As the end of 2011 draws near
with the promise of a new year,
orbiting aimlessly through digisphere
another marker's about to disappear.
2011 wasn’t just another year -
Witnessed a transition in career
Leaving Memphis after 14 long years
is bound to bring some pain and tears.
New opportunities but new fear;
the future ahead wasn’t so clear.
2011 wasn’t all that rosy and fine
as one may think from FB timeline
Relived 2007 all over again
A sweet angel left for heaven.
Yet, it wasn’t all that bad either
Got a break, got some breather.
Made new friends, found old ones
New unions, memory lane reruns
But on the passing of another year
something's now so crystal clear.
2012 should have no new resolve
Still so much from 2011 to solve.
December 31, 2011
September 7, 2011
India Rising
I dream of a free India for all Indians
not just for a privileged few.
I dream of a free India, absolutely free.
free not only from foreign rule,
but free of injustice and oppression,
free from shackles of corruption.
Can you not hear the mass rising?
The tsunami of human waves forcing sea change,
trying to eradicate plaguing malice in our system,
reminding us of our rights & responsibility,
awakening us to our 2nd independence.
I dream of a free India for all Indians.
A free India, finally, to realize its true potential.
Where citizens’ right to dream and freedom to chase,
freedom to chose and right to dignity is a given.
I dream of that free India
where each society is free –
from prejudice that divides them,
from poverty of matter and merit.
I dream of a free India, rich and strong,
to crush its enemy inside and out.
Note: On my recent trip to India, saw some strong momentum building up against corruption. I guess the only people who'll not be in support are the beneficiaries of a corrupt India. Yet, a huge section of the population is silent. don't know why. I wondered what this new India riding on the back of this anti-corruption movement may look like. Two days back, on my way to a re-union, recorded some of these thoughts on a voice recorder. But, the true impulse to see this through, against all my procrastination tendencies, came after listening to Joe's composition around anti-corruption that evening. Thanks Joe! You can find Joe's fine composition here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCaeA2PP89w. Worth listening and sharing.
not just for a privileged few.
I dream of a free India, absolutely free.
free not only from foreign rule,
but free of injustice and oppression,
free from shackles of corruption.
Can you not hear the mass rising?
The tsunami of human waves forcing sea change,
trying to eradicate plaguing malice in our system,
reminding us of our rights & responsibility,
awakening us to our 2nd independence.
I dream of a free India for all Indians.
A free India, finally, to realize its true potential.
Where citizens’ right to dream and freedom to chase,
freedom to chose and right to dignity is a given.
I dream of that free India
where each society is free –
from prejudice that divides them,
from poverty of matter and merit.
I dream of a free India, rich and strong,
to crush its enemy inside and out.
Note: On my recent trip to India, saw some strong momentum building up against corruption. I guess the only people who'll not be in support are the beneficiaries of a corrupt India. Yet, a huge section of the population is silent. don't know why. I wondered what this new India riding on the back of this anti-corruption movement may look like. Two days back, on my way to a re-union, recorded some of these thoughts on a voice recorder. But, the true impulse to see this through, against all my procrastination tendencies, came after listening to Joe's composition around anti-corruption that evening. Thanks Joe! You can find Joe's fine composition here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCaeA2PP89w. Worth listening and sharing.
January 23, 2011
A Decade of Love
The year two thousand and one
is a very special one -
born in Memphis was a great son
to some Rik, to the world Emon!
He lovingly called us jya & jaa
smearing our faces with endless abba.
Gave us reasons for so many things to do
from petshop, gameboy and visits to zoo.
will remember those eartly trips forever
what a joy & what a pleasure!
At four, he asked for his 1st soccer shoe
and 'like this, like that' a helmet too!
At seven, he attended his first rock show
still recollect his face, what a glow!
From soccer to baseball, and from piano to guitar
he does it all, can treat you to 'smoke on the water'
Often moody, but ever sporting
he's true fun, one comedy king --
more than just a class clown
cheers you up, when you are down.
A picky eater though he is
never says no to meatballs or ribs.
A decade of love has gone past
on this special day admit I must
that with every passing year
he is even more dear.
Today he turns 10, Boombing is his name
We wish him health, happiness and fame.
With loads of love and abba,
yours godparents - Jya 'n Jaa
to some Rik, to the world Emon!
He lovingly called us jya & jaa
smearing our faces with endless abba.
Gave us reasons for so many things to do
from petshop, gameboy and visits to zoo.
will remember those eartly trips forever
what a joy & what a pleasure!
At four, he asked for his 1st soccer shoe
and 'like this, like that' a helmet too!
At seven, he attended his first rock show
still recollect his face, what a glow!
From soccer to baseball, and from piano to guitar
he does it all, can treat you to 'smoke on the water'
Often moody, but ever sporting
he's true fun, one comedy king --
more than just a class clown
cheers you up, when you are down.
A picky eater though he is
never says no to meatballs or ribs.
A decade of love has gone past
on this special day admit I must
that with every passing year
he is even more dear.
Today he turns 10, Boombing is his name
We wish him health, happiness and fame.
With loads of love and abba,
yours godparents - Jya 'n Jaa
January 10, 2011
The Year 1994
A century from today
who are you reading my poetry
curiously,
A century from today!
This new spring morning's
fraction of joy,
some flower of today, some song of a bird,
some crimson glow of today –
soaking in affection will I be able to send
to your hands
a century from today?!
Still, for once, opening the south doorway
sitting in the terrace
gazing at the distant horizon,
steeped in imagination,
think in your mind –
one day a century ago
a restless bundle of joy drifting from which heaven
came and touched the heart of the universe,
new springday absolutely unfettered
insane impatient,
flapping restless wings flower-scented
southern breeze
suddenly bustling in had painted the earth
in youth's colors,
a century before yours.
That day in a restless soul, inside a song-infused heart
a poet awoke -
tried to blossom so many words flower-like
with so much affection,
one day a century ago.
A century from today
who the new poet is singing
at your homes!
This spring's joyous greetings
I send to his palm.
Let my springsong on your springday
resonate awhile –
in your heartbeat, in bee's new murmur,
in leave's rustle
a century from today.
Translation of Tagore's Saal 1400. Tagore wrote this in 1896, 17 year before he received Nobel prize for literature.
Note: Saal is Bengali for year and1400 in Bengali calendar is 1994.
fraction of joy,
some flower of today, some song of a bird,
some crimson glow of today –
soaking in affection will I be able to send
to your hands
a century from today?!
Still, for once, opening the south doorway
sitting in the terrace
gazing at the distant horizon,
steeped in imagination,
think in your mind –
one day a century ago
a restless bundle of joy drifting from which heaven
came and touched the heart of the universe,
new springday absolutely unfettered
insane impatient,
flapping restless wings flower-scented
southern breeze
suddenly bustling in had painted the earth
in youth's colors,
a century before yours.
That day in a restless soul, inside a song-infused heart
a poet awoke -
tried to blossom so many words flower-like
with so much affection,
one day a century ago.
A century from today
who the new poet is singing
at your homes!
This spring's joyous greetings
I send to his palm.
Let my springsong on your springday
resonate awhile –
in your heartbeat, in bee's new murmur,
in leave's rustle
a century from today.
Translation of Tagore's Saal 1400. Tagore wrote this in 1896, 17 year before he received Nobel prize for literature.
Note: Saal is Bengali for year and1400 in Bengali calendar is 1994.
January 5, 2011
On Your Birthday
On your very special day
sending this wish your way
from Memphis to Richmond -
May this day and beyond
be filled with much groove
with nothing left to prove.
That in style you may always know
at "crossroad" which way to go.
Birthday is not just a milestone -
another year you have wisely grown!
So here is our wish for you -
whatever be your life's hue,
May you always find happiness in life
with your amazing kids and beautiful wife.
Note: wishes sent to Srinidhi K. who wanted to see my FB Happy New Year greetings in poetry form. Instead he got this on his birthday which was four days later
sending this wish your way
from Memphis to Richmond -
May this day and beyond
be filled with much groove
with nothing left to prove.
That in style you may always know
at "crossroad" which way to go.
Birthday is not just a milestone -
another year you have wisely grown!
So here is our wish for you -
whatever be your life's hue,
May you always find happiness in life
with your amazing kids and beautiful wife.
Note: wishes sent to Srinidhi K. who wanted to see my FB Happy New Year greetings in poetry form. Instead he got this on his birthday which was four days later
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