Gender gap

We are one
With a voice
Voiceless we were before
But not anymore

Times have changed
Mindsets not yet
We struggle much
At each step

Silence is golden
Not as weakness
None can ignore us
Such is our strength

We are made different
And do things different
Partiality is rampant
As we are treated different

We demand justice and fairness
No dole but equal treatment
No longer shall we be left behind
But walk with dignity and feminine pride!

Future in the making

Children are our future
And future teens make
Young make the present
Some islands the grey make

Time runs fast
Childhood is short
Teens in great hurry
Young in seat of power

Grey had their day
Young have their way
Teens wary of present
Nothing is the same

Things are different
Past not relevant
Expectations unlimited
And creations that baffle

Aged step on the treadmill
The young slog and sprint
Children catch up in wonder
A magnificent future is in the making!

Diwali special

Sun disappears
Earlier than usual
Moon hides
More than usual

It's no hide and seek
But a game and trick
Importance they assume
By making night darker a bit

But this night is special
Suns and moons rise together
Wherever you see
It is Diwali special

When we are together
Each day is special
Sun appears brighter
Moon shines better!

Cleanliness

What is sacred is clean
Take out your shoes
Wash your feet
Pray for all
And their well being

Clean your home well
And every inch
Light the lamps
Invite the gods
And multiply your blessings

It's a festival of lights
Exits jealousy and enmity
The world shall be ruled
In peace and harmony
With such hope and promise
Comes Happy Deepawali!

Happy Diwali

Light the lamps
Where there is none
Light more lamps
Where there are some

Darkness licks the dust
Under your feet
There is light all around
Wherever you see

Hope and faith rise
And touch the peak
Love is in the air
And peace and harmony

Crackers make noise
And burn and pollute
When you sing together
It's music soulful

Light the lamps
And light the hearts
Wishing you a Happy Diwali
Rejoice but with a thought for those who can't!

Yoga and wine

Bend, stretch and tilt
No circus but a drill
It's yoga that I teach

A glass of wine to drink
To lift my mind and spirit
I write what I dare to think

Yoga teaches one discipline
To live life of a hermit
Without taste of any good thing

I bless all with every sip
And the drink for company
It makes my life so fulfilling

Do yoga day and night
And feel agile and light
But never indulge in any vice

Drink in style as and when you like
Entertain much but with no malice
Do no harm for there is no other vice

Yoga is revered far and wide
I bid goodbye healthy and ripe
A trail of light I leave behind

I lived in the hearts and minds
Lasting longer with a glass by my side
A trail of mirth and laughter I leave behind

One is the gift of east to mankind
The other in the west its very life
Woo either or both but do something worthwhile!

Peace

An animal is an animal
And a human not one
Yet who is peaceful and natural
Why he has friends none

A lion is a lion
A sheep a sheep
Difference there is
In appearance and built

A human is a human
Whatever he eats
Whatsoever he believes
Whether or not he feels or thinks

Believe in whatever you like
But see not with colored eyes
When one's mind is at peace
It captures what shouldn't be missed

But a moment comes in life
When peace fills your life
Renewing it full and complete
Whatever be your belief!

Courage

Don't go by my age
Bullets my head takes
As I speak for my sisters
And their voice I became

You honor me so much
Beyond dreams that I dream
Heavier is the responsibility
And shoulders little but not weak

It is just a beginning
With your help I walk
What bothers me is this
That I don't slip and fall

I have done but little
A lot is to be done
For those long suppressed
They had it enough

I may appear small
Not so are my tasks
With grit and enthusiasm
In peace we march

The world has seen
Courage when its peaks
Fear loses its sheen
Hope fills one's inner being

A movement takes shape
The whole humanity is its face
What it has determined to do
It shall do without fail!

Past, present and future

Children are our future
And future teens make
Young make the present
And some islands the grey make

Time runs fast
Childhood is short
Teens in great hurry
Young in seat of power

Grey makes the way
Young have their way
Teens wary of present
Nothing is the same

Things appear different
Past is not relevant
Vision looks far ahead
Each moment is pushed back

Grey risks to step on the treadmill
And to catch up with the young
The children and teens watch in awe
As the future takes shape at each and every turn!

Colors

Green is the grass
Green are the plants
Green keeps alive
The life that thrives

Black are the hair
And grey comes past prime
Life gives one a chance
Just once and not twice

Blue is the deep
And blue is the sky
No depth and no height
Can stop the ravages of time

White is the light
Into different colors it divides
What makes a whole
The parts can't decide

Everything changes colors
But not space and time
Unrelenting is their sweep
Both in darkness and light!

Protect the children

A child I am
Not a teen
A mind I have
But not so deep

Vulnerable I am
Enemies on all sides
My parents breathe not free
As I play outside carefree

Whom can I trust
And whom I can't
What is right
And what is not

Sermons come plenty
From all sides
They confuse me more
I put them aside

My age is to play
Merry I make
Twist and shake
Evil stalks round the way

I am kidnapped
And sold
Made to beg
On the road

I am trafficked
And violated
Change hands
Countless many

I am filmed
And exposed
Many a time
In live shows

I work for a pittance
Wash utensils polish boots
Like a bonded labor
Becomes my childhood

All this I endure
In fear and isolation
No help in sight
And nowhere to go

If I muster the courage
But where is the support
Nay, now I have a hope
In one who cares and supports

He has the courage to fight
Many will join on his side
He does a noble service
And makes our future bright

Exploit not the children
Perverted minds
Hell shall be let loose
And there shall be no respite

Wake up brothers and sisters
And don't sit tight
And protect the innocent children
From the prying eyes!

Fulfillment

Blind see and deaf hear
Dumb speak and lame walk
Miracles happen all of a sudden
Which no one ever thought

What food is to hunger
And water to thirst
Sweet words are to one
Who is bruised and hurt

What knowledge is to one
Who fumbles in words
Wisdom is to silence
For it needs no words

An unfulfilled desire sucks
Like a debt without funds
One who woos each penny
He knows its worth

Things that appear small
They do big tasks
A pill saves life
And a needle stitches cloth

Plenty and excess
Are no marker of success
Contentment with a little
Brings peace and fulfillment

In penury or want
Who retains his calm
He is a man of character
Who shall never lose his charm!