Born Free?

I've spent a lifetime
looking for freedom
not knowing that I was born free

Bound by time and norms
and a clever mind that kept
me chained to everyday desires

the joys the sorrows
they come and go
sweeping me of my feet

Freedom is in knowing
that I play varied roles
while I watch the play of life unfold

The Lamp

I've walked this path, many times
the lamp in my hand
with my little one asleep,
secure in the comfort of my arms.

How time has flown!
Sure footed and strong, he moves ahead
the lamp aloft in his hand,
looking back to watch my measured tread.


Soon my time will be done,
I'm content.
the lamp will continue to glow
and guide him through this journey.

My Nemesis

It's a simple two letter word
but I never managed it,
and each time I tried
to say it,
I'd trip right over it.

I vividly recall
the number of times
it's landed me in a soup
burnt my fingers
many a time
but never
learnt from it.

Each time I was asked a favor
My inner voice would scream
just go ahead and say it
but I'd numbly nod my bean

I'm wiser now,
I can read that look
from miles and miles away
I brace myself and
look them in the eye
and firmly say, NO!

Let Go!

Trust is a blind leap,
from the known into the unknown
To just close our eyes and let go
Why are we so afraid to do that?

Have you seen children
whizz down a steep slope
with whoops of joy?
Where is that joyous abandonment
of childhood?

Imagination has been ursurped
by delusions of power.
We cling to permanence
in a world, where change
is the only constant.

So just let go,
and allow life to envelop you
in her embrace
There will be no encores
once this show is over.

Autumn is here

Autumn is here, and I celebrate

the quietness it brings.

Spring is the sprighty gait

of my boys, as they run effortlessly

while I walk, a little slower, perhaps?

it's time to sit back and savour

every moment, before the leaves are gone.

What I see is the love and the pain

I see etched in fallen leaves.

Brilliant hued, they flaunt their veins,

their color with pride.

At Peace?

I'd like to think she's happy. She's in her in own world, completely oblivious to the people around her.

Maybe she's found that quiet place within her, a retreat that helps her weather the storms.

Don't miss the View

Life is a journey and every terrain we traverse through has its own beauty . Most of us are bad travellers, always complaining either about the vehicle, the roads, the weather, or are so busy squabbling with our fellow travellers and so we completely miss out on the beauty of every moment.

I'm sure you all agree with me when I say that children and adults with a sense of adventure are the only two classes of people who truly enjoy journeys. Why do we lose our sense of awe and excitement; our sense of irreverence when we grow into adulthood? I know why. We get weighed down because we delude ourselves into believing that we are carrying the world on our shoulders.

Drop your burden, lighten up, make time for things you love to do. Stop and take a break when you are tired. Don't be pessimistic, focussing on just the innumerable breakdowns and puncture stops, you've made so far. Shift focus and think of the picturesque views, the picnic spots, the wonderful people and the beautiful times you've had so far.

It's a short journey. Wake up, hum along with your car stereo and please don't miss the view.

Gratitude

The light is dim
as dark clouds gather
across the sky
I steer into the gathering darkess,
the rhythmic oars,
my constant companions.

I have so much to be thankful for!
This boat and the river,
and the strength in these arms,
that have seen me through
many a storm.

The night brings with it
the promise of a glorious dawn!

Be absolutely useless!

Why do we spend our whole lives becoming instead of just being? It's sheer madness, this race to nowhere. I keep thinking that I'll step out from this race today, but I go whirling on. Stop, just stop and watch, that's all I wish to do. I share with you one of my favourite Zen stories. Savour it, Enjoy!

Lao Tzu was traveling with his disciples and they came to a forest where hundreds of carpenters were cutting trees, because a great palace was being built. Almost the whole forest had been cut, but one tree was standing there, a big tree with thousands of branches--so big that ten thousand persons could sit under its shade. Lao Tzu asked his disciples to go and inquire why this tree had not been cut yet, when the whole forest had been cut and was deserted. The disciples went and they asked the carpenters, "Why have you not cut this tree?"

The carpenters said, "This tree is absolutely useless. You cannot make anything out of it because every branch has so many knots in it. Nothing is straight. You cannot make pillars out of it, you cannot make furniture out of it. You cannot use it as fuel because the smoke is so dangerous to the eyes--you almost go blind. This tree is absolutely useless. That's why." They came back.

Lao Tzu laughed and he said, "Be like this tree. If you want to survive in this world be like this tree--absolutely useless. Then nobody will harm you. If you are straight you will be cut, you will become furniture in somebody's house. If you are beautiful you will be sold in the market, you will become a commodity. Be like this tree, absolutely useless. Then nobody can harm you. And you will grow big and vast, and thousands of people can find shade under you."

Sunflowers

Does the sun wait to greet the sunflowers or do the sunflowers wait for the sun?
As the sun rises high in the sky the petals unfurls and the flowers flash itheir brilliant smile at the sun. Bright and happy they dance their way through life.
Like the sunflowers, I'm going to greet each day with a smile. I'm not going to let any cloud douse my spirits. Clouds come and go but my sun will always be there for me.

Do not disturb me!

Drowning in paperwork,
I know not how time speeds by.
It is dark when I step out
and as I feel the splatter
of rain on my face,
I wish I had the time
to savor the rain.

Time is merciless,
it races away from me,
leaving behind his imprints,
in the shadows beneath my eyes.

I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well.
When the going gets rough,
I step back, put my feet up
and close my eyes.

It's time to smell the rain
and watch the roses bloom
amidst the warfare
raging around me.
This is my time now,
do not disturb me.

Drifting

I am the leaf,
drifting around,
in lazy circles,
creating patterns in the wind.

I am carried,
I know know not where.
All I know is,
Is that I like this dance.

Eternity is,
the here and now,
and I float blissfully,
into my creator's arms.

My Guardian Angel

I'll never forget
her laughter
or the warmth
in her voice
Her infinite patience
and lovely humour
they don't
make people
like her anymore.
I've never known
her turn away
from offering
a helping hand
A comfort to be with
she always knew
how to ease,
an aching heart

Inner strength

Leaves dance with joy,,
in the cool breeze
welcoming the rain.
They quiver with fear,
when lashed by thunderstorms.

It doesn't really matter,
how old or what color
they are.
all that matters,
is how they weather the storm.


Why can't we,
emulate the leaf
and move on
from outer beauty
to inner strength?

Shakti Revisited

It's been one of those dream come true sundays, where everything goes the way one wants it to. The highlight of the day being the Remember Shakti concert we attended today at Shaniwarwada,Pune, the ancient fort a magnificient back drop to soul stirring music . John McLaughlin's guitar, zakir Husain's tabla,U.Srinivas's mandolin, Selvaganesh on the kanjira and Shankar Mahadevan's vocals created magic!
Lovely evening, beautiful day! It is indeed such moments that make me believe in the eternal beauty of life!!!

Joy

I like spinning around in chairs;
For that brief moment,
I'm a child,
all cares forgotten.

No pretentions,
just me,
enjoying the moment,
completely.

Companion

I sit alone and watch,
the desperate moves,
my mind makes
to fill the silence.

Thoughts come and go
with a rapidity
that leaves one
gasping for breath


for that two minutes of fame
we race against time
pushing our way
through the crowds

Slow down
and listen to
the quietness
beyond the chatter

It is your companion
the only constant
that has always
been with you.

I hope you dance...

"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance...

I hope you dance..."

From the song "I Hope You Dance"
As performed by Lee Ann Womack

My favorite lines as they reflect my thoughts on life and living.
I believe... Life is about tuning in to your inner music even when you choose to sit out a dance. Dancing is a form of meditation where the world drops out when you tune in.
So let's make the most of every minute and swing to our inner beat. When life gets you down, just pick up your feet and dance.

Heartbeat

Like a lazy sun warmed cat,
the day stretches out,
langourous and sweet.
The blue skies,
an endless canopy.
The ocean,
in her all colors,
enchants me,
her timeless rhythm,
my heartbeat.

Happiness

We sit together,
on the pebbly bank,
watching the play
of sunlight on water.

It's fun,
skimming stones,
that he races to fetch,
his body quivering wih delight.


Wet and tired,
we flop down,
and doze,
on the grassy bank.

Happiness to me,
is best decribed,
by such moments,
stolen from time.