An Ode to Suman (xxxx - Nov 21, 2021)

Although we were not your kids, you cared for vai/harsh/me more than your own;

You showered us with your unconditional warmth and comfort.

No you were not our mom; but your role was just as strong.

You wiped our tears from the edges of your nine-yard saree;

You protected us from many harm;

You fed us our favorite foods; 

You were our go-to bank at month-end when we were low on pocket-money.

No you were not our mom; but your heart was just as Big.

You hid those candies from all our cousins and friends just so we get to keep them all :-)

You secretly gave the three of us more goodies than anyone else;

And no one dare take away any of our possessions!

No you were not our mom; but your over-protectiveness was just as evident.

You cared for every soul that came to our home; from the postman and the mechanic to every single guest, extended family and our friends;

You fed them all; you sounded them off too!

No you were none of their moms; yet such a powerful influence!

We are lucky and blessed to have YOUR kind of love; You showed us what it means to care and to serve; and what it means to do so unconditionally; 

No we were not your kids and still you treated us more than your own;

No you were not our mom; and you showed us what it takes to be MORE than one!

(Our beloved Suman/Taija passed away last week - amidst her loved one, with dignity and a free soul. She fought a good fight and we will miss her deeply. She is survived by her grand-daughter, grand-son and daughter. And by her legacy of care and warmth that she leaves behind for us.)

Should We Sleep?

My family friend's 17-year old daughter pens down an ode and raises a question that requires a justified answer. Are we prepared to give an answer to the coming generation who looks up to us for direction, advise and leadership or are we also termed as the 'spineless' creatures just like our predecessors?

Can You Sleep?

You hear gunshots in places you had dinner last week,

From a window, you see blood leak.

You hear live gunshots, explosions and screams.

Outside your window, you see commandos and army trucks pass by.

You feel like its a movie,

but what you are seeing is reality.

Can You Sleep?

You see 'fresh blood stains' on TV,

And you are thinking, "It could have been me"

You see babies being rescued,

You see eye-witnesses breaking down,

and then you see politicians do nothing but frown.

Can You Sleep?

While you are listening to the sound of an innocent cry,

"many more will die",

are the healing words of a terrorist.

I ask you,

Can You Sleep?

While you hear of the coming hurricane in the next year or two,

you hear a new born baby coo,

and you are wondering why he was ever born,

will he ever see the brightest morn?

Can You Sleep?

While people are killed, with joy, some hearts are filled.

The Earth cracks,

The Earth is famished,

The Earth is parched,

Bombs explode, animosity grows,

The blame flies around,

Bodies fall to the ground,

Can You Sleep?

In the midst of this reality, you see politicians asking for votes,

trying to win you with their flowery quotes.

I do not ask you if you can sleep,

I now ask you:

SHOULD YOU SLEEP?

Niharika Vazirani, 17

Mumbai

Ode to ISL

'I know a man, a common man,
just like someone you meet and greet
Except he cannot hear or see.
He eats and sleeps and dreams some dreams,
the same as us, both you and me.
He cannot see TV, nor hear it
unlike you and me.
But there is something he CAN do,
far better than you or me.
He can enjoy any tale,
by fingers deftly touching Braille
and sieze the day with broad smile
quite unlike you and me.
He needs some friends and loved ones too
the same as both you and me
Although this man cannot hear or see,
he is almost quite like you and me.