The Joy Of My Life

 where is the joy of a sleepless night,
        where is the joy of a dreamy day;
where is the joy of not minding your intellect,
        where is the joy of letting your feelings play !

where is the joy of trimming the shrubs,
        where is the joy of letting the flowers bloom;
where is the joy that's not overtly optimistic,
        where is the joy that's devoid of gloom !

where is the joy of witnessing miracles,
        where is the joy of reality's spell;
where is the joy that keeps your eyes leveled,
        where is the joy that makes your heart swell !

where is the joy of a thousand suns,
        where is the joy of a calm and silent night;
where is the joy of never knowing what's wrong,
        where is the joy of always doing what's right !

where is the joy of an empty mind,
        where is the joy of a love-filled heart;
where is the joy of ordering harvest in the end,
        where is the joy of letting the sowing start !

where is the joy of a poem unsung,
        where is the joy of a song not yet written;
where is the joy of always feeling like a loin,
        where is the joy of behaving like a kitten !

where is the joy of old plans deferred,
        where is the joy of new dreams chased;
where is the joy of being free and in the World,
        where is the joy of being in the Home and caged !

where is the joy of shaping your destiny,
        where is the joy of listening to what the stars tell;
where is the joy of walking The Razor's Edge,
        where is the joy of knowing For Whom Tolls The Bell !

where is the joy of a pleasure cruise,
        where is the joy of a stormy ride;
where is the joy of Ekle Chalo Re,
        where is the joy of submission to The Guide !

where is the joy of drifting in the calm sea,
        where is the joy of standing firm in the tide;
where is the joy that needs no expression,
        where is the joy that is impossible to hide !

where is the joy that is rooted in the earth,
        where is the joy that is not limited by the skies;
where is the joy that values the truth,
        where is the joy that has uses for lies !

where is the joy that likes to smile,
        where is the joy that is eager to cry;
where is the joy that with alacrity greets,
        where is the joy that's ready to say goodbye !

where is the joy that freezes your thoughts,
        where is the joy that makes your vision clear;
where is the joy that makes you renounce the world,
        where is the joy that to you makes everything dear !

where is the joy that makes you write prose,
        where is the joy that as a writer makes you loathe;
where is the joy that plants a seedling,
        where is the joy that envisages a forest's growth !

where is the joy that knows no bounds,
        where is the joy that resides in your heart;
where is the joy that is always the whole,
        where is the joy that manifests in every part !

where is the joy that can boulders lift,
        where is the joy that will neither push nor pull;
where is the joy that when you share is not halved,
        where is the joy that when you own is never full !

where is the joy that enlightens the soul,
        where is the joy that transforms the world;
where is the joy that's embarrassed by eulogies,
        where is the joy that welcomes the abuses hurled !

where is the joy that radiates harmony in the world,
        where is the joy that with an inner beauty glows,
where is the joy that reaches out to humanity,
        where is the joy that to divinity bows !

where is the joy that is devastated by a tremor,                                        
        where is the joy that can mountains grind;
where is the joy that is strong and pointed,
        where is the joy that is considerate and kind !

where is the joy that liberates from human bondage,
        where is the joy that can hermits bind;
where is the joy that can see through appearances,
        where is the joy that like love is blind !

where is the joy that fills your being,
        where is the joy that lightens your heart;
where is the joy of executing a perfect end,
        where is the joy of in the end daring to start !

Prologue : I Still Believe In You

Diminished in size as we grew,
We have been deceivers, both me and you.

Found some brutes in the human zoo
Nevertheless, I still believe in you.

Regardless of pollution, the sky is still blue,
Believe me when I say, I believe in you.

Where is the foot that would fit the shoe?
Disillusioned, I still believe in you.

The poem is phony, but the feeling is true,
Despite myself, I believe in you.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

How does it feel to show to oneself,

A part of you that was left behind- 

- while trying to shield those memories from self-

A madman who was idealistic and kind.

Who drove like slaves, and kept on toes,

Himself and his dear comrades alike;

Who couldn't discern between scorn or love

And for whom both praise and slog was fine.

Till one fine day, when he drove to the brim

And lost himself - and the ones he loved

In a darkness that was bleak and grim

Except for a light that left him moved-

 

For life -and sustained his belief in goodness-

And made love and faith, and cheer his business.

 

PS: Originally written on 11 mar 2008

Bidding Adieu

Bidding Adieu is always hard,

Your weren't just talented, hardworking or smart,

But most importantly, you are a good human being, 

Caring about your colleagues, and their well-being.

With you it's easy to bare your soul, 

Or delegate a task and never worry at all.  

Open up and share one's dreams and hopes,

Work like a close-knit family- of kindred folks.

 

We've walked a long distance on this terrain alongside

Now that you are leaving, the feelings are difficult to hide. 

We'll miss you for sure, but you'll also remain with us,

You've left an indelible impression, with your human touch.

Endings are necessary for new beginnings, 

We hope you'll be back, for the second innings.

A Valentine Day Wish

In yonder times, I would have pined, to be a slipper on your feet,  

In modern times, to be a smartphone, is an experience none can beat. 

You'll touch me all time, let me keep you in my heart, and never let me die,

I'll remind occasionally of memories that day, you'll keep scrolling, never say bye.

You'll keep me within your reach and grasp, never let me out of sight,

You'll never let me fall or break, protect me with all your might. 

Even the parts of me that are, made of glass or marked fragile,

You'll harden them with love and care, and without any malice or guile. 

You'll spend your days and nights with me, always on the lookout,

Of the slightest quivers I may undergo, or the sirens I may shout.

Each silent or vocal cry will be met, with quick and prompt action, 

You'll check to see what I have to say, for ain't I your one and only one?

Hold me tight, hold me close, as you spend ages with me, to prefect that selfie, 

I couldn't fit in the picture perhaps, but of the frame I can surely a part be.  

Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Fan the flames of hatred, promote an artificial divide, 

Between the north and the south, create a wedge that is wide.

The language card doesn't work anymore, caste is so old time,

Economic disparity is god send, not using it would be a crime.

 

'We pay more', 'Those states are leeches', give us our fair share,

We the healthy sates have prospered, why for BIMARU we should care?

Each state to its own, lets even propose, a southern nation to boot, 

We can't fall prey, to Centers schemes, aren't they there to loot?

 

The delimitation exercise is in 2026, but we will raise the issue this year,  

Lets talk about the folly of controlling population, as the polls are oh so near.

Divisive politics gives rich dividends, with Mandal in the past we have seen,

The Finance commissions recommendation this time, to follow we are not too keen. 

With seats in mind, they too use ED, at least they are weeding out corrupt,

If this is what you could think to get votes, you are morally bankrupt. 

Blood Money

Investor has loads of money, founder has a peculiar vision,  

Who should gain from the enterprise, is a difficult decision.

Investor brings to the table, network, expertise and big name,

To passion, commitment and execution, founder can lay claim. 

How much to dilute, how much stake to give,

First solve the cash flow problem, to another day live. 

Does one with the capital, always have the upper hand,

Or can with bootstrapping/ crowdsourcing, founders stick like a band? .  

The investment deal done, now who calls the shot,

Can the founder stay true, to the vision he sought?

Or does the fund raise become, now a cycle in itself, 

And in the pressure to return 10X, the founder loses himself?

 

I birthed this baby, I'll go to any lengths, to keep it alive,

But its ludicrous to think, I'll let you kill it, so that it can survive.