We, the Knowing

As a kid I was told and taught to believe
There is God in all things that breathe and live.
In the gusty winds and the storming rains
In the happy smiles and wrenching pains.
He created the plants and animals I love
Also the numerous insects I hardly know.
I listened on without a single query
For I was too young to have any worry.

But education and exposure did come my way
Blowing cobwebs and fundamentals away.
He created us, yet he looked like us, I laughed
Ignorance of science personified as God, I scoffed.
I questioned God’s essence if innocents die
Wondering, If they do go to God, why do we cry?
The years went by as I basked in the new light
Questioning beliefs, spoiling for a fight.

The years flew by and the hair turns grey
I realize slowly my ignorance in the fray.
Science and logic no longer answers my musings
They just create vacuums due to my questions.
Unknowns loom large and emotions come in play
I need a crutch to help me go on my way.
To show me some light and say I am right
Oh God! I call upon, to steady my gait.

Budget Blues

In the forest of aidnI, it was the yearly rationing time
Animals, big and small, listened as deficit was prime.
Like with all matters of importance, the lioness stayed away
And the lion had a solemn face that gave nothing away.
So it was the old fox rationing again, a balancing act
A bit of the common man, a lot of electoral funding pacts.

Squirrels can farm for free; rural rabbits can dig for food
25 kg food for hardly any money that sounded so good.
Burrows and nests, Caves and pits, Lairs and dens
Everywhere for everyone, a slum free forest by 2010.
Gas profits won’t be taxed, but only for blocks we now provide
You reliant hyenas- serves you so right for joining the other side.

Herds and packs, we will answer your pray
Fringe foods to your cows and dogs won’t now fall prey.
A morsel to the ants thattrade with other forests, thou worry not
And nothing to you big fry service baboons, you dare not.
Hey, you old hogs you can keep more of what you find
And the loss making morons, give more of that you hide behind.

With Gandhi and Kautilya, the old fox signed off in style
The guileless animal citizens digested it for a while.
What about the growing deficit, the wise monkeys asked
Look at Uncle Sam and Queen Forests, old fox laughed.
Truly benevolent, but how will we afford, queried the donkey
By fleecing you to death, thought the oligarchy.

Reflections

The meadows gently rolled along
When I saw a group of deer pass by
Running so fast, they looked able to fly.

A few ran as if in a chase
Some did as if to win a race
And a few others just to keep the pace.

But I saw one go by, its head held high
Galloping along, with the wind on its face
Running for the run and not for the race.

One fine day

I push myself to get up early everyday
So I can sleep till late someday.
Through the traffic and the rules I abide
I dream of a walk with a dog by side.

A number of Hi s and smiles at work
Telling myself tomorrow solitude will help.
When the eye struggles through tables and charts
My mind comforts it with siesta’s thought.

The evening goes into night as I slog
I promise myself a fireplace and logs.
But for the tomorrow I sacrifice every today
I sadly forget today was tomorrow yesterday.

Ballot Dance

As I contemplate casting my vote
I looked at my obvious choices.
An ancient party with anti democratic roots
Or one that wants to give minorities the boot.
The reds with anti developmental myopia,
And the fourth front with antediluvian utopia.

Then I thought of going with nation’s usual taste
Of not casting my vote but voting my caste.
Or to be the ultimate anti national
An armchair analyst, questioning every party’s rational.

Surfing through media owned by different parties
Interrupted by ads of companies that own the parties.
I decide to be the quintessential middle class
And vote with a hope, the system will change its flaws.