Salute to all Men!

Why?

I am strong, I am bold,

I am smart, that need not be told,

I am cute, I am naïve,

I am stable, I am brave.

I can withstand any pain or loss,

I do not cry, at least that is sought,

I can take care of everyone around,

I am the reincarnation of Shiva on ground.

I am intelligent, I am swift,

There is no mystery to create in me a rift,

I am the Master, I am the Lord,

There is no situation where falls my sword!

Stop it! Stop it, please.

It’s enough now, let me be at peace.

I agree I am stronger both in body and soul,

But that does not guarantee that I can never crawl.   

I know I am supposed to be the shoulder, not head,

But, why can’t I be the one needing to be cared?

Since ages my role has been defined and taught,

Why can’t my roles be revised, the ones that rot?

Why is only “She” the deprived?

Come close, I will show you my scars, my eyes which cried!

Embroiled I am in the fabric all set,

It expects us to do what is right and what is best,

“She” is always the weaker, the suppressed,

The truth is, no more is the story so lopsided, so depressed!

I agree “She” might be the one more hurt,

But that does not allow my affliction to get blur.

I am stuffed with paradoxical words and rituals seen,

I am choked to see...my tears have no screen.

Things are not as easy as they look,

Dare to peep in, and you will see the torn book,

Book which has been tattered, battered and burned,

Its ashes remain, and we still bear the burden!

We commit suicide four times more than “Her”,

And still “She” is the only centre of the spur,

Love, Care, Rights are not only “Her” domain,

I also have a heart, which pumps blood through veins.

Why should I always bear the brunt?

Why should “She” be the innocent and me on hunt?

Why can’t I also get a voice?

A voice to say what I feel when the milieu strikes!

I don’t complain when “She” gets the Light,

But why am I left behind the dark drape with bleeding blight?

Why am I not understood, or seen or felt?

Why is there no one to step into my shoes, and wear my belt?

Why consider I have superiority complex,

When the truth remains that I too have my feeble reflex!

Thus, I won’t hesitate to say- I need an ear,

To hear my woes, my story, my arrears,

To see my wounds, those unseen blow,

To feel what my writhing heart sighs,

To be for once a Man, and see this Life!

To be for once a Man, and see this Life!

A Passing Thought!

Mirage.

Pretty face, broken smile,

Shreds she had worn, had been waiting for a while,

Guess, she is waiting for someone,

But the sky is getting dark, not fit for any stay!!

Feeble arms, battered skin,

Bones only seen, no flesh or kin,

Her hair is rough, untidy and sun-burned.

She needs aid, help, but…

“Can I help you beautiful?”- A drunkard just winked,

She is looking away, but he is adamant.

He is messing around her, she is vulnerable,

I wish, I could be of help, but am too far away!

She is looking for help; her postures are getting weird,

“But why is she not helping herself? Why doesn’t she scratch some beard?”

“For whom is she waiting? One should fight for oneself!”

I wish I can hasten, and ring her bell.

There comes, few more,

Her hassles are increasing; she is not fighting though,

I am confused, but can imagine her plight,

Let me hurry towards her, and be her knight.

But I am confused, why is she being so quiet,

No one can harm you, if you are ready to bite,

Is she maimed, or dumb or at strife?

I don’t know, but she should shriek, or try.

“What is the problem Sire? Why don’t you leave her alone?”

“She is a woman, not a thing to be torn!”

“Hey you girlie, step aside. You are a kiddo, don’t mess with the guys!”

“Is she saying anything, that you are prying..it is our matter, you mind your side!”

“What is wrong with you? Why are you not helping thyself?

There are goons, you need to defend.”

“I can’t do anything. How can I? I was waiting for someone to be my guide!”

“How can I help myself, I am a woman, weak and fragile!”

“Look at me, and think for once, who will help the one, who fears the ride?”

 Suddenly there comes a car’s flash light,

Her face is focused and I am surprised at the sight,

The lady is capable of preventing her blight,

And still she is waiting for someone to rescue her from the dark Night!

“You need no help, you are strong inside,

Just have faith in your heart, else things are bright,

Stand for yourself; give them a slap tight,

Then tell me if they have the courage to stare your might.”

No One can help anyone, till One only sighs,

All the riddles will be solved, only if one tries.

Wait for a Knight is useless, because we need to be complete,

There is never a need for a Stranger to rescue us from defeat.

Situations can never shape our strength,

We all are powerful; we just forget the fact,

 Mind is the ultimate weapon we all have with ourselves,

Still to wait for another soul, is a wastage and bloody hell!

The Tree!

I saw a Tree, and wanted its shade,

It was too hot, and my shadow was in need of aid,

I was walking since long, avoiding being seen,

And now I wanted to stop, but things were not keen.

I saw the Tree from far,

Thought that its branches would hide my scar!

My veil was torn, and drapes dark,

There were sounds following me, and the wind was making mark.

My feet were bruised, I did not want to tread,

But its coolness was inviting, appealing to my shreds,

I prodded along the way to reach it soon,

But it kept on getting farther, as if I were a goon!

Sun was spitting fire; my skin was getting parched,

I wanted to rest and breathe, but the roads were starched.

The quicker I got, the farther it went,

I was getting impatient, as there was no vent.

The Tree was alluring, and pulled me towards it,

Its leaves were green and dense, leaving my tensed pulse lose wit,

I was moving towards it, like a buffoon,

And my soul was like a madman, lost and ruined.

Finally, I was reaching near it and thought it was just there,

But again, I realized that it was a mirage, and not here.

The Tree was still there, shining bright in the light,

But guess the distance was too long for me to cover it before twilight….

The wind started blowing, as if to worsen my case,

Neither was there a well nor His grace,

The Tree was inviting, calling me near it again and again,

But the road, now, was looking like a maze.

“I guess, I am going just round in circles”-said some Inner voice,

“Either you pursue the same course, or make a choice”,

“There it is, but it keeps on losing from sight,

Yours has to be the call, to decide what will be right!”

I thought and felt, why there is so much pain,

Am I looking for something distant, or am I afraid of the strain?

Why is there doubt that the Tree is too far,

Am I not capable of reaching my shining star?

“Is it justified to give up the chase,

Thinking that difficult is the race?

Will it be fair to give up the dream,

Only because strict is the desired Regime?”

The Tree’s shade is sought, because too harsh is sunshine,

Isn’t it better, to have it once, than to regret later in time.

Let me try it once, to regret never more,

That I gave up a desire which was on shore!

The Tree is lovely, green and high,

It is the one whose shade I sigh,

I have to go near it once, to feel its breeze,

Then let it be my call, not to give up or seize.