THE GRIND

That waking up before the sun
getting the work done
sweat your only companion
and it too leaves you
out in the crowd you aspire to shine
but in putting the hard yards when alone, why whine?

Without the need of an outside stimulus
find that motivation within
conquer your own demons first
push yourself to the hilt
everyone maybe against you now
persevere and in your favour the world shall soon tilt.

Every minute you put forth counts
don't think it'll go to waste
great things do take time
it never happens in haste.

Doing the same thing everyday
is boring only if you don't want it badly enough
the grind in itself is a love affair
and in it, everything's only fair.

The lures of life and many a pitfalls along the way
the grind truly tests your character
"no one's really watching,
let's skip the session today"
don't be fooled, it ain't blind
there's no cheating THE GRIND. 
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THE PROCESS

A seed cracks up, loses itself
for it yearns to be a tree
from beneath the mud
to soaring high up above
the flowers now bloom from the bud.

The journey continues
the flower bears fruit
the seed finds it's greatest expression
it's sacrifice was worth it
adhering to the natural progression.

From a seed to the fruit
the journey wasn't easy
with summers soaking up the moisture
the winters laden with frost
it patiently waited for the monsoon
but it was gone too soon
made most of what it got
and never complained
happily shed it's leaves in the autumn
for it knew spring shall also come.

The seed taught us
to diligently take each step on the path
to accept and embrace whatever comes it's way
You too my friend, learn from it
stay on course, don't digress
endure - greatness is around the corner
just follow THE PROCESS. 

IN THE SPACE OF DAWN

"Keep lying on the bed, it's still dark"
a timid voice in my head rages on
not falling for the trap again
I choose to wake up and embrace life.

The brain waves move from theta to alpha to beta
reminding me of my physical existence
being alive this very moment
fills my heart with gratitude.

A walk outside 
witnessing the beauty of the pre-dawn sky
a constant exchange with the trees
thanking them to let me breathe.

And now Yoga- the ultimate union
the interplay of five elements
with every breath I take
with every posture I make
the very root of my existence shaken to the core
the reverberation along the spine
life energies at their peak
an experiential state of bliss
beyond the ecstasy of any passionate kiss.

As the dawn sets in 
the birds chirp effervescently
the sun keeps it's promise to rise again
Aloha! It's a new day, yes it is.

Oblivious no more 
to what this time has to offer
access to the mystical dimensions and much more beyond the scope of words
it all happens here
IN THE SPACE OF DAWN.

MOTHER’s EMBRACE

From an obedient child
to a nagging youth
the rigours of time played it's part
her love only grew with time
ourightly sublime.

How she gets to know of my pain
merely by talking on phone
something that's still beyond me
in the midst of all the storm
her lap continues the most comfortable place to be.

Her frail body needs to slowdown
but she just won't budge
working round the clock
by her age you can't judge.

Gentle and kind
yet fierce when the need be
she's one strong resolute woman
grateful to be her son.

Her ubiquitous presence in my life
heals all my wounds
blessed by her divine grace
the magic of mother's embrace.

WHAT’S “NEW” THIS NEW YEAR

A year that was
came with the same aplomb
 as this new one
 months passed by 
mirth turned to melancholy 
resolutions - weren't that resolute
 they choked to death eventually.
 New Year's eve - a night of wild revelry
 flooded with greetings
 31st December to 1st January
 does change the calendar year
 the same old psychological drama
 what changes I ask.
  At the stroke of the midnight
  nothing magical happens
 what's "NEW" this NEW YEAR
 shall be determined by your attitude
 live a blessed life
 filled with gratitude.

THE LOVE GIRL

A hopeless romantic with nothing but hope
what else would she rather be?
the perennial quest to find love
has brought her so far
no turning back now
love - the antidote for all her pain
the elixir of life
she's got nothing to lose
and everything to gain.

Stretching her limits everyday
a yoga girl as they say
the ultimate union of body and mind
is what she seeks and find.

Gullible in the matters of love
yearning for her soulmate
the wait never dissuades her
the longing grows exponentially
shower love upon her
and she'll be yours eternally.

RAPE

Yet another Rape incident has shook the entire nation and led to widespread anger and calls for ‘Instant Justice’. The horrific crime where Dr. Priyanka Reddy was brutally raped and charred to death on the outskirts of Hyderabad has brought back the memories of Delhi’s Nirbhaya rape case. When will Enough be Enough and when will this inhumanity end remains to be seen but such cases should not be forgotten and the human life be valued above all instead of just another #Dr.PriyankaReddy.

A heinous crime
unlawful subjugation
abuse of abuses
physical, mental, emotional
spirit trampled
leaving an indelible imprint
of the fear within
the horror haunts for a lifetime

The way she dresses
the way she looks
isn't an invitation to rape her
it's the design of convoluted minds
finding expression
Oh man - look what you've made her go through
if someone had to die
it better be you

Been happening since times immemorial
when will this inhumanity end?
do away with the gag
speak up now
it's a dear life after all
not just another hashtag

DEVOTION

A love so profound
an unwavering belief
trust beyond doubt
devotion - unlike anything found.

Undeterred by life's tribulations
eclipsing all fears
the righteous path to glory
stillness amidst motion
nothing significant achieved
without a sense of devotion.

Being a devotee - the way to be
no putting life on pause
for it's meant to flow
no holding back
just surrender to the cause.

DREAMS

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.