You run, so I run

An experience at the local railway station, a moral story:

Luckily being the first in a long queue at the station, I buy a ticket. I have to take two stairways to reach the platform. I take the first step and I assume I hear the sound of the train. So I start running, taking two steps at a time. At the eleventh step, I realize that my assumption is wrong but then people behind me seeing me run have started running too. I think, so what let me run the next few steps as well. As I run, I hear more footsteps. So I run all the way to the train-less platform just for the heck of it. And there, a bunch of people have run with me too. And I turn back to see their faces. Expressions? Priceless.

Moral: Some would have followed me; some would have followed the ones in front of them. So my take on this would be to stop to think whom you are following or who you look up to be your leader. Most of all, stop to see "why" you are following. Who knows, he/she might be taking you for a ride.

Leadership eh? Quite! ;-)

Rhetorical wonders

Head in the clouds, feet on the ground,

I see some angels and I feel some squirms.

Clouded by doubts, I ask them all,

You tell me slow and steady really wins,

So say, is it really worth in the end,

With recognitions forgotten I have nothing to ask,

Pray, why are you overlooking precious things?

Oh now stop, have trust they all cry,

You will find solace in us if only you try.

Such soft touch, a motherly concern,

I wouldn’t forgive myself if I dissent.

Make mistakes, it's good, they say,

If only you learn from them the right way,

What is there is not seen, what is seen is not there,

Today it would seem like a lost way,

Wait till tomorrow, you shall find a new way,

It doesn’t take much to see the light,

It’s there already; you’ll just have to wait.
Thus saying, they slowly move away,

Wiggling, waggling, swaying, swinging,

They all then fade off as yet another dream.

With everything just right, misconception gone,

I am now where I belong, and I am free,

Coz I burnt it all and I'll burn it all!

And it takes only one simple thing to understand,

Enlightened or blind? Time will tell.

Shrouded in the backyard

I heard it. I have heard it before.
A cry, a wail and a shriek.
An incomprehensible sound it has always been.
It has never lasted for more than a minute.
It isn't from the road, it is from a nearby block.
I thought it was a cat. A woman she was.
I have never seen her but I doubt if I ever will.
Coz I know no lady who lives in the neighbouring backyard.
Was she in distress? Or was it a spell so evil?
I never get answers to these questions repeated.
I would have helped her if only it wasn't so dark.
Well, she always cries at 1:30AM sharp.

One wish

I wish… A small wish…
A small wish yearned, a small journey.
Long drive to the greenwoods,
Reverberating music in the twilight,
Wide lanes, yellow autumn leaves,
Blue-blue sea, sound of the waves,
Snow-white full moon and its reflections,
Illuminated ship at a distance,
Cool breeze, palm trees fanning,
A good read -a story with a pun,
With hearts engraved on the sands,
A shoulder to lean on, a lovely cuddle,
Sigh and the world stops for me.
I wish… A small wish…

Everything is one!

I find only one similarity between right & wrong, God & ghosts, different religions - all of these exist but as one.

Just like everyone else, I have my principles, discipline and opinions. I, of course don't like it if someone questions them nor do I like it if someone says they are wrong! I won't give up on my principles nor will I rebuke someone who doesn't think the same way. But is there something called "wrong" or "right" in the first place? Why can't two people with different opinions be right at the same time? Or actually why can't they be wrong at the same time?! Why should we be highly opinionated? Can't we stop to give others the benefit of doubt?

One of my friends stated that it's easy for people to believe in God but not ghosts. But how is it possible to believe in one and not the other? If Gods exist in the form of spirits so do ghosts. Babaji is believed to have been a great saint residing in The Himalayas. He left his body but his soul is alleged to be still present. Shirdi Sai lived as a great saint and millions of people are still his devotees and the stories of miracles are spoken till date. All these miracles that are experienced are averred as the acts of the spirits of the Great ones. When people can believe in the spirits/souls of these supposed Mahatmas who were mortals, why can't people believe that there can be spirits/souls of ordinary mortals as well?

Only in India, one can find diversity in the form of religion or caste or language. It may sound weird to people who are against the caste system. But why can't we see the beautiful side of it for a change? Each of the religions/castes has a very unique tradition. The food, the dress, the functions, the language, everything is unique. For that matter, every state in India has people following unique traditions. I don't think I would be able to learn and understand even half of it in my lifetime. Amongst all these diversities is a unity -unity in the belief system. I can't help but notice the fact that there is a common belief in all the religions - peace and love. "Serve humanity", "Love one another". Isn't that what is taught in all religions? Religion came into being to establish a code of discipline and to bring peace to humanity. Lord Krishna preached about God being one and he restored peace in Brindavan. Muhammed Prophet preached that God is one and also restored peace by eradicating slavery. Jesus Christ preached about Love for humanity and it's told that he was a miraculous healer. All these religions have different customs but don't they all send the same message? Didn't they all come into being for a cause? Why is there a conflict between religions? What is the point in fighting for caste/religion/state?

Being right or wrong is very subjective and what is right to me may seem wrong to somebody else. I haven't seen God nor have I seen ghosts but I do know that if they exist, then they exist as one. As Bhagadvad Gita says, everything comes from God. Whether great souls or ordinary spirits, they all come from God. All religions have a basic and an underlying message- to extend peace and love to humanity. The people who have got the preaching of Bhagadvad Gita, Quran or The Bible all distorted will never be able to appreciate or understand the beauty that exists in all religions.

In the chaotic race of different people with different opinions, principles, beliefs, cultures, languages and religions, we can find a ray of hope - the ray of unity in diversity, the mutual love and respect for the human race. Nothing will seem right or wrong anymore because everything is one in the end.

The Chord of the Hearts

Sun shines in the warm golden fields,
Butterflies encircle, colored wings flutter.
Exquisite, gentle notes whisper to the heart,
Blissful faces share beaming smiles.
Eyes gleam, arms clasp,
Harmony and peace entwine,
Music and Love is in the air.
A release of soulful wanting,
Rhythmic beats and lyrical crescendos heard.
The skies unfold and Angels bless,
From Darkness to Light,
Sweet sweet freedom felt!
A new life, a beautiful path found,
To Him, She belongs. Forever!
Dedicated to : StarGazer

Echoes in the garden

The summer breeze brought in the fresh aroma of roses and violets. Bright rays from the western horizon fingered through the coconut trees and formed dark shadows of the woman seated on the bamboo chair. Her long hair turned a beautiful golden as the sun started to set, her legs tucked into the pleated silk skirt, her eyes reflecting pools of mixed emotions, she made a pretty sight. Miss G was oblivious to the beauty that she exuded. Nothing was beautiful to her anymore, not without him. She braced herself for the familiar ache of exhaustion to take over. Nothing was the same anymore. The water splashed softly from the small fountain in the garden where she had always been able to find peace when she had felt the need to seek life in a strange way she had never sought to explain or question. But there was no magic today and no answer. Peace seemed to elude her, despair set in, she squeezed her eyes shut and wished everything would just turn out to be a nightmare. Recalling the good times hurt too much. It brought back flooding memories, stunning and intense that threatened to overwhelm her response.

She saw a tall dark figure move on the other side of her house. She watched as he walked up and down the lawn of his house deep in thought. A dark shadow formed around her hiding her among the trees and he couldn't see her watching him. She sighed as she watched him. Had it all started when she moved to his neighborhood or was it when he introduced himself in the best poetic way possible or was it when they bumped into each other more often? The night was growing into her and the birds wheeled in the dark clouds and sang a strange song that added to her melancholy.

Meeting him everyday was inevitable. It was never difficult to spot him in the crowd. He would be there, a tall dark soul looming with confidence and attitude. She blamed herself for getting close to a man who has become a stranger now. A stranger who was her best friend, a stranger who taught her everything and a stranger who now reminded her of all the things that she wanted to forget. Just a few words away, a few calls away, so close but so far away, Miss G lost count of the number of times she wondered if her resolve was right. But she had made plans and she knew that she would get through this. She looked up at the dark sky and wondered why destiny had to play a cruel game in her life, her head fell to her knees hugging herself, she resigned to the fact that nothing can change destiny.

The distant sound of the church bell indicated the strike of the hour. She shivered and shifted uneasily. Her neighbor's illuminated home intimidated her more and she wondered what made him so happy. Miss G walked back to her home with a heavy heart still foundering in old emotions, darkness swept her into the world of loneliness.