

just being on the streets, watching the merry crowd

brought  hope and joy of a wonderful morrow!  

Winter was all the more special for him & her

After all it was then that they met, became lovers 

held hands at the altar together 

and became kindred souls for life!  

NB:  The poem was Written for the Yercaud Poetry Fest anthology "Winterful Whispers" which was released at Hotel Royal Orchid Mysore on 6th January 2024.   

On a Winter Afternoon

A tug on his sleeve interrupted a mild siesta

 jerking him awake from the comfort of his warm bed 

"Come grandpa! Let's make a beautiful snowman

with a cigar in his mouth!" yelled the little one excitedly 

Grandpa , wasn't sharing his excitement

what with the little aches, spasms worsening in winter 

he pulled the blanket over his head, stalling action 

like the times when mother woke him in childhood !

The persistent, mean , grandson always had his way! 

soon grandpa and grandson were on the front yard  

working away in mid afternoon to create

the best snowman in the neighbourhood! 

Grandson motivated his elder, promising him

hot beverages and cookies, soon after job is done. 

It's been like this for some time now

ever since the arrival of the little one- all of 4 years now! 

Grandpa was diverted from aches and pains  

to living in the present moment, being active 

Even on cold  wintry days, always reminded

to buck up, since spring is just around the corner!    

NB:  This poem was written for the Yercaud Poetry Fest anthology "Winterful Whispers" and recited during the physical meet at Royal Orchid hotel, Brindavan Gardens Mysore on 7th January 2024   

सुबह

I composed and recited this poem during the online Kavyakaumudi International multilingual poet's group  meet on 17th December 2023.   The poem draws attention to the fact that each day brings good or bad tidings based on one's own mental state. It has nothing to do with the day itself, Keeping one's mind clean, saving ourselves from negative thoughts and taking responsibility for one's happiness would lead to each day being happy and abundant.

रोज़ आती है सुबह

सूर्य की रश्मियाँ-  खिड़की से निकलते   

मुस्कुराते ,खेलते खेलते , मुझे जगाती  है  

एक जैसा लगने पर भी 

रोज़ जगाने का काम करने पर भी 

हर सुबह एक सामान नहीं होती 

हर सूर्योदय ले आती है , अलग अलग अनुभव 

कभी ख़ुशी तो कभी ग़म 

कभी आशा, तो कभी निराशा  

कभी गुस्सा, कभी आनंद !  

परंतु, इस में  बेचारी सुबह का क्या कसूर 

सब कुछ है निर्भर, अपने ही मनोदशा पर 

 

मन साफ़ रखने से , बुरे विचारों से बचने से 

ख़ुशी का ज़िम्मेदारी ख़ुद लेने से 

ठीक रहती है मनोदशा 

तब , ज़िन्दगी भरपूर 

आनंद ही आनंदमय !

राजीव मूतेडत   

राहें

 

चौराहा पर खड़े होकर, मैं चारों  और देखा 

कुछ लोग  सीधा  जा रहे थे , कुछ दायें और कुछ भाएँ 

मैं देखता ही रह गया ,  समझ  में  नहीं आया कि कहाँ जाऊँ  

तब तक के  जीवन, की झलकें आयी  

एक के बाद एक, आँखों के सामने 

क्या मैं ठीक रास्ते से आ पहुंचा हूँ ? 

कौन जाने  , क्या सही , क्या गलत था 

ध्यान जब  केंद्रित था,   दैनिक जीवन  में 

ज़्यादा सोचने का समय कहाँ था 

पापी पेट का जो सवाल था !   

मैं दूसरों के ओर देखा  

उस व्यस्त, माहौल में  भी 

कई जा रहे थे आत्मा विशवास से 

सीधा ,  दायें, भाएँ 

वहीं, जहाँ उन्हें जाना था  !

उदासी में डूबी स्तिथि से ऊपर उठकर 

अपने  आप से, मैं पूछने लगा 

कब तक ऐसा खड़े रहोगे ? 

थोड़ी देर हिचकिचाने के बाद, मैं 

मन में निशचय  कर लिया  और मोड़े,  दायें ओर 

क्या मैं सही, कर रहा था ? रास्ते में पत्थर, काँटे ना मिल जाएँ ? 

अंदर से आवाज़ आई , "आयेंगे , तो आने दो 

झेल लेंगे , बेकार खड़े रहने से बेहतर हैं " 

एक बार मुड़ कर देखा तो , कुछ लोग वैसे 

वहीं खड़े थे , उस चौराहे पे , संदेह, सम्ब्रम  में  

न जाने कितने देर से ये खड़े थे

घंटों से , दिनों से , शायद कई सालों से...  

 राजीव मूतेडत    

NB: This poem was written for recitation during the Seniors Today online Poetry meet on 8th December 2023.   

यादें - जीवन का सहयात्री

 तरह तरह की यादें 

कुछ रंगीन, सुनहरे 

कुछ दर्द भरी , भूलने योग्य 

बचपन से बुढ़ापे तक, यादें ही यादें हैं 

ऐसा क्यों, कि  मीठी यादों से ज़्यादा 

कड़वी यादें आती हैं , सताती हैं 

इस बुढ़ापे में ? 

तो  बन गयी है  यादें 

पूरे जीवन का सहयात्री 

ये  रहेगी  साथ में 

मरते दम तक !

आगे  की यात्रा में भी  , अनंत यात्रा में 

क्या साथ देगी, ये यादें ?

कौन जाने ...?   

राजीव मूतेडत

     

The Pain of Separation

"Virah" or the pain, associated with separation 

can be intense, debilitating, a gnawing feeling deep inside 

often discussed  in the context of beloveds 

lovers separated by circumstances- financial differences

parental opposition, societal norms, objections..  

The other day watched a Zoom discussion 

featuring senior citizens, living by themselves

 children had flown far away where their jobs took them 

 even to the other parts of the world...

Opinions differed between both sides of pendulum 

"Well, that's life, get real, be practical , learn to live 

happily by yourselves!  "Surely you don't want 

to be a stumbling block to son/daughter's future & growth 

moreover, isn't it lot better than being ignored, neglected

by children living in the same city, couple of blocks away?" 

On the other side were valid points too! 

"My only child" having a steady job 

with spouse also well employed 

decided 'out of the blue' to move to 'cold' UK 

We tried living with them, for short periods

the strong pull of grand kids being irresistible

yet the climate, our roots, need to socialize

brought us back to our country sooner than later" 

No matter how much we deny it, it is there 

this pain of separation -  whether from a beloved

a child , parent or sibling 

It's real for the ones who experience it 

who are we to sit in judgement ?

pooh, pooh what they actually  feel ...

After all, imagining what it feels, to another

is not the same as feeling its intensity, depth, magnitude

experiencing it ourselves! 

yes ,‘Viraha’ the pain of separation is real

it needs to be acknowledged and accepted

before it can be dealt with, handled effectively… 

NB: This poem was composed for and recited at the online Seniors Today Poetry meet in November 2023. 

Toddler's Day out

 

On this jolly day, on  a holiday, with parents 

hey toddler, you're having so much fun

even as, you have just learned to run !

There you are, running and chasing 

pacing with little  goats, birds 

and petting brown, white bunnies 

with love and tenderness...

Off  to the beach  at the resort's reach

for fun with water, splashing away in glee 

enjoying the lovely landscape too 

and then for a tour of  Kuah town 

to watch lovely sunset, turn orange & brown 

Finally, to end  great day,  exotic food

at fascinating restaurant, elegantly good 

mouth watering deserts like 'Cold creamy Godiva' 

By then toddler, you are fast asleep 

having said "Good bye" to a lovely day 

that can bring smiles years later 

sweet memories, told,  retold by parents and kid! 

NB: This poem was written in response to a call from "Million Muse" Facebook poetry group  to write on  the theme "Poetry on/  for children"