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AND THE WINGS TRANSPIRE

There is this particular species of ants which grow wings when their life comes to an end. Ever thought what would you have done if such a phenomenon was with us human beings? What you will do? Where you will fly?

And The Wings Transpire

She tried hard to smile

I admit, it was convincing

Fidgeting with my fingers for a while

I knew what her mind was conceiving

He was strolling on the granite tiles

His eyes staring the pallid ceiling

The journey would take miles

His heart at its best was consoling

Mr. Blackwell put his coat

And slowly showed us the way

I never have thought

To pretend will paint my face

In such a gray

Then it began

I was waiting for it

But never expected

For it to happen

In such a brief span

My wings

Stone cold

But calm like sea

Their existence

Merged with mine

Defining my soul

With a vast spree

Happy I was

Though I could see

The dark tunnel was visible

In front of me

Whose other end

No one shall foresee

Such an irony

The moment

Terror reign my spirit

I was

At the verge of

Naming myself ‘Irit’

The vision hit the brain hard

Scurrying in a list

The game had already

Set the cards

I fly, yes

I flew to her

To say what was unspoken

What I never intended to let out

But this was

Demand of time

And her tears proved

As the oscillation chimed

Then again I rose

Up in the meek

There they were

Oh, the touch of their skin

On my cheek

I would have wait

Till eternity

But the voices

They were calling my name

Please, have a little more patience

O divine fraternity

I did this

I do that

I went there

And here too

Until the moment

They begin the shredding

Me?

More reasons to smile

Love and light

Filled my heart

Eradicating

All the possible ciphers of vile

Ah, so it’s time

The wings are gone

And so is the purpose

Gone? Wrong

Fulfilled; that’s now better

Yellow and orange waves

Accompanied by eternal red

Though still I venture here

The path to home is paved

I shall not stop them

It won’t be justice

But truly said

It was no gem

I know

They will understand

They will smile

That I know

And me? Well

My fingers still

Caress them

Where those unearthly wings

Once reside

TRIBUTE TO ONE WHO IS GONE FOREVER

I wrote this poem for someone who used to define my existence to a large extent once, but as fate had it, things turned unexpectedly as they have a knack to do often and that person is no more there. I don’t know the whereabouts but memories are memories. So, this creation is in tribute to the one who is gone forever. Sorry for the simplistic and plain writing but sometimes, things have to be crude in order to represent their true meaning or intention. Don’t you think so? Hope you can relate to it.

Tribute to one who is gone forever

Have a glance around

And tell me what you see

Isn’t the world full of

Things from which you want to flee?

This so-called society

Built on rational elements

May seem to mount over

The principles which

You comprehend

But as you know yourself

And as you know who are

These two paradigms

Will mark the destiny

With a longing scar

Rise, as you have always

Rise against your will

Rise till your body and soul

Cry for mercy

And beg to be still

For I know you can do it

I know you have done it

What it takes

For the bravest men

You have so easily

Adopted it in your will

When the situation

Will pinnacle menacingly

You will laugh at its face

And God knows the menace

Will bow before you

In a graceful pace

So fear not anything

As it is the mark-o-nature

Just advance like always

Breaking the barriers

And shifting aside all dangers

Just remember

When you will falter

I will be there to hold you

In one way or another

And when you will be

On that zenith’s height

When all the world

Will be at your might

You will always find me

Among the crowd

Raising my thumb

And with a smile really proud

Great things

Are meant for you

And great things

You will achieve in life

If nothing else

You will always

Find my best wishes

By your side.....

THAT CRANKY OLD MAN

Walking through the streets, we always encounter some very old and rickety men who look like lost in another world. Often we wonder why they look so distraught and flustered. Pondering upon such thoughts for a few seconds, we continue to our path and forget all about it very soon. The fact which no youth think of or rather, don’t want to think of is old age. Here is a poem of an old man on his deathbed which he has written to the nurses who are appointed for his under taking. What he thinks of them, of his perspective and the life which he has seen. Feel free to leave your feedback and  remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within ... We will all, one day, be there, too……………………

That cranky old man.

 What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?

 What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?

 A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,

 Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?

 Who dribbles his food .. . ... . . and makes no reply.

 When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'

 Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.

 And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?

 Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will,

 With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?

 Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?

 Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.

 I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,

 As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will.

 I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,

 Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another

 A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet

 Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.

 A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.

 Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.

 At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.

 Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.

 A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,

 Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.

 At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,

 But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.

 At Fifty, once more, .. ...Babies play 'round my knee,

 Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.

 Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.

 I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.

 For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.

 And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.

 I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.

 It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.

 The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.

 There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.

 But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,

 And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells

 I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.

 And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.

 I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.

 And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.

 So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.

 Not a cranky old man .

 
 Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!

*Inspired by the poem 'The old man' by David l. Griffith

KOI HAI SAATH

Well, writing after really a long time. Was entangled in earthly stuffs. You know, stuffs.......
Anyways, this new poem is in Hindi. Yeah, I love Hindi as much as English. You may be thinking that why an English writer like me venture into the realm of Hindi from time to time. The answer is, there are some things which are expressed best in Hindi and Hindi only. Okay then, hope you will enjoy it. And do not forget to leave your feedback. They really, really help me to improve.........

कोई है साथ

चला जा रहा था बस
 ना क्षितिज का ठौर
ना  किसी मंजिल का ठिकाना
बस चल रहा एक दिशा में
चेहरे पर क्या भाव थे
खुद मैं नहीं जनता
बस पाँव  ले जा रहे थे

दर्द ? हाँ, दर्द तो था
लेकिन कितना ?
खुद हँस रहा था इस सवाल पर
हताशा, जो पहले दिल पे छाई थी
अब तो मेरी दुनिया ही रंगी है उसमे
और ले-दे कर बची निराशा
वो तो इन दोनों की परम सहेली है
अंततः वो भी साथ हो ली मेरे

सोच कहाँ थी ?
विचार कहाँ थे ?
मस्तिष्क के पट पर
एक चलचित्र सी
चल रही थी दोनों की
जिसने  आँखों को
चौंधिया दिया था

इन्ही ख्यालों में
डूबता-उतराता
बस बढ़ते जा रहा था
रेत पर पैरों के निशान बनाते हुए

तभी  आभास हुआ
कोई साथ हो लिया है
आश्चर्यचकित, मैंने देखा उसे
यह भला कौन साथ हुआ
और साथ भी किसके
एक ऐसे इंसान के
जो आज शुन्य में
परिवर्तित  हुआ जा रहा है
जिसका वजूद ही एक त्रास है
उसके खुद के  लिए

खैर, जो भी है
उसकी मर्ज़ी
साथ देने को तो और कई थे
इस अभागे को मैं ही मिला
माहौल की नीरवता के वास्ते
मैंने ही आखिरकार पूछ लिया
कौन हो भाई तुम ?
और मेरे साथ क्यूँ हो लिए ?
वो इंसान  सिर झुकाए
मेरे साथ चलता रहा
और मुस्कुराकर बोला
भगवान्
हा! भगवान् ?!
यह अविश्वास नहीं था
मेरे मन में
बस नियति पे हँसा  था

अब मिले हो प्रभु
मैंने हँसते हुए प्रणाम किया
अब दर्शन दिए हैं ईश्वर ने
कहिये कैसे कृपा की

उसने, जो खुद को बता रहा था
भगवान्, सृष्टि-संचालक, दुखों का हर्ता,
मेरे कंधे पर हाथ रखा
और बोला मेरे कानों में
एक बार देखो अपने पीछे
खुद के पैरों के निशानों को
जो अथाह रेत में उभरे पड़े हैं

मैंने उसे अविश्वास से घूरा
क्या बोल रहा है यह ?
आज जब जिंदगी रूठ कर चली गयी
एक बेजान शरीर छोड़ कर
और तकदीर ने मुँह मोड़ा
तबाही का पैगाम  लिख कर
यह आया है मेरे पास
कहाँ था अब तक ?
जब इस विशाल संसार में
कोई नहीं था अपना कहने को
जब दुनिया ने त्याग किया था मेरा
बिना किसी  कसूर के
आप तब कहाँ थे हजरत ?
और आया भी है तो आज
अन्धकार की हमजोली बन कर

क्या चाहता है मुझसे ?
हाँ, पीछे पलटने को कह रहा था
देखूं भला क्या मंशा है इसकी
इस सोच के साथ
पीछे पलटा मैं

देखा, तो बस देखते रह गया
नीले आकाश के तले
और स्वर्णिम रेत में
उभरे थे निशान पाँव के
जगमगाते, झिलमिलाते
मेरी दृष्टि वहाँ पहुँच गयी
जो  शायद छुपी थी पहले

देखा की मेरे अच्छे दिनों में
जब मैं खुश रहने का आदि था
और एक अनजान उर्जा से
दिल उत्साहित रहता था
दो  जोड़ी पैरों के निशान थे
जो साथ में चले आ रहे थे

लेकिन  जल्दी ही वो नज़ारा दिखा
जिसने मुझे इस दशा में पहुँचाया
वक़्त,  वो वक़्त जिसने कमजोरी की
ऐसी परिभाषा लिखी
की मैंने खुद को
ख़त्म  करने में भी
असमर्थ पाया
और निश्चय ही वहाँ भी थे
पैरों के निशान
सिर्फ एक जोड़ी  में
दूसरा जोड़ा गायब था

अब  मुस्कुराने की बारी मेरी थी
पलटा मैं वापस
और कहा उस 'भगवान्' से
छोड़ तो तुमने भी दिया ही
जब मुसीबतों ने मुझे घेरा
बस  सुख के साथी बने रहे
क्या फर्क है भई तुम में
और उन बाकी सांसारिक जीवों में ?

यह क्या ?
फिर वही मुस्कराहट ?!
वही हृदय में
शूल की भाँती
लगती मुस्कराहट
इससे पहले मैं पूछता कुछ
वो फिर मेरे समीप आया
और जो कहा मुझसे
आज  भी शायद
स्तब्ध खड़ा हूँ मैं
वही का वही उसे सुनकर
कहा उसने
मैं तब भी साथ था
आज भी साथ ही हूँ
बस अंतर इतना सा है
तुम्हे बिठा  लिया
अपने  कंधे पर
यह पैरों के निशान
मेरे ही हैं
कारण ?
अब वह बताने की
शायद जरुरत नहीं

बिजली सी कौंध गयी
मेरी रगों में
झटके से उसकी ओर मुड़ा
पर अब भला
वह क्यूँ दिखने लगा
जब होश में आया
तो हाथ  खुद-ब -खुद
दिल पर पहुँचा
और यथार्थ की तहें
खुलती गयीं

अकेला ? और मैं ?
हा! फिर हँस  रहा था मैं
पागलों की तरह
जोर-जोर से
चिल्ला-चिल्ला कर

कैसे व्यक्त करता
मैं अपने उद्गारों को
आँखों में
जो सरिता उमड़  पड़ी थी
बस वही थी
मेरी श्रधांजलि

फिर चल पड़ा था
इस बार
एक ऐसे साथी के साथ
जो तब भी मेरे साथ होगा
जब मैं खुद के साथ
ना  रहूँगा.................


 

 








 





   

IN SEARCH OF " ? "

It has happened with many of us;

We were so sure that a particular profession was meant for us but due to extremely unfortunate events, we were forced to change the route.

We knew we were destined to be with that guy/girl but it never worked and now it seems there is no love left in the world.

We were so sure that what we believed was the only truth and everything else was meaningless until recently when we encountered a proof which forced us to think otherwise.

So what does it mean? Are we directionless, aimless and without any discipline? Is this world really meant to be cruel with us all the time? Are we to never achieve things we want right from our heart?

You may find the answers in the following poem, or you may not. It doesn’t matter what you choose or not, what really matters is where it leads you in the search of what you  deserve……………..

In search of “?” 

They are so convinced

They are so sure

I see them relax

As if they got the cure

But when I see around

It all seems so blur

Though everything is clear

Still it's so blur

I think of that goal

To which I am destined

Or of those believes

Peace in which I find

But then I am

In this strange place

Where the mind is

At a different pace

I hear it say,

“Does it really matter?

How can you be so sure?

It's not only the clatter?”

The clatter of self-deception

The clatter of a vice

The clatter which decides

The game with a dice

I know it's not confusion

I know it's not some lack

Can’t name this feeling

Is it guiding me off track?

I have seen people

Who were dead set

But did terrible things to themselves

When their aims were not met

Determination is one thing

Flexibility is other

But again this mind

Don’t reveal much further

This is my conclusion

This is what I think

We all are is search of

An answer to the link

That link which says -

Alright you don’t get it,

You can get ‘that’

That link which explains -

This you find better?

Feel free to follow ‘that’

This search of decades

This search of eternity

We all are on a journey

In search of

That unknown fraternity……………

*Technical text. No need to read 6M3NB8C9RKB2