The Cycle of Life

Learn a lot, play all day,

Remain sheltered in this world, is all we say.

Pushed out of the nest, now for yourself fend, 

An era of innocence comes to an end. 

Support your family, work all day,

Take risks if needed, but bring steady pay.

Your prime is over, now to the forests descend,

An era of responsibility comes to an end.

Enjoy old age, rest all day,

Your health remains good, is all we pray.

Let your suffering be over, now to the heavens ascend,

An era of dependence comes to an end.

This cycle of life, will repeat for each of us,

That we get reincarnated is the only plus. 

Dancing And Singing

Some words flow out naturally, some need to be pushed and forced,

Sometimes I'm in the mood for poetry, other times I have to be coerced.

The feelings sometimes are strong enough, they won't just subside or hide,

On other times I rely on my craft, taking readers for a ride.

 

Some movements grace her naturally, some are awkward and fall flat,  

At times she dances consciously, at other times she's a nimble cat. 

The energy bursting forth in her, has to find an outlet in dance,

Even when she's sad and crying, she likes to smile and feign romance.

Some songs get stuck as an ear-worm, for some you develop taste,

Sometimes you like to hum a tune, other times singing seems like a waste.

Not able to rein in your happiness, you burst out in a song,

On other times, the melody haunts, the song goes on for too long.

My poems are a bit mischievous, painting a picture of idyllic romance,

At the end you are left wondering, what was this about, why this song and dance?

Branded

I belong to an elite and select group, an alumnus of a famous Insti, 

My claim to fame that with flying colors, I passed an exam called JEE. 

That event happened in a distant past, a quarter century ago,

I might have changed a million fold, that tag will never go. 

I don't mind the tag, cause its a brand in itself!

And though I've moved streams, it still defines myself,

- An assurance that the product, you are being marketed and sold, 

Is of high quality and can be trusted-  was once 24 carats gold.

Not everyone though, who was branded is the same,

Some did a Masters, some an LDP- how lame! 

All animals are equal, but some more equal than others,

let's have a caste system within us, dear Alumni brothers!

Pedigree doesn't make you elite, how you encash it does,

I've overgrown it, but also realized- the name IITian can cause a buzz!

Acting Sane

Not feeling alive or well, I've got to make a confession,

This is beyond a sad mood, I'm slowly slipping into depression.

What earlier used to charm, has turned meaningless and pale,

A dreadful feeling hounds me, even before starting I know I'll fail.

 

Nothing seems beyond reach, the stars are up for plucking,

My thoughts have no limits to them, they keep popping and coming,

In this manic state I'm charged with, I'm all geared to move and act,

The world is vivid and my oyster, I need no luck or charm or tact.

Having got rid of the extremes, I'm now somewhat numbed,

My energy doesn't fluctuate or sag, my thoughts haven't jumped.

In this normal state of remission, I can finally savor life,

And carve for me a humdrum existence, sans excitement, sans strife!

Do I have to lead a normal life, can't I let my hair down, be insane?

I care about you my darling a lot, so for your sake I'll end up acting sane.

Another Letdown?

Don't promise me the moon, on a new moon's night,

taking advantage of the darkness- nowhere a flicker of light,

Suddenly appears a tower, a beacon of hope,

Shall I place my trust in you, and give you a long rope?

 

I'd rather live in darkness, than be showed false dreams,

I've lend you my voice, made you a conduit for my screams, 

Your power comes form me- and we, who stand for whats right,

Don't use it to settle personal scores, or to make your future bright.

You had started with good intentions, greatness thrust on you, 

If you end up like other scumbags, all will leave, but few,

You've wielded power till now, but in a different domain, 

Will this really be a grassroots movement, questions remain.

Nationalistic Collective is the need of the hour, hope in a few years it doesn't go bad, 

Riding on top of the anti-corruption movement, how Aam Aadmi Party proved to be a fad.

26th January

We watched from distance, as the siege took place, 

Capitol Hill broken in, America losing its face,

The more adventurous amongst us, even created memes, 

How in India you need militant training, to attack and lay siege. 

 

Labeling US a Do-It-Yourself heaven, where local goons beak rules,

We thumped our chests, learn from the largest democracy, O fools, 

Learn form us how to transition power, without blood and gore,

Some may hate our PM equally, but will democratically show door.

What happened today shocked, but was building for some time,

A few unscrupulous elements waiting, for long to commit this crime, 

To do something that tarnishes, our image in the world at large,

What CAA protests couldn't do, today 'farmers' have done at last! 

 

You can celebrate for a while, you have won, systematically spewing venom and hate,

The debacle at Red Fort casting its shadow, on the spectacle we witnessed at India Gate.

Different Lives, Different Fates

The heavier my heart, the faster I burn,

Exhausting my fuel, emptying my urn,

I go down in style, an exploding supernova,

After a million years of life, now in a Black Hole coma.

 

I'm average to the core, I'm the humble one,

My flame burns steadily, I'm the master of fusion,

I'll become a red giant- slowly shedding my outer layers,

becoming dwarfed and white, give or take a billion years. 

 

I know my place, I'm the smallest of all,

I can show endurance, let me show some gall,

I can burn so slowly, exceed the age of universe,

Burn red, be dwarfed, but live a 100 billion years.  

 

You may be average, but you are special to me, a white dwarf that will never get sullied or black,

When you are dying I'll lend you my heart's pieces, so go explode to disappear- don't remain back.

A Tech Free Day

Dad, lets have a laptop free day,

Let me buy one of your workdays, if I may?

Nowadays you are always hunched on your desk,

Those memories are fading- when we played with zest.

 

Mom, lets have a mobile free day,

You don't need to learn recipes, your cooking's good, I say,

Scrolling though the news-feed, or engaged in a call,

The mother who used to learn with me, I barely recall.

Brother, lets have a tab free day,

You don't need to be distracted, we can instead play,

Lets play- no video games, we have to reduce screen time,

Lets return to the pristine old times, when sans gadgets we were fine.

 

Son, I believe what you are asking for, is an internet free day,

Last time that happened was when post fighting we sulked, that doesn't repeat, let us pray.  

The Departed

I know you'll die earlier, she said with tenderness, 

Its not fair I'm younger, and would miss your warm caress.

Puzzled by my lifestyle, worried about my health, she had every reason to crib,

From now onward, I'll take care of myself, I would lie through my teeth and be glib.

Chronic diseases are not my fault, triggered by situations, and partly by genes,

Lets make use of the little time that's left, and paint together bright and vivid scenes. 

We have loads of memories of happy times, and loads we can create anew, 

I wont mind if it is the very last one, but lets not stop creating chapters new.

I'm not afraid of death, she calmly said,  as long as the dying person is me,

But to see of myself as a widowed person, how can I allow that to be?

Once you are gone, I'll be robbed of all, to smile would be a crime,

Without you by my side, the societal restrictions, wont really matter a dime!

 

I know I've left you hanging and departed a bit prematurely,

The saving grace - you are being so strong and acting so maturely.

Boycott Politics

Hurting of sentiments, can lead to riots,

You can boycott a series, you can exercise your rights,

If you don't like something, why clamor for its ban?

Relegate it to the dusts of history, let it be also ran.

 

Posting a nasty message, can lead to siege,

Better ban the account, he's no longer part of the league.

Let him be dislocated from every social media account,

Lets ensure no one reads him, that his views don't count.

What is good for the goose should be good for the gander,

If a provocative series allowed, why ban a man- its pure slander,

Both have the power, to pollute, millions of minds,

And we have equal power, to ignore them, and their kinds. 

Freedom of expression my foot! We allow web-series and ban men?

Lets be cautious in granting too much power, to organized giants and their henchmen.

The Guest

Eagerly waiting, at the arrival terminal,

Asking the nth time, from the airline personnel,  

What time the flight arrives- I've waited for long,

As you arrive, with your baggage, I break into a song.

Waiting with patience, for you to make a move,

You've overstayed your visit- settled in a groove.

If the moment lasts a little, the memories are sweet,

Now I'm pining for when you'll leave, to never again meet.

 

Alas, the time has come, for you to say bye,

The days have flown so fast, I will not lie,

My heart is heavy as its time for you to fly,

Living sans you will be painful, I'd rather die.

I've courted you in my dreams, lived for years with your imaginary presence, 

Buried you deep in my subconscious, so waking feels surreal, and doesn't make sense. 

Fermentation

Feeling overwhelmed, cuddling my bundle of joy,

Excited and eager, to start playing with my little toy,

Cautious equal parts, suddenly feeling grown-up, 

Its a sugary sweet moment that makes dream stuff.

Confused and ambivalent, as he decides to move,

Saddened by his behavior, what does he want to prove?

Dreading the empty nest, starting to already feel old,

Reining in the tears rolling down the cheek, leaving a trail of salt.

Sacrificed all my earnings, even took a loan,

Dependent on him for survival- why do I now moan?

He has a family and a new child, and is excited as well,

On the verge of dying lonely, why am I bitter as hell?

It started on a firm footing, with tender love and more,

Over time it has become crusty, and turned dark and sour.

High Availability

Eager to take on the world, waiting for my chance,

I regularly check on my mate, throw periodic sideways glance. 

I'm not envious of him at all, its his time in the sun,

But slowly time will take its toll, he'll fail- I would begun.

Dreading the moment, he'll call for my help,

Some heartbeats gone missing, or he uttering a yelp.

An alarm sounded loud, that its now finally showtime,

To take on the responsibility fully - wake up from dream sublime.

 

Equanimous to the fact, that its now my turn,

He has walked a hundred miles, now let me burn,

Its an equal music, we take turns to work,  

But why he's always first, in my mind doubts lurk.    

I don't like to play second fiddle, master-slave makes me puke and die,

Ensuring redundancy is so important, so lets play active active hot standby.

A Sonnet Gone Rogue

What do you call a sonnet, that has turned out sour,

You want her to see in one way, but its not in your power.

It was meant to flatter her, even make her smile and blush,

But she has taken an exception, and sent it flying down the flush.

What do you call a song, that could not be sung,

No time for spouse or kids, busy climbing the rung.

It was a folly to think that from the top you could your heart cry,

And she would decipher it for a paean, and not detest or decry.

What do you call a story, that has never been told,

The courage shown in childhood, can make you plow through when old.

It is the story you sing daily - to soothe yourself to sleep,

Sometimes a hero, sometimes a sidekick, sometimes a wolf as sheep.

What do you call a novel, that is coming to an end,

Instead of mere words this time, let me flowers send! 

My Job

What do you do, asked the stranger,

Embedded in a web- I'm no lone ranger, 

Whats even better, I'm the center of the hub

The world doesn't care- don't on my wounds salt rub.

How do you do, asked the friend,

'Perfect, thanks for asking'- will this ever end?

Will I ever be able to look in her eyes,

and share with vulnerability our silent cries.

What do you do, asked the spouse,

I'm busy all day, can't you see, you louse!

You've colleagues to hang out with, I've friends to bitch,

If you think I'm served a platter, for one day let's switch.

You may think writing sonnets is easy, and staying home an additional perk,

But to find yourself through relationships, is much better than losing oneself in work.

Immunity

The germ of an idea, that I can make you smile, 

Slowly morphed into a conviction that I can make you mine,

The occasional skipping of heart beats, wasn't an everyday affair, 

Over time my heart started pining- alas, life's not fair. 

 

What was tiny in the beginning, has now grown tumorous and huge,

I've to let out the pus daily - that's my poetic refuge.

I should have nipped in the bud, but I was nonchalant at first,

Have let it rot for long, and now its ready to burst.

 

The moment we shared, has remained etched in mind,

Who was host, who parasite, doesn't matter a dime.

 I was burning; on my knees; totally in your control,

The desire to replicate that moment, has taken its toll.

Once bitten, I'm toughened, you can cause me no harm,

I've developed antibodies, I'm resistant to your charm!

The Most Important Trait

One cookie today, or two tomorrow?

Its difficult to wait for the second marshmallow,

Those who show control, and can delay gratification,

They in the life end better, with a high life satisfaction.

Mediocre output now, but brilliance tomorrow,

If you raise your expectations, performance will follow.

Having a positive view of self, and the people you interact with,

Could lead everyone to be a better version, and stretch from hence-with. 

The hare runs fast, but the tortoise can plod, 

Talent may take you so far, but grit is the new god.

Its good to win a sprint, but character is a marathon run, 

passion and perseverance for a goal, is the way its done.

 

Self control or positive expectations, determination or grit,

Unless weaved in a moral framework, can get results that don't matter a bit.

Flying High

Fly high my darling, fly high in the sky,

Soar above your ilk, for the top place vie.

Go to places only heard of, spread your wings and rise,

let my vision not limit you, transcend the ceilings of high-rise.

 

Even while you are up there, I will keep a close watch,

Encouraging you to up your game, to go up by a notch,

At times you may get lax, and drift with the breeze,

But I'll know when to pull you closer, and when to let you glide with ease.

 

They say if you love someone, you should set them free,

Now that you are out by yourself, there is danger in every pole and tree.

As you rise up others will cut you, dismember you, try to snatch,

Or lure you with their counter maneuvers, but to no one must you latch.

 

Tethered to me, you've risen to top, but now you've cut the cord,

I'm running like mad, to catch you again, as you come crashing on the road. 

Job, Career, Calling?

Clocking in the 8 hours, counting the passage of time,

Doesn't matter the work I do, show me the money, its fine.

The job for me is just a means- to put food on the table,

Its a chore, a punishment, a necessity of sorts; a dreary life, no fable.

Finding 80 hour week too little, I squeeze value from each hour,

To climb the ladder of success is my dream, each day I raise the bar.

The career for me is an adrenaline rush, to end at the top of the pile,

Its a status, a perk, an ego of sorts, for which I go the extra mile. 

 

The day hours are just not enough, so it keeps me up at night,

It matters what I do- or don't; I chase goals with all my might.

The calling for me is my raison-d'etre, to serve my only wish,

Its a harmonious passion, a commitment of sorts, the journey pure bliss.

  

Some do it for money, some for fame and power, others are called to write,

Penning a sonnet, sans money or fame, on a daily basis, feels so right!

The Distance Bridged

 

It wasn't romance, it wasn't love, it wasn't even platonic friendship,

I thought we were on solid ground- you in the sanctum sanctorum that I worship.

I could dance and chant, pay my homage to you, that you'd silently accept,

An asymmetric relation, you couldn't reach out, bless me with your eyes except. 

That moment of 'darshan' would be brief but potent,

For a minute, I could sense, my words were not impotent,

My prayer was being heard, my heart beating to your drum,

It was the bit I felt seen - your beneficence washing off my scum. 

 

You were as calm as ever, always firm, centered and strong,

But in that second, something snapped, you couldn't resist me any long, 

Forgetting about the millions, that are destined to come and go,

For that moment I got your eyes - the only one to do so!

 

You may write me off as a one-off, and you may count me as naive and simpleton,

But in your heavenly abode you seemed so far, so I've cunningly put you on a pedestal.

 

 

My Preferred Format

Shorter format, bigger score,

No ambiguity as to what's in store,

20-20 thrills us more,

2 super overs make folk lore.

 

One day format has its place,

Score well first, setup a chase,

The first few overs or the last,

Sit glued, as the fireworks blast.  

Its the Test that tests one's patience still,

Either aficionados- or with time to kill,

With players taking the match to last ball,

not to win or lose, but to draw and stall.

 

You may think of me as fly-by-night, but I have passion that is raw,

I know that I cant win you, so I am playing for a draw.  

 

The Social Dilemma

The desire to remain connected, with friends of past,

Morphed into being validated, by a network that's vast.

Made us Zombies who share mindlessly, in return for comments or likes, 

We made Facebook our natural home, ignoring the depression and anxiety hikes.

The desire to know better, our children and the Gen Y,

Made us experiment and be curious, they were on this platform why?

Sharing photos of food and selfies, scrolling through stories and reels,

We tried to get a hang of Insta, not caring how lonely, it for most folks feels.

 

The desire to be there for them, our parents, long lost uncles and aunts,

Made us bear with all those forwards - the power that 1-click share grants,

The good mornings, the lame jokes, the political vitriol and diatribes, 

We got onto the WhatsApp bandwagon, not minding the poisoning of our tribes.

Enough is enough, I'm transitioning, from WhatsApp via Telegram to Signal

Either mind your ways, or prepare for divorce, our relationship likely to annul. 

Sisyphus

 

 

The night holds special charm for me, I can finally find the time,

To bring to closure acts of day - penning a poem seems so fine.

And on other days I manage to read, a few pages or a tome,

Soothed by this ritual, sacred and dear, the day's weariness is gone.  

The year end appeals to me so much, I can get rid of weathered skin,

Throw out the window, things that didn't work, take trash out of the bin.

And on other times I manage to go, to places far and wide,

return rejuvenated, just in time, to see the turning of the tide.

 

The death bed looks so romantic, I can afford to be just me,  

Know what matters, with whom to spend time, for the first time clearly see.

And in other lives I might just have, you standing by my side,

But for now your memories haunt and heal, now's no place to hide.

 

With each end comes a beginning, a beginning that with time kills,

I prefer those moments of brief respite, between pushing the stone up the hills. 

Incompatible

 A bunch of wires and cables, played around with them all,

To make the right connection, requires efforts - is no feat small.

35 mm jack at one end, the other an RCA male,

Would she be able to hear my beats, my heart starts turning pale.

Just connect the audio out aux, to the inputs of home theater, 

Let all and sundry hear my cries, imaginary audience in the theater.

The magic doesn't happen, I watch the YouTube explainer the nth time,

To be connected to someone, sans heart beating in sync, is a momentous crime.

 

Check the power cables again, amp up a bit, turn up the volume max,

One needs to keep working on it, cant afford to be easy or lax. 

Still no sound only fury, can the speakers have gone rogue,

Silent cometh, silent goeth, from cradle to the morgue. 

I tried my best to hook with you, but no sparks flew down the line,

In the next life, with wireless technology, we will blast a song sublime.

Dependency

Can't move forward, have an external dependency,

Can't write a sonnet, Oh! Muse have some mercy!

Stalled and blocked, it has been a week of dithering,

False oath of daily sonnets- now Furies to me are tethering.  

Would tomorrow be different? Issue finally resolved?

Writing become a second nature, I'm determined and resolved!

With some real progress, I can be proud of being productive,

The sound of a sonnet forming, Oh! its so deadly and seductive! 

Why wait so long for action, why not push the other one hard?

One needs to let the feelings ferment, to write poetry is an art!

One fears push-back, more stalling one's way, so prefers to use tact,

Using simple rhymes to send a note, the poem is almost ready, in fact.

I'm dependent on you darling, and I prefer it that way,

Would you finally make your mind, so that I too may!

The UnScheduled Life

Some meetings never end, others shouldn't have started,

We should have said goodbye, before we parted.

 New day, new meetings, sans agenda, hidden or otherwise

We could have left it midway, hindsight always makes us wise.

A calendar that's overflowing, a hesitation to accept the invite

We were so lost in our own worlds, not sure whether to give it a fight.

No conflict with an existing commitment, yet replying with a 'maybe'

We were tentative how it will turn out, not sure if we were meant to be.

 

 Some back and forth happens, but in the end, you have scheduled a call,

We used to fight and make up, and in love it made for us easy to fall.

The call drops multiple times, and to reconnect you rely on the Aloha algorithm

We missed the bus on multiple occasions, unsure how to make our moves in rhythm. 

Structured in time, spaced through the week, we were booked to the hilt,

Missed the counselors appointment - went down the rabbit hole of angst and guilt.

 

 

The Middle

The first step may be impulsive, and the last step due to sunk costs,

For the intermediate steps however, you need to run from pillar to posts.

Will they make a difference, take you nearer to your goals?

Or like the Sisyphean stone keep rolling back, haunting you like ghosts.

 

Passion may catch you the first fish, and desperation the last,

But if you want to catch fish daily, you need to wider net cast.

For days what may land your alley, is debris from the past,

The flotsam and the jetsam, don't get rid of them so fast.

The first kiss is oh! so vivid, and the last one tinged with pain,

It's the in-between that matter - but aren't they simple and plain? 

The daily ritual of kissing your wife, is it love or disdain,

By reserving the kiss for special occasions, would you be cruel or vain?

To promise the moon and deliver the stars, is a brilliant stunt,

When you promised 90 in 90, were you sober or drunk?

Can I ?

Can I churn out, a sonnet each day,

When it becomes a chore, will the sensitivity stay?

Will I write in a hurry, to meet the day's goal,

Getting the rhyme right, but losing the poem's soul?

 

Can I find themes other, than the usual love and pain,

By moving out of my comfort zone, what will I gain? 

Will the imagery be novel, not limited to caged birds singing

Will my poems soothe and heal, with just a dash of singeing? 

Can I keep her hooked, eagerly waiting for the next,

Or bombarded by so many, she might just not read my text?

With my daily pledge of love, would my chances go above zero,

If I keep writing till she relents, can I hope to be her hero?

A new year resolution, that only lasts till spring,

I'm wiser this time, settling for a 90 days sprint.