Keeping it simple

I said a prayer.

And the hell broke loose.

I held on to a leaf.

The leaf trembled.

I let go.

I know not where I went ever since.

I walked away.

And the heavens opened.

I hid behind a cloud.

The cloud drifted.

I saw light.

I know not what I found ever since.

I craved for rain.

And the fire raged.

I gathered the ashes.

The ashes flew.

I smelled life.

I know not who I loved ever since.

I waited for dawn.

And the moon shone.

I stared at the stars.

The stars blinked.

I heard the wind.

I know not why I sang ever since.

I set sail.

And the storm rose.

I dove into the sea.

The sea parted.

I felt dry.

I know not how I lived ever since.

I hit the dunes.

And the flowers bloomed.

I followed a bee.

The bee winked.

I sipped honey.

I know not when I woke up ever since.

World of life

No one is grouped here,

Set up on wings, is every bell that rings.

Lucid as the blatant fear,

Ludicrous as the joy that stings.

No one is spared here,

Clutched by a claw, is every outlaw.

Scared as the running deer,

Scalding as the coal you saw.

No one is free here,

Chained alone, is every bone.

Enslaved as the actor to the crowd’s cheer,

Engraved as the carving on stone.

No one is pampered here,

Rough as weather, is every feather.

Baffled by fate as the devil’s peer,

Battling hard as the beasts you tether.

---

Welcome to the world of life,

(Un)known to thee, (un)known to me.

Sharp as the villain’s knife,

Shady as the fine blue sea.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Special thanks to my friend whose posts made me peek into the world of rhyming verses.

Life's but a walking shadow

When God is happy, he smiles.
The sun shines brightly, birds sing, flowers bloom.
When God is sad, he closes his eyes.
A dark cloud passes over the moon, stars vanish, world stands still.
And when he cries, it rains…

He was a fine young soldier.

Committed to the cause and courageous to the core, he was the pride of the army.
He never had second notions when it came to fight for his motherland and felt immense pride in defending her rights and dignity.

It was a cold, yet clear night. The entire platoon had to face strong retaliation from the enemy. Many were wounded critically. He had taken two shrapnel hits on his chest and a bullet under his left shoulder. He was bleeding profusely. He knew that if the reinforcement wouldn’t arrive till daybreak, he would not make it alive. As he lay on his back, hiding from the enemy view behind a rock, looking at the beautiful full moon, his mind wandered. A sorrowful heaviness had filled his heart.

He was thinking of her.

The first time he saw her, he could not take his eyes off her. He stood there spellbound, not knowing what to do. He knew that she was the most beautiful creature in the entire universe. She looked at him with her curious eyes and he was lost in the mesmerizing feeling that she had given him at the first sight.

He fell in love with her instantly. And as time flew by, he was in love with everything that she was. He was in love with her big, brown inquisitive eyes, smooth golden hair, her infectious smile, little mischief’s…

He would tell her stories about lands she had never seen, rivers and forests, rainbow and butterflies. She would listen to him with wide open eyes, holding his hand as he spoke.
He would sit by her side, watching her, even when she was asleep. But she wouldn’t talk to him. All her responses were smiles and tinkles of laughter or gentle frowns. Yet, he knew that she loved him too, and that an eternal bond had held them together, that he would never let her go, that she had always been and will always be a part of his soul. He would feel the warmth of a shining sun; listen to the birds humming tunes of happiness, and see flowers swaying gently in a light breeze.

The day he left for the warfront, she cried.
He planted a kiss on her forehead and struggled to fight tears as he stepped into the vehicle.

The pain had vanished now.
He felt his whole body go numb.
The heaviness in his heart had floated away and an eerie calmness filled the space.
As he gently closed his eyes, she was all he saw…
The big brown eyes, the smooth golden hair, and that smile he was crazy about, showing two little milk teeth.

The brave soldier’s content soul drifted into the vastness of space, leaving behind a proud father’s soul, behind the persistent smile on his face.

A dark cloud covered the moon, the stars faded away into the stillness of night, and not a leaf moved.
And it started raining…

HowStuffWorks - Drinking

Peg 1
--------

Things are pretty nice. Just stepped into the bar, can see the drunk ones moving about, howling, shouting making all kinds of noises. Behaviour is impeccable. Calls the waiter, asks for the drink, soda and snacks. Looks around for ladies. Spots one. Asks for more ice. Drinks in sips.

Peg 2
--------

The first peg has hit quite nicely. A smooth feeling. The stubbornness and niceness in behaviour comes down a little. The cuff-links open. The sleeves are rolled back.
A slow sway and a little head banging starts. No "excuse me" when getting up from the chair. Just a grin. Drink goes down in three gulps. A burp. Lights a cigarette.

Peg 3
--------

Corporate-ness has vanished. The tucked in shirt comes out. The seating position is more like a slump and the legs move to almost hitting the opposite chair. Singing along to the music starts. A hoot or two comes out when favourite numbers are played. The waiter is summoned by a "Tut - Tut". More Ice, More Soda, More snacks. "Make it fast now... I havent got all the time in the world". Goes to the washroom. Admires oneself in the mirror. Makes faces. Stumbles while coming back. Can't see the glass of drink that well. The drink is done in two gulps. With a spoon load of peanuts /corn. Summons the waiter to light the cigarette.

Peg 4
--------
On the dance floor. Five minutes of a newly invented dance form has inducted breathlessness. Order from the bar counter and not from the waiter. "More Ice PLEASE (Sarcastic) and water". Eyes close. World goes dizzy. Eyes open. Shake of the head. Fumbles all around to find the lighter. Asks the guy on the next table for one. Thanks generously. Being drunk is shameful. "Now try to behave like sober" - tells to oneself. The drink arrives. Smell is kind of nauseating. The first sip doesnt go down. Waits. Cigarette is done. Water. Snacks. Seems okay now. Careful next sip. Good to go. 1-2-3-4-5. Drink is done. Head is bowed. Thoughts. Promises. Affirmations. Introspection. "One more ^$#@#$ large here.........". Slump.

Peg 5
--------
Mind is still young, but the body has grown old. Doesn't matter much now. The hands know the way till the mouth. Snacks go in. Drink does too. Things are much clearer now, that they will not be clear until noon next day. "One more......."

Peg 6
--------
Did it. #6 is in..Or was it #5? Bill is on the table. Scrawls something like a signature on the slip. "Which way is out?.."

***

Day after
---------
Where am I?
Wow.. am home. On my bed.
Who brought me here?
Wait.. I walked almost a mile? and crossed the road too??
Oh my... The head is splitting open.
I need some water? Coffee??
Ohh..
Never .. ever will drink again..
Oww...
This is the final time..
Need some more sleep.
aah..
..
.

Mea Culpa

Thy eyes never betrayed;
They concealed the wonder
Of the first sight…

Thy beliefs never deceived;
They contained the horror
Of realization…

Thy touches never vanished;
They beheld the love
That had to be bestowed…

Thy lips never gave up;
They parted in the excitement
Of the chance to be sealed…

Thy thoughts never surrendered;
They fought furiously
The war that could never be won…

Thy words never dried up;
They flowed peacefully
Filling up the wandering soul…

Thy feet never complained;
They bravely tread ahead
Heedless of thorny trails…

Thy shoulders never stooped;
They stood their calm
Amidst odious defeats…

Thy tears never craved.
For the compassion
They truly deserved…

Mea Culpa …
Mea Culpa…
Mea Maxima Culpa…