ANGER

I'm the almighty
undeniably flighty
thrive in the moment
calmness my fierce opponent

Ruin where i manifest
as I creep in like a pest
put patience to test
not letting anyone rest

Darkness my dear friend
stays with me till the very end
compulsive by nature
I practice usurpature

Burning everything down
relationships I drown
master at hurting
if someone keeps flirting

Expert in inflicting pain
without any gain
steal people's happiness
gift them the sadness

Addictive by taste
I set in with haste
when regularly consumed
you are forever doomed

A tyrant in disguise
I live life king size
powerful with every moment I live
although misery is all I can give

As deadly as a serpent's kiss
rob you of all the bliss
love being my antidote
that chokes my throat
and keeps you afloat.
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INACCESSIBILITY

Yearning beyond yearn
a heart that burns
a feeling unlike none
shining like the sun

Can't help but wait
for the moment ever so great
hoping it won't be too late
before we passionately mate

Thought triggers a wave
for talking it craves
breaking free from the mind's cave
to ask her out would be brave

No acquaintance as of now
question of acceptance - how?
would her heart allow?
in case yes, it would be - wow

Merely a figment of imagination?
will it end up in indignation?
a need for validation
a case of fascination

Inaccessibility - you are hated
for how you manage to keep her gated
Oh Inaccessibility can't you see we are related
your death will make me elated.

VAMOS RAFA

The final of US OPEN 2019 was yet again a perfect example to depict the kind of champion Rafael Nadal has been over the years. The sheer grit and tenacity of the man was once again on display much to the delight of the capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium as well as Tennis fans across the globe. He had to dig deep and fight valiantly till the very end and his relentless attitude served him well as it has over the course of his illustrious career.

Medvedev and Nadal at the start of the match

Nadal was up against a formidable and in-form opponent in Daniil Medvedev who stretched Rafa to the limits in the epic five set final that lasted close to 5 hours. Rafa took the first two sets and was well on his way to running away with the match but Medvedev fought back brilliantly to take the match into the fifth set. Medvedev who was booed throughout the tournament by the New York crowd won many a hearts in the final with the kind of skill set he showcased against one of the all time greats the sport has ever seen. Nadal has just lost one match in his entire career after winning the first two sets and was in no mood to let that change. He went on to take the fifth set and with that won the US OPEN 2019 FINAL 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4. The occasion got the better of Nadal as he broke down in tears after the match and admitted that “This has been one of the most emotional nights in my tennis career.”

Nadal with the US OPEN trophy

This win took him within touching distance of Roger Federer’s 20 Grand Slam wins as this was his 19th Grand Slam victory. It has been a remarkable effort by Rafa owing to his debilitating knee pain over the course of his career. He seems to be fitter and hungrier than ever to leave the demons behind and go on to be the greatest of all times. The passion that drives Rafa is so infectious. Merely watching him perform is a fan’s delight and surely this five set triumph just added to his legend.

A MERMAID’s TALE

She's a dreamer through the day
a poet by the night
much to everyone's delight
wins you by her smile

Scarred by her flaws
but not marred by them
she's perfectly imperfect
falling for her has a beautiful after-effect

Deeply hurt from inside
whenever she chides
for she wants to love
and be remembered as dove

She paints her emotions in grey
is an artist as they say
wows you through her works
a creative genius
in darkness she lurks

She's a mermaid
in the turbulent seas
kind yet fierce
love her or hate her
all at your own peril
for she's a mystery waiting to be solved
through heartbreaks she's evolved

The more you think of her
the more she drowns you
something about her tells me
she yearns to swim along
by design she's intricate
waiting for the one with whom she can be intimate.

THE DRIVE

The catalyst that ignites
for dreams out of sight
from the miasma of defeat
to accomplishing a great feat
the force that keeps the flame alive
what would a man be bereft of the drive?

When the going gets tough
when life plays rough
when losing seems inevitable
and irrevocable
the drive turns it around and how
everyone left gasping "Holy Cow!"

Well established from the archives
everything significant achieved due to a strong drive
plunge inwards into a deep dive
for it's time to find your drive.




INNER VOICES

Of inner voices
the self destructive vices
the sinister design
makes one whine
when in line
makes one shine
the endless chatter
even mind over matter
all a manifestation of the inner voices
comes to the rescue in crisis
sometimes detrimental
sometimes therapeutical
from rage
to sage
of love and hate
insignificant to great
the innate power of the inner voices
a plethora of choices
choose wisely with a plan
for the inner voices maketh the man

THE FEAR

Four letter word 
ton full of baggage
engulfing the spirit
a blow too savage

Fear of failure
figment of imagination
ruling the mind
clipping the wings
just before take off

Shackles of fear
too hard to break free from
the speculation runs rife
it imprisons for life

Fearing the fear
many a great feats nipped in the bud
leaving a cloud of despondency
that rains havoc
drenching the soul

Filled with shades of grey
bereft of joyous colour
fear likes it sombre
makes the life duller

Muster the courage
to overcome fear
for it would be worth it
saving the life that's so dear

HEIST AT HEADINGLEY

Running out of superlatives to describe that innings from Ben Stokes. The context in which he got England through to victory was nothing short of sensational. One can’t think of the kind of impact he has had on World Cricket over the past couple of months. He has been the shining star in the English summer. From his World Cup heroics to the Ashes saving innings he has grown leaps and bounds as a cricketer and his stature has risen to another level. To leave the horrific shadows of 2016 T20 World Cup Final in India where he conceded 24 runs in the final over which resulted in England losing the epic clash against West Indies and to being where he is at the moment personifies the character of the man. His sheer grit and indomitable spirit helped England level the series 1-1 with two matches to play.

Stokes exults after hitting the winning runs

This loss will haunt Australia for a long time as they were the firm favourites after bundling out England for a paltry 67 runs in the first innings. England faced an uphill task of scoring 359 runs in the fourth innings and the openers managed to contribute just 15 runs. It was left to two Joe’s to resurrect the innings, they survived a wonderful spell of pace bowling by the Aussie quicks and stitched a 126 run partnership for the third wicket to keep England in the game. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow looked to run away with the game as they had a 86 run stand for the fifth wicket but soon after lunch on Day4 things changed dramatically as England was reduced to 286/9. Australia were just 1 wicket away from retaining the Ashes but Ben Stokes had other plans. He started to farm the strike and in between hit some delectable shots much to the delight of the capacity crowd at Headingley. Some of the outrageous shots he hit included a switch hit for six off Nathan Lyon’s bowling. More drama unfolded with just 2 runs left as Lyon couldn’t grab the ball to run out Leach and the very next ball there was a l.b.w. decision that went against Australia which replays showed was crashing into the stumps. Australia only had themselves to blame as they wasted the review on Leach that too on a ball that was clearly pitching outside leg stump and they ran out of reviews from there on. After what transpired in the closing stages of the match it seemed that England were destined to win.

This win has now made this Ashes series even more interesting with two matches to play. England can breathe a sigh of relief for now but have a lot of work to do if they want to win the series at home as Australia looks a better balanced side especially after Steve Smith set to return for the next game. This Ashes series has once again proved why Test Cricket is at the pinnacle of this beautiful game of Cricket.

WRITER’s BLOCK

Frantically walking up and down
unable to settle down at one place,
comfort of the chair too uneasy
mind chatters at a rapid pace.

Trying to put pen to paper
the words won't come out,
putting thoughts into perspective
seems to be an endless bout.

Days run into nights
time becomes irrelevant,
nothing substantial yields
even as the writer galavant.

In a perennial quest for the right words
the writer goes through a lot,
not a good place to be in
where the ideas just rot.

Damned to be stuck in the writer's block
but not doomed for life,
the words shall flow again
and put an end to all the strife.

WIN OR LOSE

The winning high 
the losing low,
the ecstasy
the agony,
the adrenaline rush
the deafening hush,
one elated
other gutted,
intriguing battle
nerve wrecking contest,
an emotional roller coaster
not for the faint hearted,
display of skills
of physical prowess
of mental acuity,
with right attitude
enduring with great fortitude,
the weight of a crushing defeat
too heavy for the soul,
turning it around
coming out of a big hole,
not to be acquiescent
but perseverant,
win or lose
be graceful,
for that's the essence of competing
your day shall come soon
to redeem yourself from all the gloom.

FLICKERING HOPE

Walking on a tight rope
hoping against all hope,
expecting things to go your way
through the rigours of the day,
from a pessimistic mope
to one with an optimistic hope,
the transition massive
requires action rather than being passive,
just hoping won't help
no matter how much you yelp,
through the hard work, strive
although the sky being murky, drive
constant effort in order to thrive
while keeping the flickering flame of hope alive.

SIBLING REVELRY

Me and my sisters
A relation most genuine, 
for it being consanguine;
since childhood partners in crime,
the bond endures through time.

Everlasting pillars of strength,
even though not at arm's length;
the soulful connection,
despite being in life's different direction.

From the playful exuberance, 
starting before pubescence;
to the serious conversations,
On life's undulating situations.
Much appreciated for being such a sport,
a constant source of support;
stand by you through thick and thin,
always there for you as they are your kin.
This love is beyond comparison,
both would vouch for it in unison;
together no less than a cavalry,
bask in the sibling revelry.

In the Indian tradition today is the day that signifies the importance of brother-sister relationship and is called Rakshabandhan. ‘Raksha’ means to protect and ‘Bandhan’ means the bond that binds. Sisters tie a thread on brother’s wrist called RAKHI and the brothers vow to protect them.

I have been blessed to have three elder sisters who have showered me with so much love throughout and are my pillars of strength. My today’s post is a tribute to this wonderful relationship between brothers and sisters.