I am thirsty

A world of palaces, thrones and crowns

Where Man becomes the foe of Man

Where greed of wealth rules the day

What if you win this world, what then?

Every being lies wounded, every soul athirst

Eyes glazed with worry, hearts heavy and depressed

What world is this, bewildered, distraught?

What if you win this world, so accursed?

A world where Man is but a throwaway toy

Teeming with corpses and skeletons

Where life is a struggle and death is cheap

So you win this world-what then?

Where youth roams around in aimless distraction

And bodies adorn themselves to be bought and sold

Where love is but a sordid transaction

So what if this world is in your hold?

A world where humaneness has no place

Where loyalty and friendship means little or naught

Where love is shorn of all nobility and grace

Winning this world , you don’t win a lot.

So burn it to ashes, blow it all up

Push it aside , far away from my sight

Let me withdraw, it is all yours to keep

For a world like this, I will not fight.

Of hide and seek and the beautiful smile

A Journey of Conscience

Seven hours for a mere 150Kms. It was almost unending. The long traffic jam had almost drained us out as we were crawling at snails pace behind the countless number of lorries and other vehicles.

As I peeped out from the window to see thousands of devotees bathing in the Ganges almost oblivious of the rotting jam that we were stuck in. I wished to run away from it but I had little choice than to watch it till it ends. When we got out of the jam it was late evening already, the fast was over but for us. So we cruised along, fighting our way again through potholes and bumps.

I desired for a second, “Oh God, Let me not have to to experience this again” The unaffected and unpretentious love of my parents soon made me regret what I said and that I was ready to experience this a thousand times for them, for them alone.

It is small town of U.P., A state which is notorious for its power cuts. People here rejoice if they get power for 10 hours a day. A place where sometimes a running fan is a luxury and not a necessity in the scorching sweaty heat of summer here.

Material comforts and wealth are no doubt attractive but the soul instead craves for contentment. But not for those with a dead conscience already.