Happy Sisyphus

Every end is a new beginning, is a saying by the wise men,

After each sonnet, I want to rest, but I end up picking the pen.  

I share a slice, with each new line, but a lot of me, remains unsaid,

I pen another, to find myself, as I can't rest, on my laurels instead. 

Every end is a new beginning, with each night comes a dawn,

After checkmate, you're back to square one- the king and the pawn.

You start afresh, new game of skill, the old baggage pushed down, 

Victory or loss, doesn't matter, you can now go afresh, for the crown.

Every end is a new beginning, after each harvest you till the land,

You reaped, a hard earned bumper crop, but farming doesn't, have to end. 

Winter ends, gives rise to spring, spring will cede to summer,

To stick with the old, not welcome the new, to me is such a bummer.

 

Every end is a new beginning, with each small death, I regenerate,

I might have fallen, I rise again, I'm stronger than my, Sisyphean fate. 

My Theseus

A company is like a family, where you spend most of your time, 

You feel welcomed when you enter, to think of leaving seems a crime.

To retire when you reach golden years, is your dream, your hoped for destiny,

Layoffs happen at the drop of a hat, you wake startled from your reverie.

A company is like a sports team, you rationalize and start to compete, 

Only the strongest find a place, and the purpose is to adversary defeat.

The organization needs to keep winning, for you to fit in, it needs to be fitter,

With a couple of offers in hand, you auction yourself to the highest bidder.

 

A company is like a jungle,  it finally dawns on you,

Trees compete with each other, for water and sunlight too.

The dying remains of one, gives life force to the other,

Predators and preys in equilibrium, jungle all's mother.   

A company is like a ship, each plank replaced over time, 

Its essence to remain afloat- be it without reason or rhyme. 

Birthday Special

25th December is the birth date, of a dear society friend,

I usually meet him in person, and wish him to that end.

We go on a morning walk daily, weekend ritual being breakfast,

Frequent interactions steal the deal, our friendship is steadfast.

 

25th December is the birth date, of my roomie from college days,

We rarely see each other nowadays, distance makes you forget who says?

The moment you pick the phone and talk, you are chuddi buddies again,

Our friendship is deep and everlasting, like this sonnet for him I pen. 

25th December is the birth date, of a person I look up to,  

I never met in real life, but he is on my wishing list too.

A statesman par excellence, an orator, a poet that was sensitive and true,

I share my birthday with another PM, but people like him are far and few.  

25th December is the birth date, of a person who became son of God,

From the microcosm to the macrocosm, there are people around who leave us awed. 

An Ordinary Day

A loud and sudden noise, from a bike passing by,

Wakes me up at 5 am, to hold witness to the dark sky,

Slowly transforming and melting, into red and orange hues,

A chance encounter with sunrise, lifts my morning blues.

 

Day gets spent in the cubicle, consumed by the rat race,  

Needing that break desperately, I stroll towards the terrace. 

Perchance I look upwards, and behold the clear skies,

Am mesmerized and awed by the beauty, renew my nature ties.

Commuting back from the office, I get stuck in the wrong lane, 

Traffic is moving at a snail's pace, it will be dark soon, is quite plain. 

For a moment or two, from my vantage point, I catch the setting sun, 

I'm filled with wonder and gratitude, day-end seems, now so much fun.  

Back at the home, I toss in my bed, alone and mindful of the night,

I dare not peep, but try to sleep, as a gentle storm rages outside.

Mangalashtak

Auspicious day dawns, all are excited,

Arrangements are excellent, leaves everyone delighted.

Friendship culminates, into the marriage rite,

A new journey starts, towards a future bright.

Fortune smiles, on the newly wed,

They’re tied together, with the sacred thread.

Together they step, into a brand new life,

As the priest proclaims, them man and wife.

Caution best be exercised, on this journey new,

Strains are inevitable, so let’s gift Fevicol glue.

They’ll help each other grow, grow old by each’s side,

Buffered by love, they’ll take all in their stride.

Shubh, Mangal, Savdhan, all around them solemnly chant,

They remain happily married, is wish of every uncle and aunt.

A One Poem Wonder?

My failures don't define me, if no one publishes my book,

I'll simply post on my blog, and dangle on social media some hook. 

Lack of readers doesn't deter me, from pouring my heart each day,

I treat that as my personal therapy, to keep ennui at bay. 

 

My success won't define me, if my book is on the bestseller shelf,

It won't transform me overnight, I'll still be my old, next-door self. 

I'll take sweet time to write afresh, not drown in the weight of a sequel,

What the fans expect will shape it much -  I'll only write if I contribute equal. 

My mediocrity doesn't define me, I don't care if my poem imperfectly rhymes,

As long as it conveys my emotions, and shows a mirror to the existing times. 

I don't need to write on universal themes, I'm happy capturing the mundane,

There's beauty to be found in the ordinary, no puns or word plays are inane.

My genius shouldn't define me, I'm much more than my masterpiece,

I'm the drafts that came before it, and the variations that will never cease.

Surrounding Oneself

If you want to be a techie, go to Bengaluru or Silicon Valley,

Surround yourself with smart folks, not hide in a Tier II alley.  

The people you interact with daily, will set the tone for the day, 

You are the sum of five people, with whom you spend time, they say. 

 

If you want to be an artist, move to Paris or Milan, 

Mingle with the rustic countrymen, attend festival of Cannes.

As you get accepted in the fold, you'll start acting as one,

Co-create a new school of art- your initiation has begun.

 

If you want to be a philosopher, seek Himalayas, join a university,

Make books your friends for life, then you can reside in any city.  

When you live day and night, surrounded by people who are now dead,

You'll soon become like them, a brilliant thinker, and very well read.  

I just want to be human, where do I go and set camp?

Where hang the kind folks, who are humanity's champ.