By the...

The shades just got transparent

the orange turned darker

and as the night is about to fall

the waters shine sparkles!

The trees sway with the wind

holding hands is a ritual

but as they travel leaves drop by

forever, lost in the transition!

The wet rocks echo the croaks

the swing of waves bathe them

for they have waited the long day

love, for the waves!

I sit on a rock, watching the game

everyday its the same

morning comes and day goes

waiting, waiting for the rains!!

Smiles and Shades

When the stars fade with time

and the trees shed their leaves

When the roads get painful

and the fingers last to curl around

When the rivers sing their stories

and the drops bring freedom

When the clouds break the barriers

and the moon peep through them

When the heart skips a beat

and I miss you like never before

Just say you will be there

and smile for me

When the eyes stop pondering

in the distance for anyone

and they just want your sight

before time knocks the door

When names lose their importance

and faces are your reminders

When the love is only feeling

I have deep within, hold me tight.

Time for Introspection

I remember that I had mentioned in the second post of this blog about my feelings last year about 15th Aug and 59 years of independence. I was rather blatant in saying that corporate sector had a big role and so did the government.

Now after a year has passed and I see that how wrong I was. It’s not for the corporate sector and government to improve situations around for public but for the public itself to identify their hidden talent and improve them. This would serve two purposes. Firstly, this would shift the decision making power from absolute zero to more responsible people. Secondly, it would give more confidence to people working on it and make them aware of their strengths and areas of improvement.

Having said this, how much have I worked for social upbringing? I could have gone and taught at least one child and made him ready for the future, so that he would take care of his family. Or I could have helped people in arranging for the medicines required by collecting money from those acquaintances who would be on the other side. I could have done so many things. I hope I do it now since I realize the importance of it.

Just Another Lemon Tree

I walked through the garden which had been my secret partner for I dont know how long. The dry leaves knit carpet on the garden road was as beautiful as in every winter. The color of the leaves hanging on the tree was changing to a brownish shade, the grip just loosening from the branches. The flowers had long disappeared and all that remained were memories.

Every step was taking me closer to my best friend, who knew all my secrets. My first crush, my first beating at home, my first prank on mother and every other story in thick and thin was written on the pages of our friendship. He never spoke a word, just stood still and waved when I was happy and shed leaves when I lost my patience. My friend was like my shelter for every rain who would protect me from the thunderstorm which threatened every base of my life.

As I came closer to my favorite lemon tree it spread its arms to hold me close. It had shown me the care I always dreamt of, just being there was enough for me. I lifted my head and smiled and said my warm 'Hello's to my dear one. It smiled back and swayed with the wind. I was so happy that day since I had achieved my dream. I had lived that complete day just for myself. Till now every moment was captivated with the soulful thoughts of others and today I had my life, just my own to live.

I spent the day with few of my old friends, who had walked all the way to meet me with their walking sticks and they smiled at me. That was enough to fill me to the core, to give justice to all the past nightmares. I walked another mile to meet my family. I saw a happy family with my sweet grand-daughter brushing her forehead hair and came running towards me. Her soft tender fingers gripped mine, as we walked towards my daughter. She waved at me and looked at her happy daughter. We spent more than two hours talking about the past and the future and she had to live for her classes. She had completed her PHD and taught at the top Univ in the area.

I walked back towards my house. As I opened the door I saw the walls I had seen on the first day when I had shifted here with my wife. It was a moment of pride and joy, pride of having the gift for life in the form of my wife and joy for she had liked the colors I had spent hours on, for the very moment. As we walked our first step she held my hand and kissed passionately, that was her way of saying 'Thank-You for everything'. I loved her so much. Her dreams had given me wings and I never looked back and I had achieved so much in so little time.

As I turned and closed the door of my room, I was welcomed by my OLD DIARIES and they were so happy for me being there, back with their company to revisit the moments I had thought were important. Like the time my little daughter had sang her first song, dancing to its tunes and rocked her hair. Or the time when I had bought my first car and the ride we had the other evening, ripping through the dawn till it was pitch black. Life has been so kind to me.

I walked out towards my best friend. It was a heavy walk towards the end of the park.

Spider casts the web

I was watching the show before they were even thinking of it. I was on the other side of the set of an medieval village, the carts had been made to threaten anyone. It carried loads of pain and anger on it and no one could identify the purpose. The wooden spokes painted shining blackish-red with mud kissing the edges.

The king was not the regular good king and had a witty sense of hatred and his way of expressing was just blooming by each passing day. His wives should have loved what he was the last day but he was changing with every moment. His reactions for everything were getting worse for no reason and he was in no mood to react or analyse. He was turning into devil.

The fort was painted with black stones, something like caves worn out by the dropping rains. The small insects crawling and surmounting its inch were using their legs most efficiently as if they were working for a purpose. Their eyes were just observing the movements around very minutely. The lizards were patiently watching this game and cleaning themselves for the approaching feasts. Their eyes glued on the slippery walls which the insects were crawling on.

The iron around was reacting with oxygen and turning red and adding to the effect of the lighting, a great picture was developing right beneath my nose. How can I be so ignorant??

Dreams...

I was walking on the cleanest beaches that my life could offer. It had been a sunny day, just another sunny day. I was watching at the lone, pure and untouched grains of sand; life was so much simple and beautiful in the mind of the grains, I thought. I could feel the grains kissing my bare feet as I walked and get picked up and displaced, shining and happy. The view that location had to offer was the best my human eyes had ever witnessed. I was holding hands of the crazy, kiddish wind as it danced its way, touching all corners of me inside out.

I bent down. Why? I saw an ugly rock dropped on that soft sand. Was wondering what was the destiny of that rock and what had brought it here. May be just another kid who threw it here or a lover had thrown it in the ocean while competing and laughing with his lover and the surfy waves just got it here. It was just lying there on that sunny day, as if this is what it always wanted to do. Just be there and stare around or be itself.

It was an ugly ovular but not oval, circular but not round kind of thing. Hope you got what I want to convey here. I felt it with my fingers and it was rough on the surface and smoother on the corners. My eyes gazed the details it had to offer. There were serrations, mountains and valleys, some moon craters and some pimples on a beautiful face. It smiled back at me.

I was falling in love with the moment and that stone. I looked around and was astonished about my luck and couldn't believe what I had just seen. There was a pearl lying on the sand, waiting for the observer; since people just are so lost that they don't look at the things closest till they are lost. I walked towards it and observed the curves, shine and the beauty of that pearl. I liked it for the first few moments. It had its own story to tell.

"Which one would you pick? An ugly stone or the pearl?" asked the fairy mother.

Another instant in life which would be termed as perfect, I thought. I looked straight at her deep eyes and just enjoyed that sight for a moment. Coming back to senses I thought about the choices.

"If only life was so simple and choices so easy to pluck. I would rather walk now." I replied smiling as an innocent child.

I looked up. Smiled. Thanked God and kept walking. I slided my hand in the left pocket and I was shocked to find the ugly love of mine. I smiled as I rubbed my eyes and got up.

Dry Weekend??

I remember weekends were the most awaited phase of the week, from my college days . I would peel off the other days just to have some moments of rest. Rest from work, rest from thoughts, rest from rest of the world. Though that was always was the top thing on my scheduler I remember most of the weekends were spent with friends, deep in woods or searching for a place to sit and have a cup of coffee or planning a night out.

Sudden stop!! That's life. It has come to a standstill today. I wake up and I have no plans to meet anyone and enjoy. I have no bike ride awaiting me nor a beach to leave our footprints. I used to enjoy the college weekends the most. They were mostly spent in family or woods. Family? Yes I had a close friend whose family was so inviting that I couldnt resist being a part of them and yes the lovely food his mother used to cook for us. Still miss the yummy food and the fun. Otherwise we used to go and spend the time at the lake where we had made a friendship point and would go swimming just to enjoy the feeling of water.

Else pick the bicycles and go through the muddy and 'open-armed' roads of the villages circling around the wheat farms. The swaying of the crops, the sweet melodies of the birds and the rhymes sung by the water, superb. It was The Unknown that would make me go faster than the rest of the lot, shouting out loud may be to scare away the bad spirits. I used to sing songs and enjoy the beauty, simply loving the brushing winds. Nothing can beat a lunch in the cane farms after a bicycle ride of 7-8 kms. Total life, simple life, life.

I remember the kiddish look on my friends face when we pulled their legs and ganged them up. I was the prey too, but not quite often, may be I am a scary old man!!! Remember the weekend around Nagpur spent in the open wild with no protective equipment. The dark night was the queen and we were the tax payers. Dont know for how long I will visit the journey in my mind, a true fun that life is. Full of uncertainities, laughter, darkness, moon lit night and life.

I miss all you friends out there!!! You people simply rock guys!!!

Life...so easy

Have you ever wondered what has attracted towards a person?

It might not be the talks and the big names attached but just small gestures. A smile, a deep glance for a fraction of second, style of holding things and the dart is on the target.

Life is so simple when it comes to decoding the informal speech. Just have to be observant and understanding for grabbing the attention. You need to know which cards to play and you have your man/ woman. Most of the marketing tools must be based on the same. During a stint of one week of marketing job I had observed my senior doing the same. The way he would greet, voice modulation and his approach while departing were simply perfect. He was named manager after his experience of 8 months with the firm.

Sometimes the temperature can be changed by just the gestures and without any words exchanged result change. so be observant towards these things in life and win over. Remember that innocent kid smiling back at you and waving his hand in the mall and you just smiled your heart out.

Polished Words

Wonder what words were invented for?

* May be to communicate the feelings clearly and effectively.

What are they used for?

* Impressing people.

No harm in it. But when genuine words are used just to create a false cloud around people or thoughts its very bothering. Bothering since they are nothing more than dressed puppets, lifeless, meaningless. They do no benefit but harm.

Why do people use them as a sugar-coat?

Some people want to impress others so badly that they forget the very purpose of communication and get lost in the myst.

I can feel nothing more than pity for these kind of people who build castles in others mind and don't care if other person already knows the reality. Dragging for sometime is bearable but forever?

PS: Forgive me guys if this was blunt but I wanted to express this somewhere and this is a more meaningful forum for that.

One for me!!!

Life is so astonishing. Every time you think you have lost the choices, it offers you more. Two choices for every moment. Pick one and add a new journey or enter a new alley. Every time I feel lost, I wonder what went wrong and it offers me the answer. Choice or the walk.

Every alley has its defined rules and they hold true for every traveller but might have different edges. For small feet, the same alley can be a wonder place where he can find a box full of magic tricks, hidden by the great magician from the world. For college love, the alley might be a hideout with his love and a reason to live every moment more passionately. For an old stick, the place might be full of nostalgia. Memoirs of the beautiful evenings, animated talks and cuppa tea.

Giving up is an easy choice. Many people use that as an excuse and an effective solution. Surmounting the cliff is the path less travelled, more full of adventures, new experiences to share on the way back. More scars on body for others to question about and greater opportunities to woo people. Its merciless. Its killing. The air on the way up can throw you off the edgy uphills. But whats life without risks?

Strange when people say that they have settled down. For me it defines death. Being settled? Life is so uncertain that it itself is shocked by the development from the wrinkles it has and they are as important as light in a dark, small tunnel which smell of last beast it sheltered. Don't they find it fascinating to check what lies beyond the darkness, beyond thoughts.

The feeling of lifelessness is like sitting besides the train track and waiting for the train to pass. You know it will, but still wait for long just to feel the friction. Feel the scratching and jerks inside your head like clinching teeth together. The growing beats with the incoming thud of the train. Deeper breaths, shivering hands. Ain't this even the person who has lost everything and waiting for the train to free him, feeling deep inside. What makes him to overcome this fear and knock the door fearlessness?

Life is a single experience which you will miss and you know for yourself how. No one can define it perfectly for you. You had your share, I had mine. We made our choices and tasting the delicacies we cooked for us. Whats there to repent, or rejuvenate but the journey towards the lighthouse? Reaching on the top is just for the moment but what we own at the end is the journey and its memories. As a friend quotes from a movie, Finding Nemo, "Keep Swimming". That's what you are here for. Enjoy every stroke towards the shore and don't worry for the wrong ones.

Walk through the Streets!!!

Its a Sunday morning!! Streets wet and no one else, than dogs, on the streets!! The walk is like discovering a new scattered Pandora of emotions!!

I watch the small barred windows through the red bricked walls. The red color peeling off the bars like pastel colors giving off the colored glass!!! I remember the small fingers curling around them, after a fight with mother unless she would come and lift the little one. He fighting not to leave and she fighting to hug him.

The old trees greet the passers by as if old friends!!! Their leaves flashing, hanging and signifying life in different shades!! Their bark getting bigger as my Grandpa's belly. I remember my Grandma shouting and teasing him for the big tummy. She would invain try to wake him and force him for walk and catch him after two days eating "Chat" around the corner. A great relation, like old pickle.

The falling wall of my neighbourhood home has been a regular feature now. Even my friends have stopped questioning if someone stays there!! I remember the kids running, climbing the stairs of that old mansion. That place had my favorite hiding place. A place that would give me the guarantee that I would be the last one found in the game!! A great companion during the not-so-good moments. I wonder what will happen to it and how it has managed surviving without me?

The blind curve at the end of the street was like a spot from where we would leave hands and walk like good kids. Off course we were good and all but holding hands is still a No-No with elder ones around. The touch that I would crave through out the day just to be with for few moments. The pinches that my hands would have to suffer when she saw me feasting otherwise!!! You know what I mean :) . All those daily talks, smiles, fights and small things which would mean the world are a passe now!!

Streets are much more than the roads that join one place to other. They are the place where you can easily spot your childhood when you see a dad picking his son when he has fallen down, a girl taking a breath after a continuous talk with her mother. Time goes by but what remains are the beautiful memories. An inseparable part of being what I am !! So happy to have all of them for existence!!

Role Play: Consumer

I am born. I start my school. Shift to college. Work in the industry. Have my family. I grow old and journey ends.

Is this what I am here for? Do I only want to be a consumer on this planet? No. I want to contribute. I want to change the world around, if I dont my children have to breathe again in the same surroundings. I want to start walking in this world where people only walk to meet ends. Life must be more than that, agree?

Lets join hands and make this a better place, where people really want to live. Are you game?

Myriad of thoughts

The space my brain covers in this entire universe must be equal to zero. However, its more powerful than the greatest supercomputer. As every powerhouse, it needs some oiling day in and day out.

At this moment I feel lost in a trance. A trance of thoughts which jump in and out, they just keep flashing from nowhere and I enjoy their company. I feel like a space traveller, travelling through the gigantic orbits of space in search of higher energy levels. The canvas it paints on appears all blank and the excitement of finding a blank sheet to define my thoughts is equally strong as to a kids finding. It feeds itself with the vast, glossy, complex yet simple, curvy yet straight, voids full of beauty. Trance is what I love and I cherish. But at this moment, in an unwanted place?? It is difficult to control and I am all lost in it.

" As I look out of my spaceship I can see the vast docking stations, elongated diamonds with arms opening up to welcome the incoming ship. The word magnificent would be an understatement to the vast space. I had a great journey back from the new planet. I had defined and stitched some new facets to my life. The planet was beautifully designed, as if a wood carving, a fresh moulded brain. The 'Glial Cell' like spread provided the channel to commute. The water coat it had acted like a shock absorber and insulated the space from air shocks which acted as forms of destruction. It was a planet full of life and it was alive.

I look at my spaceship as I get down and walk towards the exit. Its scarred and dusted with the shocks I had to face as I entered the docking station, a routine. I ordered a complete new coat of colours as I paid through my universal data transfer kit. It was the most powerful finding after the computers. It could be used for any kind of data transfer from any part of universe and required a fifteen digit code. The first five numerals denoted the planet card user belonged to, next three the galaxy number and rest of the numbers were Unique Identity Pin (UIP). Mine was AX0054M. Every letter denoted something, a powerful code indeed.

I feel at home, a feeling of ease and peacefulness. In fact I don't believe in the concept of home. I am a traveller and that is what has been my passion so far. I cherish the beauty of stars, the rise and falls of landscape and I belong there, everywhere. I feel the dotted metal floor in my bunker room as I walk barefoot. The ambiance created by the regulated lighting makes me remember the girl I had seen in my dreams, her wet lively eyes still haunt my dreams. I am brought back to consciousness by the sudden thump!!! "

The trance remains a part of me and I love the way it manipulates me and I romance with it. I love this space and I feel alive and in tandem. Life is rocking!!!

Customer handling in fast paced growth market??

This refers to a visit today to one of the top notch Telecom companies' shop. The experience can be summed up to one word 'Unbelievable'.

As we entered I saw a young couple on the only operating counter (the second one was closed) and a middle aged guy on the payment counter. Thinking that I am at right time, I was ecstatic about the timing. Turned out that the shop services close at 8.00 PM sharp. No probs but with Sunday option cancelled I was more than disappointed since I had lost my opportunity.

" I have spend 16000 bucks dammit and that's why I want it NOW" was the outburst of the girl as she was trying to control her boy(friend). He was more than angry, quite visible through his impatient actions. She banged the box (mobile packing box) and demanded to see a superior. I was thinking is this right? Spending hell lot of money and losing peace of mind???

A '23'ish guy walks out and claims to be the in charge of the facility. He listens first but then confuses the air around. As he shouts " turn off the lights" I can see the spectacled service agent frustrated with the situation though trying to be professional.

On the second counter I could hear everything crystal clear coz the volume was abnormally high pitched. " You freshers are not responsible but you are the ones who are made to sit on the counters and you get all the customer frustration. I had showed it earlier and you cant solve my case??" He was damn angry. Again I was sceptical of buying a service from this telecom giant ready to enter new market technology.

India is shining and with it is coming technological advancements in everyone's life. People are getting more and more busy at work and quality time is a new term. An urge of getting everything sooner than earlier is developing, since its the need of the hour in a fiercely competitive market. The settings are no more the only thing that people are attracted towards and they want real products and they are spending money for that ( Remember your autowala getting down with the latest handset??).

I was feeling sad, angry and empathized with the customers and I wonder why? I remember I have faced it twice with Globally Indian companies. Why do we suffer? May be because we don't drag the ill-treating companies to courts and they have their share of story to tell. No matter what the customer should not be made to pay the price. Make him feel special and he would help your business grow is the mantra. Anybody listening??

Conspiracy!!!

The word itself is so intriguing..

My mind is a machine that pops up all kinds of thoughts, pictures and sounds in my mind. It is just the NUMERO UNO and can drag or elevate, fill colors or make B&W, enjoy the company or love solitude. Its just the perfect partner and usually does makes life meaningful.

I have been ditched and kicked hard right-left at the unwanted times and offcourse that was in my mind. Someone else should not be held responsible. Life is all puzzling then and its more than a hell. My existence gets the sole reason for pain and I can do nothing but stare outside the window into nothingness. The fight gets so painful that I feel like giving up and envelope myself with the darkness.

But then my happy side keeps me going. Its like a powerhouse which turns the whole world back on track, the darkness is just a thought and it can be shooted from miles away, it can be waded like the worst derisorable beast. The feeling of sanity, its a bliss!!! Specially when ignorane is the tool others use and I am ready with my weapons. Dont get me wrong, I wont hurt you but the fight inside gets involving many a times.

Energy is what is convertible and it converts from one form to another. I use it for the mutual benefits and the balance is so special. Dont get chained, keep walking thats the first step and everyone takes that.

I am full...

I am full of the long nights, which give me strength
strength to carry on no matter how dark!!!
I am full of the long walks, which paint the
perfect sunsets by a beach holding hands!!!
I am full of the dinner talks, which make
the food more tastier than it ever was!!!
I am full of the smiles, giggles and your touch
to show that you missed me like crazy!!!
I am full of the long wait, which promise me
a better moment and a new high!!!
I am full of the fragrance, which reminds of
the best microseconds I had when I once lived!!!
I am full of (your) innocence, the greatest expression
you flash as a reminder of love and life!!!
I am full of tears, as we part ways for a fresh meet
which will bring cheer back in life!!!
I am full of beats, I am full of life
I am full of surprises and I am full of you!!!

Engulfing Darkness...

Darkness plays a beautiful game in our life. As I start my journey back, I am astonished by this game that I see through the tinted glass of a luxury bus. I can see darkness all around which is like a soundless container which we never like because we are always surrounded with some sounds.

The dance that light and darkness showed me was more enthralling than any qualified dancer. This was the power of nature. I could see the light shining at one point on the glossy leaves of tall trees and the arrows they form through the myst. The darkness enveloping the leaves once again as a mother to its toddler, so carefully that no part of its curvey edge is left uncovered. The beauty of darkness again is enjoyed when I see a distant light and miss the presence of darkness.

The robe of darkness leaves no one untouched. Only light can pass through its deadlock. I wonder what darkness must be thinking? ' How long has light been here. It came into existence from me and would end in me. The sky has always been dark till one incident deterred the calmness under my rule and I shall rule again. I can hear the pain light causes to many lives and I assure of soothing darkness.'

Life is all about perception. Everyone is open to take his side of coin. But there are just two and what happens to them who have the third view? Move on with your side and carry them with you as you always had because its difficult to let them go as orphans. Enjoy the journey with no end, distance with no fixed points, darkness without light.

Falling in Love

I am falling in love, with the scenic beauty life offers
with the intensity of love it has
I am falling in love, with the old eyes full of experience
and concern towards life and moments passed by
I am falling in love, with the giggles of a child
when he sees his father walking down the road
I am falling in love, with the dry barren land
which shows patience and pain it carries in itself
I am falling in love, with the warmth of the hands
the touch that speaks more than words
I am falling in love, with the colors of leaves
as they nurture the change happening around
I am falling in love, with the nothingness
since it makes me feel that there is something more to me
I am falling in love, with you and with everyone
coz you are inseparable part of my being
I am falling in love, all love all over again
coz that is the reason I am here.

Gone are the days

I start wondering what to wear for the office on a busy Monday morning? A regular but an important question. It makes me wonder why do I do that everyday?

As I pick blue full sleeves cheque shirt and the black pair of pants I tune the radio in my room to listen to my favourite channel. A beautiful song to start the day with. As I gain consciousness of the passing time, I watch outside the window which has become a regular bench spot for the pigeons in my building. The school building in front of my window is all filled with noises from the jumping 15 something kids.

Someone shoots the football as his team start orienting for the perfect pass route. As I watch my mind drifts into a time that was just few years back. I can see myself on a ground passing the ball to the right forward of my class team. The memories bring in sight many faces whom I had forgotten with time.

'Life definitely moves on and has a craving to keep going no matter how you react. So keep on with your pace towards your aim.' As I catch a glimpse of my wrist watch its time for me to hit the stairs, if I don't want to miss the company bus. Life gets so monotonous as you grow up. Gone are the days when I was more moody and inclined towards being with friends. I need to carry on as gone are those days.

A great thing in life is that it gets onto a new start the time you want to. Its like a magic wand.

Have you ever entered a cave which seems endless? It defines life with itself. Firstly, you are blind though you have eyes and you just walk through your learnings of hitting the walls. You walk to see the other end of it, but lose the purpose because you fall in love with the darkness. You can't imagine who has contributed for your last turn because you are so engrossed in the journey that the steps dont matter.

Every dark tunnel has a bright opening and it feels difficult facing the lightn as acquaintance of darkness takes over. Keep walking as that is what you are supposed to do. But, dont loose the lesson and experiment as your heart says. Reason? Only one life to experience and enjoy. Risk plays an important part and accepting one gives atleast one important lesson. Jump high. Dont worry about hitting the sky, its the limit for bare eyes, but not for mind.

Use your contacts wisely, but be wise while they use you. Walk the walk you want to, your neighbour has his own walk too. Love your time and your self. They are the only things you own. Write a new story, the way you would like to read after 20 years. You are what you are and cherish what you have got.