POEMS

VICTORIA BY NIGHT

‘Victoria’ by night with so many lights
Illuminates whole night-‘the paradise of lovers’,
heartthrob of millions.

‘Victoria ’at night sings songs in silence
for those not in abundance
except love’s fragrance.

‘Victoria ’at night shelters those flowers
that fear from extinction nip in the bud
by gap of generation.

‘Victoria ’at night cool breeze all over,
-a place not far from river echoing in the air
whispers of lovers.

‘Victoria ’at night protects her lovers by
the bushes under the trees caressing & kissing
all night, from dusk till dawn in ardent fervor.

HEAVEN OR HELL

All have to go one day either to heaven or to hell.

Most of us will leave after enjoying full term.

Some of us won't get that chance.

For some death is sudden

while others wait their turn to go to heaven.

Heaven or hell-we are not very sure

as we sow so shall we reap.

Death is painful, tearful,

calm & eternal peace.

Welcome for sufferings.

Neither can death be returned

nor can it be stopped.

Death is cruel & merciless,

won’t listen to incompleteness.

It has a duty to take us to heaven or to hell.

Wife will cry for husband. Husband for wife.

Sister for brother. Brother for sister.

Children for parents. Parents for children.

Friends & relatives-all will cry for their beloved.

Bid farewell forever to their dearest,

who till recently was their nearest.

Time is the best healer for sorrows.

Normalcy will be restored in due course.

It will be dawn again after the dark night.

Life will laugh at death after certain compromise.

VOID

My Papa did not return home after 11th September 2001.

I am now a very little kid who is not supposed to know

at this age as to what happened on that day

that made my Papa to turn his face off from me forever.

Perhaps when I will grow up enough and start speaking,

probably, one of those days I will ask my Mother

– “Mama could you tell me why I don't find my Papa

around when others of my age enjoy the comfort

and warmth of father's lap.”

I will wonder after some years from now

as to why I don't utter the word “Papa”

like others do a number of times during day and night.

Perhaps I will ask Mama for an answer

and Mama will point her index finger

towards the blue sky where thousands and thousands

of stars are twinkling endlessly

and tell me -- “My dear son, look at the sky.

Your Papa has become a star. He is looking at you. Talk to him.”

Perhaps I will or I will not be convinced by what Mama tells me.

A day will come when I will know everything

that my Papa died out of an aircraft accident

on board caused by some headless terrorists

who attacked Pentagon, South & North Towers in the New York city.

Perhaps I will not draw any satisfaction

out of what I will be learning either from my Mom or

my neighbors but gradually I will adjust myself with

the hard fact of life that some boys like me are

born like this and draw my conclusion.

COURT JESTER

I am a Court Jester. A fool in the King's court.

Ever since my induction in the King's Court

I made thousands of people present there to laugh

and forget the boredom for a moment

I remember how I made the King's daughter 'Amrapali'

-- who was sick for months and refused to eat and drink

– laugh one day without tickling and I received

the King's pat on my back the same evening.

I have now grown old.

Although I engage my full energy to please people

but I am not sure whether they derive

the same pleasure with my old stock of jokes

as they used to a couple of years back.

I have been informed by the King's people

that they are searching for a new

Court Jester which means my days are numbered.

TITANIC LOVE

Who to go first Titanic breathes its last

Women and Children – be ready for the cruise

Boats are afloat to sail you to the shore.

Old and disabled your turn next.

Don't be upset. Don't lose your heart.

You too will survive. Wait for your turn.

Titanic you are calm. No fear of death.

No one to mourn your demise.

No one to drop tears. No one now to rear.

You are no more dear.

Titanic sinks. Passengers in panic.

Running in fear. Who to go first –

Men, women, children Old, disabled or strong.

Titanic – no sympathizer for you.

You can't speak. You have no feeling.

Neither will you enjoy nor

will you condole the death of so many.

Who to go first – the selfish, the strong or

the cunning and slick ? Not all will survive.

He who is nimble, deserves to win this gamble.

Prince and the pauper, Ambassadors

and the Bureaucrats, Lord and the servants

– All are now equal in the eyes of the great ocean,

laughing and roaring for the final feast.

Survival of the fittest. Presence of mind is best.

Passengers run fast. Stampede follows thus.

Wailing all around Oh God save our lives.

Rush of the maddening crowd.

All want a chance. Can't death be kept far

till the boats take them to safer shores.

Hope and despair – Who to go first.

No chance to miss. The cowards jump first.

No looking behind , who is dead or alive.

Father minus mother. Brother minus sister.

Titanic sinks fast.

Lovers hold each other with a promise of no separation.

Now below the water.

No further chance of survival.

Water water everywhere.

Titanic is sunk forever.

BOMBAY SAILOR

On the deck of the ship at night

I stand alone to see the vast ocean

in front of me which is very calm

and eternal without the quality of age

and getting old like us humans.

The moon on the sky spreading its light

all over the sea, making the situation vivid,

lascivious and romantic forcing me to think

about you Julia, thousands of miles apart

now enjoying good sleep and sweet dreams

in the fragrance of love.

It is over a year now since I took leave of you

to join the marine force at Bombay

against your wish because I had no choice then

and also to hasten the nuptial knot

by the grace of my new job.

Someone down the deck is playing a banjo

to the tune of a popular song of sailors:

“When are we returning home

to meet our sweethearts?

The separation is very painful.

Our hearts become sad and

solace cannot be drawn from the ocean

who knows only to laugh like a negro

showing his white teeth.”

Julia, don't misunderstand me.

my new job won't pay very handsomely, I admit.

But we will manage to get married at least.

We will have our baby early

so as not to feel lonely

during the days of my voyage

to known or unknown places to seven seas away.

There is a saying in India

– “When poverty enters the room through the door,

love goes away through the window forever

and never returns back.”

Julia, do you think this will be true in our fate?

Julia, if for any reason I return home late,

won't you wait for me?

Will there be a person who could snatch you from me?

Julia, the moon has suddenly disappeared

and the sky is covered with dark clouds.

The ship has now gained momentum.

The bell of alarm is sounded indicating

bad weather ahead.

Ship Captain is requesting all to clear the deck.

Certain things in life are unpredictable,

sea is one among them.

The wind is blowing very fast,

weather is very rough and boring,

not allowing me to think about you,

Julia, my sweetheart.

Why after us, you cruel, merciless,

heartless, grueling devil?

I am now inside my cabin,

not too safe a place to escape although.

The sea is roaring with huge waves

and threatening to overturn the ship any moment

sending all of us to the womb of the great ocean,

the return from where will be an impossible mission.

The behavior of the sea looks uncooperative really.

I have a doubt, any untoward may happen any time

without having a chance to see you,

Julia even for once.Come what may, Julia

– in the event of my no return

brave my absence without tears,

face this world without fear.

The horn of the ship is blowing madly.

The Radio Room is frantically transmitting

SOS messages.“There is a hole in the ship”

– announced the Captain.

“Water is pouring inside with great force.

The ship is now on the verge of sinking.

I find no chance of our survival.

However, let me wish you goodbye

before I start the journey to my heavenly abode” –

Captain threw his last words in a hurry.

Sailors run fast to grab the life jackets

that are also not plenty.

If I am lucky I may perhaps get one.

The life boats have long been thrown

in the sea by the impact of the heavy storm.

In the name of you Julia, I intend to survive.

I am now on the water, Julia depending solely

on the life-jacket of a colleague of mine

who has just died fighting with the cold water.

No navigational aid to decide where I am.

Will the sharks spare me to meet you, Julia?

MIDNIGHT

It is midnight at this tiny town now when

I look up at the sky and wonder

how the Moon is visible amidst the clouds.

So also the twinkling stars that are laughing aloud.

I look down the road – a metallic indigo

where the noise of vehicles disappeared a little while ago.

The beggars are laying their beds on the footpath

displaying the begging bowl as their logo.

I look up at the houses around me

where most of my neighbors have retired to bed.

Some are still awake for reasons of habit or

because they could not complete the household work

on time or the students consider it the most

appropriate time to concentrate on their studies

so as to keep high their head.

I look up at the trees in front of my house

wherethe chirping sounds of a few birds can still be heard.

Probably they too will go to bed after completing

rest of the day's work and sleep at a height

where they cannot be scared.

It is midnight now and the guards of the locality

blowing whistles making all feel their presence

shouting, “Be careful, be alert” – the whole of the night.

But nobody bothers, all are enjoying good and sound sleep

except perhaps me on this rooftop

in the darkness without any light.

CLEOPATRA

The Queen of beauty and the wickedest woman.

Loved by Julius Caesar and consequently

was killed by a Roman.

Such was the glory of Cleopatra the Egyptian Queen.

Here follows the story of the sagacious heroine.

Egyptians praised her as a good ruler,

intelligent and knowledgeable.

Whereas Romans branded her a man-killer and undependable.

Death of her husband paved the way for Caesar.

Caesar fell in Cleopatra's love which was disliked by Romans

and so he had to die.

Many things happened in Rome and Egypt thereafter.

Octavian, nephew of Caesar, became the ruler of Rome

as heir to Caesar's throne.

Marc Anthony – the General of Julius Caesar's army

came into the scene following the footsteps of his King.

He fell in love with Cleopatra and offered her his ring.

“Cleopatra” – called Anthony.

“Life is incomplete without you rather.

”Soon they fell in love with each other

looking back no further.

The impact of their love was so great

it helped Anthony to forget his people

for which he had no regret.

But Anthony had to return to Rome one day.

His wife declared war against Octavian.

He cut short his stay and decided to join in the fray.

Anthony and Octavian compromised.

Anthony married Octavian's sister without

compromising his love for Cleopatra dear.

This was disliked by Octavian and

so Anthony was penalized and became full of fear.

Octavian declared war on Anthony

wherein Anthony was defeated and fled

leaving Cleopatra to her fate.

Later, Anthony was informed that Cleopatra was dead.

Anthony could not stand this news.

He became very confused.

He took out his sword and killed himself

without knowing that Cleopatra was not dead.

Soldiers informed Cleopatra Anthony's mishap.

Also Anthony's last wish to die in her lap.

Without fulfilling his wish Anthony closed his eyes forever.

No one now to call Anthony ever.

Cleopatra chained in the hands of Octavian cried,

“Do not kill me, I love you” – she lied.

Seeing Octavian not much convinced

Cleopatra then committed suicide.

Supremacy of women over men

led to war and confusion.

Octavian established justice and

male domination after becoming successful

in his maiden mission.

VEENADI

On a wintry evening in the house of Veenadi

we all sat on garden chairs outside the snow clad lawn

in the outskirts of New Jersey,where Veenadi lived

– to enjoy our cup of coffee by invitation.

That evening we won't forget

even at the cost of the dinner party

hosted by the Prince of a famous royal state in India

who happened to be in the town that day

– the party was very expensive and pompous.

On that wintry evening in the house of Veenadi

no special arrangements were made to play

Ricky Martin or Madonna but a faint sound of Sitar

played by Pandit Ravishanker was emanating

from one corner from an old gramophone

under the rhododendron tree.

Silence for a minute – a voice made us stop

all our talking suddenly – it was Veenadi

pointing her finger at a bush

atop a hillock with the full moon in the background

– a white, black-eyed spotted stag

looking innocently and inquisitively at us.

A very rare scene at this time of the year

– informed Veenadi. “Is he not nice?”

– she asked seeking our approval.

Veenadi had a tragedy we came to know later.

She lost her only son in a car accident

a few yearsago on the birthday of Raja

– the sweet son who couldn't enjoy

his sixteenth birthday.

The family thus was in great distress.

Veenadi was weeping leaving us wondering

what could be the linkage !

Every year on this day of the year

he appears on the scene under the guise of this stag

– her belief – to meet her from a distance and tell her,

“Look Mom, I am here.Forget me not.

I shall be with you till the last breath of my life.”

“Sorry” – said Veenadi.

I caused you embarrassment.I

t is very cold outside. Let us go in.

I wanted to share my experience over coffee.

Spellbound and lost, with no voice to console,

we followed Veenadi to her house

that wintry evening.