This Diwali

This Diwali, light a candle,

Not because, it can darkness handle.

It burns fast, darkness will assert again,

When that happens, light another - simple and plain.

This Diwali, share some sweet,

To end bitterness, think on your feet.

Nothing can be sugary, all year through,

Be a source of sweetness, in the human zoo.

This Diwali, let the fireworks begin,

Not to dazzle neighbours, that would be a sin.

But to let others share, in your joy of living,

Gift the sparkle of laughter, in the spirit of giving.

This Diwali, invite a few friend,

Celebrations may get over, but memories never end.

Change Agent

How can you change opinions, when you take an adversarial stance?

Convincing someone of your truth, is not a battle, but a dance!

Two steps forward to mark progress, one step backwards to make peace, 

If you are obsessed with winning each round, you'll miss the forest for the trees.

 

How can you change opinions, when for you listening feels remote,

You demolish with cold logic, not caring about what they emote.

For you can always win an argument, but lose a loyal friend,  

How you reach a common ground for both, is what matters in the end. 

 

How can you change opinions, when you're cocksure of what you know,

If you can't unlearn and think again, your wisdom will never grow. 

Monkey see, monkey do, when you are open, they open up,  

You need to make space within, you can't pour in a filled cup. 

Why do you want to change opinions, and what do you want to change?

We can change the world- one person at a time, but not ourselves, I find funny and strange.

 

The Blame Game

A student died recently, she was ultimately to blame,

That the system could have played a part, is an excuse that is lame.

She was a PhD candidate, perhaps of Scheduled caste,

In an institute filled with bright lads, she was doomed to fail from start.

 

How can the institute take the blame, don't they have a counseling cell,  

If she was unhappy, she could have left the place, it was not a prison cell. 

For all you know, the institute offered, courses in stoicism, 

How to grit and bear the pain, its not their fault she didn't listen. 

Why did she choose a guide, who would demand utmost of her, 

Then fall sick and lose attendance, in the mid-sem draw a cipher.  

Why was she born in a family, where it was second habit to succeed,

If despite all this she took her life, isn't she to blame indeed. 

Token actions will be taken, token candlelight will be lit,

 If we believe she could have been saved, lets kill the system, if so be it.

 

PS: The piece is inspired by a recent student suicide but is speculative and based on my feelings and knowledge of student suicides in general, and I am not privy to the actual facts of the case. 

 

 

The World Mental Health Day

Many pay just lip service, only a few go all hog,

Its celebrated by everyone, from Danny to their dog. 

Indulging in a token act, has become an established fad,  

That none seem to have a skin in the game, it makes me feel so bad.

So I vow to do some activism, spread awareness and stigma fight, 

Shouting from the rooftops, that I have Bipolar, seems so right.  

They still stay huddled in their ghettos, hidden even from Mossad,

That they suffocate in their closet daily, it makes me feel so sad.  

Awareness is not enough it seems, you have to take it to the masses,

Make it affordable for the common man, not just for the classes.  

Therapy sessions cost a bomb, AI chat-bot too is expensive a tad,

That not all can pay for them to be heard, it makes me feel so mad. 

Everyone wishes this scourge to end, from the veteran to the new grad, 

That I'm digging my heels, day in and day out, it makes me feel so glad.

 

Nothing Classical About This

Cold and distant, the space is indeed vast,

The future doesn't pull it, its indifferent to the past. 

In a background that is dark, sombre and empty,

There are tiny specks of light, burning bright, and aplenty. 

Fuzzy and flowing, they break all bounds,

If you try to pin them, they play hare and hounds.

Once they get entangled, they'll persist till the end, 

Whether on Top or Bottom, their Strange Charm they'll blend.

It's in the classical realm, that things are settled and dull, 

Once you aim for the moon, the ordinary is void and null. 

The mystery reappears, as they artificially collide,  

In the quest for God they ditch, what was tested and tried. 

 

My heart is deeply entangled, your pull wraps it around, 

Relative to the Schrodinger's cat, I'm lucky to have- lost and found.

Reason Vs Emotion

Think again, think afresh,

Don't count emotions, any less. 

For all your reasoning, and intellectual rigmarole, 

If you discount your feelings, you're just digging a hole. 

Weigh all options, analyze what's best,

If something satisfies, your search can rest.

The important choice, is driven by gut, 

Rationalize all you want, its all post-hoc but.

  

Stuck in a loop, thoughts cloud judgement, 

Let out loose, emotions cause misjudgement.

Excess of either, not good for your health,

Let them work out of sight, in a mode that's stealth.  

Emotions may hijack, thoughts may paralyze,

Reason may be the smart move, following intuition is wise.