Inside Man

 

Joy and the spirit, the inside man knows. 

Bubbles of lust and zest quietly

blows. 

But the facade displays not what he is-

forever bottled just the label shows.

Here I Am

 

Far away now I am from my homeland

with treasure of memories of my prime. 

Grateful I am to the land where I stand,

yet heart goes back and forth from time to time. 

My road of gentle pace and aimless drifts

tarred with turmoils and peace, darkness and light. 

Of twists and turns spiced with numerous shifts. 

From financial plight to some soulful sights. 

Sometimes I wonder what would I have been

had I not trodden this once unknown road?

But play of fate is forever unseen.

All you need is a wheel of will to goad. 

Often unaware these are pleasure-walks. 

And though loud it ticktocks, blind is the clock. 

Vada Pav To Hotdog

 

I ate the homemade curry,

and flew to the glamour-land.

A new charm, some new worries

but a strong faith in fate’s hand.

I wondered what was in store

as my dreams fluttered in hope.

Knocking on destiny;s door

with an iron will to cope.

Joy or woe of the new dough-

Alas! little did I know.

Eunuch

 

Gifted with a graceful gait,

armoured with a deep foresight.

Blessed to bless every soulmate,

powered with an unseen might.

They roam the streets, ask for alms,

spreading love, receiving none.

Though teased for their girlish charm-

they are the God’s favoured ones.

If ever you doubt or grouch-

then a king or queen would vouch.

Krishna

 

The butter could never resist his tongue,

nor could any mischief refrain from him.  

Melodies from the flute tingled his lungs,

and the gopis vied to flatter his whims. 

He fought those kings who deserved no pity,

and often beguiled them with righteous tricks. 

He found a way in an adversity

when the demons threatened with their gimmicks. 

In the great war when the brave Arjun froze-

he revived his beliefs with a dose of Just.

Soon when the archer from his slumber rose-

the battle was gruesome, but was a must. 

Amidst the warriors, the shrills, the wails-

Krishna, the truth, showed his might and prevailed. 

Friend And Foe

The aged wine I befriend

to savour the days gone by.

Sip by sip memories blend

till the grapes and stories dry.

But excess of it offends-

what appears mingles with lies.

I search for truth in pretence

while the soul buzzes with sighs.

Often my thirst seeks that touch-

friend or foe I scent not much.

Lady

 

A lady used to sit by the temple where I lived. The footpath was her residence, and a cloth bag her only possession. Occasionally, whenever I passed by, I used to give her some money. She was poor but never asked for it. I never saw her speaking to anyone nor anyone speaking to her. She would wash her face, and comb her hair neatly. And ate whatever anyone gave her to eat. After many years I shifted my residence and settled into a new area nearby. After couple of months I spotted her sitting on a footpath near where I lived. And for the first time she looked straight into my eyes and said - you never told me you shifted. - I was taken aback. I replied - I never knew you could speak- I saw her smile for the first time. I gave her some money as usual. But this time she said - give me little more please. I’m seeing you after so long. - I gave little more and walked back to my house. She put it the same cloth bag and settled on her new footpath.