The Fool's Quest

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Upcoming 25th Year Reunion

Not all were dear friends, some were just incidental batch-mates,

And then there was that lonesome crush - with whom I never went for dates.

The hostel and the department, were much more close knit,

While the dep was divided by marks and grades, by wings the hostel was split.

One part of me is quite excited, old memories and old friends,

Another part is quite anxious, how I stack against those, who earn in lakhs of tens.

While branches separated earlier, now it would be wealth and lifestyle,

While some like me will board a train, others will fly business, and book a seat aisle.

One part of me can't bear to wait, to once more hear foul words,

Another part dreads when they'll find out- I still write poems- about caged birds.

A poet struggling in college times, a poet struggling now,

I'm still the same old, same old dud, though they may have changed and how!

I'm sure when we meet, most of the talk, will be who we are and what we have done,

That I've lived life on my terms and am happy - is a claim I can make - that is second to none.

Note: This poem is a part of a collection of poems titled Flotsam and Jetsam. You can read them below:

If you are in India you can buy a copy from either Amazon or Flipkart.

If you are outside India, you can order a digital copy here.

Thanks for supporting me and my work!

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Owning Full Stack - Part 2

Identify the vulnerable students, screen them, teach warning signs,

Once the gatekeepers identify at-risk, guide them- its no rocket science.

Lets break the stigma of asking for help - that shows one's maturity,

As soon as someone reaches out, provide immediate care and safety.

Crisis diffused, gently handover, to psychiatric care, or as it be, therapy,

Provide hotlines, helplines, walk-ins, mobile vans; go all out to avert, this needless tragedy.

Heaven forbid, if something happens, don't just hush hush- but take care of friends and family,

They are vulnerable then, so reach out and placate, do whatever is needed- there is no universal remedy.

Reduce access to means, the fans containing springs, have their role to play,

But building resilience and teaching life skills, have better returns, If I may say.

Don't forget to create an environment, where children feel supported and genuinely cared,

If we had all made a concerted effort, even Yamaraj would not have, to so frequently visit dared.

Owning full stack is never easy, too much responsibility, and only oneself to blame,

But if everyone can be a part of this mission, then on its success all can rejoice- and thats my aim.

Note: This poem is a part of a collection of poems titled Flotsam and Jetsam. You can read them below:

If you are in India you can buy a copy from either Amazon or Flipkart.

If you are outside India, you can order a digital copy here.

Thanks for supporting me and my work!

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Wishes Granted. Amen.

The Djinn of Positive affirmation, granted Scott 3 wish,

The first wish was plain and simple, to be served money in a dish.

As luck would have, he bought 2 stocks, and both rallied up and on,

Writing for 15 times in a day, worked well, so he carried on.

The second wish he made, was to crack an exam called GMAT,

He wished to achieve 94th percentile, but in mocks at 77th he sat.

Despite this setback, he continued to persevere, on his affirmation routine,

When marks came out, his percentile matched, what his dream goal had been.

Emboldened and drunk on success, with experimentation done,

He revealed his deepest wish- to become a cartoonist- a syndicated one!

Rejections followed galore, and then some lucky breaks,

The rest they say is history, and he's now on a roll without brakes.

If you were granted 3 wishes, you'll probably choose money. success and fame,

From today I'll start writing 15 times, that I'll live up to my #ZeroStudentSuicide claim.

Note: This poem is a part of a collection of poems titled Flotsam and Jetsam. You can read them below:

If you are in India you can buy a copy from either Amazon or Flipkart.

If you are outside India, you can order a digital copy here.

Thanks for supporting me and my work!

Owning Full Stack

We'll just sensitize students, or faculty and wardens at max,

Help them identify the signs, and then we can relax.

We've done our job and duty, its now upto them,

If they didn't understand or take action, we're not to blame.

We'll just ascertain the risk, use tech to identify,

Roll out assessments and screen, but not reach out and pacify.

We'll issue an alert, whenever we encounter a problem case,

What happens to the client thereafter, we'll leave to God and fate.

We'll just diffuse the situation, do crisis management and leave,

We'll just cool down the client, regular therapy not up our sleeve.

We'll contact the parents, or ambulance, as per the callers need,

If they don't reach out in the first place, how are we responsible- is what we plead.

Prevention, detection and intervention is OK, no one wants to own full stack,

How will they pass the buck otherwise, how will they avoid the legal trap.

Note: This poem is a part of a collection of poems titled Flotsam and Jetsam. You can read them below:

If you are in India you can buy a copy from either Amazon or Flipkart.

If you are outside India, you can order a digital copy here.

Thanks for supporting me and my work!

Monday, September 4, 2023

The Beauty and The Beast

Smile so vibrant, like a 1000 watt bulb,

I'm momentarily blinded, turn into the monster Hulk.

Green with envy, that she chose hymn over me,

Yet instantly calmed, when I hear the lullaby.

Eyes so sparkling, diamonds lose their sheen,

Piercing through me, what she's seeing I'm keen,

Will she look at the beast, I become when she's gone,

Or will she be the compassionate monk, and see my beauty alone.

Face so vivacious, its like a kaleidoscope,

With her mercurial expressions, I can hardly cope.

She rubs me accidentally, releases the Djinn from the lamp,

Her only wish to be left alone, my eyes become damp.

After years of suppression, today I am again bursting with rage,

Seeing your photo on the web, soothed this beast back into the cage.

Note: This poem is a part of a collection of poems titled Flotsam and Jetsam. You can read them below:

If you are in India you can buy a copy from either Amazon or Flipkart.

If you are outside India, you can order a digital copy here.

Thanks for supporting me and my work!

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Using the S word

Don't ask a young person, if he is planning to die,

He'll ether skip the question, or intentionally lie.

You'll have implanted the seeds, is the oft repeated harp,

Don't you dare use the S word, is the advice sharp.

At worst you'd cause inception, they'll make fun at best,

Lets live in collective denial, lets instead plan a fest.

When children come in hordes, and see how happy others are,

Their S wish will vanish, and this will solve the problem far.

Why ask them this question, have they tried it in past?

It may trigger old memories, and precipitate the outcome fast.

Why ask them if they have someone, they can call at 3 in the night,

It will make them feel lonesome, the phrasing doesn't seem right.

Its ironical how the decision makers, at the S word balk,

If we have to curb the menace of Suicide, lets normalize its talk.

Note: This poem is a part of a collection of poems titled Flotsam and Jetsam. You can read them below:

If you are in India you can buy a copy from either Amazon or Flipkart.

If you are outside India, you can order a digital copy here.

Thanks for supporting me and my work!