Will Survive

They may call me weak 
Not strong enough to achieve
Success may not greet me much
May not be able to please the world
Or surpass numerous expectations

But will certainly not despair 
About transitory possessions
As this world is not valuable
Though my life is truly of worth 

Blemishes may make me unpleasing
Don’t conform to the demands of superficiality
But I know I am divine from within
And will live with my beautiful imperfections

For I couldn’t care less about what they feel
As long as I am happy with myself
No need to be someone I am not
Just be satisfied with what I have got

Though there is no place for the meek
I will survive in all circumstance

A Boy Named Harris

There was boy named Harris, 

Who use to do all things opposite

His father was reading 

While the sun was setting

He told Harris to switch on the lights

But instead his papers started flying

His father yelled, ‘Harris, why do you do all things opposite.’

One day his mother was cooking 

For the guests in the evening

She asked Harris to pass the sugar 

But he gave her the salt

The guests were waiting for the blueberry pie

But they were treated to a portion of saline

His mother shouted, ‘Harris, why do you do all things opposite.’

He went to school where the teacher held a mathematics test

In which Harris wasn’t too well

He wrote the test using all his wits

But the teacher found out that all the answers were of science.

His teacher screamed, ‘Harris, why do you do all things opposite.’

That was a story of a boy named Harris who tried his best

But somehow managed to do all things opposite

The Shadow Monster

It was way past midnight and the streets barred a silent look. I was keen on taking a cab but thought a walk and some fresh air would do me good. As I was whistling my favorite tune, I heard a soft rattle behind me. I looked back and found a shadow. 

I paused for a moment as I had heard about the legend of the shadow monster. A creature lurking in the dark and preying upon innocent souls. But I reassured myself that the tale was just a myth. With full composure, I walked along continuing with my tune but my doubts grew stronger.

I tilted my head to the right and saw a shadow reflect on the building. Fear engulfed me as I knew that the shadow was not mine. I turned slowly to catch a glimpse and saw a horrifying face with eyes protruding with rage. As I looked straight at it, it raised its hands to grab me. I shrieked aloud and ran in blind panic.

As my steps grew faster, the relentless shadow was getting bigger. I knocked at all doors as I ran; desperately hoping that someone would help me in vanquishing this evil terror. But all doors remained closed.

I thought if I pleaded for mercy, the monster would spare me but its wrath grew even more. Suddenly, it howled a loud screech which pounded my ears. The resulted uproar deafened me.

I thought of a place where the devil didn’t dare to enter and I knew it wasn’t so far away. If only I could somehow reach there. But my strength was diminishing as the demon was getting closer.

Its ferocious hands gripped my face. One mighty scratch and I felt my face ripped apart. I tried to open my eyes but couldn’t. It was all too dark yet my face felt warm. And then I knew that the monster had taken my eyes.

I stumbled upon something and fell down. I lay on the ground succumbing to my fate; for this ordeal was finally over and the devil had won.

Numbness took over my body though I could hear my heart. I touched my face and felt my eyes at its place. I opened them and saw the dawn bright and sunny. I instantly stood up to smell the misty air and hear the birds chirping. It felt so good that life was same as before. I smiled and forgot all about last night though a question remained.

Was the shadow monster real or just a dream?

The Dove And The Beast

The mother dove was full of joy at the birth of her child. As days passed by she cuddled him with affection and fed him with the best that she could provide.

One day, a vulture pounced on the baby dove and snatched him away. The mother dove tried her best to keep pace but the all too powerful flight of the vulture was too much for her. As the baby dove was struggling in the mighty talons, a stone was hurled at the vulture and the baby dove fell on the ground near a cave. A hand appeared from the cave and dragged the baby dove in. The mother dove began circling the cave hoping that her son would come out but to no avail. Her reluctance to venture in was due to an old legend that she knew.

There was a beast who used to run havoc in the jungle causing troubles to all. So, the animals put a curse which made him blind if he stepped out during the day. This curse confined the beast to the cave when the sun shined and the night became his only friend.

Days passed into weeks and the mother dove would patiently sit near the cave hoping for a miracle. Finally her clan convinced her to move on with the beautiful memories of her child. Then one morning a dove came flying to their abode. The mother dove recognized her beloved son instantly. Joyous tears started flowing from her eyes.

He told her that when he fell on the ground, he was badly wounded. During these days of pain, the beast cared and nurtured him, gave him the nourishment that would make him strong. Slowly, he felt better and even his wings developed. The beast then bid him farewell as he had become well and was ready to fly.

The next morning the doves entered the cave to give their thanks. They urged the beast to step outside. As the sun shone on his face he could see all with his wide open eyes. Years of anguish had disappeared and his happiness was unbounded. One good deed of his broke the lifelong curse.

In The Jungle

They warned us of the lurking dangers inside the jungle but our curiosity had the better of us. We swerved of our usual route and ventured inside. We did have a sense of fear inside our hearts but our minds were courageous.  

The light became dimmer as we treaded along and there was a distinct smell that engulfed us. As we advanced, insects of varying size and color were whistling their tunes in complete harmony. We never knew these tiny beings could create such beautiful music that would resonate throughout the jungle.

As we were enjoying the aural wonders, our breath was taken away by a royal creature we had only seen on television or books. Its black and orange stripes were so vibrant that the jungle didn’t look dark anymore. Our feet halted as he took its majestic steps. And for once in our life, we weren’t afraid but were in full admiration of what we were seeing. He took an innocuous look at us and then disappeared in the vagueness of the wild.

As we were recovering from this magnificent sight, we felt a push from behind. To our amazement, we found a baby elephant circling around us. We had never expected to see such an adorable animal in the midst of the jungle. As we started to mingle with it, we heard shuddering noises approaching us. We quickly realized that it was the mother being overprotective of its child. We too decided to leave as we started to think of our own worrying mothers.

As we were heading back home, we looked behind to catch a last glimpse of this marvelous place. And we promised each other that we will be back to renew our adventure. 

The Unsatiated Wolf

The wolf devours but unsatisfied

The dark yellow eyes preys for more

Resilient in its quest to be fed

Rummaging across the land for creatures within

Still savage in its pursuit

Consuming all with its ravenous gut

But all that chasing has aged him soon

No more the vicious predator he once was

Looking back with his old frail eyes

All that hunting was not suffice

As he still remains hungry and unsatisfied

(This poem is a metaphor for man's unending hunting for life's pleasures)

At The Bus Stop

It was a hot fiery afternoon and Jonu was pacing around hurriedly by the road. He had to be there for an important meeting but his car thought otherwise. His steps became faster and so did his agitation as the heat was a killing. Finally, to his relief, he found a shaded bus stop and sat instantly to regain his breath.

Next to him was a strong built man wearing tainted old clothes. His dark skinned face was shadowed by dirt and dust as he wore a smile. Jonu smirked at him in response as his troubles of getting to the office were the only thing on his mind. He reached out to Jonu saying “Hello, How are you doing?”  Jonu replied in frustration, “The heat is extreme, am sweating like crazy and to top it all off, just when I had the most important meeting, my car broke down, my phone went dead and I had to walk around 1 km to find a bus stop. I have never had such a bad day in my life. Now how do you think I am and where is the damn bus?” Jonu said angrily. But all the man did was give a smile. Jonu grinned as he didn’t quite appreciate his sarcastic reaction.

Just then this man got up and went in the corner of the shed. As he came out, there was a broom in his hand and he started sweeping the road. Jonu was stunned in silence and was too ashamed to look him in the eyes. This man who spends his whole day in keeping the streets clean, not only does this tedious job to the best of his ability but also with a smile. He made Jonu realize that his woes in life are so smaller. Just one day in the heat made him to complain whereas this man makes his living by working in the harshest of weather conditions with paltry pay. Jonu wanted to apologize for his rude behavior but just didn’t have it in him to do so.    

As Jonu ascended onto the bus with his thoughts, he heard a voice from behind saying “Take care Sir”