Laudable Achievement

I wonder if cats laud each other,
During community meetings and social get-togethers;
That in spite of living amongst people and rats
They haven’t forgotten how to be cats?

I wonder if the dogs howling at night
Are in fact applauding each other for being so bright;
That in spite of the best efforts by humans to tame them,
Their doggy qualities they have not forgotten.

I see a few smiles, I hear a few laughs.
Is what I am saying so absurd after all?

Do we not so very often hear cries
Of how only in India all religions thrive;
Of how Hindus and Muslims are like brothers,
In spite of those who induce terror;
Of how laudable it is about our country,
That amongst a billion plus people survives humanity?

- Written on 28th December 2006
- Well this is what happens when I see stupid programmes on TV like the stupid person I am ;)

Pneumonic Plight

I sit up all night,
Coughing away all my might,
Struggling to breathe properly,
Craving sleep, craving even a moment of peace.

I wonder how a simple cold
Ballooned into a pneumonic hold.
I feel strangled inside out,
As I feverishly struggle with the lout.

At least I know I will soon be cured.
Even if it is at times death I cheer.
I wonder how other survive,
Those worse off, how do they bear to strive?

I can only salute their spirit
And pray for their strength that they may never desist.


- Written on 28th December 2006
- Well pretty much self explanatory isn’t it? I am suffering from a nice black mood of self pity and martyr syndrome ;)

The Customer

EMI is today’s catch-phrase.
Typically, the middle class have latched onto this craze.
In bygone years people believed in advance payments.
Now, the savvy know there’s more to be gained from installments.
How do I know this?!
Oh! You mean how do I prove this?
Easy! See the matrimonial classifieds:
“Wanted a bride, preferably employed…”
No dowry demands from the educated sophisticate.
Why bother when better returns are assured from a working mate?
The buyers, the sellers, everyone is happy.
Why, there is nary a quarry!
The social workers see no problems
That on Indian tradition there is this modern influence.
Money begets independence I am told,
To speak against this working tradition I am a fool.
But I want to inquire
Do the both sides’ folks get the same share?
Which folks get the most gifts?
Which folks do the couple’s home the most visit?
No dichotomy you say!?
No more dowry, hooray!?
In this age of consumer protection
The girl doesn’t even realize she is the customer – instead she serves!

- Written on 6 December 2006, Wednesday.

Yes! very cynical, very bombastic, very very one-sided but also I think a shade of truth we so easily overlook all the time that perhaps it is time it was highlighted. I am sick of the feminist jargon that does not look beyond asking that girls be given equal opportunity without looking into halving their already existing burdens they pile on more. I am very angry today as you can judge. Blame the holiday that got me seeing a debate on why women should be educated - always for the family's sake (read their husband's burden is halved with them working!) - why don't girls ask how much of house training have prospective grooms undergone when these girls are "professionally qualified" and "preferably employed" why not ask for boys "domestically trained and home loving" whatever the latter terms mean. ;)
chalo maine toh apni dil ki bhadaas nikal di. ab aap ki baari. ;)

Is it Love or Hate?

Is it Sunrise or Sunset?

Is it love for power that leads to terrorism?
Or is it hate of a people, of personal poverty, that leads results in mayhem?
Is it love of a nation that leads to military attacks?
Or is it hate of feeling threatened that results in this mad act?

Is it love for one’s community that leads to caste and race politics?
Or is it hate of losing face that causes us from inclusion to desist?
Is it love for one’s God that leads to riots and ravage?
Or is it hate of the strange, the unknown that results in this carnage?

Is it love for knowledge that leads to better ways?
Or is it hate of helplessness that results in constantly striving to update?
Is it love for money that leads lack of principles?
Or is it hate of powerlessness that results in breaking free of such shackles?

Is it love for a male child that leads to killing a girl baby?
Or is it hate of a sense of burden that results in this deed?
Is it love for a daughter that parents don’t tarry?
Or is it hate of ‘societal disapproval’ that results in forcing them to marry?

Is it love for the children that leads parents to pressurize?
Or is it hate of ‘personal failure’ that makes them so much criticize?
Is it love for one’s parents that them one doesn’t abandon?
Or is it hate of feeling the least bit beholden?

Is it love that makes the world go round?
Or is it hate that results in the merry-go-round?
Two sides of the same coin are Love and Hate.
Yet, we never value both the same.

- Written on October 22, 2006 Sunday.

- In response to A Father’s Appeal I guess. Was definitely written right after. I hate this poem though if I can call it a poem.

A Father’s Appeal

Wrong is Wrong and Right is Right.
If with words you cannot realize
I will show you with might.

Forget Gandhigiri, forget maxims of peace
Of trying to make you see sense lovingly, I am weary.
You must be punished for not following my lead.

What I do, I do for your own good.
You do not realize this now though you should.
To follow your right instincts allow I would,

But, you are still young and know not the world’s ways
So, you must be made to obey.
I cannot allow you any gainsay.

You know I’ve stopped you before.
It wasn’t clipping of wings to stop you soar.
It was only because from life’s pitfalls I didn’t want you sore.

I have only your best interests at heart
To guide you is my loving duty and I am doing my part.
For life’s journey I am gifting you the very best start.

Now no more tears or pleas.
No more lamenting that you want to be free.
At the end of life’s journey, I know you will thank me.

Fine! I give you a choice. How can I deny you?
You must marry the boy I choose
Or else all Hell will break loose.

- Written on 26 October 2006.

- Well read this with a sense of humour guys.
As for why I wrote it i was in a filthy mood. And now I am not. I would never have published this one on this page if not for my friend Dharam. so Dharam on your head be it ;)

Written on Tsunami - The Actual Disaster

Did you think we had lost faith Lord?
Did you want to test us?
Did you want to prove Lord
That you are watching over us?

What reason can you give Lord for sending that wave?
Why Lord, why would you want to thus devastate?
In the season for rejoice Lord, why did you send this message?
Where do we find solace Lord, in which passage?

We build walls of brick and mortar Lord
You proved you could outdo us.
Now we fear not nuclear weapons Lord,
We fear your power.

Did you send the water Lord, to purify us, to cleanse?
Was this part of a ritual Lord, part of our penance?

You gave us miracles galore Lord,
Lives seemingly lost returned.
But we can’t say a prayer of gratitude Lord
For the sorrow was a hundred times worse.

Nothing seems to compensate Lord,
The deaths of so many.
Nothing seems to equalize Lord,
The loss of faith in your glory.

-Written early January 2005.
Yes I know one more to add to the multitudinous voices. But guys tread carefully in your comments - I like this one :)

State your opinion...

‘State your opinion (and then be forgotten).
Your parental household’s affair is not your concern.
Of course you care about this family’s welfare
But this household’s concerns are not your share.’

‘State your opinion (and then be forgotten).
You are needed in a place more important.
Of course your work place is your concern
But it is personal life (your family)you must more govern.’

‘State your opinion (and then be forgotten).
This household’ affair is not your concern.
Of course you care about what happens in your husband’s family
But you can’t possibly care for almost strangers selflessly.’

‘State your opinion (and then be forgotten).
You are from an older generation.
Of course you care for your children
But with current times you have no synchronization.’

‘State your opinion (and then be forgotten).
Why do feel this an injustice woman?!
When you have a worthwhile opinion
Don’t worry, the world will (not) listen.’

Written on 16th October 2006.
for God alone knows what reason ;) it sorta wrote itself. Whatever 'it' is .

Thank You for Ur Comments Guys

Touched am I by the comments of friends
These very trusting and generous creatures.
Even if I don't believe your comments
I love receiving them. ;)
So Thank you guys.
Will try to more write.

Cakey

Delicious, luscious, loaded with calories
Spongy layers spread thickly with cream
A spoonful of sin will revive your spirits
Life will no longer feel like the pits.
The one form of chocolate I cannot ever deny
Though the pineapple flavour is what I most times like.
The one of many indulgences for which I gladly pay
For the sheer joy of the moment is worth every other gain.
;)
fatso

Written on 8th Oct 2006. Yes one more! :(
Don't ask why folks. I guess I was in the mood to move every reader of mine to tears. - sadist

Schumi

Another loss,
This time due to engine fault.
The last stage of a scintilating career
Why couldn't Luck favour this racer?

An all time great - he was written off
As a has-been, who can see the podium from only far-off.
He proved to sceptics and admirers,
That the Schumi magic may never retire.

Then at a peak he announced -
This Grand Prix was his swan swong.
Almost everyone with bated breath
Rooted for Schumi to win in Alonso's stead.

For the master had proved himself
And shown that he deserved nothing less.
The first place in the GP
With skill and luck was his assuredly.

But alas! Luck sawed under him
Luck 'see ed' to Alonso's whim.
Why -o -why must this happen?
There are so many other wins ahead for the Italian.

Why cudn't luck bend to Schumi's will
And provide for millions another Schumi thrill?
The glory of Michael Schumacher is not diminished of course
He has too many times dictated on the F1 course.

And yet it is with a pang of could-have-been
That us fans had to see Schumi retire from the scene.
I cannot know what he feels
But I know he is too strong to feel "shoot me."

I know his triumphs are so many
That he will linger on every race-fan's memory
Come what other racers may
Schumi is there in our hearts to stay.

-Written on 8th October 2006 after seeing Schumi having to retire due to engine failure from the Japanese GP.

My Fav Brew

Limbugaas aur Adharak
Masaaledaar aur Kadak
Chai Se behtar kya hai khansi zukham ke liye
Jahan Dava bhi na asar kare wahan chai apni kamaal dikhaiye.
Chai ke hazaaroin gun mein gaate jaaoin
Chai na ho toh mein khushaal ji na paaoin.

Sadly Inspired by a Gmail Chat with cold suffering Easwar tonite.
Sorry Easwar to add to your woes. ;)

Things are looking up

Prices go up for commodities
Prices go up for all forms of energy.
Affordable accommodation is a distant, very distant reality.
Pray tell how are things looking up in the Indian economy?

We have had bomb blasts that take immeasurable toll.
Intelligence says ‘Wait, there is more to follow.’
The common man needs ‘Z plus’ security.
Pray tell how are things looking up in this country?

There are jobs now available in plenty.
But only for those who already have opportunities.
There are countless still who despair
That crime is the only way to pay their fare.

The under privileged are only less privileged
Sex is still being gendered.
Fanatics and lightweights hog the newspaper
The common man’s concerns are pushed to a corner.

Yet there is justice in the country.
B’coz verdicts are doled in 2006 for blasts in 1993.
B’coz so many guilty are still let scot-free.
B’coz so many innocents are still found guilty.

Yet things are looking up in this country.
B’coz we have an Oscar level ‘Rang de Basanti.’
B’coz we have newly found Gandhigiri.
B’coz all these events have inspired my poetry.


Written on 4 October, 2006.
For reference read today’s TOI and Hindustan Times if u wish to ;)

A Response to - Can the bowlers grab the kangaroos by the tail?

Great take on the situation.
I hated what the bowlers gave the opposition.
Pathan ruined his batting performance.
Wish someone wud let him first be a bowler rather than a front line batting defence.
With a batting line up of Dravid and company
We have Raina and Pathan feature in the leading three!!!
Ridiculous I say! Whoever said India is worthy?
Yet, perhaps it is DLF policy that leads to this 'doom doom' prophecy
I can only hope like others
Afterall Indians have got only this field to be 'better'.

This rhyme was written on 15 Sep 2006 in response to the following article by my friend.

Can the bowlers grab the kangaroos by the tail?

-- Deba Prasad Dhar for cricketnext.com

Grace, art and Sachin Tendulkar are all fine but does team India have thewherewithal in bowling to win the DLF Cup?His mien betraying high concern, captain Rahul Dravid did not mince wordsduring Thursday’s post-match conference when he said, “We won’t win too manyif we bowl like that.”As India take on Australia in the third match of the DLF tri-series, Dravidwill address on priority the profligacy of his bowlers. The economy rates ofIrfan Pathan (11), R P Singh (9.75) and Harbhajan Singh (7.50) in the firstmatch must have given him enough cricks in the neck.Indian bowlers, to say the least, looked like pedestrian peashooters. ChrisGayle used his bat as if he was swatting away flies in sleep. Only MunafPatel, of the lot, stood out with his niggardly length.Against West Indies (on Thursday), Pathan clocked 132 kph - a rarity givenhis prolonged slump of form. So much so that one wondered if the speedometerinstalled for the match was prone to typos. But it was refreshing to see himcharging in and gnashing his teeth as if to suggest: “Critics, you wait. Irun in to answer.” But you can only perform within the force and compass ofyour talents. Fact remains that Pathan is proving to be expensive yet again.With Australia pencilling in greenhorn PA Jaques to partner Simon Katich,Munaf might well hurl the new cherry. But don’t rule out the possibility ofMatthew Hayden taking guard first up.Though Ricky Ponting’s men haven’t faced Munaf and R P before, the lattercould get the heave-ho, at least, for the time being. Singh, who seems tohave somewhat lost his bearings in ODIs, might make way for ShanthakumaranSreesanth.The batting takes care of itself though Indians would not undermine theinfluence of Shane Watson who is fast gaining a reputation of makingdecisive inroads in the lower middle order. A question mark ought to prevailover Mohammad Kaif’s position in the order. If he is not going to get anouting when India is 165/3 in 35 overs, then doesn’t it make sense to tryout Dinesh Mongia who, if required, can roll his arm over? It’s a differentequation though if Yuvraj Singh returns to the fray. Virendra Sehwag posedlike a lost Simon as he waited (and waited) for his turn to bat in the firstmatch. Rhythm is central to his batting, so why not have him right up there?No point being rawboned and rigidly “flexible” when he scored a 90 in hislast adventure as opener.With Tendulkar in Divine nick, Ponting without an iota of misgiving willinduct Brett Lee into the side. In batting, PA Jaques, MJ Cosgrove and BJHaddin are just about finding their feet in international cricket. The onuswill be on the captain, Matthew Hayden (if he returns) and MJ Clarke to postthe big scores. Dravid would look to cash in on the inexperience ofAustralia’s middle order. Thus, despite the hard pounding that his bowlerswere subject to against Gayle and Lara’s cavalry, he might be tempted to batfirst if he wins the toss.Yet, even on paper, Australia start overwhelming favourites. India need topull something special out of the hat to get into the points table. We couldbe in for a thriller if Dravid’s frontline bowlers hit the right line. Seeyou Saturday.

Choices

Why do we think of suicide?
Is it just a sign of cowardice?
Or is it that we finally decide
That nothing could be worse than what we now abide?

But there is something in our core
Which believes in all those childhood lore
And adores the thought of challenging Fate
Shunning the idea of an escape.

‘The known devil is better than the unknown’ -
It is enough to will us to live on.
But how much can the soul take on misery?
How long before it breaks down completely?

‘Shared grief is sorrow divided’ – an advice
But inflicting our self on others – is that really wise?
Each to his own – tears or laughter.
Why add to the woes of another?

Live alone – such a dreary life?
Or die alone after a journey of much strife?
Inflict on another our own unhappiness?
Or add to their sorrow by embracing death?

The choice before us is complex
Should we challenge Fate or let our self rest?

Strong MEEK

A girl embraced death with a jump
For a reason everyone is stumped.
'She was strong' is the consensus.
Then why did she choose death?

Is it strength to keep mum
When by troubles you are overcome?
Is it strength to silence
Emotions that induce violence?

Is it not violent, girl,
To kill your Self?
Is it not a crime, girl,
To leave your friends so bereft?

In what society do we live
That preaches strength to kill?
You are brave to die; it is a weakness to cry.
This maxim I have to yet learn to defy.

So, but for a moment's play
It could have been me in that girl's place.
It must be true - what I have heard.
The meek WILL inherit the Earth.

(C) Anusha Ramanathan
3 August 2006

- On 2 August 2006 a SNDT TY B.Sc. Nursing Student (a hostelite) was declared dead upon her fall from the 6th floor of the Annex Building.

Technology

Technology exists
That it may assist
In showing us mere mortals
how much we lack in creating perfect portals

Children are said to teach parents
That perfection is like the horizon.
But hey! even the kids can't reach the levels
Where technology shows us our imperfect selves.

We think we are so smart and yet despair
At the littlest blink from the computer at which we stare
Aah Technology! the man made creation
In teaching ourselves about imperfection
We beat God even
Who said failure is 'only' human. ;))

Transmogrification

Came across a new word today
And thought of a fellow I know
Rhyme scheme is important he would say
And use words that make one's skull feel hollow.
So I thought of the saying -
IF can't beat him then join in
And thought that I would too, write a rhyme on a word
That only intellectual fools would have registered.
'Transmogrification' means change in layman's terms
Why a simple word is substituted, perhaps Easwar you can again confirm?

;)

In a devilish mooood

The friend was you as you well know Easwar
Who inspired me to create this blunder.
It is true that my blogs won't make you ponder
If there is any worth - that will be a wonder.

I will not delete until many opine thus
Even then I will await your addition to the chorus.

I am not regular this you know too
But I will attempt to write more I threaten you;)
My comments on your site if they have not torn you asunder
Come yonder and let me make you more suffer ;))

Introduction

A friend inspired me to create
This site that u may come to hate
B'coz ramblings will all it will ever have
For I am the queen of crap.
But don't worry - if it gets too much
I can delete this blog at the press of a button

;)