Lamp Post(Original)

8/12/2019 Lamp Post(Original)

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1

LAMP POST

A collection of poems by

Vinod Khanna

Published by:



2

DEDICATED TO

MY PARENTS,

LATE MRS. SUSHILAWANTI KHANNA AND SH. BRAHMA NAND KHANNA

WHO

SPENT A LIFE OF HONESTY AND HARD WORK TO SEE US STAND UPRIGHT

IN LIFE.



3

FOREOR!



4

PREFA"E

The o#deal of li$in% in p#esent times has become f#i%htenin%ly &e#ce# by

the day' (t has %i$en #ise to an i##ational desi#e of achie$ements de&nin%mate#ial possessions' "onse)uent #esults a#e st#ess and st#ain of mode#n

life and t#ue path of sal$ation is not $isible' (t is a state a*in to da#*ness'

Mate#ial issues ha$e ce#tainly pushed bac* &ne# feelin%s li*e human lo$e

and spi#itual )uest+ especially the late#+ ,hich used to be the ha#bin%e# of

peace and t#an)uility to the human mind since times immemo#ial' A &#m

belief in -od ,as the bottom.line+ at least in (ndian cultu#e'

The #eason ,hy ( ha$e chosen the name /Lamp Post / fo# this collection of

01 poems is that if not all+ at least some of these ea#nestly t#y to dispel

that da#*ness ,hich is a sou#ce of tension #idden #outine fo# many of us'A Lamp Post can only #emo$e e2te#nal da#*ness and that too in a limited

a#ea' As an alle%o#y+ the Almi%hty3s #ole is a*in to the #ole of an ete#nal

Lamp Post in as fa# as it can dispel da#*ness ,ithin' (f da#*ness ,ithin the

human mind can be #emo$ed fo# %ood+ enli%htenment ,ill p#e$ail in all

sphe#es of life and the lost e2ube#ance may come bac*'

Poet#y in itself is an illuminatin% e2pe#ience' (t is only ,o#ds of a poem o#

a ly#ic that can uplift o# enthuse and can put the $a#ious moods in p#ope#

pe#specti$e' Poet#y in #hyme is specially blessed and has a lastin% impact'

Most epics of the ,o#ld a#e in #hyme' So ( too da#ed to put my thou%hts in

#hyme' ( hope that my e4o#t ,ill be #e,a#ded ,ith you# $aluablesu%%estions and not %o in $ain'

Place: Mohali 5Pun6ab7

Vinod Khanna

88th 9anua#y ;8<



5

"O=TE=TS

8' Lamp Post

'



6

08' 587

Lamp Post

Traveler, be not afraid, dither not thy pace;

Slowly tread the path, keep a cheery face.

On lonely o!rney, thy way " ill!#inate,

$arry on with %tep%, leavin& re%t to fate.

'o! do yo!r ob and let #e do #ine,

(ternal la#p po%t, " en%!re all i% )ne.

*arkne%% " di%pel a% it #ake% one blind,

" b!rn #y%elf o!t till de%tination yo! )nd.

$o!ntle%% trod the path before yo! ca#e,

$aravan% went pa%t, left behind no na#e.

+et yo! enoy the o!rney, leavin& all care,

o one ha% co#e back; it i% a one way fare

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/

20. 2

"hildhood

hob&oblin live% in the well,

*ont &o there o# wo!ld tell;

7!t " %aw hi# in the ni&ht,

+o!dly cried, o!t of fri&ht.

$rawled !p %tair%, #o# wa% b!%y,

$o#in& down wa% not %o ea%y;

% " ca#e t!#blin& down,

8ather cried $heck thi% clown

7read in hand, in the co#po!nd,

(a&le% overhead circlin& ro!nd;

S!ddenly one %natched the bread,

9ell broke loo%e o!t of dread.

One day " wa% o!t to )ddle,

:!t #y ar# on the &riddle;

Soon the crie% went to %kie%,

7!rn #ark on the ar# %till lie%.

+ook ye all how ti#e ie%,

e#orie% re#ain till one die%;

<olden day% %pent in pa%t,

=ent %o fa%t, co!ld not la%t.

la%> la%> la%> la%>



0

0 5>7

The Final "all

The vale%, hill%, rill% and %trea#%

+ove, la!&hter, %care% n %crea#%,

$radle to &rave, thi% o!rney of life;

=a% it or not, a cl!tch of drea#%?

8riend% and foe%, hi&h% and low%,

@n kept pro#i%e%, for&otten vow%,

S!ddenly a olt rattle% and %top%;

arch of de%ire% in endle%% row%.

", #e, #ine i% the %on& we %in&,

8or&et rin&-#a%ter %ittin& in rin&,

9!bri% we love co#e% to a na!&ht;

(ven the kin& i% no #ore a kin&.

Aiche%, power, na#e and fa#e,

othin& ever %tick% in thi% &a#e,

Silence of &rave% %peak% alo!d;

ll yo! have i% a clai# to a#e.

+ife% end i% writin& on the wall,

Still we in%i%t !pon walkin& tall,

ll the trick% or rope% we learn

$an they ward oB the )nal call?

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C

66 4.

aite# ?oy and =e, @ea#

=hat are year%, #onth%, day% or date%?

9e know% not wa%hin& c!p% and plate%.

7efore cock crow%, he i% back to work,

Sleepin& late no eDc!%e, cannot %hirk.

$leanin& table%, &ettin& order hi% ob%,

=earin& a %#ile, he hide% ni&htly %ob%.

Sit% near tap, %cr!bbin& pan% and pot%,

Str!&&le% alone, connectin& life% dot%.

new year brin&% hi# not any cheer,

9!%tle and b!%tle of %treet, )nd% E!eer.

(Dcited people &litterin& in &lea#in& car%,

+a!&hin&, okin&, tro!pin& in hotel% n bar%

=hy he i% what he i% and they what they are,

"% it con%piracy, <od% will or play of %tar%?

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1

1C. 5

MOTER

S#all wa% the world, when a% a child

"n ar#% of #other, " ranted and riled.

=hitene%% of #ilk only " adored,

7itterly " wept, whenever i&nored.

*id %he i&nore cyno%!re of her eye%?

o, ca#e r!nnin& hearin& #y crie%.

=henever %he fo!nd #e a bit !nwell,

*evoid of %leep her eye% wo!ld %well.

=hat an&!i%h %he felt, " cant tell,

=ant to a%k? %k the te#ple bell.

She for&ot food to %ee #e %#ile,

=hat p!re feelin&% in world %o vile.

ow %el)%hne%% r!le%, treachery rife,

9ow " #i%% the an&el in #y life.

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11

10. 6

!AB-TERS

ever thanked <od for the fairie% 9e %ent,

or " knew for what period were they lent;

=ith %ilent %#ile% in #y ho#e they lived,

9ow #!ch " #i%%ed the# after they went.

Of #y har%hne%%, they did have fear%,

9!ddled in bed to&ether both %hed tear%,

7!t loved #e %till and never talked back,

h> The re#or%e now drive% it% %pear%.

Slowly in ti#e, pair of win&% they &rew,

7efore " had known both %!ddenly ewF

7ewildered " %i#ply watched their i&ht,

"n %ky %o bl!e, to the pa%t!re% %o new.

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12

24 /

Recipe fo# success

$l!tchin& TiGn boDe%,

A!nnin& toward oGce%,

Settlin& in chair%, &reet

8ew h!#an faced foDe%.

9an&in& by %pidery thread,

7loody %tr!&&le for bread,

=hat a &o%%a#er web,

So wide, nicely %pread.

8ort!ne% fall and ri%e,

Slowly #ake yo! wi%e,

*ont over%hoot li#it%,

'o! #ay be c!t to %iHe.

9ard work i% not all,

:ro%trate, or yo! fall

8ro# &race of worldly &od%

'o!r career hit% a wall.

Thi% i% a %incere advice,

S!cce%% hath a price;

8or&et e&o and pride,

+earn to throw the dice.

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13

4/. 0

!ep#ession

The %!n wa% !p on day %o bri&ht,

Iokin& people boarded the i&ht.

Take-oB %#ooth, all thin&% ri&ht,

Soon it attained diHHyin& hei&ht.

+i%tenin& #!%ic, readin& book%;

8ace% wearin& contented look%.

%!dden %care, the plane drop%,

8or a few #o#ent%, heart %top%;

9ell break% loo%e, people cry,

To %top the de%cent, pilot% try.

Ain&% a voice, =eather i% bad,

*o not worry depre%%ion we had.

That to #e wa% a di%ea%e of #ind;

@p in the air do plane% al%o )nd?

Soon " learn, depre%%ion n fall,

arch of life the%e can %tall.

$heer !p folk% even if %tre%%ed,

+o%e no hei&ht, be not depre%%ed.

There i% a :ilot, !p %o#ewhere,

+eave yo!r worrie%, let 9i# care.

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14

40. C

Shootin% Sta#

o ho#e, no b!n&alow n no car,

*ont need one, ", a %hootin& %tar.

8ro# where " ca#e, to where " &o,

#y%tery eternal, none can know.

*arkne%% en&!lf% #y %patial i&ht,

7!t " #!%t y, covered in own li&ht.

(arthlin&%, other%, for yo! " %i&h,

8or love of #aterial% yo! cant y.

$ele%tial o!rney yo! cannot #ake,

Tied in chain% yo! can never break.

(ven if &olden, a chain, i% a chain,

9ei&ht% the%e never let yo! attain.

'o!r orbit% only yo! can de)ne,

Tied in knot% or %i#ple %trai&ht line.

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15

5. 1

Escape

b%!rditie%, inanitie%

indle%% in%anitie%

Trivial profanitie%

bo!nd.

8railtie%, *!alitie%,

8ar-fetched realitie%,

Jen&ef!l per%onalitie%

%to!nd.

Talk %o %#all,

A!#o!r% enthrall

*riven to the wall

<o ro!nd and ro!nd.

=orldly #!ddle,

$a!&ht in a p!ddle

<oin& into h!ddle

ake no %o!nd

A!n a&ro!nd

(%cape,

(%cape.

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16

51. 11

?i#d in Ci%ht'

8adin& winter li&ht, %!n down we%t,

7ird in i&ht headin& to it% ne%t,

fter whole day of a feathery E!e%t;

Tired, the win&% now lon& for re%t.

<rain% it &athered pre%%ed in beak,

8or ed&lin&% in ne%t %till %o weak;

=antin& to be back before the dark,

h!#dr!# drill, it% reality %tark.

way to &o, in deepenin& &loo#,

=in&% !tter fa%t to reach ho#e %oon;

la%> catap!lt %hoot% a %tone,

$!ttin& thro!&h e%h bare% a bone.

7leedin&, the body fall% to &ro!nd,

=ayward !rchin% crowdin& aro!nd;

8led&lin&% cla#o!r for feed in vain,

7ird% beak %pillin& all the &rain.

7e%tial reoice, innocence killed,

o one &rieve%, 9i% creation %tilled;

(very %!ch deed, acco!nt we #!%t,

"f ever we %aid "n <od we tr!%t.

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1/

53. 12

e Sleeps

S!##er %!n %corche%, #elt% tar on road,

9oove% &et %t!ck, hor%e cannot p!ll load.

"t trie% it% be%t b!t cannot #ove an inch,

8ace% of cart #an and hor%e both inch.

S!ddenly whip &oe% !p, hor%e &et% a o&,

Sho!t% #an, ove yo! ba%tard yo! do&.

7ea%t bend% knee%, once a&ain trie%,

Till tear% %tart droppin& fro# it% eye%.

"t know%, hi% food and #a%ter% bread,

7oth are linked to&ether to it% tread.

:a%%er%by berate hi#, *ont be cr!el,

7!t he know% better daily drill for &r!el.

The hor%e fall%, the #an bitterly weep%,

$ity pa%%e% by, perhap% 9e too %leep%.

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10

5/. 13

ido,s of V#inda$an

=hole day %he chant% oinin& in a choir,

9i% na#e n hy#n% %ittin& in te#ple foyer.

i%ty eyed, %t!#blin&, c!r%in& her fate,

Oh> Thi% cataract, creaky oint%, no #ate.

Still %he co#e% for )%tf!l of rice, %o#e cloth,

Till the body #ove%, let %he have her broth.

8or year% %he ha% lived here, a recl!%e;

9ad no voice, %!bected to !%e, #i%!%e.

T!rned o!t of ho#e, h!%band a +and-lord,

$o!rte%y to a widow %ociety didnt accord.

ravi%hin& bea!ty of her ti#e%, very fair,

"n Jrindavan land%, white robe%, black hair.

Te#ple &ave her %helter b!t wa%nt free,

:ain% n!#bed her, %he %tood like a tree.

9avin& weathered %tor#%, tree i% now old,

@nleavened, crackin&, breakin& and cold.

7etween te#ple and din&y roo# %he fall%.

o doctor, no dr!&%, %he &oe% a% 9e call%.

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1C

1D' 58<7

Life3s 9ou#ney

=hile travellin& dan&ero!% road%,

=onder, " %!rvived all tho%e odd%.

o!rney f!ll with twi%t% and t!rn%,

$ool wind alternated with %!n b!rn%.

<reen %ward% led to d!%ty path,

9i% love followed by 9i% wrath?

9ad cro%%ed #any pathle%% wood%,

et deadly %nake% pro!d of hood%.

Treachero!% track% ca!%ed the %lip%,

7loo#% alway% followed by blip%.

Top%y- t!rvy o!rney co#e% to an end

+ike a train vani%hin& ro!nd the bend

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2

3. 15

!estiny

*oe and deer )nd it E!eer,

=hy the lion ha% no fear?

O.K, a&reed, it ha% no fear,

=hy it attack% fro# the rear?

"f we had horn% at the back,

=ill it then #o!nt an attack?

+et <od #ake a little a#end,

<ive !% a thin& #ore to defend.

Tho!&ht 9e, +et #e &ive few horn%,

+et the# enoy ni&ht% and #orn%.

The old lion %ittin& in lair cried,

Send #e a deer, raw or fried;

8or " cant r!n, " cant cha%e,

9avent " lo%t #y h!ntin& day%?

<od wa% conf!%ed, who# to hear?

Sorry 9e %aid yo!r de%tiny, yo! bear.

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21

2C. 16

An En%inee#3s !ilemma

T!nneled #o!ntain, ta#ed the river,

Science n technolo&y in #y E!iver;

=hy a tho!&ht of ta#in& own #ind,

*own the %pine %ent %!ch a %hiver?

*eterred by nothin&, %!n or rain,

+aid the track% to r!n the train,

(ntered the fore%t% witho!t a fear,

ever co!ld enter #y own brain.

7ridle the de%ire%, told the %eer,

+et !% drink enticed the peer;

=hat i% ri&ht direction to %teer?

(ver na&&in& tho!&ht wo!ld appear.

:!rpo%e of life i% %till not clear,

Searched for it far and near,

8riend% replied with eer or %neer,

Aeli&ion% to#e% invite #ore fear.

=ill !nan%wered " &o to &rave?

=ill " die a% a fool and a knave?

8ire% of hell will b!rn #y %o!l?

"% there none to %ave or %tave?

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22

46.1/

SALBTE TO OME=

$o!nt friend% fro# c!t% on #y back,

8rontal wo!nd% &ive ene#ie% track.

@nfaithf!l lover% did #a!l #y %o!l,

Sel)%h relation% li%t on #ind% %croll;

Aabie% " &ot fro# back-bitin& peer%,

:arti%an bo%%e% #oved #e to tear%.

T!rnin& to reli&ion fo!nd fake %eer%,

Shinin& fro# front, %tinkin& on rear%;

9alf-tr!th%, %hibboleth% proved f!tile,

*i%co!r%e% doled #ade #e %enile.

9ow " %aved #y %anity and cal#?

9e %ent an&el% ready with the bal#.

other, da!&hter%, wife " %al!te all,

=o#en %o frail prevented #y fall.

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23

4. 10

Till ( am !ead

$la%pin& her hand he %aid,

'o! are #ine till " a# dead

She looked into hi% eye%,

7!t replied only in %i&h%.

The%e word% %aid by her lover,

=hen )r%t #et !nder a bower;

$a#e now to ha!nt hi% #ind,

=hen all el%e wa% left behind.

She knew now he wa% dyin&,

Stopped %hort of openly cryin&.

=anted to tell, %he kept the word,

7!t the tho!&ht %ee#ed ab%!rd.

That convey%, hi% ti#e wa% over,

Over hi# %he bent a bit lower;

" a# yo!r% yo! know it #y dear,

7!t yo! arent &oin& anywhere;

7ower %tand% in o!r co#po!nd,

better witne%% cant be fo!nd;

Of thi% pro#i%e lived for year%,

Till...till... word% &ave in to tear%.

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45. 1C

S(= A=! S(==ERS



24

i&ht life %parkle% in p!b% and bar%,

:arkin& i% f!ll with eDpen%ive car%.

<litter n &la#o!r the riche% de)ne,

$elebritie% dance, wine and dine.

:a&e three people, a% they are called,

7ooHe n %nooHe fro# o!t%ide walled.

lway% takin& a #oral hi&h &ro!nd,

Their ni&htly %torie% really a%to!nd.

7i& people, bi& worrie% #!%t !nwind,

ever a%k how %!ch #oney they )nd.

7lack or white i% hardly a concern,

partheid on TJ they alway% %p!rn>

S!ch i% their love for thi% black,

=ad% n wad% they alway% %tack.

"n%ide while the%e worthie% reoice,

O!t%ide people devoid of choice;

*o& and #an eat fro# &arba&e bin,

9!n&er and poverty their only %in.

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25

43. 2

Flo,e#s

7ea!teo!% ower, tender and pro!d,

9oldin& attention of a cheery crowd;

7ri&htne%% of colo!r, daHHlin& &lare

$rafted by nat!re with &reate%t care.

Softne%% of petal% defyin& the %ilk,

Jyin& for attention of #en of #y ilk.

*e)ant and pro!d in yo!thf!l He%t,

Seeker% con%i&ned to harde%t te%t.

Slowly the ti#e #!%t take it% toll,

Slowly the life #aynt be on a roll.

<rad!ally the colo!r %tarted to fade,

Seeker% now fo!nd tryin& to evade.

% the %te# to the %ide &et% tilted,

:etal% al#o%t cr!#pled and wilted.

o lover of nat!ral bea!ty aro!nd,

:etal% li%tle%%ly fallin& to &ro!nd.

:ower and &lory i% a heady brew,

:ride hath a fall %ince a&e% tr!e.

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26

44. 21

Oa* and Leaf

ll the colo!r% of %prin& and fall,

:ainted on an Oak %tandin& tall.

+i&ht to dark, &reen and yellow,

'o!n& %pro!t% or olden #ellow;

*ance of wind enoyed by %o#e,

8ear% of fallin& yet not overco#e;

:artin& leave% %ay to the tree

far we &o in a fall %o free.

ever %hall #eet once adrift,

7ack to place no wind can lift.

S!ch i% life for leaf and Oak,

arch of ti#e none can block.

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2/

4C. 22

SPARROS

=henever #other left wheat to dry,

:erched on wall %parrow% wo!ld try;

To %teal &rain% for ed&lin&% in ne%t,

y %hooin& oB %kill wa% p!t to te%t.

ow no #other, no &rain on cot,

$hildhood friend% " cannot %pot,

$hirpin& and ittin& where are they?

" feel &!ilty, " %hooed the# away.

So#e %ay #obile killed the# all,

Other% hold pe%ticide% ca!%e of fall;

$o#e O friend% li%ten to thi% call,

+ie% in wait, yo!r favo!rite wall.

" have bro!&ht a ba& f!ll of wheat,

+aid the cot and %pread the %heet,

+i%ten #y friend% a %incere entreat,

O!t of #y hand% now yo! #ay eat.

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20

>' 5>7

Mist

" a# a!t!#nal #i%t, ephe#eral,

Ai%in& fro# yo!, #y river eternal.

"t i% dawn; " lie %till in yo!r e#brace,

7!t %oon %hall vani%h witho!t a trace.

So!nd% of &!r&lin& water% will di#,

=hen clo!d% carry #e for a %wi#.

" #!%t %eparate to oin yo! a&ain,

way fro# yo! " cannot re#ain.

Over de%ert%, hill% and #eadow% y,

Till one day " fall in yo!, fro# %ky.

Aidin& north wind %py yo! fro# above,

=aitin& to #er&e in yo! a&ain #y love.

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2C

30. 24

P#isone#

9avin& )ni%hed the ta%k, %ittin& !nder a tree,

7one weary pri%oner now want% to be free.

look toward% heaven%, another to the &ate,

+o%in& co!nt of ti#e, he know% not the date.

The date when hi% fetter% forever will break;

The date of la%t %cene, ca#era% la%t take.

=hen he ca#e here, of that i% not aware,

Till #e#ory% end, had the%e wall% to %tare.

9ard work, hi&h wall%, h!n&er and the cane,

"% there another life? Tho!&ht looked in%ane.

7!t know% he, there alway% co#e% a day,

=rit %top% r!nnin&, pri%on &od% cant ay.

9e will #i%% the fellow%, b!t %pared the rod;

So!l will #eet #aker, the creator, the <od.

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3

Sil*,o#m 517

" #ay %weat, " #ay %woon,

7!t cannot break cocoon.

7orn on a #!lberry tree,

(ver afraid, never free.

=ove #y%elf into a %hell,

To e%cape the worldly hell.

$ocoon i% now %tron&,

=onder, if " did wron&?

=oven of %ilken thread,

"t% darkne%% now " dread.

o vi%itor, no %!nli&ht,

Till death, a lonely )&ht.

Soon " #ay be boiled,

" wonder why " toiled.

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31

1. 26

-amble#3s !ice

" a# in a )D; " a# in a bind,

=hy a# " a diBerent kind?

=hy " cannot la!&h alo!d,

=hy avoid a #otley crowd?

=hy lo%t in drea#% of yore?

=hy think of h!n&er and &ore?

S!Berin& h!#an% pain " feel,

=hy have-not% cant have #ore?

+aw%, #oral% all have failed,

Seer%, %aint% arrived b!t %ailed,

*e%pite thinker% writin& to#e%,

Tho%e in pit% were never bailed.

:lato to arD, ca#e and went,

ll #e%%en&er% <od had %ent,

$o!ldnt they do a little better?

*id they break a %in&le fetter?

ll the %er#on% and all advice,

Aed!ce to a trie in a trice;

Starvation %tarin& one in the face,

Aeli&ion look% a &a#bler% dice.

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32

25. 2/

Son% of !G6H $u

$hildren &row, &o to %chool,

8ather% elated. other% drool,

*LM v!, dLM v!, dLM v!

7oy and &irl #eet in a park,

Keepin& parent% in the dark,


$olle&e over, de&ree% abo!nd,

<o for ob%, ro!nd and ro!nd


Selection and reection% &alore,

8ew are happy, di%tre%%ed #ore


ow weddin& bell% will toll,

+et !% brin& a pretty doll


Older people not %ati%)ed,

*id not &et what they eyed


&ain the children a&ain %chool,

8a#iliar wave%, %a#e ce%%pool


------



33

11. 20

?liss

'onder a %ward %lope% downhill,

=orth an eDploit, worth the till;

=anderer like " want to eDplore,

$li#b the #o!nt, cro%% the rill.

8lower%, fra&rance and no %o!nd,

e and nat!re, no %o!l aro!nd,

'o! #ay think " lo%t #y way;

" think " wa% ho#eward bo!nd.

Trail% of li&htenin& in the %ky,

A!Ned by wind%, tree top% hi&h,

7li%%f!l weather, Henith of #irth,

$ant a%k #ore, before " die.

Shepherd% h!t with &able roof,

Sittin& alone fro# world aloof,

#blin& alon&, wonderin& how

"% %o bea!tif!l 9i% warp and woof.

------



34

31. 2C

Past

=ant to be happy? *ont live in pa%t.

+i%tenin& to the %eer%, " wa% a&ha%t.

:a%t wa% where #y love lie% b!ried,

:a%t wa% ti#e when never " h!rried.

ll the #e#orie%, all #y trea%!re,

+ie in pa%t #ea%!re for #ea%!re.

ll the %chool and all colle&e friend%,

*ev% hair %tyle and all tho%e trend%;

$ha%in& b!tterie%, keepin& in book%,

%kin& the #irror, 9ow are #y look%?

There lie heartthrob%, #any a a#e,

ltho!&h " forfeited entire clai#;

other% kitchen, aro#a of di%he%,

*epth of love, ble%%in&%, wi%he%;

eetin& a perfect wo#an in #y life,

Thankin& <od who #ade her wife;

=hat of children and their prank%,

ward%, report card% and the rank%;

9ow can one fore&o all thi% wealth?

lway% %neak% in drea#% by %tealth;

Take away anythin& b!t not #y pa%t;

=itho!t the%e #e#orie% " cannot la%t. ------8a#o!% actor *ev nand

32. 3



35

i#oshima

The heat fro# )%%ion #elted the %kin,

+ittle 7oy co##itted the &rave%t %in.

8ire and %#oke blackened all thin&%,

(nola <ay %oon took to it% win&%.

rally of %co!t% wa% on the card%,

Soon the children were hit by %hard%.

TiGn% and food &ot b!rnt to a l!#p,

=hole city looked a &arba&e d!#p.

School%, ho%pital%, ho#e% b!rnt down

9iro%hi#a beca#e the )r%t &ho%t town.

$harred bodie% wilt, no help at hand,

=hat in%anity, what a wa%teland.

8or decade%, a #other didnt clo%e book,

9er %on had opened to have a la%t look.

Aiver% of tear% have own %ince then,

=hen will end thi% #adne%% in #en?

The world #ay peri%h witho!t a trace,

@nle%% we bani%h thi% n!clear race.

(no!&h cala#itie%, #!ch holoca!%t,

=hen we learn fro# #i%take% of pa%t?

------

a#e of the bo#b

a#e of the plane that dropped the bo#b



36

0' 5>87

O?L(V(O=

$ro%%ed #any a river, hill% and dale;

Takin& weird ro!te% beyond #y pale.

ot very happily took te%t% 9e &ave,

P!e%tioned 9i% wi%do# like a knave.

ile%tone after #ile%tone " pa%%ed,

o!nt of wealth on way a#a%%ed.

Io!rney wa% %hort didnt anticipate,

Titillation%, 7a%e de%ire% did %atiate.

=hat p!rpo%e of o!rney, lo%t track,

"t wa% one way traGc, cant &o back.

few #ile%tone% left to be cro%%ed,

"n a %ea of oblivion, " will be to%%ed.

------



3/

2/. 32

Ta6 Mahal

8ancied E!een lie% in %tate,

@naware of h!%band% fate

8or year% he lived a drea#;

Of word &iven to hi% #ate.

On hot and h!#id day%,

"n %corchin& S!n% ray%,

:eople &rapple with %tone%;

Their back% the lea%h ay%.

The %lave% wo!ld fall %ick,

7!t afraid of na%ty kick,

Keep on winchin& load,

8or#in& it brick by brick.

9a!lin& %tone% to do#e,

=itho!t hearth or ho#e,

(Dha!%tion clai#% live%,

o!th% e#ittin& foa#.

Over the bodie% of dead,

$oGn of a E!een %pread;

9ow cr!el for a corp%e,

To death were livin& bled.

------



30

C. 33

"RBM?S

The $aptive kin& ie% in ra&e,

:aw% the bar%, bloodie% ca&e,

or%el% of food kept at bay,

*oe% not even &lance fora&e.

Trainer #ake% h!n&er a tool,

7lood %hot eye% cannot fool,

Th!ndero!% roar %hake% the %ky,

Ain&#a%ter la!&h%, keepin& cool.

Know% h!n&er and lea%h% force,

(&o% %carcely r!n their co!r%e,

ortal% break like %hattered &la%%;

8or cr!#b%, #en and #oral% divorce.

Soon, the lion beco#e% a cat,

S!nken eye%, lo%in& the fat,

=a&% tail when food i% %hown;

*oe% not #ind trainer% pat.

Ain&% of )re now he can cro%%,

<old in hi# red!ced to dro%%,

$r!#b% can #ake #an a %lave,

$r!#b% decide who i% the bo%%.

------



3C

5. 34

A ME=!("A=T3S V(E OF L(FE

Ochre robe%Q%haven head,

9i% path verily do " tread;

y ar#% #ake #y pillow

The earth for#% the bed.

o fatherQ#other or wife,

o plea%!re, nor %trife;

" left the# far behind,

ow divinity i% #y life.

o worrie% and no %tre%%,

eed% beco#in& %o le%%;

" la!&h at crafty &a#e%,

$h!ckle at worldly #e%%.

+eavin& thin&% a plea%!re,

9i% na#e #y only trea%!re;

So!l over body i% the &oal,

ind on #atter, the #ea%!re.

The bli%%> *o ye co#prehend?

$ant yo! %ee over the bend?

halo of the life %!bli#e,

The Aainbow hidin& 8riend.

------



4

0. 35

O AM (

# " a body or a# " a %o!l?

=ho ha% ca%t #e in thi% role?

8ootball like, &ettin& the hit%,

=hy cant " )nd #y &oal?

# " h!nter, h!nted or bow?

=ho will tell, " want to know,

=here wa% " before " ca#e?

=here after all %hall " &o?

The an%wer% " %eek, hard to )nd,

+ike a blind #an lead% the blind,

:rophet% wove a web of tho!&ht%;

$o!ld not convince eternal #ind.

Script!re %aid, d!%t !nto d!%t,

*evil la!&hed, l!%t co#e% )r%t,

Stran&e bedfellow%, lo&ic and faith

o one know% who# to tr!%t.

------



41

15. 36

Ti%e# and me

9o#eward bo!nd in a %tarlit ni&ht,

On a lonely road fro# b!% " ali&ht,

=hile " cro%% the hill on the way,

A!%tle of leave%, a &ho%tly fri&ht.

"% it an ani#al, a #an or a wraith?

" %top in #y %hoe%, hold the breath,

othin& perhap%, " r!b #y eye%,

7!t hold, a thin& follow% in %tealth.

"t wa% a ti&er, eye% %hinin& in dark,

=alkin& in %ilence, a reality %tark,

Keepin& to #y froHen %tep% " pray,

Spare #e the life, to <od " hark.

The villa&e %till i% far and away,

$an " #ake it? " ay not or #ay.

The kin& of !n&le walk% alon&,

Side by %ide, not lookin& at prey.

Soon it take% to the folia&e &reen,

ea%!red %tep%, royal and preen,

" cant believe #y life i% %pared,

=ill not for&et, a %have %o clean.

------



42

16. 3/

O$e# the coals

"n a taDi, while pa%%in& the hill% where once " travelled +onely, h!n&ry and feelin&

cold

S!btly love i% bo!&ht and %old,

" knew only when father told;

<o )nd a ob, dont %it here,

*o " own a #ine of &old?

That% when " left #other% fold,

9ardly %he co!ld her tear% hold,

" travelled in b!% to hill% beyond,

+onely, h!n&ry and feelin& cold.

O!t to prove that 'e%, " can-

Soon " chan&ed fro# boy to #an,

8!t!re wa% all blood and &ore,

=ith bli%tered %ole%, a race " ran.

9avin& achieved all #y &oal%,

Travelin& over hill% and %hoal%

" %till wonder abo!t #y fa!lt,

=hy wa% " ha!led over coal%?

------



43

1/. 30

?OOK OF L(FE

:a&e% t!rned by invi%ible hand,

" feel like walkin& on E!ick-%and,

o <od in the %ky to hear #y cry;

ll too %oon, the %cene look% bland.

=hat i% neDt, " cannot &!e%%,

nother book? nother pre%%?

$ycle of birth and death confo!nd%,

Self%a#e %o!l, another dre%%?

"f it i% tr!e, " #ay be kid a&ain,

=ill &o to %chool, play in rain,

:a&e% will t!rn, E!ick and fa%t,

% " &o thro!&h plea%!re and pain.

Story repeat% endle%% in ti#e,

Silent actor% play o!t a #i#e,

Ta!tolo&y wrap%, cli#aD !nfold%

ore &rave% &et d!%t and &ri#e.

------



44

2. 3C

REAL(T@ OF A V(RTBAL L(FE

+ike%,

@nlike%

nd %hare%;

The%e are

The ware%

:eddled in thoro!&hfare%

nDio!% yo! only

$heck it o!t,

Otherwi%e

=ho care%?

------



45

3. 4

REAL(T@ OF A=OTER K(=!

<od-#en a le&ion

$ontractor% of reli&ion,

P!ote fro#

(pical %o!rce%

"n reli&io!% di%co!r%e%;

lway% in prayer%

$ontin!e albeit,

=ith illicit aBair%.

Oh #y <od> There are

+ayer% within the layer%.

------



46

1. 41

AT TE TRAFF(" L(-TS

9altin& at a !nction occ!pied in #ind,

Aainbow colo!r% oatin& in air, " )nd,

Aa&&ed )&!re of child %habbily dre%%ed,

&ain%t the windowpane her no%e pre%%ed.

(ye% pleadin& and %oap b!bbler% in hand,

7arefoot on #eltin& tar doe% %he %tand;

=ith folded pal#% want% #e to b!y one,

8or #y darlin& da!&hter or #y dear %on.

:ri%#atic colo!r% oatin& in the air,

Scarcely " want that child to de%pair;

8or if %he cannot %ell the%e to #en

nd e#pty-handed ret!rn% to her den;

=ill the father, who #ay be a dr!nk

ot beat her or react like a %k!nk?

*oe% the #other have %o#ethin& to cook?

=ill %he not &ive her a na%ty look?

Sellin& rainbow colo!r% to !% the &irl

$a!&ht !naware in the poverty% whirl,

$olo!rle%% her life in heartle%% town

=ill %he %wi#? Or will %he drown?

------





40

"omme#ce

9ono!r of wo#en, love of #en,

ew% in paper, the writer% pen;

=hat of the%e i% not for %ale?

othin& " %ee, beyond #y ken.

*ollar%, :o!nd% r!le like &od%,

+eader% behave a% %t!pid %od%,

=ar and weapon%, %ole concern;

Sow and reap hatred% pod%.

+ove of co##erce t!rn% blind,

Aich in world have aDe to &rind,

$o%t of which, other% #!%t pay,

Treachero!% &a#e, one of a kind.

'o! and #e, do we co!nt?

Iob% are %carce, taDe% #o!nt,

=ho will ri%e to %te# thi% rot?

=ho will pl!& #i%ery% fo!nt?

9ow #any war% do we need?

=hen %hall halt raveno!% &reed,

$an ye aBord another holoca!%t?

So #any h!n&ry #o!th% to feed.

------



4C

13. 44

Kaleidoscope

Kaleido%cope %hift%, thin&% chan&e,

9ow we ad!%t, nicely re-arran&e,

To-day% yo!th, ye%terday a child,

=itho!t any )re %o %oft and #ild.

+ittle #ore tilt and yo! are a #an,

o airy ca%tle%, yo! have a plan;

Aat-race decide% yo! cannot or can

7e a winner, loo%er or al%o ran.

7!rden%, worrie% wei&h yo! down,

'o! dance on a rope like a clown;

=ife, children, %pell the de#and%;

7o%% i% never %hort of co##and%.

I!%t a #!le now yo! p!ll yo!r cart,

To ward oB ten%ion%, have a E!art;

rent drink% bewitchin&, like a tart?

Of the ro!tine, it beco#e% a part.

$han&e of %cene, !%t in a trice

8or the plea%!re yo! pay a price;

The 7: or %!&ar, %!ddenly %trike,

dart in heart, yo!r doctor% like.

7locked arterie%, an&io and %tent,

'o! tell yo!r friend%, how it went;

o #ore drink%, co#pany yo! E!it,

7land i% the food, dr!&% to o!twit.

Kaleido rotate% to pattern% new,

o%tal&ia #oan%, plea%!re% ew,

'o! rave, yo! rant, eDpre%% an ire

See in drea#%, a dreaded bier?

------



5

14. 45

EART $s' STARS'

"t =hirl% and twirl%, between the %tar%,

9e##ed between Jen!% and ar%,

(arth rotate%, ca!%in& day% and ni&ht%,

8ro# where to where, a %tran&e i&ht?

Shootin& %tar% hit like lon& %pike%,

=ho know% when a co#et %trike%?

7loated e&o% inhabitin& the earth,

$an they %ave their ho#e or hearth?

illion% of %tar% and &alaDie% abo!nd,

=ho #ake% the# &o ro!nd and ro!nd?

Stickin& to %peed% and orbit% de)ned;

ever &et lo%t tho!&h never en-%i&ned.

------



51

0;' 5<7

!ese#ted old man

*odderin& old #an in a corner look% lo%t,

=onder% abo!t relation% covered in fro%t.

Seldo# rin&% doorbell, never the phone,

Twili&ht year% of life forced to live alone.

(ver i##er%ed in #e#orie% of hi% pa%t,

Think% alo!d, how lon& like it he can la%t.

8ailin& eye%i&ht, very weak and %o %ick,

=ait% till the a#e blow% oB with a ick.

Son%, da!&hter% he rai%ed, went abroad,

9ow to know it wa% fate or c!nnin& fra!d?

o one co#e% to %ee whether he i% there;

bandoned like a tree, left to %tor#% care.

Ae#e#ber% how father died a#on& kin,

$annot )nd where he fa!lted or hi% %in.

A!%tic people of yore never did thi% to #en,

oral rot a cha%#, between now and then.

any like hi# are left alone to fend for %elf;

7ravo> ad racer% for #oney power n pelf.

------



52

6C. 4/

Fa#me#3s Suicide

Over one billion #o!th% to feed,

" plo!&h #y )eld n %ow the %eed,

Sea%on% cant %top #y daily toil,

8or #e, a far#er, %on of the %oil.

Aeap #y crop in b!rnin& %!n,

Aeal to!&h ta%k, not #!ch f!n.

8reeHin& winter%, &et !p at fo!r,

y t!rn for water cannot i&nore.

*ew on leave%, fro%t on &ra%%,

" c!t a drain for water to pa%%.

Often nei&hbor i% ready to )&ht,

ll thi% abo!t the waterin& ri&ht.

lot depend% on ti#ely rain%,

=hether or not " &et the &rain%.

*ro!&ht too can %care #y wit%,

+oan for %eed% on #ind %it%.

*a!&hter to wed, need #ore loan%

"&nore %ick wife% #oan% n &roan%.

any de#and%, cant priority decide,

Only way o!t, will co##it %!icide.

------ "t i% in "ndian conteDt





54

6/. 4C

@ou

" %potted yo! on %hi##erin& %nowy peak%,

Tho!&h %o#e fo!nd yo! rowin& in creek%.

'o! fall with the fall% and ri%e with the #i%t,

S!n #oon are b!t watche% on yo!r wri%t.

'o! live hidden on tree in %parrow% ne%t,

To en%!re the chick% pa%% their yin& te%t.

"n the %eed yo! live below earth% cr!%t,

Tellin& it how to %pro!t with !pward thr!%t.

'o! %hine in S!n, #oon a% heavenly li&ht,

Then be retina, cornea n p!pil to &ive %i&ht.

'o! live in #e a% " in yo!, both are %a#e,

*!ality yo! created, only a play, a &a#e.

------



55

65. 5

( Alone

" lie alone and al#o%t dead,

*rowned in #e#orie% of thi% bed.

She alway% lay here on #y left,

Of who%e co#pany " a# bereft.

*ont re#e#ber for how #any year%,

Served #e in bed, c!p that cheer%

co#panion thro!&h thick and thin,

So!l %o p!re, #y love, #y deare%t kin.

<ettin& !p each #ornin&, now a pain,

+ife that wa% a boon i% now a bane

=itho!t hope " co!nt each day

$all #e O +ord, " earne%tly pray.

------



56

64. 51

Some !ays

So#e day%

" a# on clo!d nine

*o not wi%h or pine

8or heaven or earth

7!t feel !%t )ne.

So#e day%

" a# not bein& bold

<od% behave cold

" dont invoke the#

S!Ber #i%ery !ntold.

So#e day%

" a# down and o!t

*ont talk b!t %ho!t

*efeated, #ind% force%

8ace a total ro!t.

So#e day%

" a# in pen%ive #ood

(ven ref!%e the food

Sittin& in a E!iet corner

I!%t brood and brood.

So#e day%

" want to hit the pe&

*rown people p!llin& #y le&

7!t a% the liE!or )ni%he%

"t i% #e %ittin& on powder ke&.

7!t one day

The tr!th dawn%,

=e are !%t p!ppet% and pawn%

% :!ppeteer% )n&er% call



5/

$re%t% we ride tro!&h% we fall. ------



50

>' 517

Sa$iou#

" a# a part, yo! are the whole

" entreat yo!, %avior of #y %o!l.

Seek yo! in deepenin& &loo#,

The ower wither%, let it bloo#.

'o! the pen paper and tho!&ht,

=ord% of poe# by yo! wro!&ht.

'o! decided #y toil, #y ta%k,

'o! only do wearin& #y #a%k.

'o! the clo!d, %ilver linin& too,

=hen rain fall%, " know it i% yo!.

'o! the &iver of birth and breath,

<iver of life and &iver of death.

t ti#e% " feel yo! are a %on&,

9eart and #ind %in& alon&.

e%tled in leave%, a ni&htin&ale,

=hat #elody tellin& a %tarry tale.

ow &ive a call to drop the drape,

er&in& in yo! " lo%e #y %hape.

$all and " will not tarry for lon&,

To reach an abode, where " belon&.

------



5C

62. 53

"#anes at ?ha#atpu#

Siberian crane %pread% it% win&%,

% )r%t ray of %!n the #ornin& rin&%.

Io!rney %pan% tho!%and% of #ile%,

Stolidly covered no rant% or rile%.

9atche% it% e&&% in war# wetland%,

Spendin& #onth% in land of %and%.

#ba%%ador of peace fro# afar,

o Ji%a, pa%%port, no border no bar.

<!e%t% of hono!r once %hot by a kin&,

Still love "ndia no hatred they brin&.

+ovely creat!re% &racef!lly y,

On their win&% challen&e the %ky.

7haratp!r i% in Aaa%than- the "ndian de%ert %tate

+ord $!rHon, who killed #any Sar!% $rane% for %port

------



6

61. 54

=ine !ays onde#

=e #ay win or %teal a th!nder,

=orld i% only nine day% wonder.

*yin& for )fteen #in!te% of fa#e,

8o!l the &a#e and ri%k a %ha#e.

oral% and val!e% &o for a to%%,

Aeli&ion han&% like albatro%%.

8ei&nin&, fakin&, wearin& #a%k%,

=ho# we fool by all %!ch ta%k%?

Stabbin& back%, favo!rite %port,

Tr!th we alway% love to contort.

:ri#al in%tinct% r!le !% %till,

$iviliHed #en ready for a kill.

*o we ever pa!%e and think;

+ife i% not #ore than a wink.

=hy we do what all we do?

=hy in #ind% poi%on brew?

------



61

6. 55

ho is the !#i$e#

=ith ri&ht a#o!nt of %!n, water, air,

#on& &alaDie%, o!r planet %o rare.

Sw!n& into orbit a% a child% top,

=itho!t a %!pport, rope or prop.

ovin& %o fa%t witho!t any %o!nd,

8or eon% it &oe% ro!nd and ro!nd.

8ro# where &et% ener&y for #otion?

o &a% or die%el for en&ine% rotation.

o cl!tch, no brake, no tire, no road,

=ith eBortle%% ea%e, carrie% it% load.

*oe% not collide, %teer% %o well;

=ho i% the driver, can yo! tell?

------



62

5C. 56

A himsical -od

9e i% very %ick, weak and old,

On footpath, %hiverin& in cold;

$overed in blanket f!ll of hole%,

@n%een by pa%%in& %o!lle%% %o!l%.

% #!ch a #an a% yo! and ",

=inter whipped below the %ky.

9e ha% no ho#e b!t " %ay why?

=hen even pi&% live in a %ty.

o #oney, no relative, no friend,

o call to receive, #e%%a&e to %end.

o dr!&, no doctor, war#th or )re,

o pall bearer% no coGn, no bier.

S#!& in a bed, " think of hi#,

"% it 9i% plan or %i#ply a whi#?

------



63

56. 5/

REPE=TA="E

" wa% a wayward &irl and a recl!%e;

'o!r advice for #e wa% of no !%e.

'o! &ot #e boy, b!t " too fo!nd one,

Aan away and #arried hi# for f!n.

'o! were %ha#ed, ri&htly yo! %aid;

y da!&hter no #ore, %he i% dead.

Tho!&h not dead, #y life wa% hell,

Of all #y travail%, " cannot now tell.

9e pro#i%ed %tar%, &ave not #eal;

=o!nd% he &ave #ay never heal.

=ho# co!ld " tell, it wa% #y fa!lt;

7ore #!ch ab!%e, #!ch a%%a!lt.

One day tho!&ht, "ll &o to yo! #o#,

*idnt dare a% " %h!nned yo!r ho#e.

7!t then traveled fro# a di%tant land,

:redica#ent only yo! can !nder%tand.

T!rned into %treet fo!nd nothin& %tran&e,

othin& a#i%%, yet %o#ethin& did chan&e.

=anted to wet yo! with tear% b!t %hocked;

o one at ho#e, the ho!%e fo!nd locked.

Stood &aHin& c!rtained window%, clo%ed &ate;

Ki%%ed lock yo!r hand% to!ched, t!rned to fate.



64

------



65

55. 50

?#utaliIed ?eauty

coppery face, f!ll with frown,

*eep bl!e eye% %till can drown;

Stately hei&ht and a %harp no%e,

:ro%aic poetry or poetic pro%e?

"n yo!th, la!nched #any a %hip,

7l!%h and bloo#, leadin& to blip;

any did try to win her &lance,

9eart% !#pin& o!t for a dance.

=ithered are look%, now %he i% old,

7!ried in heap% of %!Berin& !ntold.

(E!ally bea!tif!l da!&hter %he had,

"ntelli&ent, ele&ant, &racef!lly clad.

One day %he while &oin& to %chool,

8ell to the wolve%, #o!th% in drool.

other for !%tice went to the chief,

To her horror he wa% a bi&&er thief.

O!tra&eo!% favo!r% wanted fro# her,

9ow co!ld %he p!t !p with #ore %l!r?

To take her life a poi%on %he drank,

"n day% %he &rayed, #ind went blank.

=anderin& in park%, now %he be&%,

7ea!ty if poor, %it% on powder Ke&%.



66

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6/

54. 5C

Lonely Man

% the %hadow% &row lon&,

e#orie% in #ind thron&.

+onely #an %it% near the &ate,

% if in %o#e dear one% wait.

7!t no one will ever arrive,

9e alone will have to %!rvive.

9appily he lived with %po!%e,

ot lon& a&o, in thi% ho!%e.

8ir%t children left the ne%t,

:!ttin& their win&% to te%t;

7oth %hared #e#orie% of yore,

9appy, %ad, %weet and #ore.

Till one day %he wa% taken ill,

$ancer inated ho%pital% bill;

Jiolently icker% life% a#e,

Till the #an lo%e% hi% da#e.

lone, now he co!nt% hi% day%;

8or a re-!nion to 9i# he pray%.

:a%%in& hi% ho!%e, of late,

" )nd he %it% not by the &ate;

:erhap% in heaven now both !nite

Sittin& !nder %!n, enoyin& %!nli&ht.



60

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6C

52. 6

Last Ci%ht

On a lon& i&ht " a# booked,

8ro# hin&e% al#o%t !n-hooked.

Tho!&h " 9ave packed all ba&%,

=ill they allow #e even ra&%?

" will &o ahead, the l!&&a&e la&%,

=here can they p!t all the ta&%?

8or no ta&% will ever %tick to %o!l,

7!t why worry, do " have a role?

The way " ca#e %a#e way " &o;

=here to where, " do not know.

"t i% a!t!#n, la%t leaf abo!t to fall;

:atiently " wait for a boardin& call.

die! friend%, o!rney to contin!e,

+oved yo! all, love #y divine crew.

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/

42. 61

APARTE(! 5A t#ibute to =elson Mandela7

partheid, a blot, a %co!r&e and a c!r%e,

Of #an% behavior nothin& can be wor%e.

n arrow driven into heart of h!#anity.

=hat bi&&er proof i% there of in%anity?

8ir%t a ahata#a thrown o!t fro# train,

n action born o!t of a %ick #an% brain;

Then el%on andela ca%trated for year%,

Spirit of #ankind %hattered and in tear%.

any of hi% co#rade% to b!llet% fell,

The tyrant% %aw the #ove#ent %well.

Tear &a% and cartrid&e% co!ld not hold,

$hant% of adiba were )erce n bold.

Of white% and black%, blood wa% %hed,

Aoad% were alway% fo!nd coated in red.

The oppre%%or at la%t had to re%cind,

+o&ic did dawn on the colo!red #ind.

Twenty %even year% later adiba wa% free,

ood of people reected oy n &lee.

drea# realiHed, a le&end wa% born,

partheid% pa&e for ever wa% torn.

#i%%ion f!l)lled, a life well %pent,

<rieve not friend%, in &lory he went.



/1

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/2

41. 62

F#eedom

% " wa% born and lived !nder a tree,

" # %lave to none, free%t of the free.

" live oB the fore%t happily in #y tribe,

at!re providin& all witho!t a bribe.

" a# !nciviliHed, h!ntin& with a bow,

7!t !nlike yo! never %tooped %o low

To yo!, %o called freedo# ca#e late,

8loatin& in blood, wrapped in hate.

'o!r freedo#-not free, a bird ca&ed,

'o!ve been tricked fooled, !p%ta&ed.

'o! &rapple with h!n&er, live in hovel%,

8ew wield pen, other% aDe n %hovel%.

ot a fe!dal lord to bow before tho!&h,

or bonded bein& paid a pittance now.

'o! %aid " a# free beca!%e " vote?

'o! have learnt to %ay thi% by rote.

Jote, a co##odity %old in #arket place,

7o!&ht by %o#e wearin& #a%k on face.

fter yo! voted, #a%k i% %i#ply %horn,

8ive year% later yet a&ain to be worn.

8or yo!r freedo#, " dont care a di#e;

Si#ply a farce, a d!#b %how, a #i#e.



/3

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/4

3C. 63

EART (S ROB=!

Saw a h!#an &od in chair

*rivin& people to de%pair.

Spoilin& career% with a pen,

Of %i#ple hard workin& #en.

"n%o!ciance, h!bri% are hi% tool%,

Think%, all other% are fool%.

8la!nt% beacon atop hi% car,

9!rrie%, a% if &oin& to war.

9i% phone the %ecretary attend%,

Sahib in #eetin&Qbathroo#-depend%

+ike% people to do hi% biddin&,

7elieve #e, " a# not kiddin&.

% retire#ent draw% near,

<et% &ripped by certain fear.

Trick% he trie% for eDten%ion,

Of that let !% not here #ention.

Sal!te% beco#e now %o rare,

:ain of heart he cannot bare.

fter he i% &iven farewell,

Take% it a% hi% death knell.

<lory to i&no#iny now de%cend%,

*i%cover% he ha% no friend%.

:en%ion )le &oe% to new &od,

Over who# he rode ro!&h%hod.

ow he i% at receivin& end,

(arth i% ro!nd ha% to contend.



/5

------



/6

3/. 64

a#mon%e#s

$annibal%, *rac!la, h!#an lookin& ho!nd%,

The planet with creat!re% like the%e abo!nd%.

The air i% rife with their c!nnin& %che#e%,

Aiver% of blood r!nnin& down their drea#%.

They wi%h an earth f!ll of &rave% and to#b%,

=hat %on% o!t to di%&race other% wo#b%>

o co#pa%%ion, no pity, #en ca%t in %tone,

o reli&ion, no <od, no confe%%ion to atone.

*evoid of love, war#on&er%, hated breed,

!rder and #ayhe# i% their only creed.

9ow with i#p!nity they #ai# and they kill,

o %econd tho!&ht% while blood they %pill.

Son% of &!n dont de%troy ho#e% n hearth%

*o ye want yo!r #other% re%ent yo!r birth%?

------



//

35. 65

The Path

$!rve%, conto!r%, c!t% and ro!nd%,

Si&ht%, %#ell%, and all the %o!nd%;

The path trodden a&ain and a&ain,

=a% " not on fa#iliar &ro!nd%?

Once the path wa% &litterin& &old,

Te#ptin&, %#ooth, nicely !nrolled,

Jeritable colla&e of %!n n %hade,

9idin& #any %!rpri%e% in it% fold.

:ath now d!%ty, chipped and worn,

+ike wilted ower%, "nvitin& %corn;

$an " for&et tho%e char#in& walk%?

Shall co#e to #eet yo! every #orn.

" too have &rown old and weak,

9ave achin& le&%, oint% creak;

ay be one day " cannot co#e

+eavin& yo! with a teary %treak.

------



/0

>>' 57

!emolition

$olony !#ber 8ive, ye%, wa% a %l!#,

*irt ridden eye-%ore, rep!&nant %c!#.

:eople wa%hed and bathed !nder %ky,

=ith clothe% on pave#ent% left to dry.

9o!%e#aid%, #a%on% painter% it had,

$hildren ran in %treet%, %cantily clad.

"t had #any )re%, nat!ral or contrived,

:eople were to!&h, alway% %!rvived.

*weller% were re%ilient al#o%t to a aw,

Only afraid of the 7!ll *oHer% claw.

On a wintry day, children oB to %chool%;

*e#oli%her% ca#e ar#ed with tool%.

9!t%, ho#e%, hovel% none with%tood,

Tin roofed %hantie% &one for &ood.

7elon&in&% !nder debri% now lay b!ried,

9elple%% wail% of people who %c!rried.

b%ence of #aid% %el)%h city decried,

o vendor, no cart, no rick%haw plied.

$olony n!#ber )ve, forever i% &one,

(#pty broken ne%t%, bird% had own.

Soon the dealer% &ot hold of it% land,

Over broken ho#e%, a #all will %tand.



/C

------





01

22. 60

!#eam

"f in drea# yo! %ee an old a#e,

*oe% it #ean yo! %till can clai#?

$on%cience %aid, Stop old #an;

ow yo! have a lifeti#e ban.

" told her not to be %o cr!el,

an% nat!re i% alway% d!al.

$ant yo! %ee it i% la%t chance?

9eart ha% already %tarted a dance.

<row !p, now yo! are not a kid

'o! cant pander to heart% bid

d#oni%hed %o " had to think,

Opened the eye% with a blink

*rea#% can ca!%e %!ch #i%chief?

Overni&ht t!rnin& a %aint to a thief>

------



02

21. 6C

!eath

7edridden, body in decay,

(#otion% hold their %way.

Si&ht or %peech both fail,

ind on a diBerent trail.

P!ite faintly, do " hear?

So#eone cryin& %o near.

" wonder, have " died?

To coGn already tied?

*arkne%% en&!lf% #ind,

Joice% %lowly re%cind.

ow, a to!ch of hand%,

On oor the body land%.

'e%, " #!%t be dead,

Sen%e% already ed.

------



03

2. /

"ARA!E

9ow they paint each other black,

Aeal i%%!e% they never crack,

O!twardly diBer, in%ide the %a#e,

9ow en&ro%%ed in power% &a#e.

$rafty %lo&an%, people they fool,

Aeli&ion help% a% the #ain tool.

Jote%, #ore vote%, i% all they want,

Sec!lari%#% #antra all will chant.

=hite in dre%%, black in deed%,

So#e are reed%, other% weed%.

$o#e election, pro#i%e% &alore,

7anner%, po%ter% all eye-%ore.

So#e will lo%e, other% #ay win,

So#e for ever &et lo%t in the din.

*ra#a !nfold% after %o#e year%,

o one wipe% the people% tear%.

:rice% alway% &oin& thro!&h roof,

=hat a charade> =hat a %poof>

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04

6. /1

Sons and dau%hte#s. double ed%ed s,o#ds'

+earned !d&e had a %on, the %on a wife,

=ho con%pired to #ake #i%erable, hi% life;

Took hi% ho!%e, drove hi# to an attic roo#,

The old co!ple %pent their day% in &loo#.

The le&acy earned by %weat of hi% brow

roof for the children, who had to &row;

*id he not love hi% children eno!&h?

=here he went wron&, he co!ldnt know.

The deri%ion, ab!%e, violence and fear%,

ll took t!rn% in their %!n%et year%;

The old co!ple lived a tra!#a each day

o %o!l aro!nd to wipe their tear%.

=hy O <od yo! &ave !% thi% child?

*aily, the old one% ranted and riled;

A!#inatin& day% lived when alone,

=hy were they tricked, why be&!iled?

$hildren-bill% of char&e% 7acon clai#ed,

Sharper than %erpent% tooth, 7ard bla#ed;

=hy r!e lo%% of a do!ble ed&ed %word?

ni#al% are better for the%e can be ta#ed.

------



05

34. /2

The P#o%#ession of E$il

Of Saty!&a, tale% are very rare,

7eca!%e everythin& wa% %o fair.

Ti#e %tarted on a clean %tate,

To it% %tart, we cannot relate.

o new% i% alway% &ood new%,

Of Saty!&a, cant have review%.

=ith Treta be&in% the real %tory,

=ho doe%nt know Aa#a% &lory?

anthra% act we dont condone,

:eople hate de%picable crone.

Aavana, the only villain we know,

(vil %tart%, crept in b!t %till %o %low.

=a%her #an% di%&raced ta!nt;

nother evil Treta can a!nt.

9owever Aa# Aaya went well;

To thi% day %eer% and %aint% tell.

"n *wapara, evil% %tock %ore,

$!nnin& Ka!rva% we %till abhor.

ahabharata% tale, known to all;

Jal!e%, #oral% had %teeper fall.

+o%in& *ra!padi in &a#ble a %l!r,

(on% of hi%tory can never bl!r.





0/

0>50>7 7rin& y <oblet

Jalet> 7rin& #y &oblet, let #e !nwind,

8or there i% a new% of a diBerent kind;

9ow #any ti#e% in a life, it happen%-

To be in a heart, to be on a #ind.

P!ick, let #e drown, for&et the &rind,

Or oat in an air where none can )nd;

y worrie% #y wail%, %ob% %orrow%,

8or a #o#ent, it all be left behind.

Tr!e, a #an% life i% b!t ti#e% %lave,

Aepeat% the %tory, fro# cradle to &rave,

9o!r &la%% i% f!ll; yo!re b!ried in %and;

=hen there i% %pace, yo!re told to behave>

7e%ide% %and, there are wall% of &la%%,

(ye% can %ee b!t the %i&h% cant pa%%,

(bbin& of %and #ake% the #ind free;

The feet re#ain e#bedded, ala%>

------



00

0<50<7

Shut Out

Sh!t o!t the noi%e, %h!t o!t the noi%e,

The rattle of en&ine%, the blow of horn%;

The road% E!akin&, want %o#e poi%e,

The evenin&% %#oky, the fo&&y #orn%.

=hat a rat-race #eetin& the end%,

'o! #eet the end - and all for&et;

There wa% a #an a#on& the friend%,

=ho%e face i% bl!rred, who%e %!n i% %et.

owhere to nowhere, that i% the life,

nd all thi% chafe to &o to the &rave;

9!%tle and b!%tle all end% in %trife,

The %orrow%, the tear%, the l!%t n crave.

The #an in yo!th, the ower in bloo#,

=hy %ho!ld they wait for a cr!#pled face?

=hen the f!t!re i% dark, all in &loo#,

:ointin& a&ain to the end of the race.

" #!%t leave when the &oin& i% &ood,

=hen yo! are all love, all in %#ile%;

o heart i% broken, nothin& #i%!nder%tood,

There " oin the #archin& pa%t )le%.

<ood bye o world, yo! heart% of %tone%,

O eye% of &la%%, yo! #oan% and &roan%,

tale by an idiot really it wa%,

The %cene drop%, appla!%e, appla!%e.

------



0C

/5/5

Lo$e $s' Lust

8air #aiden, bea! in their #eetin& )r%t;

*eclared the love, winnin& other% tr!%t.

9ardly they knew it wa%nt love b!t l!%t,

8lood of hor#one%, eDertin& the thr!%t.

8air na#e of love !%ed a&ain and a&ain,

(rotici%# r!led witho!t an iota of refrain.

addened by a r!%h they tied the knot,

$o#pli#ent% owed, h> $o!ple i% hot.

8ew year% after ebb followed the tide,

=anderl!%t hit both, &roo# and bride.

S#all talk, ar&!#ent% and freE!ent )&ht,

$la%h of e&o% over who wa%, wa%nt ri&ht.

=here went love? "t wa% l!%t that ed;

i%%in& wood% for tree%, love wa% dead.

+ove, a co##it#ent thro life and death,

(c%ta%y of %o!l%, beyond body n breath.

+ove i% in &ivin&, not a%kin& for favo!r,

*ivinity de)ne% thi%, a heavenly avor.

------



C

0 507

?E K(=!

Teach #e h!#ility, +ord, be kind;

To a worthle%% fellow born blind.

7linded a% " a# by e&o and pride,

<a%pin& for breath in #aterial tide.

ired in worldly #e%% need Thy &race,

The ro!te that lead% to 'o!, " trace.

" the lo%t child, 8ather, call to Thy fold,

'o! %ent #e to fair, )n&er plea%e hold.

+o%t yo!r track, world i% %!ch a place,

9it #e hard o Shiva, with thy #ace.

ay yo!r lot!% feet kick #y #ind;

:!lveriHe h!bri%, in yo!r #ill% &rind.

7e blind #an% %taB, %how #e the way;

$o#e to #y drea#%, by ni&ht n by day.

" bein& Thy part, let %ha# d!ality end,

+et wine be heady, let %pirit% blend.

------



C1

00 5007

"OSM(" !A="E

" a# in awe when think of co%#ic dance,

P!ietly in orb% they #ove a% if in a trance.

ot one collide% with other, har#ony #aintain

!t!al p!ll n love keep% the# %afe and %ane.

+i&ht of %!n eE!ally ill!#inate% the# all,

$a!%e% day%, ni&ht%, winter, %prin& and fall.

7i&&e%t doe% not bo%% aro!nd or inti#idate,

9ow bea!tif!lly they %hine in co%#ic plate.

9ow diBerent in colo!r, nat!re and trait%,

(ternal calendar #ark% their day%, date%.

So di%tant yet a% a fa#ily %o clo%ely knit,

=ho%e order% they obey, who%e i% the writ.

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C2

About the ,#ite#

Jinod K!#ar Khanna wa% born at Ialandhar :!nab in 1C40, in a #iddle cla%%

fa#ily. 9i% re&!lar ed!cation led to a *iplo#a in echanical (n&ineerin&, when hi%

fa#ily circ!#%tance% forced hi# to take !p a ob. 9e %erved in :!nab :!blic health

*epart#ent, while contin!in& p!r%!it of ed!cation to privately %ec!re a <rad!ate

de&ree in echanical en&ineerin& fro# The "n%tit!tion of (n&ineer% "ndia, $alc!tta

in 1C/2.

Since literat!re wa% hi% overwhel#in& pa%%ion, he %tarted writin& at the a&e of 1/

and it re%!lted in p!blication of hi% )r%t novel in 9indi in 1C6C, followed by another

three in 9indi and :!nabi, by 1C/.9e wa% %o #!ch in love with literat!re that

de%pite hi% very de#andin& ob% in corporate ho!%e%, he %t!died privately to

co#plete a%ter of rt% in (n&li%h fro# :!nabi @niver%ity :atiala and topped the

li%t of %!cce%%f!l candidate%. 9e f!rther co#pleted :o%t <rad!ate $erti)cate co!r%ein Teachin& of (n&li%h fro# $"(8+ 9yderabad, thro!&h corre%pondence.

fter a brief %tint in "ndian r#y in 1C/4 when he wa% %elected for trainin& a% a

technical co##i%%ioned oGcer, he entered into :rivate %ector in 1C/5. 9e worked in

"ndia% top#o%t corporate ho!%e% at %enior #ana&erial level% till late 1CC6.

Thereafter he took vol!ntary retire#ent to p!r%!e hi% own con%!ltancy.

*!rin& an !n-ble#i%hed (n&ineerin& career %pannin& over 44 year%, he never

%topped writin&. The %ocial i%%!e% were alway% clo%e to hi% heart and he freE!ently

eDpre%%ed hi% view% in the national dailie% fro# ti#e to ti#e.

9i% eDpo%!re wa% f!rther widened by vi%it% to #any co!ntrie% of (!rope and %ia,

while he wa% in ob.

Since 1C0C, he i% located in $handi&arh area after takin& vol!ntary retire#ent fro#

%ervice in 1CC6. 9e head% hi% con%!ltancy co#pany which aBord% hi# %o#e ti#e to

vent o!t hi% feelin&% thro!&h poetry.

Thi% book contain% %o#e of the poe#% which he ha% already %hared on poetry

for!#% and face book. The enco!ra&in& co##ent% of reader% pro#pted hi# to

approach :oetry Society of "ndia. The re%!lt of thi% endevo!r i% in yo!r hand%.



C3

About the boo*

+a#p :o%t i% not the re%!lt of any teeny weenie !r&e to %ee

one% na#e in print or eDhibit boa%tf!l phili%tini%#. t lea%t for

#e, thi% !r&e wa% %ati%)ed lon& back with p!blication of fo!rnovel% before the a&e of 22 year%. The%e &ave #e a few col!#n

centi#eter% of %pace in =ho i% who of "ndian =riter% p!bli%hed

by the Sahitya cade#y, back in 1C03. Thi% entry %i#ply helped

#e re#ind d!rin& an eDi%tential %tr!&&le that ye%, " too co!ld

write. The bitter %weet eDperience% d!rin& the neDt thirty year%

er!pted at ti#e% a% i#pro#pt! poetry- which ha% now been

co#piled in the %hape of thi% book. The olde%t poe# Sh!t O!t

wa% written in 1C0 in an old *elhi hotel near 8atehp!ri, when "

had a %evere attack of #i&raine and the evenin& din and b!%tle of

crowded baHaar a&&ravated it %o #!ch %o that thi% poe# owed

o!t on paper a% it i% now before yo!. ot a word in it ha% been re-

written or edited.

% in everybody% life, %o#e people, %o#e circ!#%tance% or

word% of %o#e writer act a% la#p po%t% and ro!te #arker% when

one i% at cro%%road%, %teeped in inner and o!ter darkne%%.

Thi% book i% devoid of heavy and overbearin& #etaphor that

#ake% poetry diGc!lt to decode for #any co##on reader%. "t i% a

book abo!t co##on #an% %en%ibilitie% and concern%, written in

%i#ple (n&li%h, %weetly rhy#ed and wo!ld have %erved it%

p!rpo%e if even one poe#, one %tanHa, one line or one word co!ld

%hed %o#e li&ht, di%pel darkne%% and %how %o#e way to a

%tranded wanderer or in the lea%t can con%ole a weary,

woebe&one #ind.

9one%t feedback of reader% i% #o%t welco#e and can be %ent at

vinodk6Uyahoo.co.in



C4

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