Since my retirement, I’ve taken up poetry, writing mostly about the world we find ourselves in, about beauty and nature, about how to add depth to our days, and joy to our lives. I stopped for a while due to writer’s block and various other commitments, but I’m happy that poetry never left me. So here I am – presenting to you a group of 8 short poems I wrote recently while on the train, waiting to meet a friend, or just chilling on the couch on lazy days. They are written primarily to release thoughts that have been circulating within me for sometime, the way artists feel the need to pour their thoughts, ideas and feelings on canvas. I hope that some of these poems will resonate with you.
SO FAR SO GOOD
Sometimes, I only need
to remember my age,
wherever I am
to be blessed.
***
THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
Should we be surprised? Shock?
Once we craved to be closer,
and more visible to the world.
We’ve got that now.
We are more visible to the world,
as visible as one who lives
in a glass house.
More alone too,
and more invisible.
***
EFFICIENCY
Somedays
I take the bus,
there being
no slow train.
***
BLESSINGS
The scrambled egg was tasty,
the toast was good
though not great.
Who needs great?
a voice muttered.
I stepped out of the house,
face changed
like Moses.
***
A NEW APPRECIATION OF SILENCE
The universe is at peace.
No one is pushing
No one is shouting.
Every dawn breaks without a rush;
every day moves slowly
to the clock of shifting
light and shadows.
By nightfall, a sea
of stars rise, arrayed
in their silent beauty.
And I can’t help but think
that the universe weeps
for us – fragile things
trying our darndest best
to draw attention to ourselves.
***
ANOMIE
In the underpass
the people walked fast,
and looked glum.
On the train,
a few were smiling
though not to someone
they know.
I arrived late to the office.
The cacophony was in full swing.
Everybody was smiling.
***
THE ART OF LIVING
Lately, I cobbled a few poems
with the might of
my right brain.
And I bought a painting
by an unknown artist
from the flea market.
I even tried my hands
at making a pot,
though it came out warped.
But I’m happy.
I’m happy with all that.
I’m happy with anything
that sings. Songs, I begin
to realize, are evidence that
I’m progressively getting
better with my life.
***
IMPULSE SPENDING
I don’t quite know how to
write a nice poem about
living the moment, but here
are the bits and pieces:
when you suddenly feel joy
washing over you, when you
are in the mood for love,
when beauty calls you by name,
don’t hesitate. Give in to it.
Make room in your heart
for something bigger, as though
this is your only chance.
For every one like you,
dozens have already gone,
who felt the call to be
joyful or creative but
neither gave it time nor
attention.