Values and character

We were not a nation
but principalities within a nation
loyalty was to a ruler
and rulers fought with each other.
Independence made us one nation
but mindsets didn't change
only politicians became the rulers.
The ones who took no sides
they were common people
religion and values kept them together
and not politics or political opinion.
Where earlier values and character mattered
money and corruption made inroads.
When we keep the nation above ourselves
and make sacrifices in national interest
our values and character shall guide our steps
and nothing can then hold our progress!

Joint winners

It was a race
and participants seven
all mentally challenged
but their enthusiasm commendable.
The race was close
and they were close to the goal
when one fell down
out of the seven.
When the others saw
they suddenly stopped
to pick him up
and then they ran step in step.
They reached the goal together
and were declared joint winners
not as per rule of the game
but because they won every heart.
Were they mentally challenged
that they showed such wisdom
that the strength is in unity
and in compassion victory!

Be prepared

Let me do first
what I keep for the last
for who knows
this day may be the last.
What all I love
let me love it more
and that which I hate
may I begin to love.
Let me empty my bags
nothing shall I take
light and free

shall I go away.
It's better to be prepared
that no wish or want remains
so that when the call comes
one needn't look back anyway!

A stray dog

No pet but a stray dog

shooed away wherever I pass
but a small cluster where I stopped
people there had a big heart
they fed me and let me live
in a corner that became my home.
At night I sensed something unusual
a stranger whose intent appeared not right
I approached from behind and barked at him
but he stabbed me with a knife and hurried away.
That confirmed my suspicion that he was out to kill or steal
so I ran after him and grasped his leg with my sharp teeth
he attacked me with the knife again and again
but his leg I didn't leave.
In the commotion that followed
my benefactors were woken from sleep
they held the thief by the collar and beat him blue.
I retreated to my corner
bleeding and in much pain
but I was happy that I did my bit
to return the favor my benefactors did to me.
Would any one risk his life
and confront a man with a brandished knife
life is dear to man and dog
but he risked his life, this stray dog
that no harm may come
to those who lived nearby
for they were angels to him with a big heart
and he did what he could under the circumstance!

Temple of stone

Science and art
spirit and soul
how they excel
in temple of stone.
Man worships
gods in stone
or the holy book
on pedestal of stone.
The stone is sanctified
which is but a stone.
Do such deeds that sanctify the body
which is nothing but dust and stone!

Smile

Call me a rose
or call it not
I may look different
but am yet a flower.
This I know
wherever I grow
pain and misery
there have no hold.
Such is my touch
and fragrance soft

that it soothes 

sores and wounds.

Blessed is the life
in pain that smiles
have it back on your lips
who have lost it in pain!

Focus and excel

Waters blue the sky blue
vapors rise and become
raindrops and dew.
Blue I uphold
much power is in blue
before the night falls
there's a bluish hue.
A blue flower I'm
through and through.
Focus on one thing
and excel in something
that makes your life
and uplifts a few!

Ways of humor

When one picks up on another
it's humor in a way
but both have to be prepared
that it's taken that way.
There are always better ways
to make fun and pun
that please someone and offend none
and if they do it's war no fun
and humor is never meant to be that way!

Focus and excel

Waters blue the sky blue
vapors rise and become
raindrops and dew.
Blue I uphold
much power is in blue
before the night falls
there's a bluish hue.
A blue flower I'm
through and through
focus on one thing
and excel in something
to make your life
and uplift a few!

Reflections never lie

Water is life
and life sways
lotuses float
and trees shake
reflections dance
like bathing beauties
how lively they look
and enhance the charm
of a lake and a pond.
Reflect on life once in a while and reflections never lie!
Live life like a lotus
in contemplation and reflection
though rooted in muddy waters
it remains untouched by mud or water!

A flower with a cup

A flower with a cup
deep and with a rim
where come to rest
the weary and thirsty
my guests who are
and are invited inside
for a welcome drink.
Nature's cup is never empty
and bottomless is its pit
drink as much as you can
but the world is ever thirsty.
Come out of your houses large and big
what they are but cement, steel and concrete
why live in such a make believe world
when reality is full of dearth and need!

Hope and wait

Hold and wait
life spent in wait
the rest that remains
a good portion sleep takes
the left over is for work
most of which is personal.
Where is the time to work
for the society and the world
there too when one shirks
what shall be the result?
In hope one can live
which may remain unfulfilled
and then one leaves in hope
that better hereafter would be!

Essence of life

We are flowers

on bushes and trees
with roots grounded
firm and deep.
We wonder and watch
the life on the move
that brings the news
as it comes and moves.
One who understands
tarries to watch
we speak to him
and in silence he nods.
Life is life
though of different types
each a page
in the book of life
the book is one
and so is the essence of life!