The Society

Preside over meetings, pull ones weight,

Decide important matters, including AGM date. 

Grant permissions like, to move in and move out,

The chairman is the final authority, have no doubt. 

Convene meetings, record the minutes,

Ensure attendance at AGM is not in single digits.

Take care of the day to day errands, be the silent workhorse, 

The secretary keeps things flowing, smoothly and on course.

Approve bills, make payments, 

In the AGM, present audit statements. 

Do the accounting, ensure receipts are there,

The treasurer ensures viability, and that accounts are fair.

I have been in all these roles, and with best of the best did hobnob,

Now I just want to be a member, no more working in a thankless job.

Real Qualities

Can you withstand this, are you really strong? 

Can you accept, however grudgingly, that you were once wrong?

Strength does not lie in putting up, a facade that is hard and upright,

If you're really strong you'll acknowledge, on occasions you were not right.

Can you take this to closure, do you have what it takes?

Can you deliver on every day, not just when there are high stakes?

Endurance does not lie in exhausting, all your resources and drive,

You take rest, pace your innings, for consistent results you strive.

Can you act in an ethical way, do you know what is right?

Can you behave when nobody is looking, avoid transgressions with all your might?

Character does not lie in fighting, battles that are big and bold,

It is visible in everyday actions- how you treat the sick and the old.

Sometimes what looks good on the surface, when you dig out comes the rot,

Don't hide your qualities in a vulnerable shell, have courage, stand out from the lot.

Performance Appraisal

It was tempting to give, a below average rating,

I'm not satisfied, my criticism's are scathing.

You can do so more, if you get organized a bit, 

Maybe a harsh message, will make you show grit. 

It was better to give, an above average rating, 

High expectations motivate- performance wont be gating.

You will stretch out more, use your strengths to the hilt, 

And by rewarding for potential, I wont feel guilt. 

It was convenient to give, an average rating, 

One could delay the raise, for the promotion keep you waiting. 

Little need to justify, the lackluster performance,

Some pressure to fit you, to the bell jar conformance.

I'd rather give timely feedback, than a rating that sticks,

And a generous (p)raise, that gives you in-the-pants kicks.

Writing A Blog

Content is king, but without audience its mute,

We need to drive traffic, lets go down SEO route.

The blogs you write may be as good as gold,

Keep churning new ones, don't rely on old. 

Be spontaneous at your risk, speak to an empty room,

Incorporate trending words, and your traffic will go boom.

Don't tailor your content, for humans to read and trawl,

Make sure the algorithm, and the search engine can crawl.

 

Context is queen, figure out who your audiences are,

If they want trash writing, just lower your bar. 

At all costs make sure, they get what they came for,

Leave a good engagement metrics, keep coming back for more.

You started with a vision, of what your messaging was going to be,

And ended up losing your soul and contorting as per what they want to see.

Small Things

A small win here, a slight praise there, 

Enough to keep, at bay despair.

When you're stuck in a place, that's totally dark,

All you need is a candle, providing contrast stark.   

A faint smile here, a light touch there,

Enough to feel, someone does care. 

When you're floating in a sea, that's endless and vast, 

All you need is an island, to keep swimming fast.

A single 'like' here, a heartfelt 'comment' there,

Enough to feel you belong, that life is fair.

When you keep on writing sonnets, that nobody reads,

All you need is a 'share' to go viral, and fulfill your needs.

 

A small act of kindness, can really make ones' day,

You never know what they are going through, what pain have they.

 

Bugs

Let bygones be bygones, lets start afresh,

The software is buggy, lets start from scratch.

Back to the drawing board, apprehensions galore,

When we scrap the design - there will be bugs no more.

Expect the best, the future looks bright,

Changing a line of code can make it right.

With every small change, comes a risk and fear,

It may work as hell, or crash, oh! dear!.

Focus on the now, enjoy the present, 

The stack trace left behind, is purely god sent.

Problem solved for now, may in future recur,

we will cross the bridge, when the rivers occur.

Groping in the dark, or merely overhauling the code,

Can fix issues in the small run, but wont work well down the road.

Firing Dilemma

Performance of the employee, not upto the mark,

No scope for improvement, the future looks dark.

Lack of common sense, combined with lack of ability,

For business to thrive, one has to decide with agility.

 

Attitude of the employee, leaves much to desire,

No zeal or enthusiasm, it's difficult to light a fire.

Not working well with others, lacking sense of ownership,

For business to survive, someone needs to get off the ship

Ethics of the employee, under a dark scanner,

Using dubious means, acting in a devious manner.

Adept at backstabbing, versed in organizational politics,

For business to heal and grow, this cancer you need to nix.

I can fix the IQ and EQ part, and get you back on the progress path,

But if you lack Moral Quotient, only God can save you from my wrath.

Postponed

Covid 19 spreading, surges in case,

Exams approaching, in a few days. 

Pleas of parents, to do in online mode,

Fall on deaf ears - doesn't well bode.

Mails after mails, hoping for sanity to prevail,

School insisting on offline, so their schedule doesn't derail. 

The government issues directives, to close schools for some time,

The school postponing the 'offline' exams, without reason or rhyme. 

The ward is happy, that the exams got postponed,

The spouse is irked, one more week for ward to goad.

I am relieved, don't need to pick and drop this week,

Nobody cares for the students learning, or that corona is at peak.

We fought hard as a parent group, to expose the fallacy of an offline exam,

Postponed, in lieu of conducting online, a snub to us, can we still remain calm?

Murphy's Law

Showing demo, of the app,

To the investor- funding next step.

Not once in a 100 trials, had the app hung,

On this occasion though, it left me tied tongue.

 

Rolling out solution, to the first client, 

Mails and SMS not delivering, playing defiant.

In internal rollout it went smooth, there's nothing to hide

But on client side not working  -  all in a day's stride.

Presenting the prototype, to the boss,

Bugs by the dozen- leading to face loss. 

Never in the testing, an error showed up,

But now the idea is rejected , and my time's up.

 

I'm sure you know the Murphy's law, and will excuse me as such,

Why things don't work, when they are needed the most, I don't know much!

Reading Books

Gems hidden, in plain sight,

I read books, with all my might.

Hoping to learn, a few new things,

Reading to me, knowledge brings. 

Critiquing ideas, having my say,

I review books, so that I may,

Separate the wheat from the chaff,

The erudite scholar from riff-Raff.  

Daily reading, target set, 

Tracking goals, I've not reached yet.

I'm driven to finish a book a week,

Compulsively hooked to my reading streak.

I've all but forgotten, what its like, to read for mere pleasure,

Reading to me has become a chore, and not what it used to be - for leisure!

Do Not Disturb

Discretion desired, intimacy craved,

Resting in a hotel room, with eyes that are glazed.

Retreating from the world, putting a sign upfront,

Do Not Disturb is my message, about which I'm blunt.

Notifications galore, to focus is the need,

Need to stop scrolling, through the social media feed. 

Putting dark mode on, activating with one touch,

Do Not Disturb is the mode, that to me means much.

 

Irrelevant calls avoided, marketing scorned, 

Need to avoid tricksters, that can leave me conned.

Cutting off in mid-way, keeping the spam callers at bay,

Activating DND services, blocking calls will work, I pray!

They say I have an open door policy, that I am as approachable as anyone,

Can't you see I am a bit disturbed for now, do I have to put up a sign, for one?

Halfway Mark

Halfway through, the energy sags,

Emotions swell but the writing lags. 

Unsure what I've got, at the half way mark,

The road ahead bleak, and equally dark.

At the start it was dark, I'm still finding my way,

To continue down the path, I've little, to no, say.

Its set in stone, the 90 sonnets sprint,

Doesn't matter my heart is frozen, or blooming like spring.

I had pictured on this milestone, I would celebrate and rest,

Feel no compulsion to pen a sonnet, brush off the sprint in jest.

But now that I'm here, all I think of is completing this mission, 

Can I start questioning what's the purpose, with your permission?

45 days of daily wooing, still I've failed to catch your eyes,

45 more days I'm ready to woo, after that it would be only goodbyes.

Tender and Raw

Made of glass, fragile to hold,

Emotions swelling up, in an exterior that's cold.

Touch with caution, or you'll setup some flare, 

I'm a gift wrapped in a box, marked handle with care. 

Overtly hard, but inside tender,

You'll breach my insides, the chances are slender.

Breach with caution, lest salty water flows,

I'm a coconut that's obtuse, like a sheep in wolf's clothes.

The shell is hard, but the inner core soft,

Withdrawn and cautious, you'll find me oft.

Approach with caution, or you'll make me retreat,

I'm a turtle wanting to be petted, eagerly waiting for a treat. 

I know I've put a distance, between me and you,

I'm afraid if I let you closer, you may end up hurting too.

My Case

Hear me out darling, give me a chance,

If not soul mates, can we be friends perchance?

Soul mates is a myth, there are few knights in shining armor,

Waiting for damsels in distress- is as illusory as a snake charmer! 

Let me be near you, make me part of your world,

Let it be platonic, I wont insist, I give you my word.

Don't push me away, or go hide in a shell,

Do you really think sans me, your life would be swell?

I respect your wishes, be a bit sensitive to mine too,

You say I scare you, that I should not follow you,

I can swear your absence, makes me sick and blue,

Believe me when I say, my love for you is true.

Without you in my life, life would undoubtedly go for a toss,

You may reject me all you want, but I'm sure, it would be equally your loss.

Valentine Day

Some on the prowl, some on the chase,

Some feel lonely, on Valentine's days.

Each day of the week, mocks them afresh, 

As they put aside undelivered, flowers fresh.

Hug day comes, and ends without a caress,

On the rose day the color, would be yellow who would guess?

The kiss day ends, with a flying kiss from afar,

To cuddle with your teddy, on a day seems bizarre.

Promise day and Propose day, make you finally commit,

Even before you are ready, your destiny is writ. 

Chocolate day melts, leaving behind a dark taste,

Trying to catch her eye, the whole week has gone waste.

You may say that Valentine's day, is just a harmless fad,

But to the one whose love is unrequited, its a bit too sad.

Hiring

Resume shortlisted, interview done,

Moving to next stage - in fate of some. 

Rest asked to go home - sharpen their skills,

Apply again next year - go through the drills. 

 

Interview cleared, negotiations done, 

Final offer and joining - in fate of some.

Rest try to steal a deal, at the firm they work,

By the virtue of offer letter, get a raise and smirk.

Change in business, freezing done,

To be put on hold - in fate of some.

Rest get impatient - move to other jobs,

Others hope against hope - end up with sobs.

Hiring is hellish for who seeks the job, and for the people on the other end too,

Rejecting someone, or putting on hold, slowly hollows and eats up you.

Stressed

I'm stressed, and I know it, and that's not a good thing, 

Too busy to care for self, can't straightforwardly think.

My philosophy and aim, was to live a balanced life,

But I'm stuck with a life, in which troubles are rife.

I was earlier stressed too, but then ignorance was bliss,

I couldn't focus well, but that part I didn't quite miss.

It might have affected my health, and brought down my immunity,

But I never thought I was any different- stressed like all in the community.

Then there are those who think they are stressed, but life is going smoothly,

The only trouble a meeting with the boss, that too weekly or monthly.

Rest of the time the stress they have, is of not having high productivity,

Too much free time at their hand, stressed by life's apparent simplicity.

I love the adrenaline rush of stress, and how it raises the bar for me,

But now that I'm aware of how bad it is, I can't but it as an evil see. 

 

The Counseling Session

Flurry of meetings lined up, taking charge in some,

Conceding ground in others, feeling somewhat lonesome.

The counselor was insisting, for an appointment to book,

Not possible this Saturday, I'm too busy, pray look.

 

I brush off the fleeting thought, that I need some rest, 

Focused squarely on the fact, how I can deliver my best.

The counselor had suggested, that you can cut some slack,

And gently inquired, whether for next session I'll be back? 

When we shared that space, I felt understood and heard,

Felt different from the pack, no longer part of the herd.

The counselor requested at end, to fill a feedback form, 

Should I hurriedly give a rating, I was somewhat torn?

The best part of the session -  I could carve some time for me,

Park my issues for a moment, and just relax and be!

Why I'll koo?

On the one hand is a platform, that's evolving- not yet stable,

Whose only claim to fame, as of now, is the Made in India label. 

On the other hand is a platform, going easy on attempts to secession,

To tweet or to koo in such a scenario, is a million dollar question. 

I'm hardly an 'influencer', not a verified account holder,

Blue tick or one that's saffron, I'll likely be bystander.

My audience has been limited, mostly those who love psychology,

Largely international in its composition, not bounded by geology.

 

To tweet is good, but to koo is better,

in case you make a typo, you can edit it later.

Inbuilt voice message, and to top it video too,

A community that is welcoming, too good to be true.

 

I'm willing to lose my audience, and move to a new platform,

In Twitter I found my original voice, on Koo I'm willing to be part of the swarm.

 

Castles

I'll hold you one day, will make you mine,

We'll live happily after - my heart does pine.

No fights, no troubles, like lions living in the lair,

I keep dreaming about it - building castles in the air.

 

We tied the knot together, and now we live in fear,

Some quake will turn it upside down- the world we hold dear.

Each quivering feels like a tremor, a hurricane each small wave,

Built makeshift on the sandy beach, this little castle can we save?

 

I've got tired of the game, and around me built a wall,

Searching for a refuge, on a mountain that's tall,

Attacking the other, locked in a meaningless fight,

Retreating to my stone castle, at the slightest slight. 

Whether of air or stone, these castles kept me jailed,

 I'm finally free now, that out of my life you bailed.

The Startup Journey

I started with a vision, that haunts me still,

The time was opportune, so I went for the kill,

I'm investing so heavily, I've but all run dry,

With so many looking up, I can't even cry.

I started with a team, that I assembled with care,

Helped each other when needed, life was fun and fair.

Now extracting every ounce, that's worth its weight,

Have to keep the flock together, and avoid restructuring fate.

I started with a task, that gave me meaning and pride,

Making progress each day, working was a joyride.

Giving it all I have, I'm now exhausted to the brink,

Burnt out, not knowing, what the future will bring.

Owner, manager, employee, the startup journey is no cake walk,

You are bleeding resources by the day, and time is running by the clock. 

Love Variants

When you are not with me, I constantly think of you,

Giddy in your presence, I feel vulnerable, its true,

Like a craving of an addict, I long for you night and day,

But afraid of being rejected, I desist from entering the fray.

When you are not by my side, I can still rely on you,

I know you'll be there, when I feel lost and blue,

Adored and accepted, I cherish the close bond we share,

Secure in your arms, I know and trust that you care.

 

When you are not feeling cared, I step in and tend to you, 

I sacrifice my needs for yours -  my needs are but few.

Hoping to help you grow, and become the best you can,

Patiently supporting you, so you can develop as per plan.  

Romantic, attached or nurturant, you may call it what you like,

It causes my heart to miss a few beats, and witness a massive spike.

Never Finishing

I'm an opener, not a finisher, this has been etched on my mind,

I struggle in the middle overs, please be patient, and a little kind.

I usually start off with a flourish, but seldom I manage to end in style,

Sometimes I hit a century, but match winner is not in my profile.

 

I can make an entrance with a splash, and depart with a sheepish grin, 

I can start a song on a high note, and as the chorus starts, get lost in the din. 

Why to finish is so important, is a question I have often asked myself,

Isn't it OK to start a million threads, and leave them hanging by the shelf?

You may say that I lack discipline, you may say that I lack grit,

I am a person on whose fate, starting many things is writ.

When someone plants a seed, one hardly thinks of fruits, 

I take pleasure in that starting, and nurturing solid roots.

Isn't it enough that I take initiative, must I always be closing too?

Maybe you'll end this sonnet for me, maybe you'll say I love ___ ?

Tired And Weary

The middle is the sag, that no one notices or cares,

Most wise men retreat, only the fool persists and dares.

One step after the other, purely from habit and drill,

Oblivious to the dreariness, that could easily kill.

I've traveled ahead so far, no point in backtracking now,

Let me take that step, keep moving forward anyhow.

There is little joy left in voyage, the end still beyond reach,

I cant even turn around, fearing my promise will breach.

Can I rest for a while, maybe skip traveling for a day,

What if that becomes a habit, I fall in love where I stay?

Cant afford to be complacent, or let me off the hook,

Have to meet my daily target, have to go by the book.

What started as a passion, has now become a daily chore,

And you've started laughing on me- Oh! what a drag, what a bore!

Language Nazis

Don't call it work-life balance, lets call it work-life harmony,

We've used work-life integration before, on that I'll not bet my money.

You may call it what you like, but the primary focus is work,

And only secondarily in the shadows, will life really lurk. 

Don't call it a mental disorder, lets call it a mental health concern,

The medical model faltered us, now let it be psycho-socials turn.

On mercy of genes or environment, there is not much we can do,

Apart from labeling one way or the other, and prejudicing the way we view. 

Don't call it an addiction, lets call it a substance use disorder,

We've tried calling it dependency, all in an effort to get a restraint order.

No matter what you call, under the bravado, one is alone and at loss,

You can put in a rehab, and get one sober, but life goes on for a toss.

 

Using the correct language, may not be the deal its made out to be, 

When we are changing words so often, aren't we running away from the underlying reality?

Money And Happiness

How can we lead a happy life, asked a curious guy,

New research suggests that after all, money can happiness buy.

The more you earn, the happier you are, even beyond baseline,

The easiest route is via money, shouldn't coveting it be fine?

There are things that money can buy, maybe how good you feel each day,

How smug you feel when comparing with others, and what other people say. 

There is happiness that lies beyond this, where people grow and thrive,

Tap into their unique potential, self actualize, not just survive.

A sense of purpose is happiness, and so is feeling in charge,

Making choices is happiness, and so is growing at large.

I choose to write a sonnet, than code to earn some bread,

Feeling happy that I'm getting better, not caring whether they are read.

They say you can be strong and resilient, as long as you have some reason, a Why,

I say you can be happy and carefree, as long as to lure of money you can say bye.

Nation First?

We are a divided nation, let there be no doubt,

The fissures run deep, from north to south.

What geographies couldn't do, Social Media has done,

We'll keep trolling each other, no hope of living as one. 

The political opinions, that one kept secret and hidden,

Are now worn on our sleeves, you're either with Trump or Biden.

A neutral, or issue based support, one can just not visualize,

let's create memes, troll the other, spread fake news and lies. 

 

There are good folks on that side, but we will focus on the blind bhakts,

There are reasonable folks this side, but we will focus on the dynasts and their takhts.

There are vultures lurking in the north west, who want to spread hatred leading to strife,

'Civil' movements, 'grassroots' upheavals, 'Farmers' agitation, we've seen it all- took all in stride.

I know you'll hate me for saying this, but being anti-govt, for its own sake, is worst,

Hate a party, dislike its leaders, but for gods sake, stand behind your nation first.

Getting Motivated

Don't want to study, but am afraid that Dad will hurt,

Finally pick up the book, anxious not to bring family name to dirt.

Recognizing that studying is important, else I will surely fail, 

I'm a student who studies daily, wont drown, but sail.   

Don't want to study, unless Dad buys me that new game,

Finally pick up the book, proud that soon I'll be rich- have fame.

Recognizing that studying is important, that's the way I learn,

I'm a student who studies daily, so that I can one day earn.

 

Not all subjects need coercing, some need neither carrot nor stick,

They are naturally alluring, they don't make me puke or sick.

If I could choose what to study, and develop my skills at that,

If someone could tell me how it will help, I would get 100 % flat. 

 

They say I'm not motivated enough, to study all the time,

I say you don't know what moves me enough, and that's why I don't give a dime.