To Urmila's Sister :)

Sister mine, you are the pious one,

Exemplify the go(o)d wife, bar none. 

Your husband told you not to come,

You ignored him, his wisdom.
You added to his work, slowed his pace,
You coveted, landed in disgrace.
You ignored dictums for your whims,
And when caught sang hymns!

All united to free you,
A 'devil' defeated, a land 'liberated', the cause: YOU.
Yet again you proved your virtue,
A fire pyre, a decoy; you so pure, true.
But people had their way,
Their queen had to go away.

Into an ashram you so graciously retired,
Bore twins who surpassed the one who them sired.
And when begged to take your rightful seat,
You 'forgivingly' declined, escaped duty in your mother's retreat.
Enshrined forever in your devotees' heart,
A model? A burden? For womankind ever to cart.

Your sisters, who their husbands obeyed,
Who from their kingdom's cause never strayed,
Who whims and fancies never betrayed,
Who gracefully in the background ever stayed,
Did anyone give them the time of the day?
Who, today, remembers any one's name?

The moral? Ah the moral! Could be but one:
Emulate Sita. Woman, have fun. ;)

- Completed 13 November 2012. Genesis 3 October 2012. 

- Do not ask. The first off I have had in a long, long while. May be that is why. May be boredom for me means torture for my loyal subjects :) 

- It started with some dimwit judge (actually several dullards that preside our benches spake thus) decreeing that the wife must emulate Sita and go with her husband and do as HE wishes. I hope the judge reads the Ramayan again and lets me know when exactly did Sita obey any ONE of the male species. Oh Yes! her father, who decreed she must marry the one who could aim well with The bow, and even then, I am not sure that our eager princess did not have some trick up her sleeve. :P 

- Helen of Troy should be ashamed, don't you think so?. :) 

- Oh! and by the way the two cousins of Sita who married Bharat and Shatrughan were named Mandavi and Shrutakirti respectively. That is, if I remember correctly. never did read or hear much about them. Ironic that the one who is named, 'whose praise is to be sung' or 'whose fame is heard' is the least known of the quartet. Urmila was, of course, Lakshman's wife, Janak's younger daughter and perhaps the better known one after the 'great' Sita. The opposite of the willful sister: the famous wallpaper. :P 

Voices in My Head

Today is a day we celebrate Triumph

Of Good over Evil, 

Of Strength over Fear

Of Wisdom over Ignorance

Of Prosperity over Poverty. 

Of Unity over Solitariness 

Of Happiness over Sadness. 

This day I take to thank you all.

You stood by me in my dark hours. 

You gave me solace, whispered (or shouted) advice

Your presence made me strong and wise. 

"You Whiner! Get over your self-pity

You have talent that you use sparingly. 

You need to get off your fat butt NOW

Make your mark in the world, so people will to you bow. 

And when you do, share your reward

For I was the one who kicked you to make me proud."

"You are never alone,

Just pick up the phone. 

A shoulder, an ear, 

Always here. 

Whatever you need, you will be given.

Whatever your fear, here is a haven.

I have faith in you, but you need to do more,

You need to bring, not your doubts, but your abilities to the fore."

"I sympathise. You are suffering.

I know pain and the doubts that it brings.

But I know you too. You have so much,

Your knowledge should be your crutch.

Just go for it and stay healthy, 

Eat good food, rest plenty." 

"Hola! I know I ain't near you there

But I hold you in my prayer

Just be strong, stay tall and proud, 

You can do it. Never doubt." 

"What nonsense! You are insane, totally mad.

What is wrong with you that you are sad?

Just chill, drink a beer and smoke pot,

Then you will know how much you have got.

Seriously, jokes apart, 

You are good, and you work hard. 

Success is there, it just takes time. 

As for misery, ride ON it, make the Devil thine." 

"Hey! You gave me advice

Told me to stay strong and wise

Now you are plagued with self-doubt? 

Not done girl! Trust your heart. 

Go all out and I know you will achieve

Unparalleled success and fame. Just you believe. 

Write, publish, teach.

Everything you desire is within your reach." 

"More pathos?! You know the truth NOT!

Live my life and you will know it is what. 

I have the world's illnesses, but I look beyond

I have the worst luck, but I work it out. 

You need to get out and think better,

Stop being a typical and do SMART work.

Learn from others and you will realise your worth."

"Why you stay in this rut, I will never know. 

Just get out here (or elsewhere). Explore. Go with the flow.

Stop being satisfied with the mediocre, the meagre.   

To help you prosper, I am more than eager." 

"Giraffeji, Namaste!

What pearl of wisdom do you share today? 

Why don't you exploit your talent?

Why make yourself (and us) lament? 

There is so much you can do, 

I know it already, Teach, when will you?!"

"Godiva, thou shalt shine in the annals of history

As the one to contest the Rani of Jhansi in the stake for intrepidity. 

However, foolish one, must you always

Cry on thus, instead of mending your ways? 

Work less, rest more, stop relying on your vial.

Set an example, realise your potential.

Eiffel tower, stop leaning. 

Stop excogitating. Start doing." 

Each has spoken, 

Some, of course, more often. 

Each has helped me chart my course

Thank you for your faith and kicks

As I navigate through life's tricks. 

Thank you one and all. 

Gratfeul,

Anusha

- Written on 13 November 2012, Diwali Day this year. 

- Self Explanatory. 

- Who? They, whom the stanzas are dedicated to, will know. Privacy maintained, Love acknowledged :) 

Happy Diwali 2012

Dark night, still and silent,
Evil haunts shadows, triumphant. 

But is it, does it have to be thus? 
It is Diwali that reminds us. 
A dark, still night can be celebration.
Evil lurks, but it can be undone.

Lights abound, guiding your eyes, 
The crackers' sound your fear destroys
People gather, there is strength in unity
Delicacies shared indicate plenty. 

May your loved ones be always near
Helping you always triumph over any fear. 
May you have strength and wisdom and prosperity. 
May your darkest hour be the Amavas of Diwali. 

Happy Deepavali to you and all your loved ones:)

-Written on 13 November 2012 as in 2012  Diwali Day :) 
- By the way my brother's birthday, but he didn't merit the torture of my poem :) 
- Self Explanatory :) 

The Financial Engineer :)

I remember a small baby, squalling, sweet,
Dark wide eyes filled with curiosity,
A smile that could charm honey off bees,
A strength, a tenacity, equal to any adversity,
An intelligence, a thirst, that knew no boundary,
A calm, a laidbackness, that at times perplexed others and me.

A belief, a steady certainty, in your capability,
Today sees you in IFMR, Tomorrow will see you the world lead. 

• Written on 3 May 2012 
• In honour of my cousin, ROLL SOUND PLEASE - the intelligent, the capable, the talented, the laidback  Aju / Krishnan Ayer