HOPE

                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Hope is the thing we fear
                       To entertain in the mind
               Lest it should turn out vain 
                      Smashing our happiness forever 

              But let me tell you, dear friends,
                      It is also the only thing
             That keeps clinging to the heart 
               Even in the worst of weathers !

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Photo courtesy __
euttaranchal.com

THE INVISIBLE

                Have you ever seen God,

                  Or heard His voice?
                I know you  won't claim that,
                         Nor would I.

                  But as I look around,
              I feel the presence of a spirit,
              Manifest in every single thing,
                   Living or otherwise.
   
               The boundless stretch of the blue,
                Overseeing the earth below,
                Covering it from end to end,
             Like the most concerned guardian.

                And the earth all stretched about,
                 Enlivened with myriad creatures,
                  Amazes me with its capacity, 
                 To hold so much in its sphere.

                 The ocean touching the horizon,
                     Sets me wondering  often,
                Why it never  breaks its shores,

              To devour the whole of the landmass! 

                  Has anyone seen the life-saving air,
                  That we must breathe to survive?
                 And aren't the sunlight and water,
                  Prove of His benign presence?

                      So, what if we don't see Him,
                       Present is He everywhere,
                   And we, a grain of this creation, 
                   Are blessed to live under His care !!

                  
                  

WELCOME --- 2018

     

                Hail to you New year!
                The guest most cherished, 
                Welcomed with ultimate cheer,
                All around, across the world!

               With houses and homes lit up,
               And vibrant floral decors,
               Sweet music floating in the air,
               Loaded with laughter and cheer.


                Fireworks shooting up in a row,
                To create awesome images,  
                And startle excited onlookers,
              With the magic unfolded in the air.

                 Exchange of delicious sweetmeats,
                 Good wishes and warm greetings.,
                 Among family members and friends,
                  And even with total strangers.


                 You are the great harbinger,
                 Of joy and hope everywhere,
                  Coming with a bagful of gifts,
                  No one has seen earlier.

                   Now, as you come to settle here,
                   I'm to make a humble request,
                  And ask for something of my choice,
                  From the gift bag you have carried.

                    Don't think I am going to ask,
                   Anything for just myself,
                   That would be rather selfish,
                   Even worse, a greedy gesture.

                    What my wishlist  includes,
                     Are shelters for the homeless,
                    Food enough for  the hungry,
                    Family bliss for the orphans.

                    Peace for the troubled  regions,
                    Wreaked by insane violence,
                    More of good sense and  reason,
                    For those at the helm of power.

                      A resolve among  humans,
                     To respect and protect Nature,
                     And behave as worthy children,
                     Of a mother so benign and patient.

                     Pray, grant me all these wishes,
                     At least some few of them,
                     And I shall be singing in gratitude,
                    Through all the times to come.
               

             








         

     



    

THE GLOW BEFORE THE SUNSET

                      ''Au revoir '' , said the  setting Sun,
                        Sliding down the western horizon, -
                        Painted gold and crimson all over,
                        Richer than ever in its glamour.

                      My eyes followed it till the point,
                       It was no longer visible there,
                       And then  began to speculate 
                       where it suddenly disappeared!

       
                        Was it the end of a glorious journey,
                        Across the endless firmament,
                        Or the continuance of the same, 
                       On the other side of the big sphere?

                       Where all over the land and seas,
                       A  whole living world  be getting up,
                     Refreshed from a night's  good  sleep,
                       To welcome the new day ahead.

 
                         While here, we are  keenly waiting,
                          For the evening shadows to deepen,
                         So to wind up the day's labour,.
                         And rest in the night's silent hours.  

           
                        But neither we nor  those living,
                         On the other side of the globe,
                        Ever wish the Sun to stop and rest, 
                     As that would endanger our own existence,

                          And take its appearance for granted,
                          On the eastern  horizon each morning,
                           To  ensure the continuance  of life
                            With light and warmth forever!


         

LITTLE WONDERS

THE SMILE THAT HEALS

            A smile is the sweetest emotion,

            Expressed on a human face,

            Saying more than words can do,

                 With its magical vibes

            The innocent smile of a child,

             As dew-drops on rose petals,

            Shining like little diamonds,

            In the rays of the rising sun.   

             

            The smile of a young mother,

            Blessed with  her first child,

          Pressing the newborn to her bosom,

            With ultimate pride and care. 

           These smiles assert that life is  --
           Simple and sweet for the most part
             And so, is  worth enjoying
             Despite occasional hazards!

                                                                     

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