On Father's Day ----- A Monologue

      Father! Can you hear me?
       I yearn to speak   to you,
       If only you could answer,
       And tell me that you do.

      How blessed would I feel,
       Again  your voice to hear,
      Would rush to you as a child,
      Lost in a crowded fair.

     Though wishful dreaming it be,
    To seek your presence around,
     Having left this world for once,
     Has anyone ever returned?

      Yet, some memories  die hard,
      Dwelling so deep in the heart,
      Keep surfacing  now and then, 

      Like pictures on a movie screen.

     And what can ever silence,
     The words of  precious wisdom,
     You pronounced time to time,
     Whenever I sought your advice.
 

      Here, I am to tell you again,
     That I always  follow the path,
     You showed me  early in life,
     Believing I will never deviate.

      I  hardly know   other ways,
      To honour your loving memories,
       But  keep  your teachings in mind,
       Do what you always cherished.

      Could you hear me, dear  Father?
       Please speak, and even if you don't,
       I will presume that sure you  did,
       And blessed me in sweet silence!
   

Endlessly Enchanting ---- A Waterfall in the valley

      Behold the scenic grandeur,
      The amazing  waterfall creates,
      As if  rushing down from clouds,
      Like a stream of milky nectar.

      Emerging from secret springs,
      Hidden in the heart of hills,
      It brings abundant succour,
      To the valley all through the year.

        So flowers here bloom  unbidden,
       In countless  shapes and colours,
       Turning the valley into a rainbow,  
       Landed on the earth from heaven.

        Since  the eyes will refuse to move,
        Away from this rapturous  scene,
        Save it  in the book of  memory,
         To be enjoyed again and again.
 .

Valley of Flowers ------- A snapshot

 Right in the lap of the Himalayas,       
With snow-capped peaks  behind,
Blooms this alluring garden,  
As a unique creation of nature
           
The mystique of flowery abundance,
 Wraps the landscape in a charm,
With colours fascinating and bright,
And fragrance as a healing balm.

Nurtured amply by milky waters,
Emanating  from  mountain springs,
The flowers bloom unbidden,
Creating this magical ambience.

 Who is the  kind caretaker,

Of this  Eden on the earth,
Has anyone ever  seen him
Engaged in his sweet labour?      

Well, he may not be visible,
But one can feel   his presence,
Imprinted  inch by inch,
On this wondrous expanse.

Valley of Flowers ------ Nature's own favoured garden

From behind the dark blue hills,
 A king in golden armour,
Moves  majestically upward,       
Shooting beams of dazzling light,
Down to the farthest corner.

The rays come descending,
Gracefully on the flowery carpet,
Cautious enough not to trample --
 Even on the humblest of flowers.

The sky all  bright and  painted,
With gold and silver colours,
Emanates  heavenly grandeur,
Complementing the earth's splendour.

.

 In the heart of this divine  ambience,

As a precious jewel  in the crown,
Lies an expanse of nature's beauty 
Famed as the Valley Of Flowers.

  .

Children on the beach

      Children! how happy you are, 

       Playing on the beach so merrily,

       Leaving behind  past regrets,

       And worries of tomorrow ahead. 

       Artfully you build little sandcastles, 

       Using  utmost  interest and care,

       Decorate them with pretty seashells,

       Gathered from every here and there.

       Little do you seem to bother, 

       When the mischievous waves, 

       Rush shoreward all suddenly, 

       And wash everything out of sight.

       Yet, you continue the playful gesture,
       Without crying over  the damage,
        And begin to build all over again,
        As if it were part of the venture.

      Watching  intently from nearby,
      I can't but praise your wisdom,
      In keeping intact your resolve.
     Of not yielding before any hurdle.

      Wish we grown-ups  as well,

      Could adopt a balanced attitude,  
      To face life's odd challenges,
      With playful but persistent moves.