The Homecoming....Back to Our Roots

 Recited at You, Me and Poetry on Thursday 04?06/2026 for the theme Gharvaapasi/ Homecoming.

So here we are, journeyed roads unknown,

Chasing impossible dreams, the world has shown,

Deawn by glitter, speed and change,

We wandered through a widening range.

We carried forward the I, me, Myself charade,

With lies, deceit, hate, that the foundation laid,

We measured worth by wealth and size,

Saw deaths, assault and inhuman acts rise.

The noise grew louder, hearts grew cold,

Respect, goodwill, kindness, seemed ancient and old,

Respect gave way to carless words,

The wisdom of elders, they went unheard,

Courtesy faded from daily sight, 

Self  came first and wrong was deemed right.

Across the world unrest has grown,

Of fear and conflict, the seeds have been sown.

Though progress shines in many ways,

Brotherhood and peace eludes our troubled days.

We wore the modern cloak of greed with pride,

While simplicity and grace was callously cast aside.

But now the hour strikes, it's time to turn around,

We need to plant our feet back upon ancient ground,

Perhaps its time for a homecoming-

Not to a place but a way of being.

Let honesty be what we speak out loud,

Not the lies and deceit, to please the passing crowd.

Let civic sense and quiet virtue guide,

As we walk together, side by side.

Talking Pictures

 Tasveerein bolti nain, phir bhi bahut kuchh keh jaati hai,

Beete hue mausamon ki khushbu ssath le aati hai I

Jo pal lautkar kabhi nahi aate, Unhein umrabhar ke liye amar banaati hai I

Pictures do not breathe ,

Yet they keep hearts alive,

 They utter no words, 

Yet they speak the language of the soul.

They are our life's timelines,

Gathering fragments of our life,

Before they are carried away, 

By restless winds of tomorrow.

A baby's first uncertain step,

A birthday candle glowing with hope,

Joyful tears at a wedding,

A graduation cap tossed towards the sky.

A family or a group of friends,

Enjoying moments together,

When seen after a few years,

The ordinary feels extraordinary.

Every picture captures more than a moment,

It captures laughter before it fades,

And dreams and hopes before things change,

Love that grows beyond the widening distances.

A soldier stands beneath an unfamiliar sky,

A worn photograph of his wife and kids,

In this picture lives his courage,

His purpose and reason to return.

A faded portrait resting beside a lamp,

Maybe all that remains

Of someone whose voice

The world can no longer hear.

Yet families still smile through tears,

Friends still pause in silent conversations,

For love does not disappear with a heartbeat,

It lingers in every cherished picture.

Then there are pictures we dare not look at too often,

Our parents.....

Once the towering trees that sheltered every storm,

Their shoulders stoop a little lower, hair grow a little whiter.

Their hands gentler, slower.....wrinkled far too much,

The pictures then reveal,what hurried days conceal,

Time is slipping away,

For the ones we love the most.

When we search old albums,

 Old memories come alive,

Childhood, youth and adulthood,

We remember the joys and strife.

Pictures become mirrors,

They show us who we are,

They portray emotions,

And show who we have become.

They measure life's journey, not in years,

But in love shared, hands held,

Tears that fell,

And dreams fulfilled.

Pictures are truly precious,

For when time steals our youth, 

When distance separates hearts,

Words fail and memories fail, pictures keep talking.

Pictures are embedded,

In the deep corners of our heart,

Reminding us that life is never counted by the years we lived,

But the moments we loved enough to remember,

Yes! Pictures talk.

Rains In January!

It is January and I saw the rains fall today morning. The building security guard told me there were some hailstones falling too! As I walked to school and saw the wet roads and rain drenched trees I thought of penning this poem.

Early morning, rain falls bright,

Hailstones shimmer in silver light.

Soft drizzles tap on windowpane,

A gentle, surprise- unexpected rain!

Plants and trees take a joyful bath,

Leaves sparkle at the aftermath.

Roads are washed till they gleam,

Like mirrors shining in a dream.

Fresh cool air fills every breath,

Chasing away the dust and sweat.

The weather lifts my heart and stride,

A lively bounce I cannot hide.

Awake, alive, refreshed and free,

The rain revives both world and me.

Written in the Stars

 Recited at You , Me and Poetry event on 10th December, 2025. The theme was 'It is written'.

The burnt toast theory says- 

When you burn your toast,

Miss your train,

Get stuck in traffic,

Or feel some pain,

It is not just bad luck,

It is all for a reason,

Something is shifted,

Or redirected somehow,

It is all for a good cause,

What feels like inconvenience now.

Life is taking you,

 On a path destined,

Maybe it is the one,

You don't want to take,

But it guides you along,

With all the mistakes you make.

What is meant to be ,

 Will always find its way,

Your life has been scripted,

Stars guide your night and day.

The path unseen,

 That you are afraid to tread,

Yet you walk unknowing,

 Of what lies ahead.

Do what you can,

Try your very best,

What is written is meant to be,

Put your heart and mind to rest.

Walk your journey with an open heart,

For everything is written , right from the start,

Every moment here is a plan divine,

Your destiny is nothing, but an inbuilt design.

So bow down to what's written.

What is meant to be will be,

Don't ever lose hope,

For the future is not ours to see.

Que sera-sera,

Whatever will be will be.....

The future's not ours to see,

Que sera- sera......

What will be, will be!

We are Champions!

 A welcome song penned for the Annual Sports Meet 2025 in school. It was composed to the tune of the song We will Rock You by Queen.

Hey champs, you got courage and grit,

Ready for the games, every bit of it!

Rough times come, 

We take many a fall,

But we rise again,

Winning is my call!

CHORUS

We are, we are Champions!

We are, we are champions!

Glimmering spirit, shining so bright,

Full speed ahead,

 We'll fight the good fight!

Challenges that arise,

We face them all,

Creating ripples, 

Standing tall.

CHORUS

You are, you are Welcome!

You are, you are Welcome!

School our pride,

We take losses in our stride,

Fame and fortune ,

 Side by side!

With a good head start,

Strong heart, strong will,

Champions forever,

We've got the skill!

CHORUS

We are, we are champions (Oh Yeah!)

We are , we are champions!( Shining bright)

We are , we are champions! ( Sulonians, yes- you are right!)

Disappearing Friends

Recited at You, Me and Poetry evening on Thursday 16/7/25 on the theme Midnight Friends. 

I sat and listened,

With tears my eyes glistened,

Your poems on midnight friends,

Reminded me why friendship ends. 

Childhood buddies and school mates,

College pals and romantic dates,

Workplace colleagues and travel yaars,

They came and went like shooting stars.

We met and rejoiced, 

Our dreams and fears we voiced,

Lived, loved and learnt things anew,

Thought our friendship plan we could anytime renew.

Alas! As the years flew,

Our friendships we outgrew,

Like autumn leaves they spun and flew,

Carried away by winds I never even knew. 

I tried to hold the strings tight,

But some balloons are only meant for flight,

They were my friends for a reason,

But I know now, they cannot last every season. 

Now I see them in memories' eye,

Though we haven't even bid goodbye,

Distance, family, work and the rest,

Our friendships could not stand the test. 

Now there are no meet ups or calls,

Silence and loneliness reflects on the walls,

My friends are photos tucked in dusty books,

Memories are blurred, crammed in mind's nooks.

We outgrew games and ran life's race,

Chose different paths, a different pace,

Yet in a corner of my heart you still stay,

My disappearing friends who flew away! 

Imagination Runs Wild!

 This was a poem on the theme 'Imagination' recited at the You , Me and Poetry event held in March 2025.

I have been to many places

Countries beyond the seven seas,

Visited cafes, libraries, houses

Watched lions, elephants and bees.

I have met so many people

Shared their stories of joy and pain,

Been inspired, shocked and touched

While going on with my life mundane.

So many enriching experiences

Riding in a hot-air balloon, flying in the sky,

Visiting mermaids underwater

Sitting on a magic carpet, seeing the world go by.

I have savoured so many cultures

Languages, festivals and more,

Understood that in our uniqueness

Lies humanity at its core.

I an truly wealthy although

There is hardly any budget for travel,

I sit with my delightful books

And at my good fortune I marvel.

For these treasure trove of books

Take me to places umpteen,

I meet personalities anew

Beget experiences unheard of and unseen.

Books are indeed my best friends

Never lonely even when I am alone,

I am transported to places new

My imagination- it is soon air-borne!

Flights of fancy are so common

When a book is in my hand,

"I am here, but I am there too"

An ardent book lover will understand!

Z for Zero- Tolerance!

Molestation , kidnap, rape and road rage,
Dowry death, acid attacks and murders on the rise,
Seeing the increasing numbers of these one wonders,
Is this what happens when humanity dies?

Self-obsession , corruption,and hatred untold,
No place for compassion, all we see is greed,
The situation has turned from bad to worse,
Stringent laws against the perpetrators we need.

Strange are the days where culprits roam free,
While victims are shamed and left to bear,
Atrocities unlimited are committed on the weak,
As against the powerful none can win or dare.

It's time to end these disturbing tales,
Zero tolerance is the need of the hour,
It's time to come together and put an end,
Or this hatred will our very existence mar.

What we need is total non-acceptance,
Of behavior which is anti-social in any way,
Strict and uncompromising application of laws,
Should be the deterrent that will keep anti-socials at bay!

Zero tolerance-we need it now.....
Zero tolerance can pave the way........
Zero tolerance can bring the change.......
Zero tolerance should be here to stay!

Y for Yes-men!

There are times in life when one,
Has to their true opinions share,
'Cause only when the truth is thus spoken,
There can be change, but only few dare!

There is no dearth of yes-men around,
They are the ones who in approval nod,
Always agree with authority, do what is told,
In the quest for acceptance it is always-Yes, My Lord!

If you ask the reason for their yes,
One can be that they don't want to seem uncool,
Maybe they don't want to others' feelings hurt,
Probably they haven't any opinion of their own (what a fool!)

The yes-men are the appeasers,
They seem to agree even when they actually don't,
Deep inside they know you are doing something wrong,
But give an honest opinion, they just won't!

They think the only way up the ladder of success,
Is by saying yes, regardless of appropriateness or bearing,
It is usually done to be on the good side,
As speaking our mind, or the truth takes some daring!

With no one to oppose, only yes-men around,
Progress and productivity can come to a standstill,
When no original ideas and opinions are provided,
Creativity, novelty and originality one cannot instill!

Remember,you can be a good person with a kind heart,
And still speak out your mind and say NO,
Because just sitting on the fence or being a yes-man,
Won't show you new possibilities that help you or your company grow!

So by all means say YES when and wherever it is due,
Just don't say NO to oppose or be a rebel,
Think wisely and if you deem fit,

Speak the truth, and in the choice of doing the right thing,revel!

X for X-Factor!

Everyone keeps looking for it,
Be it on any music or talent show,
The X-factor is a special talent or quality,
That surely brings success at your door!

That little X-tra something,
Something that sets you apart,
That which makes one unique,
And makes you stand out from the start!

The X-factor is in-born,
With it there is nowhere to hide,
Your innate abilities and charisma,
Will all your other flaws over-ride!

In this era of competition,
Where everyone vies to success find,
The X-factor is a sure winner,
It leaves the others far behind!

The X-factor is not common,
But yet females have it more,
Males have the XY chromosome,
Females have X twice(XX),you know!

The X-factor is a variable in a situation,
That on the outcome has maximum impact,
So when I say give more freedom to women,
It will make the world better, I know it for a fact!

W for Weight Watch - Wait and Watch

Stress level increases, BP goes high,
My weight has increased (again!) by five!
What a night-mare, I let out a scream,
Just can't get rid of my weight it seems!

Those ugly tyres around my waist,
Just don't disappear owing to my taste,
I am on a 'see food' diet you know,
When I see food I eat it, and in girth I grow!

My jiggly thighs and wobbly arms,
Double chin and huge posterior alarms,
Try as I might, my weight-it just shoots high,
All I can do is regret and sigh!

Diet and gym - not my cup of tea,
Burgers, chips and pastries all cry out for me!
Push-ups, squats and those dreadful planks,
They are really not for me- please,No Thanks!

So what can I do, besides wait and watch,
And see myself grow like a huge, ugly blotch,
My growing weight has always been a bane,
Weight-watching is really driving me insane!

It's not that I am not inspired enough,
But diet plans and exercises-they all seem so tough,
At the most I can manage for two days or three,
After that once again I am on a binge(ing)  spree!

Don't get me wrong, but now I have lost all hope,
Weight-watching for me,has little or no scope!
Now I just wait and watch myself grow,
I eat what I relish,and now I don't even feel low!

V for Vela!

For the ones who are uninitiated to Bambaiyya slang.
Vela = someone who has got nothing to do and annoys other people who are busy 
/  a jobless person
Source- Urban Dictionary.

For a vela like me,
Life is a breeze,
No work, no deadlines.
I am all at ease!

So when I see others ,
Working their guts out,
I laugh aloud (in my head)
They are fools without any doubt!

'Cause a life as a vela,
Is everyone's dream,
Khao-piyo aish karo,
No boss at you will scream!

So as a certified vela,
I do my good deed,
I hinder and irritate others,
Seeing them work, my heart bleeds!

A vela I am, a vela I will be,
A future so bright and glorious I see,
All you busy- bodies, neck-deep in work,
I am happy as every chore I shirk!

All call me vela- a jobless fool,
But you know what, this life is cool,
Nothing gained nothing lost- I am my boss,
Goals, achievements- Let them go for a toss!

U for Unwind!

When the going gets too tough,
And the roads ahead seem a bit rough,
When you can't even think straight,
It shows its high time you relax......
Unwind - take a break!

When the work is all piled up,
Time -management is just not enough,
When you just don't have a clue,
How to meet the dead-lines......
Unwind - take a break!

When nothing you ever do goes right,
Your goals just don't seem to be in sight,
Everything you do is just in vain,
When you think you're going to turn insane......
Unwind - take a break!

Your physical and mental health is a mess,
There's heart-burn, anxiety and distress,
You feel you are going to sink,
Sleep and rest -they seem to elude you,
Unwind - take a break!

Time is slipping from your grip,
Your ability to work shows a mean dip,
You are trying hard without much success,
You want to bang your head in despair......
Unwind - take a break!

Everyone seems to be in a happy place,
You are trying to carve a niche,a space,
When there are signs that show you are doomed
You are in confusion,life is a mess........
 Unwind - take a break!

 Your loved ones don't even seem to care,
You cross, you alone have to bear,
When you feel life is all futile,
You just want to give up, maybe die.....
Unwind - take a break!

Unwind- because there's nothing you can't solve,
In time, every problem you can resolve,
When you relax, your mind gets clear,
Your goals, your desires seem so near!

Unwind- because the stress has to go,
There are good times for you in store,
Rest and leisure is needed in good measure,
For life is not all about work, but also pleasure!

Unwind- because you need to speak,
And find out where lie the links weak,
Communicate,and strengthen the ties,
You are not alone,from this too you will rise!

Unwind- do what makes you happy with glee,
Sing, dance, or go on a shopping spree,
Cook, travel, or catch up with friends,
Watch movies or discuss the latest trends.

Unwind- because life is not just a race,
Stop, pause, relax -slow down the pace,
You have just one life, make it worthwhile,
Learn to enjoy, take on challenges with a smile!