Dil Se...

How Are You?

2012-01-06T07:34:00.000-05:00

[At times when our answer to this question is one of the acronyms...]

Fine.
Feelings I'm not expressing :-(

Good.
Going on, only dreams :-(

Great.
Getting rarely excited about tomorrow :-(

Awesome.
Always wrecked easily still on my edge :-(

[...then why not try to be honest --]

Perfect.
Patiently excited, randomly fearful, endlessly chasing today :-)

She Is Beautiful - 5

2011-06-11T10:07:00.001-04:00

[In the latest of life-is-beautiful series I observe how she helps (or dupes?) you manage 'emptiness', by cleverly making you 'full' (or fool?)]

When dreams go blank, why then eyes go heavy?
Because she fills the void with oceans in the eyes

When fate goes blank, why then hands go heavy?
Because she loads the void with loneliness in hands

When smile goes blank, why then lips go heavy?

Because she paints the void with pain on lips

When heart goes blank, why then soul goes heavy?

Because she tickles the void with thorns in the soul

When desire goes blank, why then body goes heavy?

Because she covers the void with coffin on the body

The Innernet

2011-02-21T08:21:00.000-05:00

[Once in a while when the Internet can't help, take solace in the Innernet, our very own self. Because many a times, inward is the only way forward.]

It's a wild wild web
Sweeps like an ebb

Link by link, it has chained you
Break free; escape is in the innernet

Bit by bit, it has scaled you

Take a dip; depth is in the innernet

One by one, it has connected you
Wander alone; self-connect is in the innernet

Stranger by stranger, it has made friends

Befriend yourself; best pal is in the innernet

Whats by hows, it has answered you
Ask why; reasons are in the innernet

Someday = ?

2011-01-23T11:56:00.000-05:00

[Pondering over a friend's question.]

Someday = a wait so sweeter?
Someday = a fruit so bitter?

Someday = a dream that thrills?
Someday = a knife that kills?

Someday = a mirage meadow?

Someday = a stalking shadow?

Someday = a rain in need?
Someday = a tsunami indeed?

Someday = a time that is never?
Someday = a hope that is forever?

લડાઈ બે લોચાની

2010-09-19T23:17:00.000-04:00

[Writing something in Gujarati on this blog for the first time.]

જીવનના બધા લોચા, હોય ગમે તેવા મોટા
કારણ ઍમનું હશે શરીરના બે નાના લોચા

માંસનો ઍક લોચો છે છાતીમાં, નરમ
ને બીજો છે માથામાં, ભારે ગરમ

ઍક હોય છે તરબોળ લાગણીમાં, વિચાર્યા વિના
ને બીજો ગરકાવ છે ગણિતમાં, સમજ્યા વિના

છાતીમાં ઉઠતા વમળોને નથી હોતી કોઈની પરવાહ
ને માથામાં ભમતા સવાલોને જોઇઍ છે વ્યાજબી તર્ક

જ્યારે માથું ફેંકે સવાલોના પથરા છાતીના વમળોમાં
ત્યારે નક્કી સમજો, થઈ જવાના જીવનમાં લોચા

Why This, Not That

2010-06-12T13:09:00.000-04:00

[Always wondered why we sign off our emails / greetings with this, and not that.]

Why "Keep in touch"

Why not "I'll be in touch"

Why "Have a great day"
Why not "Make a great day"

Why "Take care"
Why not "See you safe"

Why "Cheers"
Why not "Let's do it"

Why "Thank you"
Why not "You are the man!"

The Re-?-public

2010-01-26T21:37:00.000-05:00

[It definitely is not all-about-public, so I tried to explore some more possible meanings.]

"People shall empower the government"

Re-rob-public of their power, maybe?

"Leaders shall be in touch with people"

Re-visit-public, every 5 years, maybe?

"Unity shall serve and strengthen diversity"

Re-serve-public, then alienate, maybe?

"People shall demand proactive rights"

Re-active-public, don't bother, maybe?

"Truth alone shall triumph, always"

Re-surge-of-public is the hope, maybe?

She Is Beautiful - 4

2010-01-09T00:41:00.000-05:00

[This time I'm after her question-mark nature.]

My question doesn't match her reason

I what her and she whys me

My secrecy doesn't match her curiosity

I who her and she hows me

My time doesn't match her place

I when her and she wheres me

My option doesn't match her objection

I if her and she buts me

My randomness does match her beauty

I enliven her and she likes me

She Is Beautiful - 3

2009-12-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

[Since the last installment of She Is Beautiful, she seems to have developed a taste for being more beautiful (!) Making me spend my money on food or jewelry or costly gifts was not on her mind (thank God), as she revealed these elements of her beauty-kit over the period of time.]

When my belief was shattered and I was weakened
Faith, is the healthiest and only food I eat, she said

When nothing helped in mending the hearts
Love, is the costliest and only gift I accept, she said

When failures made me fumbling for shortcuts
Patience, is the fastest and only route I take, she said

When I locked myself up into the bottle of hatred
Forgiveness, is the purest and only air I breathe, she said

When I spent nights researching ways to be cool
Simplicity, is the coolest and only style out there, she said

You Within You

2009-10-02T21:55:00.000-04:00

[I think it helps to talk to yourself and shoot your alter-you in the foot if it becomes a pain in your journey.]

There's a you within you

A you someone else controls

A real you you want to hide

But it never does, it just rolls

When you want to walk away

The other you walks right in

When you want to disappear

The other you dons your skin

You hate something or one
Your you makes you smile wide

You despise something or one

Your you makes you show pride

Your dream is to break free

And show the love you hold

But the you that you nourish

Does never let you be bold

So I lit up a conversation

With the I within me

That if it ever tried to corner me

Then what a history it will be

[And both of us lived happily ever after.]

Freedom Monologues

2009-08-15T07:02:00.000-04:00

[While we were all busy celebrating her 63rd freedom birth day, I asked India the country not to be shy and tell me her wish list. I must say it was an ironic timing, for she had nothing to wish for but freedom, still. She seemed disinterested but equally optimistic. Nevertheless, here are the excerpts from what she had to say during my awkward but free-flowing interview. The addressees are, well make a guess, we the people. Happy I-Day!]

You turn me left, you turn me right

You lose the wheel, you start a fight

I want my freedom

From your irresponsible governance

You care less, you act lesser

Expect me to win and be a racer?

I want my freedom

From your lethargic attitude

You learn a bit, you earn a byte

You end the story, you say goodnight

I want my freedom

From your cocooned education

You write me up, you write me off

You are my face, afraid of face-off?

I want my freedom

From your opportunistic journalism

You want me young, you want me strong

If I'm part of your dream, I won't be long

I want my freedom

The one dreamed by my heroes

Know My Friends

2009-08-02T10:01:00.000-04:00

[When I started tagging everybody to find out who my friends were, guess what I found, everybody is. Happy Friendship Day!]

There's a friend who creates, sustains and destroys

Mighty, around here He goes by the name God

There're friends who give, and give, and give

Selfless, around here they go by the name Parents

There're friends who are the first of my peers

Caring, around here they go by the name Siblings

There's a friend who is sane herself but drives me crazy

Lovely, around here she goes by the name Sweetheart

There're friends who put me together when I'm broken

Fun, around here they go by the name Best Buddies

Friends are friends, no synonym is just for them

For around here they are the greatest relations

Someday

2009-07-18T20:17:00.000-04:00

[If I'm silent, dreamy, and mad.]

Someday my words will disappear

Someday my silence will be your melody

Someday my presence will be past

Someday my dreams will be your shadow

Someday my love will starve to death

Someday my madness will be your wish

Daddy The Dearest

2009-06-21T08:30:00.000-04:00

[Happy Father's Day!]

You did not have a kingdom

But you raised me a prince

You are my strength, daddy

You are my hero ever since

No Other

2009-05-10T10:23:00.000-04:00

[A man once asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): 'Whom (among the people) should I honor the most?' The Prophet replied: 'Your mother'. 'And who comes next?' asked the man. The Prophet replied: 'Your mother'. 'And who comes next?' asked the man. The Prophet replied: 'Your mother!'. 'And who comes next?' asked the man the fourth time. The Prophet replied: '(then) Your father'.

Happy mother's day!]

A lady who is my first love

An angel who is in my nerve

A friend who is like no other

Thank you God, for my mother

Anybody There?

2009-03-06T20:26:00.000-05:00

[I think all of us (and me quite often) feel lost at some point in life, whatever be the reason. Don't know what you guys do to find a way out but I can't help but smile and, well, write a poem.]

At the latitude and longitude

Where the mind and heart cross

Lost I am, anybody there?

On the unaccommodating earth

Under the unaccepting sky

Alone I am, anybody there?

In the sea of disappointment

On the island of hope

Trapped I am, anybody there?

In the invisible war between

Innocent dreams and tyrant realities

Crushed I am, anybody there?

In the drama called life

Starring everybody against me

Alien I am, anybody there?

[If you're there, please help! :-)]

Your Gift

2009-02-14T17:54:00.000-05:00

[Overwhelmed by the sheer number of gift ideas (but no money) available in the market, this "We"-day I decided to try something non-commercial. Hope you like this!]

Wanted to send something for your eyes
Something that only you can see

So I sent you my dreams; how'z that?

Wanted to send something for your ears

Something that makes them sparkle

So I sent you my voice; how'z that?

Wanted to send something for your lips

Something that makes them shine

So I sent you my smiles; how'z that?

Wanted to send something for your mind

Something that keeps it busy

So I sent you my thoughts; how'z that?

Wanted to send something for your hands

Something that keeps them full

So I sent you my hugs; how'z that?

Wanted to send something for your legs

Something that makes them turn to me

So I sent you, well, my address; how'z that?

Wanted to send something for your heart

Something equally crazy

So I sent you mine; how'z that?

[I know that's not enough, but I'm just waiting for the economy to improve :)]

She Is Beautiful - 2

2009-02-13T20:22:00.000-05:00

[It's been long since She Is Beautiful. Yep, I was busy admiring her :)

Once again I'm ready with some more musings. And the celebration continues.]

I like her, for she likes me the way I am

Generous she is, never questions what I am

I live her, for she is the one I chose

Unique she is, I can cover but not close

I laugh her out, for she laughs me out

Educator she is, shapes me into scout

I love her, for she is such a sweetheart

Romantic she is, never leaves me apart

She's mine, I'm hers; ain't it cool?

Yes, it's my life; she is beautiful

Now I See You, Now I Don't

2008-07-14T00:07:00.000-04:00

[When your heart is on roll, you better watch it. Here's what I do when faced with the same; make a futile attempt to talk and explain it what would happen if it does not behave itself.]

Don't fly so high, dear
I might not reach you

Don't dive so deep, dear
I might not find you

Don't drive so fast, dear
I might not catch you

Don't be so dreamy, dear
I might not believe you

Don't test my patience, dear
I might just lose you!

Watch Out!

2008-06-13T23:00:00.000-04:00

[An observation on one of the most complicated things in life - human relationships. If you're not watchful, you may get hurt. Like that famous Hindi song says - sab kuch sikha humne, na sikhi hoshiyari...]

[Being judgemental]
Watch out, before your thoughts catch a train
Walk in others' shoes, you may feel their pain

[Accepting the differences]
Watch out, everybody has his/her own space
So if your rules don't work, exit with grace

[The trust factor]
Watch out, the bond you hold dear can bend
If you don't see the face behind that friend

[The other side of the coin]
Watch out, that smile may not be what you think
Before you write a story, see if there is any ink

[Matters of heart]
Watch out, treacherous is the game of hearts
Who knows, where it ends, or where it starts

Life In US of A

2007-11-18T00:16:00.000-05:00

[Today I complete a year of survival here and the most frequently asked question is "how'z life up there?" Here is my experience so far.]

One FAQ,
How is life in the US of A?
After a year here,
Read on, I have lot to say

Work,
Is the reason my being here
That's why it seems,
Life is mostly in office gear

Food,
If I can cook it would be good
Else by default,
Life is fast, so is the food

Places,
So much to see, it's too vast
In six timezones,
Life seems cool when you have blast

People,
They are different, but alike
I miss family and friends,
Life without them is so unlike

So life,
Goes on with mix of all this
Worth an experience,
I must welcome it, or I'll miss

Nothing

2007-04-15T18:03:00.000-04:00

[We are masters in wrapping up whole bunch of emotions in a cover called nothing. But that nothing is always something; and we always know that. Big deal? No. Just amazing how that no-thing can be so many things. Give it a thought the next time someone you care for says, nothing.]

There is no-thing called nothing
Everything is some thing

I feel sad; I say, nothing
It's a void of that happy thing

I feel rejected; I say, nothing
It's an absence of that acceptance thing

I feel lonely; I say, nothing
It's a need of that companion thing

I feel lost; I say, nothing
It's a loss of that direction thing

I feel like talking; I say, nothing
It's my style not to show that feeling thing

Hang On, Or Move On

2007-02-14T07:09:00.000-05:00

[Some thoughts based on my observations in the universe of love. While it's wonderful to fall in love, it's hard to move on. While it's wonderful to experience love through different feelings, it's hard to explain. And if ever comes time to leave, just smile, and move on, because no use complaining about something which you can't explain.]

When someone attracts you so much
That you forget the beauty of rain
Hang on, for love starts with attraction
But if you ever have to quit, just smile
And move on, for it is hard to explain

When you like someone so much
That you don't care for loss or gain
Hang on, for love blooms with liking
But if you ever have to quit, just smile
And move on, for it is hard to explain

When you miss someone so much
That you can't even complain
Hang on, for love strengthens with missing
But if you ever have to quit, just smile
And move on, for it is hard to explain

When you care for someone so much
That your own worries go in vain
Hang on, for love grows with caring
But if you ever have to quit, just smile
And move on, for it is hard to explain

When you feel someone so much
That you start liking the pain
Hang on, for love is all about feelings
But if you ever have to quit, just smile
And move on, for love is hard to explain

H-A-P-P-Y N-E-W Y-E-A-R

2007-01-01T13:24:00.000-05:00

[My wishes. For you.]

Happiness, not just smile
Adulation, not just care
Purity of heart, not just of body
Plenty of love, not just money
Years of good health, not just long life

New friends, not just neighbours
Enough time for family, not just phone calls
Wise companions, not just monkeys

Youthfulness, not just being young
Enthusiasm, not just desires
All the joys of life, not just dreams
Rest of the best, not just what I wished

The Reunion

2006-12-09T16:33:00.000-05:00

[A son leaving the homeland. A mother impatient to hear back from him. The son became busy. For the mother, it wasn't easy.]

"Call me soon"
"I will"

2 days.
I will call tomorrow.

4 days.
Tomorrow definitely.

A week.
Surely on weekend.

Finally I called.
She cried.

Today I called again.
And we cried together.

Thanks, Friend

2006-08-05T09:54:00.000-04:00

(On the Friendship Day. To all my friends.)

I tried
To imagine
My world, without my friends
But I could not
Because I think
That was the limit
Of my imagination

She Is Beautiful

2006-06-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

[I can go on writing about her. Because I know her very well than anyone else. Want to know who she is? Read on.]

She is a gift; with love, from God
Adorable she is; whatever be the odd

She is simple; she is stunning
Cherishable she is; she keeps me running

She asks questions; she gives clues
Confusing she is; like black in the blues

She makes me laugh; she makes me cry
Irresistible she is; always worth giving a try

There is much to her; but let me keep it cool
Yes, it's my life; she is beautiful

(To be continued...)

The Strongest Sense - 2

2006-05-17T08:15:00.000-04:00

(Again, wrote for a poetry competiton; a variant of The Strongest Sense that i wrote earlier.)

Relationships I believed in
But was never sure
Until I discovered
How to make it pure

Seeing is believing, I thought
So I always used my eyes
To see my relationships
But what if the sight dies?

Hearing is believing, I thought
So I turned to my ears
To hear to my relationships
But what if the sound withers?

Thinking is believing, I thought
So I listened to my mind
To judge my relationships
But what if the thought is blind?

Feeling is believing, I concluded
And I surrendered to my heart
To feel my relationships
And I never needed a restart

Beyond The Boundaries

2006-05-17T08:12:00.000-04:00

(For the poetry competition, results of which never got a chance to reach me.)

I have always wondered
On the bond I share
With the world around me
Mostly unknowingly

The aged couple I helped cross the road
They weren’t my parents
The starved children my heart bled for
They weren’t my siblings

The distressed man I listened to
He wasn’t my friend
The disturbed female I cheered up
She wasn’t my sweetheart

The tree I tried to save
It wasn’t my garden
The place I tried to keep clean
It wasn’t my house

I realized the true meaning
That this is a relationship
That has no boundaries
And ‘humanity’ we call it

All About People?

2006-01-31T07:12:00.000-05:00

(A passing thought on the Republic Day)

Democracy was all about people
Was of, by and for the people

Of the people, it was
Off the people, they took it

By the people, it was
Buy the people, they believe it

For the people, it was
Fork the people, they do it

Democracy will be all about people
Only if the people, remain people

Once In A Wonderland - 2

2005-11-25T07:43:00.000-05:00

Once in a wonder-land, I made a friend, Andy
Found like a jalebi, but was indeed like a candy
Taught how to balance job and joke

Once in a wonder-land, I made a friend, ADP
Found intelligent, but at the same time was emotional
Taught sometimes being serious pays

Once in a wonder-land, I made a friend, Ameya
Found smiling in the morning, but nodding in the afternoon
Taught being cool and making cool

Once in a wonder-land, I made a friend, Ammar
Found age-old programmer, but was a growing script-writer
Taught to use Toon to get well soon

Once in a wonder-land, I made a friend, Amrish
Found avid analyst, but proved tough tester
Taught to be hard at work, whatever be the result

Once In A Wonderland

2005-11-25T07:41:00.000-05:00

(I went to wonder-land, called Infosys; where I found wonder-people, became friends and left impressed. Now its time to move away, only physically, from them. I, by nature, always try to learn from everyone; from everything. Whenever I depart from friends, I become a poet and have my thoughts wordified. Memories of some of the batchmates in Infy.)

Once in a wonder-land, I made a friend, Pathik
Found challenging to music, but challenged by insect
Taught how helping others help u become happy

Once in a wonder-land, I made a friend, Aby
Found trying to work hard, but worked hard to try
Taught caring for friends makes u true friend

Once in a wonder-land, I made a friend, Ram
Found first very rough, but proved very tough
Taught how to tackle wobbling in life

Once in a wonder-land, I made a friend, Ronny
Found caring less for people, but was indeed practical
Taught how to apply the theory of practical

Once in a wonder-land, I made a friend, Kesari
Found studious all the time, but could also sing well
Taught how to balance study and song

A Heavenly Creature

2005-11-22T08:14:00.000-05:00

(Know the creature within)

I have mind so sharp
I know what you don’t
I have plans for you
I know what you want

I have faces many
Smile, I spread from lips
And slow, silent
Tears, I run down cheeks

I have hands so vast
Give your hand in mine
And I’ll hug you
To make your life shine

I have legs of wings
I have promise to keep
If I am gone, I’ll be back
So dear, do not weep

From far heaven I hail
In your heart is my nerve
Your feelings I speak
Guessed what? I’m Love

Happy Birthday

2005-11-22T08:11:00.000-05:00

(On birthday of a friend)

It takes time in seconds, dear
To gift a smile and take a sorrow far away
May your smile make its way wherever you stay

It takes time in minutes, dear
To let your heart have its say
May your heart guide you all your way

It takes time in hours, dear
To plan the next move in the play
May it become a move whatever you play

It takes time in days, dear
To make it someone's day
May each coming day be your day

It takes time in weeks, dear
To find happiness while in gray
May happiness follow you as sun's ray

It takes time in months, dear
To succeed through life's thorny way
May flowers welcome you on your every new way

It takes time in years, dear
To have the God hear your say
May the God grant you more than that you pray

It takes 'no time', dear, if you wish from the 'heart'
May all these wishes I made for you come true TODAY
Wishing you an ever-smiling Happy Birthday!

The Strongest Sense

2005-11-14T09:14:00.000-05:00

(When other senses go out of reach, always surrender to the strongest sense – feelings of your heart)

I wanted to see you
For seeing you may strengthen my love for you
But you were not before my eyes, after a while

I wanted to hear you
For hearing you may strengthen my love for you
But you were not near my ears, after a while

I wanted to touch you
For touching you may strengthen my love for you
But you were not within my reach, after a while

I wanted to think of you
For thinking of you may strengthen my love for you
But you were not in my mind, after a while

I surrendered to feel you
For feeling you does strengthen my love for you
And you will be in my heart, always

I Believed, I Believe, Now...

2005-11-08T08:03:00.000-05:00

(Impressions of a friend)

Girls are weak animals, I believed
It’s your maturity that, I believe, made the difference
Now I can see girls as equal as boys

Smile doesn't pay much, I believed
It’s your way of smiling that, I believe, made the difference
Now smiling is what I cannot resist

Talking tough makes me tough, I believed
It’s your childish voice that, I believe, made the difference
Now I am soft while talking

I can't be a friend of a beautiful girl, I believed
It’s your friendship that, I believe, made the difference
Now I am hopeful for many more friends like you :)

Teasing a friend makes friendship strong, I believed
It’s your understanding that, I believe, made the difference
Now I won't stop it, wherever u go

Learning a friend's language pays, I believed
Its your ‘sang’ that, I believe, made the difference
Now I can speak 'khoob saare' Oriya words

I Am Not Sad Today

2005-10-26T08:40:00.000-04:00

(While leaving my first job.)

I am not sad today
I have not lost anyone
I have made a new friend, you

I am not sad today
I have not hurt anyone
I have made you laugh, through my silly jokes

I am not sad today
I am not going far from you
If you give me a little space, in your heart

I am not sad today
I have got a place in your friend-ship
What other gift do in need

Smile

2005-10-26T08:28:00.000-04:00

(Hope to see a smile on ur face at the end of this :)

Know that you are blessed
With Godly gifts you less care
And smile is one of them
That you put to work so rare

Know that you are beautiful
For you have this smiling face
And when you wear a smile
Nothing can be a better dress

Know that you are rich
For your smile has to learn
That the more you share
The more will you earn

know that you are at test
By the times good and bad
And nothing will matter
If smile is on your head

Know that you will be happy
If you digest this little secret
That your smile is a curve
That sets everything straight

H.B.D. HJW_Jan04_SC

2005-01-19T07:47:00.000-05:00

(To the batchmates, on completion of the first year in Infy)

Today, a year before
As I stepped in Infy wonderland
Dumb was I among intellectuals
For luck only was in my hand

Then, in training
With edutainment unleashed
And birthday bashes unplugged
Left my poor soul so pleased

Then, end of training
Ignited minds ready to conquer
Spread across Infy horizons
Fresh with souvenirs to remember

Then, the real world
Flying in sky of high tools 'n' tech
With naps and jokes to our aid
And bugs 'n' bench back to back

Today, a year after
As we end a round around the Sun
Thankful I am for you being my friend
And wish you life ahead full of fun