Living to die

Frost bitten toes 

mobilized in slow pace

moved towards the hilly terrain

in torrential rain & storming cyclone

to reach the cliff top

in search of few drops

which he could swallow

thus, provide respite

to the dry throat

which had screamed 

for mercy, for freedom

from everlasting pain

that had dwelled his being

the lonesome ranger

notwithstanding, fright of

man & beasts alike

who may shard him down to pieces

land might slide too

& hell would then befall on him

but, up he goes

striving to live a life

he so wished should end one day

thereby, releasing him bondage, struggle

which were a part & parcel 

of his being everyday!

Face/Off

Prim & proper

dressed to befit the occasion

adorning colorful hues

with a class apart robe

bejeweled & laden to an excess

with ornaments & all the precious

sporting a smile

that was mesmerizing

she walked with grace

on the red carpet laid out for her

leaving the crowd mumbling

going gaga over the style she carried along

wrapped in beauty & 

ribboned with confidence

she stole hearts with the way she

had packaged herself

but, this is what remained at the surface

the conceited part of her was known to none

torn apart, from within

her soul whined for real

the glitter & glitterati 

had not contended her

nor had it filled her heart with absolute joy

rather she desired for simplicity

away from the shutterbugs

that followed everywhere she went

a life away from life

was an ultimate aim now

solus & in consensus with herself

thus, reflecting on little that she got

and more that time & circumstances 

had snatched from her

RealFake

Irony at its best

The fake world that we dwell in

Shrouded in mystery

Consecrated within social norms

Gives more happiness

Than the real us

The bubble of conformity

Envelops compromises

Which are made and agreed upon

Only to feed our ego

A vent out, a let go

Only gives a clarion call

for distress

Therefore,

Truth remains behind veils

What lies beneath is known to none

Twinkling, smiling eyes,

Engrave sins of bygone

Neither noticed, nor interpreted, nor acknowledged

In its truest, purest form

Rather, onlooker finds respite in

All that is visible

Roots, deepest recesses of soul

Ignored & avoided

Thus, finding happiness

In mock-up drama

Or the circus of life

Where we all perform

In an ever prevalent form

Automated

Barren eyes seek solace,

For benevolence,

Benign presence,

& empathy humane,

Warmth absolute,

Surmise such is only sane,

A desire to feel the closeness,

But, the being remains mute,

Neither expressions nor words,

Bridge the abyss erected via follies,

Or let it bury into pangs of infamy,

One submerged in bygone,

Other immersed in distant future,

Overlooking the current

Sans emotions, delivering duties,

Following instructions, robot like

For the whining heart has respite none,

Bruised and scarred,

Bereft of any choice,

Anguished to arise and have its voice

Repose

To yonder in wonderland

leaving imprints on the sand

surfing by the tides

goosebumps in joyrides

to stand & stare

at the sky & jewels up

screaming as you may 

at the voice top

slipping too at the steep slope

immersing in tunes of nature

on a patch of green pasture

murmuring sound of the rivulet

tides gushing by

in a speedy spate

laughter child like

setting free the soul 

cruising in the sky

just like a free fowl

immersing in colours

or sweating in full vigour

all this & much more alike

that make us all alive

deserve indulgence

more often than we spend time

modernity & thoroughfare of life

brings in undesirable baggage

that are rife

letting go off

is nonetheless very tough

leaving behind traces

that are quite rough

Karmic retribution

Depth & width of the law baffles me,

Resilient and determined,

As I trudge ahead,

Thus, detoxifying my soul

From the copious baggage of 

Karmic retribution,

I feel feather light 

Despite challenges 

& struggles manifold!

Mystic to its core

Unfolding in victories 

That remain to be told

Focusing on oneself,

And not resorting 

to conditions external

Happiness comes knocking,

Is thereby, realized within

While exerting strength & rigor fullest

Inter linkages between 

past, present & future,

Inconspicuous virtue 

brings in conspicuous reward,

I am told

Words of wisdom of the sutra,

Are followed with utmost 

respect & conviction

By pressing ahead,

a little & a bit more,

I realize true optimism

is based on unwavering conviction

in innate human potential

Regaining consciousness,

Awakened from a deep slumber

Of ignorance & arrogance alike,

I witness a brimming new dawn

abounding with life!

(Nam myoho renge kyo)

A Balinese retreat

Beauty wrapped in enchantedness

It seemed unreal almost

To witness an ancient island

Engulfed in beliefs & practices

Of mythological tales

Coexistence of good & evil

Appreciation of bountiful nature

Power & victory of legends

Worshiping natural forces

To name only a few

A close resonance with all 

Experienced in hinterland

Grace, gentleness, completeness

All comprising beings

Who inhabit in the mass of land

Heartfelt smiles, curious gazes

And innocence boxed 

In their demeanor class apart

'We too are Hindus like you'

Is what they proclaimed

Of a different sort, nonetheless

Aboriginal in rituals & practices

Although deep in conscience

A walk back in time, it seemed almost

Untouched by Westernization

The island shrieked of an age bygone

Still preserved & revered well

Culturally rich, with expressive dance forms

Soothing chimes of musical instruments

Wood art & paintings

Name it, & they have it all

Lost myself & found all at the same time

On the sun-kissed beaches 

Leaving impressions sublime