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October 24 THE WARRIOR - An ode to my mother...THE WARRIOR An ode to my mother…
Lioness eyes, God’s hands, brave and fearless, Titanic mind.
She marches forth, Undaunted, Halo of courage. Mother to me.
Deep in her core, Compassion flows, for those who suffer. Pain, inflicted on their own.
Teary eyes, she watches her own, writhe and cry. Her hands are tied.
Courage, sometimes just to watch, The drama of karma, unfold.
Draws forth from inside, The Core that is eternal, Prayers, murmuring on her lips.
I bow to her, The Source of compassion and love evergreen. Let us be together in
more life-times that await her, to be battled through. Only to prove her mettle, to the world, unknown. October 22 Red Light Eyes!Eyes,
Deep, paining,
Witness to abuse
Of the body and mind, yet,
Throbbing with life.
Eyes,
Waiting to see a ray of sun,
In the dark alleys
of the netherworld,
Disowned, but ever hopeful.
Eyes,
That speak volumes,
What words cannot describe.
Across barriers of language.
Love reaches out.
Eyes,
Looking for things before unseen,
New meanings, new experiences,
Seeing life afresh,
Aged eyes that have seen so much.
Eyes,
Winning photo clicked with shyness,
Unsure fingers, caringly trained;
For some, talent innate,
Catching the eyes of the world.
Eyes,
Moist, unfocussed,
Into the future untold,
Spirit wanting to explore,
Life wanting to grow.
Eyes,
Deep, shining,
Witness to glory,
Of a loving touch and the human heart, now
Throbbing with renewed life.
This is dedicated to Zana Briski (www.zanabriski.com) and her amazing discovery of the Fantastic Kids born into the brothels of Calcutta. The kids touched my heart and soul with their profound maturity and understanding of life, realisations that most adults grapple with all their life. I bow in the deepest of humility to the kids, (Tapashi, Suchitra, Kochi, Puja, Gour, Manik, Avijit) and to Zana for having opened my eyes to the beauty that lies hidden in the dust!
Photo courtesy: www.kids-with-cameras.org October 19 A PLEASANT DAY!Today has been a pleasant day, after ages! Almost like a gift from God himself. The last two months have been really hectic at work and there has not been a single moment to enjoy the weather, nature, myself, my home or the TV... and I have spent today doing exactly that.
It rained last night, almost like a Shakespearean omen...of what I dont know, as I was too drunk! A colleague had thrown a party last night and as we entered their beautiful home, I decided to put myself before every other thing in the world. I hadnt done that in a long time. So, i danced with all my sexy colleagues, my wife being number one amongst them, and drank like a teenager! the two large vodkas and the two large glasses of excellent port wine, had me rocking the party. I faintly remember how much I enjoyed the home cooked biryani!
And then when I crashed into bed, I felt immersed in thick honey, a mixed feeling of freedom and being bound. The rains amplified in my dazed sleep like a machine gun firing through the tub of honey in which I was drowning. The rain again, sounded painfully exhilirating, washing away all the pain and sorrow of the last month and cleansing my soul like a hard scrub!
The campus looked gorgeous this morning, washed and clean. Empty and beautiful, peaceful in its emptiness. As I gazed at the bee-eater and the sun bird merrily twittering in the bushes and trees, I felt anew and reborn. Almost like an overnight gestation that gave birth to a new me... do I know this new me? Only time will tell... and of course I will keep you posted!
Till then, as the day comes to an end, and as I keep hoping this feeling continues in my life, let me go and enjoy the last few waking hours.
Bye, my silent friends!
October 04 Bitter Burnt MustardHeat the wok, 9:55 PM, 3rd Oct, My tempering to a warm hearth and a burnt home. October 03 Munna meets GandhiDear Bapu,
Ever since I met you, people have been chasing me everywhere. Our country has awoken to your memories, almost like a shock wave. This year Gandhi Jayanti, there were quizzes on the TV and radio about your life and school students studied about your life. The carrot was hanging behind the screens in the form of Canon digital cameras! Even Vidhu bhaiya is taking our movie to the Oscars, (cashing in on your name, saala!) Sorry! Bapu. I had promised you I won’t use that word.
Anyways, as I was telling you they are writing newspaper articles about you, even comparing great peace activists today to you! But, when all these people go home, I know that they are going back to misbelief. "In today's dog-eat-dog society riddled with negativity and insecurities, can Bapu’s words really apply?" is what they are all thinking. Its all hunky dory for someone like me... an unreal fictitious character... to meet you and start changing the psyche of people. But in their own lives, they don’t know how to use your principles and walk on the path of true happiness.
You know what the problem is Bapu? When we grew up we were taught to mistrust, defend when attacked, and to look at every stranger with a malicious eye. We were not taught to love, accept and tolerate. But then I wonder if that would have solved all the modern day social ills. Somewhere down the line we have been self centred and selfish, thus making us behave with such intent. You know the day I first broke somebody else's bones, the only image I had in mind was the 5 lacs of rupees I was earning! I feel so ashamed now!
People have asked me whether honesty and compassion can treat the diseased fabric of our society. I have said yes because I know you are there behind me! But I don’t understand why all these people don’t see you? Is there something special in me? Some chemical locha, as the doctor said? Or is it that these people don’t realise you are standing behind everyone, but you can help only when they ask of it. I even see you behind that wretched murderer who will be hanged on Diwali, opening your arms out to him in divine redemption, but an act that is incomplete till he awakens you in his heart. Is honesty really that simple... is what people ask me? I say yes, because if you are honest to yourself and the people around you no body is hurt...it is love that finally permeates the environment. But why doesn’t the man who confessed to his crime so many years back, not be able to be honest to himself? For the sake of enjoying the riches in his life? When the average Indian earns less than USD 10 per month?
These are all difficult questions to answer Bapu, and I need your help again! BUT I know for a fact that every Indian will look at you in a new light. Even though there are newspapers trying to demystify your simple principles and project them as impossible to apply or unrealistic to expect results from in today's society, I am with you Bapu.
You walked alone on your path of love and compassion. I will walk that road alone, even if Circuit leaves me! How long will he pretend to see you anyways? LOL! But, seriously, I know your road is a difficult one, as I have to be honest, loving and above all have faith in the goodness that each of us have locked away deep in our hearts. The challenge will be to always listen to my heart (as I did for Janhvi) and to try and listen to other's hearts. I hope in the next 50 years India can be an example of your high ideals and beliefs. It is all a matter of faith in ourselves and in humanity! I see it and you. I wish everyone does too!
Oh no! I forgot that it was your birthday yesterday! Happy Birthday Bapu! I didn’t touch a drop of whisky, though. I am becoming a good boy!
Love and pranam, Yours Only, Munna
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