Birthed in the subconscious
inexplicable at times,
traumatic as well as pleasant
the ever-present.
The weirdest mysteries
to the feel good ones,
uncontrollably sneaking in
some of the future
some from the past
dreams never cease to amaze
while they last.
Portents of good or evil
no decoding the dreams,
what ought to happen
shall happen
that's the way it's always been.
JOYOUS AFFAIR
The vagaries of life
never ceasing to amaze,
sorrow one moment, joy the other
roller coaster delusional haze.
What comes our way
isn't entirely our making,
what we make of it
certainly is,
not to be retrograde
be joyful instead
it' time to upgrade.
Smile and laughter- the elixir of life
perpetually happy the way to be,
just be fully aware
life's meant to be a joyous affair.
PROCRASTINATION
Working out the pros and cons
putting life on hold,
something that's ought to be done
can't be left undone.
The fear of what's going to happen
robs us of the wonderful possibilities,
the negativity it gives birth to
not in tune with the best of our abilities.
By the time realization kicks in
it's often too late,
sunset's an everyday phenomenon
time passes by
it just won't wait.
Say it, do it
whatever you've been holding onto,
unshackle yourself of all the doubt,
put an end to procrastination
for life's meant to flow
this being the essence of creation
TOMORROW
A day still unborn
yet casting shadows of uncertainty,
of endless possibilities dying a premature death
only to be left forlorn.
Looming large in psyche
making one vexed,
promises to be kept
that never see light of the day,
ultimately axed.
What could have, would have, should have
goes up in flames,
the fear of what's about to unfold
is the mind's one of many cruel games.
There's a lot to savour in this brief life
make the most of every moment,
don't be so obsessed with TOMORROW
for it's the source of deep sorrow.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Eclipsed by the shadows of ego
drunk on self-conceit
the hardwired beliefs
some fallible, others concrete.
Man and his greed
all the vices in between
soul-crushed
spirit-exhausted
willingly unkeen.
Lying in the dungeons of darkness
only to rot in misery
from unawares to awareness
unconscious to consciousness
certainly an inner thing
illuminate the life from within
let there be light
and soar to greater heights.
LETTING GO
Love ever so pure
a feeling so surreal
'twas supposed to withstand the test of time,
after all, I was hers
and she was mine.
What was meant to be forever
turned out to be a fairytale,
couldn't ride the surf of love
although my boat had set sail.
The sweetness while it lasted
still gives me an aftertaste,
her presence was infectious
for me, she was precious.
From present to what's now past
it all happened so fast,
confusion reigned supreme
it all seems an illusionary dream.
Characters changed overnight
trust died a natural death,
out of sight
with each passing breath.
Irony of ironies,
love's there to heal
but here it was the source of pain,
learnt to live with it
without going insane.
Enough burning in the flames of love
time to extinguish it now,
holding onto it
never brought solace,
letting go however,
the only saving grace.
ADDICTION
No half measures
I like to go at full throttle,
inebriating the body, mind and spirit
emptying many a bottle.
Setting in with ease
friendly from the outset,
gripping the life as time goes by
biggest foe one ever met.
Immersed deeply in my trap
a vicious circle to come out from,
as enticing as it could be
left to hopelessly roam.
I burn down houses
reduce them to ashes,
spreading misery along the way
leading to household clashes.
Luring into my pit
intoxicating the soul,
not easy to escape from my clutches
as i sink you down a deep hole.
Foray into my world
at your own peril,
for you shall never be the same again
I'm that evil.
NOSTALGIA
The past memories
some bitter some sweet,
rekindling the fire
a feeling that can't be beat.
Evoking an array of extreme emotions
of love and hate,
a wistful smile across the face
being ever so great.
What seemed surreal back then
makes perfect sense now,
can't help but think of it
even the heart does allow.
The hysteria around it
the frenzy and all the craze,
a world of it's own
Nostalgia never ceases to amaze.
KILLING THE RAVANA WITHIN
The tenth and final day of the Indian festival Navaratri is celebrated as Dussehra. The name Dussehra is derived from the Sanskrit language where “dasha” means ten and “hara” means defeat. The legend has it that on this day Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu defeated the demon king Ravana who abducted Rama’s wife Sita. To mark this day Ravana’s effigy is burnt to signify the victory of good over evil.
Ravana was regarded as the most intelligent and knowledgeable man of his times. A great scholar, he had over a dozen of texts to his credit which include Arkaprakasha, Kumaratantra, Indrajala, Prakrata Kamadhenu, Prakrata Lankeshvara, Ravana Samhita, Rigveda Bhashya, Ravanabheta, Krishna Yajur Veda among others. He is known to have compiled Sama Veda and his Shiva Tandva Stotra is considered the most popular hymn ever sung in praise of Lord Shiva. Albeit his genius he is remembered for the evil traits that he exhibited. The negative interpretation of Ravana’s ten heads are the ten emotions or senses in a human which are namely : KAMA(LUST), KRODHA(ANGER), MOHA(DELUSION), LOBHA(GREED), MADA(PRIDE), MATSARYA(ENVY), MANAS(MIND), BUDDHI(INTELLECT), CHITTA(WILL) and AHAMKARA(EGO).
The ten heads are believed to control his actions that ultimately led to his destruction. Ravana, the king of Lanka became a slave to his senses and these emotions got the better of him. Despite being such a genius he couldn’t harness his powers as these very senses consumed him. There are many a lessons to be learnt from this. We as humans have a tendency of being overwhelmed by these very emotions every now and then. To be honest with oneself and introspect is the need of the hour as these emotions are the root cause of all our misery. All these emotions do is infect us like pests from within and make things worse for us physically as well as psychologically. Let’s imbibe the spirit of Dussehra and KILL THE RAVANA WITHIN and make this life blissful for us and everyone around.
Over the past few days i posted poems regarding some of these, it’ll be worth going through them while it’s fresh on your minds.
LUST https://lifein22yardsandbeyond.com/2019/10/05/lust/
GREED https://lifein22yardsandbeyond.com/2019/10/03/greed/
NAVARATRI https://lifein22yardsandbeyond.com/2019/10/01/navaratri-nine-nights-arent-enough/
ANGER https://lifein22yardsandbeyond.com/2019/09/14/anger/
EGO https://lifein22yardsandbeyond.com/2019/07/28/trip-over-the-ego-trip/
LUST
A strong desire
thought process on fire
unable to accept anything less
makes life a mess
Of power and sex
many a land annexed
lust knows no stopping
even promotes groping
Stooping to new lows
painful than the bodily blows
intoxicating the soul
falling into a big hole
The poison of lust
kills for sure
yet people consume it
mistaking it for love
the only thing that's pure
Lust comes in with ease
entices while it lasts
nothing short of a disease
get rid of it fast
GREED
Man and his greed
prevalent in different cultures and creeds
supposedly for the riches
such an irony it is
makes one poorer
tested and failed through times
yet it lures
and sucks right in
of unkept promises
known for it's betrayals
still enjoys a huge fan base
seemingly greener pastures
all arid with time
greed takes you places
manages to change faces
of power and wealth
not good for health
a sinister vice
engulfs the soul
mirrors the character
the seed of greed reaps misery
Oh man-look what greed has done to you
sold your spirit for the want of more
don't let it make you bleed
content is the man bereft of greed
‘NAVARATRI’ – NINE NIGHTS AREN’T ENOUGH
‘Nava’ means nine and ‘Ratri’ means night. Navaratri is an Indian festival that spans nine nights and each of the nine forms of Goddess Durga is celebrated over the course of these nine days. During this period the femininity is respected and worshipped. But as hypocrite as it can get, the actions and beliefs of the same society do not do justice to what is practiced during Navaratri. It’s time we uphold the spirit throughout the year and for the rest of our lives showering love and respect towards women. Following is a poem depicting the same.
Durga's divinity
a celebration of femininity
nine heavenly nights
of deep obeisance
what happens rest of the year?
typical hypocrisy at play
the same old nuisance
where women are left to their plight
Love her for who she is
a mother who nurtures
birthed from her womb
yet abusing her
her spirit you entomb
Your kin or not
respecting her is the only way
she has to have a say
love her and she'll make you bloom
hating her will bring in gloom
She deserves a lifetime of worship
nine nights aren't enough
no more looking down on her
her place is way above
Don't rub her the wrong way
high time you realize this
she can be fiercely feisty
this even makes the demons fear her
who do you think you are?
there's no one stronger than a resolute woman
embrace the spirit of 'Navaratri' for life
and put an end to all the suffering and strife.
22 YARDS and beyond..... 