Flashes

I think about the pretty sky and what it means to me
But in all these days, the hours gone by- I still don't know!

When the sun comes up and its warmth I feel,

Is God saying something or just a schoolgirl's glow?

When it rains so long, it gets too much to bear,
The roads are flooded and people stranded
Could it mean something?

A divine signature of resentment perhaps, or appreciation maybe
Even affection it could be- but could it really?


Does nature also convey a higher truth,
Or do we let loose our thoughts to amuse ourselves
Seeking a purpose higher than our being?


Desperate to justify existance at the mantle of a higher cause,
Too tough to continue this drudgery and for a bit we pause.


When men are born celebrations ensue

People laughing since it spells chaos.

Why do we take so much pleasure in welcoming life,

When soon therafeter, its just a struggle to stay afloat.

I have a hunch-it's our darker element

Compelling us to partake in this sinister joy

Knowing another victim joins us, we welcome him aboard.

He's one of the crew now; silly coz he doesnt know any better

The tentacles of life slowly wrap around his throat!

Too negative, they tell me, you have become.

Why would this journey be a punishment, unless thats what you want?

Do I , I think, losing myself in a rush of emotions

Sinking a little with every breath I take

For I was always a happy person, atleast for the most part

But then isnt happiness just a single drop in the ocean?

Invocation

Everyday is a new morning bright,

Alas! there is no end to this plight.
Materialism, the new mantra in town
No action these days demands even a frown.
The rat race is on, run till no more you can
Step on others toes but do stick to your plan.
My ears hurt, the stories are wild
How can a father kill his own child?
Is it naiive to believe such people don't exist
Or somewhere in my heart should my faith persist?
Just how far are we willing to go,
Isn't it time to halt or do we stoop so low
All around I do see people smile
Surely kindness is not out of style
Why then such stories of heinous crime
Is love and laughter not worth our time?
Flickering through the stories I dread in my heart
What will I hear today, what new drama will start
Murders and assaults, robberies and rape
With the victims annihilated these wolves escape
Man is superior to all creatures we claim
But there is a vicious jungle out there, it is a shame!
Intoxicated with our money and power
Vaues diminishing with each passing hour
Ambition is gold we are made to deem
Is it alright to slow down for a while and just dream?
Altruism is out there, humanity can be ripened anew
With this belief I hope for a brighter view
In a moment's decision life can forever alter
A silent prayer, may I stand strong and never falter.

Reminiscences

Sleep eludes me for reasons all known
In a land of fantasy I wander alone
A flutter so loud, a thud so near
These sounds so strange, so familiar yet unclear
Red roses, ravens and rainbows bright
Escape I must, must start my flight.

A flood has erupted, my lids are drenched
Drudgery, a dagger, and restlessness I sense
Perhaps I should...but no that would be imbecile
Let me just wait, ponder and gaze for a while
This meadow is vast and the grass is green,
The air so fresh but my heart not serene

I think of times gone by, I shiver and I cry
Could it be possible to give it a try
The memories flood my mind as I attempt to shut them out
All I think of is that night and her piercing shout.
I jump and shudder, a chill goes down my spine
Will I ever be normal, will I ever be fine?

Night after night I toss and turn
Apparently the gods of slumber are a bit too stern
As I lie down cold and completely awake
I wonder how long I will last before I break
An accident they called it, but I know better
I must confess, perhaps I can write a letter

Be firm, this needs to be written for sure
The pen shakes in my hands, the words so obscure
How do I start, is there a way to explain
The moment is gone but forever I will feel the pain
Thoughts tempt me; let it be blamed on fate
Yet my heart is a witness, it is a bleeding slate.

She had cried for help, her eyes screamed despair
The night was young, no it just wasn’t fair
Two decades of friendship flashed before my eyes
Surely this nightmare would end, it had to be a lie
I stood there a second too long
She would make it, I knew she was strong

But I saw her gasp and cry and take that final breath
The night blinded me, it was my first encounter with death
The pain so excruciating, I knew that my heart bled
My mind was blank, not a single tear I shed
I just stood there, my feet weighed a million pounds
Finally gave up and collapsed to the ground

The evening before is still so intense and vivid
We were adults out of college, we finally did it
Graduation had been grand, we were bright and proud
“The future is ours”, we screamed out loud
An end and a beginning, we wanted to be great
But for then we just rushed to celebrate.

We were giddy with excitement, it was our night after all
Friends and music and of course alcohol
We felt so invincible, all night we would party
Now looking back, the universe begged for some clarity
We had a drink too many and were high on life
Piled into a car, all ready for a midnight drive

The brakes screeched, the lights were glaring,
My brain pounded, the horns were blaring.
It was all so incomprehensible till I looked at her
Bidding me that final goodbye, it was all such a blur.
I lost a friend that night, I gained the guilt
The desire was drained, yet life was to be rebuilt

Years have passed by, I sure have moved on
The naivety has shrunk and the invincibility gone.
Decisions were poor, to this date I repent,
But I write this to let my experience be lent.
Life is a ticking clock, manage it be wise
I close my memoir with this heartfelt advice

ZEAL

It’s never too late to think anew,

To feel that the world can change,

And I can drive the wheel which spells revolution.

The winds of renewal brush past so lightly,

And they ruffle my hair, leave me lightheaded.

Blood pumps through these veins and I wanna shout

Tell the world that I have arrived,

No rule, no policy stops me; all these I flout.

I know that my hair is still black,

And lines have not yet defined my face.

I am still naïve enough to retain my faith,

And for the most part I still like to smile.

The system is rotten, they scream themselves hoarse.

It’s for a reason, I wanna tell them

We are the system, don’t you get it silly!

But they know, and they chuckle slyly of course.

Its easy to curse the crowd and blame the babus,

One billion citizens all in self righteous garbs,

A billion holy souls and a billion rotten men.