THE FENCE

At whose behest
this fence built
separating us?
At whose behest
gun-wielding men
in camouflage lined
along both sides of
the fence?
Till the other day
there was no fence
there were no men in
camouflage
and we were kept in the
dark by some ‘dark’
elements
about the creation of
a fence separating us
till the other day.
Our ancestors the same
the blood running through our veins the same
we studied together
we played together
we mingled freely
we were all one and
the same
parents, siblings, relatives
and neighbours all.
At whose behest
this fence got erected
overnight,
isolating parents
siblings, relatives
and neighbours?
At whose behest
these unfamiliar
men in camouflage
aiming guns
positioned along
either side
of the fence?
Sometimes for fun’s sake
they trigger their guns
in the process
inflicting casualities
we are helpless
we are hapless
we can very well
hear the cries of
our blood on the other
side
our cries they too
must be hearing
albeit
no way to cross over
to either sides.
The ones who ordered
the creation of this fence
must be having celebrations
in their durbars
and we are
saddened by
frightened by
shocked by
intermittent firings
across the border by the
men in camouflage
and a feeling of
suffocation, overpowering us.

DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS ON RAISING DEBT CEILING

Fears of a double-dip recession stares in the face of US citizens with Republicans and Democrats landing on a collision course for the last few weeks. President Barack Obama’s efforts to raise the debt ceiling from the present $14.3 trillion are being scuttled by the Republicans who constitute a majority in Senate arguing that instead of raising the debt ceiling spending cuts are the best solution. Democrats counters the Republicans by advocating that cuts in spending will not only affect the social sector but also affect the payment of salaries of the federal workers and social sector and the party points towards various sectors which are going to be affected by spending cuts. An adamant G.O.P (Grand Old Party) still sticks to its guns thereby plunging the economy to a default crisis.
Tuesday is set to be the deadline before which a solution should have to be arrived at and US Congress though with the co-operation of Republicans passed the increase in debt ceiling the Senate where the Republicans constitute the majority scuttled it pointing towards differences in the Republican camp.
In the event of debt ceiling crisis not resolved AAA rating will be threatened and a double-dip recession is the consequence.
Raising taxes of the wealthy is anathema to the Republicans since a long time, it must be recalled.
It is reported that stock prices are plunging in the Wall Street and investors are panicky because of the piquant situation that America is in on account of the Democratic-Republican collision path over the raising of the debt ceiling.
Federal Reserve Governor Ben Bernanke has already hinted the possibility of the adverse consequences lest the problem is resolved soon.
Let’s await how the events are going to turn out whether a repproachment is possible in the end after marathon talks between the ruling Democratic and Republicans.

TWISTS AND TURNS

Life often takes
unexpected twists and turns
contrary to the hopes and
expectations of human beings.
Dreams, thoughts, actions
all easy to preach
and they need not go
along the dotted lines.
Grit and resolve always
good
ambitions, dreams very nice
and all a must
but fate could turn
the dreamhouses upside down
otherwise
how a person who whole-heartedly,
sincerely and with determination
pursuing a doctorate
in a given field
land in a peon’s post
and how an average youth
with money power enter a
medical institution
how a promising life
in the prime of life
being cut short
by fate
fate, we could say
accidents, catastrophes
like volcanic eruptions
earthquakes, terror strikes
famines snuffing out
lives with a single stroke
what explanations all
these leave?
Still we tread knowing
the lurking dangers
awaiting to
strike anytime
that is human existence.

CHANGING TIMES

Once
the strong arm tactics
of the management
and
equally defiant united union
often clashed with sparks flying
all around.
The might of the determined
management
and the equally mighty united
union upon clashing
with renewed vigour
often ended in conflagration
causing massive loss to
the institution
at last the management cowed
down under pressure
with the sharp edge of
the weapon of strong army tactics getting
blunted in the process.
Of late
with information technology
leaping forward
managment too blessed
with a leaway
and instead of strong measures
to drive a wedge
in the union which is too easy
often befriending a
faction of it
and thus brother
pitted against brother
with trade unions often
losing the upper hand.
Now we are
several unions
one hates to have a
tolerant view of the
other
with the mighty giant
having the last laugh
and the victims using antiquated weapons
fighting losing battles.

CAN YOU IMAGINE……….?

Can you imagine
a scientist
an intellectual
or for that matter
a genius
starving for days together
in a pitiless world?
Can you imagine the
ordeal of
an illiterate poor
a skinny woman
a poor girl child
and for that matter
any child
undergo
days together without food
and clothes
unable to make both
ends meet
whereever they are?
Can you imagine millions
of Somalians
suffering from famine
and fleeing to refugee camps
and falling dead on
the way
tired and without a
drop of water to quench
their thirst
and for that matter
mothers who are compelled to
leave half-way their
dying children
whose innocent eyes haunt them as
long as they continue to
be in the world?
These are all facts
tragic facts
which happen right before
our eyes
chilling
mind-boggling, everything.
And for that
matter
can you digest the naked
truth of
millionaires and billionaires
caring two hoots for the
ordeals of millions
wining and dining with their
families, friends and relatives
in their multi-storied flats
celebrating life each day?

PATH TO STARDOM

The path to stardom
is riddled with hurdles,
The path never a bed of
roses
full of thorns, sharp stones
thick bushes and craters.
Running from pillar to post
not enough
ambition not enough
perseverance not enough
hard work not enough
all but essential.
True, some are born actors
they too have to trudge a
long path
they are but exceptional
cases
lady luck always cast a blessing
glance at them
but many not that lucky
even if they are blessed with
the rare talent of acting
some leap straight to
the roles of heroes and
heroines
such cases not always
prevalent.
Ready to be cast in
less important roles
and by proving their
mettle
to the satisfaction of
the men behind the cameras
they are blessed with
more and more shining roles
ultimately reaching stardom
fame and money power always
come with it
Lady luck never stays
even after
achieving stardom
it has its ups and downs
complacency and overconfidence
all but path to
oblivion.
All enlightenment arrived
at
by watching
by hearing
but not by experiencing
since I am not a star
at all
but a common man.

BE PRAGMATIC

Not a day passes
without I telling lies
not a day passes
without you telling lies
not a day passes without
I telling truths
not a day passes without
you telling truths
not a day passes
without you and I
telling lies and truths
lies, truths and true lies
all part of our life
part and parcel of
our life.
Unpack your lies
unpack our lies
unpack our true lies
never mind the reactions
of others
no one exempt from
this game of lies and
truths
and bother not
what the religions teach
bother not what the
scriptures teach
bother not what
the gospels teach
bother not what
great men of yore teach
lies, truths and true lies
all part of our life
part and parcel of
our life
perfection is something
one aspires for
but none attains that
state,
even the great men
even the great men of yore.
After all who needs
this perfection?

THE FLOW

At the very outset
it is a rock
large and shapeless
with pointed ends.
With swift flow of water
with incessant flow of water
it rolls along
touch here, touch there
touch here and there
it gets a shape, it
becomes soft
it evolves into a big pebble
and evolves into small size
at last it becomes one
with water.
Like-wise
the stone of our experiences
a combination of sweet and
bitter experiences
with the swift current of time
swift current of time
melt into nothingness
clearing ways for
newer experiences
sweet and bitter
a never-ending process
a cyclical process
with no end in sight.
Water or time
whatever it be
the flow is the truth
the Ultimate Truth.

SHOCK TREATMENT

In the peak hours
of a morning
with the sun literally burning
in the sky
forcing the city catching
fire
a man
a sturdy middle-aged man
some commented him a
confirmed drunkard
others correcting it
by calling him insane
nobody knew for sure
who he was
what he was.
Brandishing a long iron-rod
mouthing choice-epithets
towards the passers by and
onlookers
frightening each with his
menacing, burning eyes
forcing them to run for
cover
even the police men on duty
beat a retreat by his
aggressive ways
still commanding him
to surrender
determined to conquer
tried to pounce on him
but was forced to
back-track.
He like a dare-devil
‘rolled on’ like a
juggernaut
unexpectedly
the man saw
the people in street
saw
an elephant running
amuck
from the opposite
direction
trumpeting
wreaking destruction all
the way
forcing the people to
flee for life
all
including the man
threw away the rod
and vanished from the
scene
dissolved into thin air
who was he?
what was he?
drunkard or insane.
A simpleton elephant
could remedy
his malady
within seconds.

SUMMER GET-TOGETHERS

Come Summer
in the evenings a few
women in the residential
colony
flock together and begin
chatting
their kids too accompany
them and
start playing
in a small stadium
just in front of
the chatting ladies.
Children play pranks
on each other, play
hide and seek games and
all sorts of little
little games.
Women quarrel not
argue not
they simply chat
interspersed with laughters.
They just want to
pass time, kill time
occasionally watching
and caring their kids
playing just in front.
Sometimes one or two
cars or cycles speed
down the streets
while they go on talking.
With dusk descending
and darkness falling
each woman with her
kid or kids after bidding
adieu for the day
walk the path to her
residence,
switches on lights and fans
with TVs
taking over the jobs.
Certain women stay
confined to their houses
they keep aloof from
the evening chats
some know not how to
mingle, some hesitate
and some feel superior to
others and feel partaking
in the evening meetings something
below status.
With the blanket of
darkness falling
those who
return from work to their residences
with luminous street lights
pervading the whole area
ladies with their vanity bags hanging
over their shoulders
and men with their
suit-cases in hands.
Come monsoon
the evening get-togethers end
with the rains
playing spoil-sport for a long span.

NORWAY TOO ROCKED BY TERROR

Norway was a comparatively peaceful country till the other day. A sudden, unexpected jolt shook this West European nation in the form of brutal terror attack claiming about 100 lives in two separate attacks. A 32 year old man Anders Behring Breivick, who boasts himself to be ‘a right wing Christian fundamentalist’ shot dead almost 85 people – the number could rise further – at Otoeyo island where a summer camp for Labour Party youngsters in the age group of 19 to 25. The first was a bomb blast which ripped through govt buildings at Central Oslo, capital of Norway wreaking havoc and destruction in which Labour Party Prime Minister Jens Stenton narrowly escaped as the blast took place close to his office. The shell-shocked people of Norway will have to take a long time to come to terms with the terrorist attack which is supposed to be the first carnage since the World War II attacks. The tentacles of terrorist hydra have reached the peaceful nation virtually forcing each Norwegian in a state of shock.
Nations the world over have expressed shock and anger on hearing about the carnage extended solidarity with the suffering citizens of Norway. NATO has also joined the nations in condemning the gruesome attack and extended all support to Norway. Expressing his shock and anger US President Barack Obama reportedly remarked that terrorism is widespread across the nations and no nation is exempt from it. He added that each nation should have to be cautious and take preventive steps to escape the looming threat of terrorism. UN Secretary General, Ban ki Moon has also condemned the attack in no uncertain terms.
The exact reason behind the atrocious attack on innocent citizens of Norway is not known and it is expected to come out in the coming days. The man who committed the carnage could be caught and in the questioning that follows he will be forced to spill the beans. His anti-Muslim rhetoric has been posted online and some others suspect the resurrection of Nazism in Europe which couldn’t be brushed aside altogether. The politics of revenge and brutality are assuming gargantuan proportions across the world and as Obama had mentioned no nation is free from this menace.

CHAMELON EXISTENCE

Umpteen are his incarnations
umpteen are his manifestations
one day he is an angry
young man out to reduce
his enemies to pulp.
The next day an entirely
different man
a calm and composd
middle-aged man.
He evolves into a romantic
hero,
like Don Juan, one day
running and dancing with
a blonde or several blondes
along beaches, parks, or
running, singing and dancing
around trees to the merriment
of the audience.
The romantic hero of one
day turns into a villain
engaging in rape, sex and
stunts and
in the end getting badly
mauled by the hero.
The villain of that day
evolves into a
comedian
forcing others
to laugh their hearts
out, biting dust.
His manifestations
are many
and all invite the
applause of a
vast audience.
He is all in one
and is like a
chamelon changing
colours
adjusting with
acclimatizing with
changing surroundings.
He is basically one
and the same,
but he has to
don umpteen roles
in the tinsel world
since it is the
nature of his duty
part of his profession.

HARROWING WERE THOSE DAYS…..

Harrowing were those days
my son
you must be recalling
them like your inner palm.
Sunup to sundown I went
out to do menial jobs
and slugged it out
like a slave to save you
from hardships.
Sunup to sun down, you
went to the school and college
and
to watch you going out with
an empty stomach gave
me gnawing pains, needling pains
unbearable those moments to me.
You were my hope you were
my dream
your welfare was my
sole aim, the one and only
aim.
For you I starved
I fed you with food, love
care and warmth.
To make up for your father’s loss
who went out of our life
in the early days
I had to step into his
shoes, I had to my son.
I saw you grow up
before me
I witnessed you
scaling new heights
those moments were
overwhelming to me.
Never in my life, ever in
my life I had the nightmare
of you ditching your mother
any moment
but my son
after flying abroad
and settling there
choosing a girl
as your life-partner
you cared not to visit your
mother
you cared not to inquire her welfare
my son how come you
forgot those harrowing days
still I, your ever loving
mother
go on suffering alone
but always I pray for
your well-being.
God bless thee.

HARROWING WERE THOSE DAYS…..

Harrowing were those days
my son
you must be recalling
them like your inner palm.
Sunup to sundown I went
out to do menial jobs
and slugged it out
like a slave to save you
from hardships.
Sunup to sun down, you
went to the school and college
and
to watch you going out with
an empty stomach gave
me gnawing pains, needling pains
unbearable those moments to me.
You were my hope you were
my dream
your welfare was my
sole aim, the one and only
aim.
For you I starved
I fed you with food, love
care and warmth.
To make up for your father’s loss
who went out of our life
in the early days
I had to step into his
shoes, I had to my son.
I saw you grow up
before me
I witnessed you
scaling new heights
those moments were
overwhelming to me.
Never in my life, ever in
my life I had the nightmare
of you ditching your mother
any moment
but my son
after flying abroad
and settling there
choosing a girl
as your life-partner
you cared not to visit your
mother
you cared not to inquire her welfare
my son how come you
forgot those harrowing days
still I, your ever loving
mother
go on suffering alone
but always I pray for
your well-being.
God bless thee.

MOMENTS OF CREATION

Climbing down the
steps of my ivory tower
I throw myself into the
crowd in the city
melt into the crowd
and lose my face among them.
The deafening sounds
pierce my eardrums
the sun like a blazing torch
literally exhausts me
I watch the existential angst
flashing across each face
and get conscious of my angst
tour to picturesque landscapes
and return.
I crave for my lonely moments
my lovely moments
my invaluable moments
I pick up my pen
and pen my words across the
white sheet
words flow like a gurgling
stream
a spontaneous flow.
When I feel
and experience
my moments of creation
are my lovely
moments
an exercise in my
lovely, lonely moments.
But
I have to step down
the stairs of my
ivory tower
watch and experience
the delight and
angst simultaneously
they provide me
food for my creativity
creativity is everything
to me
for which I need
lonely moments
lovely moments
when the world is
awake and asleep.

DANCE OF KALI

In the moon light
on the floor of
the roadside dilapidated
building,
Kali,
crossing her arms across
her breast.
Walks to and fro
Kali talks to herself
Kali sings to herself
Kali smiles to herself
Kali laughs to herself.
Kali stands still for a moment
starts dancing
Kali moving around in circles
Kali swaying her buttocks
thud, thud, thud
Kali’s dance gathers momentum
Kali roars to herself
Kali laughs aloud
thud, thud, thud
the dilapidated building is cracking
under her forceful
stamping feet
Kali’s brownish disheveled, disobedient hair
fluttering in the wind
thud, thud, thud,
Kali’s glowing red eyes
wide open
the dance reaching a
crescendo and
Kali falls on the floor panting.

RUPERT MURDOCH’S MEDIA EMPIRE SHAKEN

The 168 year old newspaper ‘News of the World’ based in London and owned by media tycoon Rupert Murdoch is part of history now. It was forced to shut down following allegations of massive phone - hacking scandals which invited the wrath of British public. Abuse of media ethics by the 168 year old newspaper assumed gargantuan proportions and still it was self-adulatory calling itself ‘the greatest newspaper in the world’.
Chief Executive Rebecca Brooks had to quit the post as most of the phone-hacking scandals had taken place while she was serving as the editor of ‘News of the World’. It is estimated that more than 4000 phone - hacking scandals undertaken by the paper came out into the open which included the victims of 7/7 train bombings with the collusion of politicians-police nexus.
The whole hell broke loose with the news of the phone hacking of a recently murdered teen-aged girl child Milly Dowler breaking out which rocked entire Britain calling for action against the media empire under Rupert Murdoch. It is alleged that most of the hacking took place while Rebecca Brooks was in charge of editorial affairs which she denied initially. Later owning up responsibility she resigned her post of Chief Executive of New International. Rebecca Brooks is widely known as close-confident of Mr.Murdoch and was ‘considered’ as his fifth daughter. In spite of his strong support there was a large outcry for her ouster calling her a liability in the media world.
Immediately after she quit the post British police took her under custody the other day. Mr.Murdoch, his son James currently the Chairman of News International and Rebecca Brooks are summoned by the media committee of the House of Commons to be grilled by those handling the charges on Tuesday. Besides Prime Minister David Cameroon has ordered a judicial inquiry into the whole episode. And he has termed the nasty practices followed by the newspaper violating all media ethics as ‘disgraceful’.
In the meanwhile Mr.Murdoch’s plan to own the B Sky B, the satellite broadcaster has been shelved. He holds 39 percent stake in the satellite broadcaster and his plan to acquire the remaining 61 percent stakes has been blocked for the time being.
The man is shrewd and wily. To regain the lost confidence among the discerning public he advertised a full page ‘We are sorry’ advert in almost all newspapers in Britain. Feeling not enough, the next day too the newspapers carried another advert.
British Labour Party leader Ed Miliband has called for the ‘break-up’ of the media empire ostensibly to break the monopoly in the media world in Britain. At present Mr.Murdoch alone commands 20 percent of the media empire in Britain. Along with Ed Miliband the Liberal party leader and Deputy PM Nick Clegg has called for ‘plurality’ in the media world in support of Ed Miliband’s call for the break-up of Mr.Murdoch’s media fiefdom. It is noteworthy here that before all the hell broke loose British PM David Cameroon was known to be close to him.
While all these were transpiring in Britian, America’s FBI is in a hot pursuit of the phone-hacking scandals of the victims of the 9/11 World Trade Centre attack.
Upon going thru all these developments we can very well reach the conclusion that the tidings are not good for Murdoch and his vast empire. He reminds me of a fictional character – a media baron – in an acclaimed American novel.
Murdoch and his employees’ stooping to such low levels throwing to wind all media ethics is to put it mildly ‘nasty, deplorable and abhorrent. The man’s only ambition even in the twilight of life is widening his empire’. Tabloids and spicy TV channels cater to the wishes of the public and to raise the level of standard of public at large is not his forte.

THE POOR GIRL CHILD

Believe it or not
this is the truth
the whole truth
nothing but the truth.
A poor girl child in our
immediate neighbourhood
lured by her boy friend
with school uniform, books,
bag and sweets
robbed off her virginity
its preciousness she
knew not.
He frequented her
later
he came with his other
friends
gifted her with little, little
gifts
and walked away with
gratification.
Her ‘poor father’,
one day spied on the goings
on,
saw enormous potential
in the flesh market
father pimped the little
girl child,
customers increased and multiplied
took her daily to
distant places
father but given a pittance
in each transaction
things went out
of his control
the girl child evolved into
public property.
And after the extraction of juice was
completed
the girl child
thrown into the ditch
with a child in her womb.
Believe it or not
this is the truth
the whole truth
and nothing but the truth……

THE EVER ELUSIVE HE

He is omnipresent
but he is no God.
He watches everything
he watches everyone
he watches every movement
but he is no God
he remains elusive always
but not God,
he is fond of crowds
crowds intoxicate him
he is one among them
yet nobody knows him
he keeps on smiling
but he is no God
wherever we are
he is there
but he is no God
sometimes he blows himself up
and like a phoenix
born again from the ashes
but he is no God,
‘He is a wanton boy
and we the flies before
him,
he kills us for fun
but he is no God’
he likes chewing gum
he keep on chewing
he knows no emotions
he is cold-blooded
he is a vampire.
Love is alien to him
kindness alien to him
empathy and sympathy
alien to him
yet he keeps on smiling
he is the devil
he is no God.
Never, ever.

THE EVER ELUSIVE HE

He is omnipresent
but he is no God.
He watches everything
he watches everyone
he watches every movement
but he is no God
he remains elusive always
but not God,
he is fond of crowds
crowds intoxicate him
he is one among them
yet nobody knows him
he keeps on smiling
but he is no God
wherever we are
he is there
but he is no God
sometimes he blows himself up
and like a phoenix
born again from the ashes
but he is no God,
‘He is a wanton boy
and we the flies before
him,
he kills us for fun
but he is no God’
he likes chewing gum
he keep on chewing
he knows no emotions
he is cold-blooded
he is a vampire.
Love is alien to him
kindness alien to him
empathy and sympathy
alien to him
yet he keeps on smiling
he is the devil
he is no God.
Never, ever.

MUMBAI 13/7 CARNAGE

Mumbai has been rocked again. This is not the first time India’s financial hub falling victim to the machinations of terrorists. It is not puzzling or baffling that a nation’s economic nerve-centre is being chosen as a potential target by hardcore militants.
In the peak hours in the evening of 13/7 within a span of 11 minutes three blasts, one at Kabutarkhana, Dadar, other at Zaveri Bazar and the third at Opera house, all business centres as well as crowded especially in the peak hours struck hard by blasts, killing almost eighteen – the numbers could rise further - and maiming more than one hundred. It literally shocked the whole of India besides Mumbai, which also invited sharp reactions the world over. UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon, US President Barack Obama, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hazeena Wajeed and even the neighbouring country Pakistan which is the epicenter of terrorism – all deplored the dastardly acts by the cowards.
What all followed were on expected lines, rulers and political leaders expressing shocks, dashing off to Mumbai visiting the wounded in the hospitals, consoling them, shedding crocodile tears and the pre-recorded assurance of bringing the culprits to justice and what not. The usual blame game and throwing mud against each other, rulers as well as opposition parties started capitalizing over the whole incident and scoring points with the hapless Mumbaikars witnessing everything with indifference. Please never call it resilience as they have no other way out.
The average Mumbaikars know for sure that whenever they get bruised by the attacks of scheming militants, crocodile tears are sure to be shed, assurances are given on a platter and that no such terror strikes would ever happen again and as usual they would take such assurances with a pinch of salt.
It is really the criminal apathy of the politicians behind such cowardly attacks and it is a pity that they have not learnt anything from the 26/11 attacks which claimed 166 lives.
Immediately after Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi making a tall claim in Bhubaneswar that 99 percent terrorist attacks could be stopped by the ruling dispensation under the leadership of his party that terror struck Mumbai the umpteenth time. Other than tall claims and hubristic remarks our rulers do virtually nothing to wipe out the stain of terrorism from the face of our country. The 13/7 carnage could have been avoided had the State as well as the Central govt remained vigilant and common man is always left to suffer the consequences for the rulers’ complacency. Still the ruling dispensation is groping in the dark to find out which terrorist organization worked behind the carnage. The much trumpeted National Intelligence Guard, National Counter Terrorism Centre are still kept under wraps.

RED ROSES

In the vast storehouse in my mind
there’re several cells
exclusively built for my
love
her offerings of
scented red
roses are safely kept in
Cell No.1
her warm, sweet kisses
stored in Cell No.2
her sweet nothings in Cell No.3
the unforgettable moment we became one
in Cell No.4
her total dedication in
Cell No.5
in return for her love
my joys,
sorrows,
agony and
pains
for her to keep
in the vast store house in her
mind
to cherish and enjoy
and writhe in pain and pleasure
kind of total sharing
and devotion.

PIECES FROM LIFE

NIGHTS
Sleepless nights I spent for you
sleepless nights you spent for me
sleepless nights we spent
together for our children
sleepless nights they spend
for us now
sleepless nights we all
spend for our grand children
sleepless are our nights
sometimes.

STEP THEE NEVER….
Steps thee never into the
shoes of your son
step thee never into the
shoes of your daughter
step thee never into the
shoes of your student
step thee never into the
shoes of your husband
step thee never into
the shoes of your wife.


DREAMS
Dreaming good is everyone’s
dream
Dreaming bad nobody’s
dream
thus we say
but
dreaming good or dreaming bad
are not at all
in our control
dreaming bad and dreaming
good something that
transpire in our subconscious mind
still we speak of
dreaming good
it is nothing but our
wishful thinking
like the proverbial beggar’s
dream of riding on the
horse’s back.

MODERN PRINCES

POEM
Once upon a time
a prince abdicated his
throne
walked out of the
palace in the thick of
night
while everyone including
his wife and child were
immersed in sleep by
his side
rode on his horse’s
back
covered long distances
witnessed with a heavy heart the plight of
beggars, diseased men, orphans, starving thousands
staring in the faces
of mankind.
Repented he for once
leading a luxurious
life in the palace
out of touch with
the reality.
He shed his Prince’s
attire
downed the robe of a saint
and unable to find out the
reasons for mind-boggling
sufferings
and in search of finding
out the ultimate truth behind the enigma
called life,
undertook a penance under
the shade of a
peepal tree
and after years of penance
finally Enlightenment dawned
on him
the truth of life, dawned
on him.
Yes, it was once upon a
time.
Today no such Prince, no
such abdication, no such
wanderings, no such heartburns
no such penance, no such
Enlightenment
the only enlightenment
being the unending quest
for pomp and pageantry throughout.

MODERN PRINCES

POEM
Once upon a time
a prince abdicated his
throne
walked out of the
palace in the thick of
night
while everyone including
his wife and child were
immersed in sleep by
his side
rode on his horse’s
back
covered long distances
witnessed with a heavy heart the plight of
beggars, diseased men, orphans, starving thousands
staring in the faces
of mankind.
Repented he for once
leading a luxurious
life in the palace
out of touch with
the reality.
He shed his Prince’s
attire
downed the robe of a saint
and unable to find out the
reasons for mind-boggling
sufferings
and in search of finding
out the ultimate truth behind the enigma
called life,
undertook a penance under
the shade of a
peepal tree
and after years of penance
finally Enlightenment dawned
on him
the truth of life, dawned
on him.
Yes, it was once upon a
time.
Today no such Prince, no
such abdication, no such
wanderings, no such heartburns
no such penance, no such
Enlightenment
the only enlightenment
being the unending quest
for pomp and pageantry throughout.

THE WORLD AT PRESENT

In my lonely moments
I often ponder over
the plight of certain countries
caught in the web of
turmoil,
protests dime a dozen
violent clashes
police firings, blasting of
tear-gas shells
water-canons going furious
army staging flag march
thereby upsetting
the apple-cart.
Caught in the turbulence
always is the common
man,
who always yearns for
a peaceful ambience
a serene ambience
a tranquil ambience
which he loses badly
always turning common man
the victim
of a volatile atmosphere.
Upon witnessing his plight
my lonely moments
turn hellish
and to escape the agonizing lonely
moments
go out into the crowd
often a bar
gets inebriated
and tries to forget everything
shed tears like a babe
my heart always go down
to the suffering masses
who are in no way involved
in violent activities
who always crave for peace,
peace and peace only
and
what they miss badly is peace,
peace and peace only.

THE BUSY BEES

Honeybee and moneybee
both busybees.
In the beginning was
honeybee
later came moneybee,
honeybee collects honey
stores in honey-comb
it’s a daily exercise
moneybee goes to
each customers door-step
with a broad smile
collects money from each
stores it in his bag
a morning to evening exercise
deposits all the money
in the name of each customer
at the bank
and gets pass-books posted
hands over the pass-books to
each customer.
Moneybee gets his commission
at the end of the month
honeybee gets nothing
except honey to store
in honey comb.
While moneybee walks
away with monthly commission
honey-crazy humans rob
the honey combs
walk away with the hard-earned
honey collected
stored by the honey-bees
and leave them high and dry.
Lucky moneybee
unlucky honeybee
former singular
latter always plural.

SOUTH SUDAN – THE NEW BORN BABY

South Sudan, the new born nation is in a state of euphoria now. It would take a fairly long period for the dust of euphoria to settle down across South Sudan, on July 9, Saturday ie. yesterday. After several decades of intense struggle for a separate State of South Sudan suffering a loss of 15 lakh lives and several lakhs of displacements, the new generation of Southern Sudan finally achieved much sought after freedom. Today’s generation owe it most to the martyrs whose valiant struggles for a separate State without whose persistent fights South Sudan wouldn’t have come to existence.
July 9, 2011 is written in golden letters for everybody to rejoice as South Sudan, the new born baby in the comity of nations as the 193rd one recognized by United Nations. South Sudan is the 54th African State recognized by the august body it is worth while to note here.
After a prolonged struggle in 2005, a decision to hold a referendum was adopted and it was held in the mouth of January in which 98.8 percent of people of Southern Sudan opted for secession from the North. It was a defining moment in the history of Sudan. South Sudan, it is to be remembered here is mostly inhabited by Christians and Animists as against North Sudan which is mostly inhabited by Muslims.
It was celebration time in South Sudan from the night of July 8 across South Sudan. People thronged to the streets in large numbers danced their way through the streets and motor cyclists speeded along with fists thrown to the air displaying solidarity with the dancing masses.
The ceremony was attended by VIPs like Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, Salwa Kiir leader and President elect of South Sudan, Omar-Al-Bashir of North Sudan and India was represented by Vice-President Hamid Ansari among a host of dignitaries at Juba, the Capital city of South Sudan.
Yes, it is celebration time across South Sudan which is natural but it is to be remembered that the euphoria is bound to settle down one day and problems are bound to arise with the possibility of border tensions since uptill now a clear demarcation is not earmarked between North and South, more than that huge petroleum reserves are located in South Sudan and a mad rush for petroleum products are bound to arise first from North Sudan and other nations.
The new-born baby, ie. South Sudan will have to undergo many a crisis that was why I had already pointed out the period the euphoric days and then the stark reality.
US and Britain have already recognized the new State to be followed by other countries in due course. At a critical moment like this what South Sudan badly needs is the generous assistance of other countries since at present it is in fact an under-develop nation compared to North Sudan. And to avoid further clashes between North Sudan and South Sudan in future it is reported that a company of UN forces are going to be stationed across the volatile areas.
Salwa Kiir, the new head of State have a long way to go facing the challenges ahead, to be specific for the constant progress of South Sudan, the new-born baby.

UNMANNED LEVEL-CROSSINGS

Beware
we are crossing unmanned
level-crossings daily
mind you,
our life not in our hands
anything could happen
while crossing the
unmanned level-crossings.
We might get knocked down
and crashed to death
by speeding trains
any time, any moment
any day,
speeding hooting trains
could hit and roll over
vehicles packed to capacity
snuffing out lives of all the travellers
on the spot.
Rescue operations surely
there will be
by the people in the vicinity
of unmanned level crossings
tears
both crocodile and genuine
are bound to be shed,
that’s the way of the world
helping hands are
sure to be extended
to the kith and kin of
those who lost their
lives
generous help and soothing words
could instill a sense of
relief for the bereaved ,
loss of each life compensated by the
currencies doled out
the question surely
expected from all quarters
whether money could compensate
a precious life
but the tragic truth
remains as to
the world as a whole
is replete with unmanned
level-crossings
life full of uncertainties
no manned level-crossings
possible in life
all unmanned
and are dangerous.
Despite these adversities
we should have to
proceed unmindful of
the lurking death
about which nobody seems
to be bothered
as there is no way out.

COMMERCIAL FILM

Before heading straight
to the drawing room,
before giving life to
the television
before a new world
of news, serials, features
and commercials to
flash across the channels,
I took a teaspoon full
of salt from
the kitchen
to the embarrassment and surprise
of my wife.
And placed the teaspoonfull of salt
over the teapoy.
Switched on the lights and TV,
frothing light filled the
room
television came to
life
and I started channel surfing.
Then chose a channel
the news is going on
with commercials in between.
The commercials made my
head squirm
they appeared like raunchy
prostitutes
beckoning the clients
and promises of the gratification
inviting each to taste
and feel the difference
and the assurances of an
elevated feeling
a gratifying time
all the products of
somebody’s imagination.
Upon watching each commercial
I took up my teaspoon full
of salt
I held in my hand
till the commercials came
to an end.
The programme went on
in came another issue of
commercials
all tall promises
assurances of a better time
all well-tested and proven
beyond doubt
certified by so and so
my head squirmed again
I asked my wife
to bring me a
table-spoon of salt
to her deep embarrassment and consternation.
World it seems is
a long commercial film
interspersed with crumbs of
important programmes.

THE NEWSCASTER

With me starting reading
the newspaper of the day,
loud and clear
all sit around me
listening to the news in
rapt attention
like studious boys
sitting in front of their teachers.
With me reading various
news items,
without me knowing
my expressions undergo
changes,
anger, shock, wonder
sad, agony et al,
flashing across my face
and with sly glances I notice
the varying expressions
appearing on their faces too.
These days
the newspapers convey
bad, shocking and sensational news
ranging from
heist, theft, murder,
terror, scams, scandals,
sexual abuses, honour killings
deaths, gossips across the land
only a few items interesting
and puzzling
still addicted to the
newspapers
like today’s youth
coming under the influence of
drugs and alcohol.
Every morning
with the arrival of newspapers
we feel refreshed and curious and
in a hurry to listen to
the news items
read by me
as most of them are illiterate.
A vaccum, an emptiness
we feel and share
when there is no issue of newspapers
some days,
such is the addiction we have
towards the newspaper,
such is the fascination we have
towards the world of news
be them shocking or tear-jerking.

QUINTESSENCE OF LOVE

I have mothers two,
one in the village
and
one in the city.
One in the village
once carried me in her womb
gave birth to me
who made me open my eyes and ears to the world
loved me, tended me
and brought me up
made me stand on my legs
imparted primary education
to face the vagaries of life
and made me what I am today.
My mother in the distant
city is
none other than mother Sea.
Not a single day passes
without me visiting her,
not a single day passes
without me spending time
by her side
experiencing her INFINITE love
her cool hug
sharing her tears and joys
she in her mad love approach me
in the wings of waves and kisses me
convey
her whisperings of sweet nothings in my ears
which make me ecstatic.
Her language easily decipherable to me
her joys, sorrows and pains
easily readable from her varying
appearances.
While in the village by the
side of my mother
I miss Mother Sea badly
and
while in the city
I miss my mother in the
village badly.
I pray to God Almighty never to
miss the all embracing love
from my life.
In a sense my mother in
the village and mother sea
are the quintessence of love.

BATTLE FRONT

We wanted democracy
but got bullets instead Mr. dictator.
Your men trained guns on us,
triggered them relentlessly
like fire-flies our people
fell on the battle front with burnt wings
your tanks mowed us down
and crushed many to
death
your bombs rained fire on
us incessantly
your men thru grenades at
us causing innumerable
mortalities.
Our steely nerves withstood
your round the clock offensive
we bared our chests to
your fire-spitting games
such was our steely resolve,
vigour and might
giving you a fitting
reply.
You lost one of your wives
son and relatives
confidents deserted you
sought asylum abroad
your fortress partially battered
still, you red ant
you inebriated frog, with bellyfull
of muddied water jump to
the middle of the road
challenging the speeding vehicle,
you megalomaniac,
you the suicide-maniac
challenged the might of our
people
you suffered setbacks one after
another
stuck like a
leech to the throne
cooly played chess with
a foreigner inside your palace
like the fiddling Nero
when the country was burning
mind you,
we are closing in on you
Mr. dictator
your ruthless games are going to be
over
ultimately the victory is ours
until there, we won’t take rest
you ruthless dictator.

TOMY’S SLOGAN SHOUTING

Tomy barks, Tomy bites
Tomy the dangerous,
always on the leash
Tomy well loved, Tomy well cared,
Tomy provided meat and fish aplenty,
Tomy barks round the clock
be there strangers or no
strangers in the immediate surroundings.
Tomy’s constant barks
pester his master, the
neighbours in the vicinity
and the passers-by.
Tomy is angry, Tomy is
on protest
Tomy’s protests thru Tomy’s barks
resembling slogan-shouting
Tomy wants freedom badly
Tomy misses freedom badly
Tomy demands freedom
but Tomy denied freedom
that which Tomy badly
wants.
Let Tomy go off the leash
master not cares
no freedom to Tomy
Tomy the dangerous
barks and bites
and gives a harrowing time
to master, neighbours
and the passers-by.
Tomy wags tail when master is around,
it’s his plea for freedom
but master not reads his mind
Tomy’s protests
all but Tomy’s impotent rage.

DANCING SHADOWS

Though endowed with
a sharp intellect
and a sharp pen
a sharp tongue
and a good physique
sharp and piercing gazes
strong courage and conviction
widely known for dare-devilry
and a total dedication
to the profession
he did have a presentiment
about he being followed
by his enemies
which didn’t distract
him
from his commitment.
His wife always feared
for his life
she visited temples and
offered oblations on behalf
of him
and spent sleepless nights
for his safe return after
duty.
Sitting in the portico
enjoying dancing shadows
on the wall
which looked like tableauxs
and watching rustling leaves of trees.
The cool wind embracing her
couldn’t cool her mind though.
One day the dancing
shadows vanished abruptly
the sky turned dark and
cloudy
strong winds lashed fiercely
forcefully closed and opened
the windows and doors like
in a ghost house which
compelled her to go inside
from the portico
with pounding heart she
walked to and fro
lights went off unexpectedly
pushing her into
darkness
and she sensed the smell
of death……and
went out of her senses as time ticked away
ran out like a mad woman
with no destination in mind in
thick darkness.

FATE OF AFGHANISTAN STILL UNCERTAIN

Immediately after President Barack Obama declaring a draw down of 33000 troops, Afghanistan is once again edging towards a towering inferno. Suicide bombings have escalated killing, maiming and wounding many, destroying properties worth crores. A belligerent Taliban under Jalaludeen Haqqani is on a strong offensive to make others feel that American troops’ phased withdrawal is due to the constant pressure of Taliban. It is noted here that Jalaludeen Haqqani has been provided with all round support and inspiration by Pakistan.
US’s conclusion that there are ‘good Taliban’ and ‘bad Taliban’ is nothing but dream. Taliban is always one and that it is totally against US and are bent upon forcing the US flee to their home land. To achieve this purpose they are prepared to go to very great lengths and Pakistan is right there with whole-hearted support which always follows a double-standard approach so far as its relationship with US is concerned.
Last week’s suicide bombing targeting Intercontinental Hotel in Afghanistan which claimed the lives of 12 persons was last among a row of a spate of suicide-bombings. This game is likely to continue and there are no signs of it ending in the near future.
In the meanwhile several International observers point out the dangers lurking behind the proclaimed decision of US making a phased exit at this point of time. US exit will certainly drag Afghanistan into a civil war which will certainly nullify all the achievements made on various fronts so far. Taliban is waiting in the wings for the proposed phase by phase exit of US forces.
US Secretary General Ban Ki Moon reportedly disclosed within last three months almost 1095 civilians were done to death across Afghanistan during violent clashes launched by Taliban.
We can very well assume the repercussions in the event of America withdrawing from the scene in the near future.

AND QUIET 'FLOWED' THE RIVER

Let's keep our
worries close to our bosom
our worries, our own
none of anybody's business.
Hopes sometimes hit the shores
get scattered and
push us nowhere
let's not discuss about them
in this moon-lit, starry night.
Enjoy this moment
sanction a leave to the present
give a warm hug to the
'remembrance of the things past'
(Two or three pegs down
his throat in quick succession)
'listen to me -
The river dons a dark
green flowing suit
both sides embellished
by the thick green
ornaments of mangroves.
A kingfisher dives
down from nowhere and
flies away with a
fish.
Fish play somersault over the river surface
in the eerie calmness of
the afternoon
sunshine envelopes the dark green flow
a fisherman rowing his
boat somewhere.
Two youths in their
twenties
opposite gender.
Like the kingfisher
diving down and flying
away with the fish
warm kisses planted
on each other's cheeks
and both look around.
And quiet flows the river
and quiet flows the river
and quiet flows the river.
But you know
now the river has gone dry
the flowing dark green suit
thrown away
thick green embellishment of
mangroves a memory
the fisher man rowing
the boat in the eerie silence
of afternoon gone for good
the kingfisher must be
waiting in the wings somewhere
the two youths
now man and wife struggling in the troubled
waters of the city.
'Sorry darling, you have crossed
the boundary line and have
returned to the present'
True, we are condemned to
rivet to the present
and quiet 'flowed' the river
(the bottle emptied).

READY-MADE

My son and I drove
straight to a readymade
cloth bazar in the city
one day evening.
Sun had bid adieu for the
day
and before the pall of darkness
descending over the city,
street-lights started glowing
bathing the city in
oceanic light.
The bazar was a colour world
with ready-made items resting
in the glass-shelves.
We headed straight to the
ready-made cloth shop.
I wanted to purchase some
ready-made items for him,
his sister,
mother and myself.
New shirts, new pants, new
coats, t-shirts, churidhar-top,
salwar-kammeez, shawls, sarees
a long list of
ready-made items we purchased
and my thick purse turned thin
within no time.
'You have got everything
ready-made
but my son, no ready-made
shops existed while I was
your age.
I saw a glint of
curiosity in his eyes
and I continued
'those days we had to get
them stitched by a tailor
after taking measurements
and a prolonged
impatient wait lasting
two to three weeks
and look now, everything
is readymade no need to
purchase cloth-pieces seek
a tailor get them stitched
all quite easy my son' - chuckled I.
Question marks flashed in
his eyes
and he hesitatingly
inquired pointing towards the glass mannequin
'Are they ready-made ladies
and gents papa'
'My son' replied I
these days everything is ready-made
even your papa, mamma, sister
you all ready-made
items'.
We burst out laughing.

DOMINIQUE STRAUSS KAHN'S ACQUITTAL IN THE OFFING

Close on the heels of Christina Lagarde assuming the prestigious role of Director, International Monetary Fund far away in US former Director Dominique Strauss Kahn who was embroiled in a sexual assault case has come out somewhat clean with the maid-servant bungling before the prosecutors. The prosecutors dissatisfied with her wavering answers got suspicious of her intentions on being grilled. Hailing from New Guinea she had first complained about a gang rape committed on her which was later found to be baseless. Similarly the allegation against DSK launched by her was also found to be a fluke.

Strauss Kahn doesn't deny he had had sex with the lady and back in France his friends who stood with him thru thick and thin observe that though women are his weakness he is a type who never dons the role of an aggressor. Means his relationship with the maid-servant was a consensual one, not at all a sexual assault as she alleged in the beginning tarnishing his image across the world which cost him his post of IMF Director. In other words the defendant has turned plaintiff and the plaintiff has turned defendant. As the case is not yet closed, which is a formality until then he must have to be in US.

The fate of the maid-servant who badly needed an asylum in US remains to be seen.

Now that he has come out with some what unscathed after a period of ordeal there is celebration by the Socialists in France. His successful return to France with his head held high please note the man is a strong contender for the post of President in the ensuing elections in 2012.

Uptill now a bouyant Sarkozy has turned silent as the news of Dominique Strauss Kahn's imminent return spread across France. Martine Aubrie who had decided to contest in the primary is in a happy mood with the news streaming to her ears about DSK's possible acquittal. Similarly many other Socialist leaders are also in a jovial mood. A mass welcome awaits Strauss Kahn in France especially on th eve of elections. A strong contest is on the cards in 2012 between Sarkozy and Dominique Strauss Kahn.

DEEDS - DARK AND GOOD

You reap the harvest of
the deeds, dark and good
of your forefathers.
Its always the dark deeds
that surpass the good.
Deeds, dark and good
sown by you
the generation X reap the harvest
its you who cook their future
and
here too your dark deeds
push them to the
verge of abyss,
the chain-reaction continues
unabated
the dream of a generation
sowing only good deeds
always immaterial
but poor man always
carry th dream close to
his bosom
which is human nature.
Cook not the future of
generation X
wish this hope were to
prevail across the
board
that's the only dream only
hope, immaterial or not.

THE TERROR

The news of man-eaters
entering our land made us shudder
with fear.
The blood-chilling news of
man-eaters killing and eating
human-beings forced us remain
indoors.
None dared to come out of
their shelters
and those who dared to come
out were united and well-equipped
the surprising news being
none could even make out
how a man-eater looked like
they always remained elusive
but the news of killing
and eating human-beings went
on non-stop sending alarm across human-world
crops and harvests destroyed
the soil of land turned blood-red
the river waters, lake waters
streams and ponds
turned red
apprehending approach of the
man-eaters, human-beings
spent each second, each
minute, each hour in fear.
All were united in warding off
the evil from the
face of earth
but all were in the dark
about the modus operandi
to be adopted
the question of how come
it is possible without having
even a glimpse of the
species
still people continue
to scratch their heads
to find a way out
and
man-eaters on prowl continue
mind-bogggling game.