Make it

What is complicated

Make it simple

What is long

Make it short

What is large

Make it small

Things look good

Brief and smart

If bare minimum it is

Better it is

For it covers that only

What is ought

What shines

May not be silver

What glitters

May not be gold

What appeals

May not be sold

Things look good

Polished and elegant

If bare minimum it is

So be it

For the gloss shows

In between the spots

What it ought

What sees

May not be an eye

Who hears

May not be an ear

What races

May not be feet

When the mind sees

The heart races

And the soul hears

Blessed is the human race

For it then does that only

What it ought!

Rootless imagination

Science wants proof

Imagination has no rules

Science spurs imagination

But holds fast its roots

Rootless imagination is free

It is not a kite on a string

Moving faster than speed of light

It pierces whatever there be

Science builds step by step

Imagination leaps meaningless

Beauty of nature is thoughtless

Science looks for meaning in their footsteps

Let the imagination run wild

Let it rule over hearts and minds

Look not for meaning in everything you see

Can thoughts comprehend the nature's rhythm

What you think, that you create

Without thought the mind stagnates

What is limited , limited it remains

But imagination breaks barriers that mind creates

When mind is let loose

Time and space are left to brood

Science feels shaky at the roots

Imagination rules over stars and moons!

A pet dog

What do I ask

Some loafs to feed

And love that fills

                          

You can count on me

You can bet on me

I shall be by your side when no one will

Seasons change, hearts change

But I remain the same

My master's slave

I am loving and faithful

And your shield

I charge at your enemy

As a lion will

I have no ego, no jealousy

I am happy to sit at my master's feet

The virtues I have many

Which you struggle to acquire

My instinct and sixth sense is much developed

But for my master I am just a dog, which he acquired

When I go out with my master

I feel like a king

I growl and bark at my own kin

A ferocious dog I become, that is me

A man treats another man

As if he were a dog

But I am a dog

And he treats me a dog

I salute my master

He shows me my place

We live under the same roof

My master and his slave!

Power

Some people shun power

Yet it comes to them of its own

The public trusts them blindly

And in them reposes its trust

Power rules with iron hand

It bites with its sting

But it can't bend one who wills

Who bounces back like a spring

A drop that falls from the sky

It may be from the height of heights

But in humility it woos the ground

And loses itself in the river of life

It is on the ground we stand

And flow with the river of life

What shall any power do

When flow becomes a tide

Let power not blind you

Its weight may, however, bend you

Like a branch of a fruit laden tree

Whose fruit is in everyone's reach

History is witness to tremendous power

One horribly cruel and obnoxious

The other full of love and sacrifice

One makes man a devil

The other raises mankind!

Black and white

Light is made of colors

None of which is white

Yet it shines brighter

And whiter than white

Black absorbs much

Both heat and light

Coal burns red

To gives heat and light

White takes light lightly

For light is also white

But dimness has much value

When it is dark on all sides

Night is dark

And day is bright

But some mourn in black

And some in white

God made black black

And white white

When one is in dark

Below the horizon is light

Don't shun the dark

But emulate what is right

Everywhere it was dark

Before He brought the light!

What clicks

What clicks not

Let it be it so

What shuts with a click

May be a lock or a door

What fills not

Let it be it so

What fills and withstands

May be a well or a shore

Who speaks not

Let him be so

See how silence speaks

When nature unfolds

What is small

Let it be so

All  began with a dot

And endlessly it grows

What is bound

Let it be so

Life comes in shapes

Bound head to toe

What shuts not

Let it be so

Locks shall open

When luck knocks at the door!

Good is no good

Good is no good

Best is none the better

Letter and spirit

No longer go together

Walk is not fast enough

Race is none the better

Leap and soar

Light as a feather

Every climb is not high

A bird's flight is no better

Touch height of  heights

And like light be scattered

A forced smile is no good

Deep lines on face no better

When a child smiles, just see his face

How innocence and radiance dazzle

Everything red is not rose

Fragrance tells about its source

Beauty becomes one with rose

Like a blushing damsel in red robe

Good is no good

Best is none the better

The sky boasts not of its height

And what all it holds in its bosom!

Moment of madness

Birth is a moment

Death is a moment

Both significant moments

In between lives life

Life is very brief

Some is spent in routine

And some in leisure and sleep

The remaining is shorter still

There are some moments

Which shine, which thrill

But these are just a few

And far between

One moment is of madness

But it is larger than life

One takes the plunge

With everything  in his life

Whatever be the outcome

The life is indeed justified

Everyone wants to emulate

What these stalwarts do

But in their moment of madness

They  prefer to wait and brood

It is human madness

That makes the world

History would have been different

Had they not taken the plunge!

  

Birthplace

When your heart is in your birthplace

And you have grown wise and naughty

In that place

But the mind takes you to another place

And you settle and become a citizen of that place

Will you ever feel at home there

Though your nationality may also change

Everything appears foreign there

Though  you have lived your later years in that place

Even small things disturb you

As if you are living in a strange place

But as fate would have it

You go on living in that place

Though longing is for your birthplace

There is something unique about your birthplace

That attracts you like a magnet

You may go to any place

But you want to be back in your birthplace! 

Ashram

One begins anew

All alone

None for company

To speak to or share

Nobody to help

But your hands and legs

Nobody to feel

Your hurts and wounds

Each day passes

But very slowly

Strong is the resolve
Yet one feels lowly

Life is no celebration

But thorn and pain

A smile on the face

Keeps darkness at bay

What one can bear

The limit is extended

Strength multiplies

When weakness is tested

It is an ashram

As viewed by the wise

To learn and master

The secrets of life

When the seclusion is over
Everything appears strange

One is no more the same

But the world is the same

Flow with the world

But with discretion
Pitfalls there being many
Manouvre your way with wisdom!

Walls

What law upholds is just a possibility

And what is probable is not law

What is perceived is only a view

And perceptions may be wrong

The world sees what is shown

It mocks, it laughs

But those who understand

Are sad at heart

Can walls enclose a star

Can light be packed in a lunchbox

Anything but love

Can it remain in a mother's heart

The world is like this

A man is like this

Either a joke or sarcasm

Till misfortune overtakes one's thoughts

Temple one makes of four walls

His heart pure with noble thoughts

Vagaries of fate can't hold one step

He shall march, he shall march!

A tribute to man

Greetings to you Chennai

To doctors and all who made it possible

And to the people whose magnanimity let it come to pass

Hearts, minds and will when they join in thousands

Impossible is made possible

A heart travels long to become another's heart

And blessed is the man and blessed are all

A life is saved

By sheer human will

God above stands watch

Man has proved himself

Who is dearest to him of all

A lesson in cooperation is set

For the whole world to watch

If such examples replicate in everyday life

Heaven will descend on earth in awe

Why it sits idly high above

When man makes possible all!

Void

It is nothing yet everything

The beginning and the end

From which all things appear

And in time, they disappear

What is this void

And what are its laws

It was before creation

And it shall be after annihilation

The void is a mystery

A mystery it remains

Minds and thoughts rattle

Only discussion it remains

When life separates from its source

It feels confident to stand on its own

Destruction stalks it at every step

And it remembers the source

Wisdom dawns when much is over

Nothing much is left to pass over

Reality before eyes is crystal clear

In peace one finally disappears ! 

We

When we speak to offend

Hold our tongue

When we can't write

Hold our hand

When we walk not

Drag us along

When we think not

Give us thoughts

When we do wrong

Reprimand us hard

You are our Teacher

And we just humans

We work and labour

Share our joys and sorrows

And above all

Remember all your lessons

And know this for sure

That you watch!

Technology

A jungle is a jungle
Kill and fill, its creed
But it is more peaceful
Than a man's city

Man has cut himself from nature
Like a lung without blood and oxygen
Cement, concrete and gadgets we see

But nowhere any plants and trees

Technology at the cost of nature
For the mankind, it is nothing but ruinous
If man in his  shallow wisdom
He tries to compete with God
The nature's fury shall not lag behind
And shall soon unleash its worst wrath

Times have to change fast

Hopefully, the new wisdom shall soon dawn
Man and nature will move step in step
And in harmony they shall dance!

Some

Some make war
Some make peace
Man is man's enemy
If he so thinks

Some sing with joy
Some groan with pain

What use is the song
That feels no pain

Some grow tall
Some remain short
Size matters not
When deeds are small

Day is bright
Night is dark
What can light do
When heart is dark

Some reach the top
Some remain where they are
But great are those
Who share what they saw

Some have excess
Some remain in want
But nature does the justice
It feeds each and every want!

If you can

Pray if you can

Wish if you don't

What a man can do

You would prove

Feel if you can

Pray if you don't

When all else goes cold

Your heart beats bold

Shine if you can

Pray if you don't

Sky is envious

The stars shine below

Dream if you can

Pray if you don't

gods fear to tread

There you shall go

Pray if you can

Wish if you don't

World splits apart

Like a glue you hold!

Day and night

What bothers me

Are the thoughts

Such as, who I am

And whether I do my lot

Day passes quickly

In small tasks

Which everyone does

Without much thought

And then the night falls

In the stillness of dark

The mind races fast

Filled with thoughts

Another day gone

And the night in thoughts

Sleepless I wait, for daybreak

When shall cease my thoughts

Night is to sleep

To usher in the dreams

Keep away your thoughts

From your sleep and dreams

When I woke up at dawn

Dreams had gone

Thoughts filled my mind

Who am I, and what is my lot!

Words

What I want, and what I don't want

I put in words

What I see, and what I don't see

I express in words

What I hear, and what I don't hear

I try to put in words

What I feel, and why do I feel

I strive to find the right words

What I didn't live but could have lived

I live in my words

What I didn't become but could have become

I become in my words

Words, words and words

They have become my world

Life expressed  in a few words

It should be lived as such

All else is superflous!

A tragedy strikes

We with our dreams are washed away

While we were watching the watery beauty

And capturing the moments in memorable frames

A giant water wall in its sweep took us far away

We watch from above

Where we reached too soon

Together in a bunch

Before we thought we would

Grief strikes like a mammoth wave

One took our life

And the other tears make

Helpless before time and fate

We have become a watery grave

Floating in the current wherein it lay

But when the night falls, and you look up at the stars

You shall find some more today! 

Such

Walk but such a walk

Which is an example to all

Make strides  so different

That the world stops to watch

Speak but in such words

That touch the heart

And speech so lovely

Which is as good as a song

Laugh but such a laugh

No matter all is lost

A smile that sits upon tears

It lightens a heavy heart

Dance but such a dance

Feet touch not the ground

And you swing and rebound

Like a peacock airborne

Labour but with such devotion

That nothing more one can ask

What your blood and sweat bring

That is your greatest reward

Serve but in such a way

As if  you serve Him in all

With head bowed always

And only  love in your heart

Think but such thoughts

That wisdom thinks why

In search of wise it had gone far

When your thoughts say it all

Pray but say such a prayer

That seeks welfare of all

As for yourself, say not a word

For he knows what is in your heart!

Grace

I am but a piece of wood

But by His grace a life too

I was asleep but He woke me up

And sent me into the world too

I was nobody, but He grilled me hard

And made me a man too

I was in debt, the debt of life

He made service my creed too

What I am, and why He made me so

I shall know and understand too

From where I came, there I shall go

It is formlessness, and everything too

I serve and pray, I work and pray

When I bow or look up too

I see Him not but His Grace

In peace, stillness and whatever too!

  

Storm

I was stubborn

But not any more

Humbled by circumstances

Which are now, and which were before

I was naive

But not any more

The ground slipped under my feet

Which I sensed, but not before

What I am now

I was not before

A  storm razed in between

Things are not as they were before

Sense a storm

Before it comes

Quickly gather your will, grit and dreams

Everything else you have, far away it goes

Today is today

Tomorrow we don't know

What we do today

It is tomorrow's stepping stone

Tomorrow we shall make

We have weathered many storms

A reed we were, steel we now show

Nothing touches us, storms may pass and go!

A Tribute to "Maya" and 'The Tank man'

"The caged bird" sings in the west

How can the East sleep

There is no night for a heart

That beats and sings

Change is in the air

Which we all breathe

The 'Dragon' keeps a vigil

Lest a lamb takes to street

Power is just foot and march

Courage 'The Tank man' brings

"Tianamen" is the heart of Beijing

Beating under the stomping feet

Those who think and wait

They develop cold feet

The cage is no longer dumb

With fragrance comes the spring

"The caged bird" has flown away

But its wings flutter everywhere

And every lip sings  its song

 'The Tank man' stands in the way

Freedom makes nest under its nose

"The Mainland" dreads the things bright

And even its own shadow by the way!

Do you live

Life is to be lived, not spent

With interest it grows not, if idly kept

Wear and tear take away

Whatever little of it is left

Be frugal with money

But not with life

Money you may need

When you have lived your life

Who dare not

Don't live at all

Without fire in the belly

Even light is dark

Without growing wings

One flies not

Who hides in its burrow

Shall only crawl

If you risk and lose

Heavens are not going to fall

Who takes no risk

He loses all

Life is a game, play it well

Bet on things that matter

With life and your sweat

Such life wins the battle, in the end!

What is universal

Where were the laws

Where were the worlds

The worlds and their laws

Before the time was born

What is universal, is still relative

The Absolute is One only

We were all, but a thought

He willed, and the firsts were born

With everything new

The old comes to naught

Laws as we know them

Universal they are not

A question remains a question

Ever searching for an answer

When keys help not

And one has to go farther

Understand and unfold the mystery

Behind every manifestation of existence

Which for Him is just a plaything

But for you a lifelong struggle with much persistence!

What works

Night is dark

Day is light

Whether you see

Or close your eyes

Spring is pleasant

Winter is cool

But rain comes not

In winter or spring

Small is not small

Big is no big

What works well

Is all we need

Life is a rose

Also much pain

It is to be lived

Whether you lose or gain

Dreams are dreams

Reality a different thing

Without a spark to ignite

Dreams remain dreams

Song is a song

Sad or sweet

Sadness brings out

What the sweetness dreams

Fullness comes to one

With experience full

Whether lived in life

Or as thoughts would!

Nightfall

The gentle breeze

Cool and sweet

It blows right there

Where my beloved meets

Take me along

Over the hills

Past the stream

And through the corn fields

Hurry and hurry

As the night falls

She waits all evening

But before nightfall

Drop me therefore

Right at her door

I shall plead with her

But she may not open the door

With a thud I fell at her door

But she didn't open the door

When I turned, I slipped and fell

The noise of which, made her open the door

What happened thereafter is beyond my thoughts

She took me inside, and rubbed my soles

She changed me with whatever she had

She cleaned me, sponged me and balmed my sores

She gave me a potion bitter and hot

Which I took and slept hard

She tended me gently all night long

When I woke up, she greeted me with a voice soft

But soon she set me on my way back home

A long distance to go, and breeze of no help

As I went, a thought struck me hard

What all she did to me, it was after nightfall!