Stemming from Flemming
Created by Connery
Lasted barely Lazenby
Made it his own by Moore
Dejected with Dalton
Six year sojourn
Booted with Brosnan
Craig for the decade
Now hangs Its fate
On how the fans rate
Exist or perish state
With No Time to Die

Child actor in the movies
Something I never got to be
Number of   films 20
Happy that I could just see
Part of gang wars
Get beaten till the body hit the floor
Was too timid that I looked for the door
Learning Martial Arts to counter the attacker
Was not even an option for me to consider

Learnt  Foshan Wing Chun
I was keen on only having fun
With an aim to master
Something I never could gather
From IP Man the grandmaster
Didn't know of him till the 4 part movie released 4 decades later
Studied with integrity and hours didn't matter
Lacked the discipline life was in tatters

Enrolled to study philosophy
I lacked the basic curiosity
Started teaching his art
I didn't know anything to impart
Fell in love and married
I got married and divoced

Worked as a stuntman
Farthest from that I remained
Acting in television and doing karate exhibitions
Couple of things in life I never came in contact

Back to Hong Kong
To revive a film career gone wrong
I didn't know right from wrong
Was just floating along
Became a global icon
I'm still figuring out mobile phone icons

Born a seeker
Created his own method
Fighting and realising
Looking for a mentor
I was a day dreamer

Martial Artist Actor Philosopher
Stunt Coordinator Director Writer
Producer Teacher and Father
I am none of the above
Except that am his keen follower

Died at 32
In the hearts forever
5 th most enduringly popular of all time
Nothing more to conquer
I am 52 and alive
I'm the 4th most popular in a house
Where there are 5
Still trying to get that drive
Following nade me feel
Its ok just to be

Jeet Kune do s founder and master
Jeet Kune do s follower and learner
I am not Bruce Lee
But am trying to be

Did I act
Or speak out the fact
That the behaviour lacked tact
Creating a  lifelong impact

Moved away like a rat
Afraid of getting the flak
For defending the right to
Leave a soul intact

Inability to avenge
Bottled up rage
Turned to revenge
Towards a kid at the cusp of teenage

Sucker for the position
The  society's estimation
Lack of a jobs humiliation
Or the salary proposition

Which one I wonder
Did I barter
Balance things in order
Selfishness the cancer

Sell my Soul
Or simply cried foul
My escape route
Citing lack of gratitude

Denied a chance
Treated with askance
Wanted an entrance
Only to enhance
Skill and talent
Treated like an adult
For no mistake committed
For life will never forget
Being an uninvited guest
For no fault insulted
For life scarred
Can turn any path
Hurt and withdrawn
Turn into wrath
There's no escape clause

Lying lifeless on the floor
family and friends till the door
Wife till the end of the road
Progeny till the cemetery
What happens after
Who accompanies  thereafter

Poverty to Possession
Illiteracy to Graduation
Lonely and loveless to Companionship and Passion
Low esteem to self respect
Material to Abstract
Entrance and Exit gates of the same building
The Search ends where the search  began

Life as an example
Sets the preamble
Real living is for others
Remembered for years
Philosophy so profound
Helps the self be found
A giving heart
Already on the path
Used hands as a ladder
Making life for others easier
The Souls purity
Among humans a rarity
No sacrifice big enough
The secret  to immortality

Sorrow at your doorstep
Cause a misstep
Or a mindset
Doesn't make a request
Knocking carrying duress
Hiding under distress
Doesn't change your address

Beautiful as you laid sights
First time to your eyes
Twice and Thrice
Feelings threadbare laid as the price
Till she becomes a vice
Mere presence  a delight
Throw of the dice
The heart as a device
Invested thought strikes
She becomes yours to possess
No more beautiful to the eyes

Respect for self
Lies in the belief
You deserve the best
Settling for nothing else

Action is the way
To be in the fray
Just a turn away
From where your ambitions lay

Always respect yourself
Carefully treat the self
Are the necessary steps
Dwell on it till death

Haughty or harmless
Egoistic or modest
You get treated by the rest
In reflected self respect

Intrinsic nature unnoticed
Qualities largely ignored
Personality to the fore
Judgements others hold

Sense of fullness
Happy about life
Grateful for the gifts
Thankful for the insults

Consistency in conduct
Not the solution
Hacking the inessintial
Life's most essential

Tolerance for disrespect
Nothing to circumspect
Best answer is silence
Just a mirror to its presence

Pompous in Victory
Depressed in Defeat
Extreme in Emotions
Either results not bad

Play the game
Establish your name
Along comes fame
Getting carried away the bane

Play the game
Fullest of ability
****** in loosing
No harm in falling

Play the game
Focus the process
Don't decide the outcome
Best attitude in producing the optimum

Apart from practising
Daily basis learning
Eye on improving
Hopefully change the ending

Skill sets different
Available options varying
Comparison with competition
Most avoidable provision

Set own standards
Ratification doesn't matter
Surrender to the game
Reap rewards in the bargain

Take into consideration
Each a unique combination
Output limited due to limitations
Doesn't change the situation

The game gives returns
On integrity that's shown
Your time will come
To fulfill what you want to become

Not the expected results
Years spent in achieving a status
Never consider as time wasted
Harvest delayed never denied

Alone or Amidst
Feeling or Thinking
Slogged or Sluggish
Accomplished or Failed
Celebration or Dejection
A Double on the rocks
Compliments  the emotion
Desired or wanting to be forsaken

Life  just  a glance
Death  your destination
Realise  
Become  the emperor of your own destiny

Seeking the answers
By questions raised within
A true master doesn't find answers
He simply looses the questions

Search for answers
Not where words are spoken
In Silence lies the solution
Knowledge gained without a word spoken

Angry at another
Hurting none but your inner
Drinking poison hoping
The other person will cease living

Path with problems
Nothing to be concerned
Obstacles obstructing notion
Obstacles is the path in motion

Never stop learning
Accumulation of knowledge
Let go of the learning
Living in Wisdom

Knowing is not enough
Doing it is tough
Knowing and not doing
Is the same as not knowing

A candle can light
Many other candles
Its life not shortened
By sharing the light

See it as it is
Observe it the same
Let go without any blame
Light life's flame

There's nothing now
There's nothing to know
To know there is nothing
Takes the longest time within

Envelope with no address
The path after death
Only thing certain
Yet to ascertain

Every life unique
Common in its end
Continue to pretend
Its agent it will send

Living life unpredictable
Cause of all the trouble
Live it on the double
Too late to realise the bubble

Only known about life
Take it in your stride
Anytime it will strike
Try with all your might


  Afraid of an event
That will happen
With no exception
Exclusive not an option

Not alive when dead
Not dead when alive
Nothing more mutually exclusive
Math theories none supportive

Finite in time
Time uncertain
Every sample tested
No solution founded

Rebirth after next
Not proven yet
A philosophic statement
Understand it's living eqivalent

A Spiritual insight
Only answer to this plight
Makes understanding light
Law if nature always right

Are both real
Are both unreal
Are both concepts
Are both dreams

Million thank yous
Would not suffice
Gratitude to the excercise
Filling your coffees they indeed did without any malice

Living in a fantasy
Greater sin than blasphemy
State of lunacy
Living on the currency
Of others hard earned money

Earn your bread
Or better lie dead
Inheritance from father
Is the next best offer

Lifestyle beyond means
Stylish as it seems
Better remain a dream
Or live with low esteem

Become a comic meme
If you don't redeem
Not part of any team
Alter life's theme

Face the music
You are not doing justice
Others money not at your service
Make yourself a promise

Ensure and endure
Future is secure
Life is insecure
Never ask for money
Secured or unsecured

A new day today
Yesterday just went away
Tomorrow a day away
Even Dusk is 12 hours away

What is in store
Depends on the seeds down
Which one will harvest
Happens at Gods behest

Predicting the unpredictable
The day will go your way
Reality will hold sway
Next moment still a moment away

Live the moment
With harmony and consent
Always be present
Anything else not your decision

Freedom is to be gained
Our greatest misconception
Freedom is already there
Self knowledge lays it threadbare

There is nothing to become
We simply already are
Only become aware
Aware and alert a combination rare

How free are we
Depends on the degree
External constraints and the lack of them
Decides the levels of your freedom

Condemn or approve
Please do not do
Stay alive to   your practice
Merely observe without malice

Alone or lonely I meditate
Seems the best place to contemplate
To the serenity i capitulate
Only divine grace can create
Timeless place makes me forget the date
Makes me realize meditation and I are not separate

Times are tough
Life in the rough
Doors are closed
Go to your core

Biggest enemy
Lies within the personality
Core one of rigidity
Cause of all the difficulty

Resistance to opposition
Strengthens your weakness
Followed by immature decisions
Complicates the equations


Survival of the fittest
Is not the strongest
Definitely not the smartest
Its time tested

Flexibility is the key
Unlock the doors of opportunity
You are your own enemy
Blocking your own prosperity

Mind being restless
Decisions naturally reckless
Stops self progress
At your own doorstep

Be one with contradiction
Solution lies within
Softer you are
Harder to break

Flow with it
In harmony with
Take from it
No more a bottom less pit

Limits put on you
Are only by you
In tune with the limits
Then there are no limits

Come to desist
Anything the ego resists
The weight of its baggage
Cup full of garbage

Lighter the mind
Receptive and kind
Emotional fulfillment
Life led to heart's content

Learn to flow
With the highs and lows
Everything within reach
Softer you are easier to breach

A man carrying his past
Bequeathing he cannot
Chaos in his brain
Dead he rather be
Earnestly repenting for his acts
Facts remain facts
God s feet his abode
Heavens cant cleanse his soul
i the ego stands in his way
Jumbled up emotions block the gate
Knows no other way
Lessening his burden his only goal
Mirage of illusions blocking his path
Never ending battle on the cards
Optimism decreasing by the hour
Paving way for more despair
Quality of life deeply affected
Ramblings of the mind ever increasing
Souls purity questioned
Traveller without a destination
Unable to break the shackles
****** induced sleep
Way to get some peace
Xany days left far behind
Yearning to go back in time
Zenith to Nadir a free ride

Insults targeted to defame
Mockery used as a method to frame
Made up stories imagined to malign
The greatest Martial Artist and Legend

In your face racism
Step brother of fascism
Dishonoring an actor
The way he looks and character

Legends  are  not private property
They remain in the hearts of everybody
Telling them to go **** a ####
Shows the arrogance & lack of class sans logic

Repeatedly bringing him
As a form for promotion
Attracts huge attention
Seems to be another intention

No ratification needed
Insults best ignored
Move ahead with the mission
Under his able guidance

Insulting a dead man
Worst act in s lifespan
Respecting the dead
Shows a man with self respect


Opinion of one Person
Doesn't require the comprehension
Doing it for many reasons
The one who rants gets the bad opinion

Offence is intended
Their souls will be contended
Only when the other is offended
And very often repeated

Put him in a boat
Hold on to the rope
Best way to deal
Keep moving the keel

4th of July
free worlds independence day
stars and stripes
respect and pride
makes the hair stand straight
very mention gives the opponents fright
50 states one nation
the names very mention
gives the identity
along with the sanctity
salute the flag
worship the sand
pray to the rivers
make the country great
along with people of character
citizenship is tough
earn it
most valuable possession  on earth
a passport bearing your name
whatever be the era
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Friends from childhood
Ignored and abandoned
Grew up concomitantly
Yet so differently

Days of hunger
Hanging around at a film theatre
Pocket picking only option
Do the deed with hope of escaping

Passing the purse
To his friend an accomplice
Tries to flee the scene
Before doing an act so obscene

Cought by the public
Mind and body static
The friend does not panic
Hides the wallet under the car wheels

Cought red handed
Turns the tables single handed
Lays the blame on his friend
And claims total innocence

The accomplice under the radar
Beaten up and questioned by the public at large
Questioned if he took it
Denies it vehemently

Forced to return the stolen wallet
Doesn't think even for a minute
Claims innocence of its whereabouts
Doesn't help in easing the people's doubts

Finally grilled if his friend did the act
Replies I have no idea about  the fact
Death at you doorstep never rat
Learnt from this young boy whose character is intact

Did you take it
No
Did your friend take it
I don't know
Where is the wallet
Which wallet
You ll be beaten to death
Go ahead

Freedom given to the other human
Lightens the mind of burden
The more you let go
Freedom to oneself the ultimate goal

Providing a Stage for the Actor
Who unleashes his alter ego playing the character
Make up on his face a mask
Juxtaposing real and unreal a difficult task
If world is the theatre staging plays
Tickets not needed to watch this drama
Theater seems more real atleast the make up is on
Actor facing the dichotomy is infact not acting when curtain is up

What is yours
Will meet you midway
As long as you
Don't stand in its way
Or stand in your own way
Having no way as way
Way without way showing the way

At home and alone
Dreamer inside forlorn
Dreams remain dreams
Dreamer still dreams
Unrealised dreams stinging
Newer ones replacing
The problem for the dreamer
Lies in the dreaming

Life is an Irony
Where death is the only certainty
Living for eternity
Fortunately only a fantasy

Take me back to the era
the 70's the greatest of all
pure unadulterated nostalgia
living in its memory by the day by the hour

Time machine if existed
would ensure it is re looped
Live in that time
it always stays present


Denim Shirts and checked pants
long hair and sideburns
boots to match and tee shirts worn
before or after never done

Music blaring from windows
houses and hostel windows
Grateful Dead  playing live
Deep Purple  to jive


Cassettes replacing the gramophone
every house a whistling tone
The Doors playing in the background
4 streets away hearing the sound

Movie posters on Roads
life size images
of Charles Bronson in tow
Clint Eastwood Robert  Redford and others movies in the same row.

Wimbledon telecasts
Borg and Connors in the Final
Two gladiators with opposing personalities
Battling out for the elusive trophy and carve their name in history

Take me back
ill never come back
returned back
enjoy the decade back to back

Missing my mentor
Who gave me all
taken away by god
Too early my thought

Having conversations with him
Narrating the  jokes that he enjoyed
A  style that i employed
Every time he would have a whole hearted laugh

Continuing the same
In his absence
Me playing both  the roles
Inside my heart and acting out .

Talking with colleagues on a project
He ends up as the  main  subject
Regaling with laughter his encounters
Hours  spent on his many conquests'

Wish he was here
So that i don't have to play two roles.
Wish he was here
So that he did not exist in memory alone
Wish he was here
So that i could talk to him some more
Wish  he was here
So that i could apologize for my mistake
Wish he was here
So that i could thank him more
Wish he was here
So that i don't have to think of him .
Wish he was here
So that he was not a recall
Wish he was here
So that i never learnt the meaning of grief
Wish he was here
So that i can live in peace
Wish he was here
So that he was here

Rain in the ocean
Moon in the forest
what does it do at best
food when hungry
Friendship in distress
Is what brings out your best

An unreal reality
Picture perfect scenery
Quest for company
Tragic and illusionary
Sequential and Dreamy
Wake up and smell the coffee

Seeking the origin
The path travelled within
Water of the roads
Reflecting the lamps glow
Guiding light on a dark night
Drop the ego and  walk alone


Water on the roads
Reflecting the moon
Two souls hand in hand
Hearts reflecting the souls
Moonlight from the sky and its image below
Show the path to the one soul which was two before

Sun bidding adieu
Doesn't mind being late
as it watches with his friend
the ocean and its waves
free spirited girl  and on the swing
She gives it hope that the next day will be a better day

Restless waters in the Ocean
wanting incessant activity
Befriended the Wind
Away from its source
Decibel levels increasing
Crashing into the sands
Only to go back

Sunset by  definition a beauty
Having done its duty
Duty Free for all to benefit
Sinking into the Sea
Not to breathe
A sigh of relief
To remove the darkness
providing it rays which bring the best
to the eagerly awaiting  rest

Land to stand
which helps us understand
The beauty of Nature
Synchrony and Symphony
Kindling all our senses
Bringing total harmony

The alert elements
Brought  by the vision
By its sheer presence
Tasting self realisation

The search ends here
Evening shade bringing its glamour
image understood in its real meaning
Arrived already a state of zen

You stole my heart
Till death do us part
We had vowed at the altar
Never say goodbye cause we ain't apart
How could have you stolen my heart

Destiny set us apart
Made you to depart
God did his part
Hit me like a close range dart

Waiting for me
Up in the sky
No regret that I'm unable to fly
When will I learn how to die

Time our enemy
As I keep watching the clock
Every tick its tact
As you wait with your soul intact

Temple i have built in my heart
Needs a God, come and be a part
Accept my invitation, you are my life's reason

Can buy anything that is for sale
Regrettably happiness is not
Finds its match in any price tag
Whats the tag attached to man
Who knows he cannot take this to no mans land

Visiting America has been a three decade sequential dream
Will it turn to reality or simply add a sequel to the gaps in my sleep depravity
No cause to worry even if the dream state makes it a trilogy
Fantasy sans reality has a mystical quality

Formed his own style
Fighting and for living
Philosophy through seeking
Answers expressed through feeling

A great Philosopher
Who said be water
Using no way as way
Having no limitation as limitation
The slogan from his self exploration

Greatest Martial Artist
Of all time
Founded Jeet kune do
Never lost a fight
In exhibitions showed his might
The One inch punch
An example of his uniqueness
Could close your eyelids for you
Non telegraphic movements help him do

Bridge between various cultures
East and West both he nurtured
Oneness of human beings
Was the core of his teaching

Made Martial Arts global
Single handedly due to his mettle
Spread it far and wide
In it took a lot of pride

Many roles he played
Integrity in all displayed
Nothing ever half baked
In every aspect carved his name

Acted in movies
As a newborn till his late teens
Twenty films in 2 decades
The  camera loved his face
A child artist before evolving into a martial artist

Was a celebrated dancer
Cha cha dancing Champion
Of Hongkong in 1957
Showcased his phenomenon

Statues across continents
As a sign of peace and contentment
All cultures embrace him
For he was simply him

Learnt from the Grandmaster
Who thought him everything he had to offer
Went with an empty cup
Filled it up with all he could


Ip man his teacher
Wing Chun practitioner
5 years his tutor
The Master's Master

Worlds fittest man
Another jewel on his crown
Worlds quickest man
No more place in his crown

Shined as a lead actor
Was also a fine script writer
Trendsetting fight choreographed
Sensible Movie Producer
And performed duties as a director

Died at age 32
Completed all that he was sent to do
Led life as an example
His life was his message

Many facets in a person
A very rare occurrence
Defenitely the chosen
Cannot measure his contribution

100 most influential
People of the century
Time Magazine's list
He naturally fit

An inspiration to many
Worshipped by as many
Day to day life made easy
If you follow his philosophy

Enduringly popular people
Includes gods and religious heads
Finds a place besides
In every heart he resides

Rejected because of prejudices
Landed in Hongkong in search of opportunities
Unicorn Chan had his CV distributed
Finally landed the role he desired

Raymond Chow just parted
With the legendary Shaw Brothers
Started his own company
In Golden Harvest

Bruce and the Shaw Brothers
Regarding payment at loggerheads
Golden harvest invested
In Bruce Lee's talent and Skill

2 film deal signed
$ 15000 the amount
Shoe string budget
Filming in Bangkok targeted

Starred in The Big Boss
Ice factory worker
Investigating drugs and ******
Stunts like never seen before
Ready for release by October
Made on a budget
One hundred thousand dollars
Was an instant hit at the box office success
50 Million at the global box office
500 times the cost recovered

Fist of Fury
Added more glory
To Bruce lee
Same team reteamed
Used Nunchaku for the first time
Holding audience spellbound
Story of revenge set in Shanghai
Japanese colonization the backdrop
Budget of one hundred thousand dollars
Boxoffice receipts over 100 million dollars
1000 times the  investment
Bruce became his own competition

The Way of the Dragon
Showcased his complete talent
Apart from starring in the film
He also wrote produced choreographed and produced the film
Living in Rome Italy
Threatened constantly
To leave the property
By the mob boss and his flunkies
They appeal to their uncle directly
Bruce Lee arrives in Rome
And gets the job done
Climatic Battle with Chuck Norris
Filmed at the Colosseum lasting 9 minutes
The greatest fight sequence
The whole world will reminiscence
Made on a budget of  130000 dollars it grossed 130 million dollars
1000 times the investment
Global Superstardom attained


Enter the Dragon
First Hollywood production
Warner Brothers distribution
Poetic justice done his prediction
Sent to an island fortress suspected of corruption
Under the guise of a Martial arts tournament
Goes there to do an investigation
Gets the job done with complete anhilation
Revenges death of sister
Befriends John Saxons character Roper
Action blitzkrieg
Never before seen
Scene after scene
Making the audience scream
Hall of mirrors ******
Till today packs the impact
Greatest Martial arts movie of all time starring
The greatest Fighter of all time
850000 dollar budget
Grossing 350 million
Returning 400 times the investment

Game of Death shot the climatic battles
Every floor of a building
A different opponent waiting
Each using g a different style
Against Bruce Lee, 's no style
Greatest action scenes ever filmed
Audience still surprised inspite of watching his earlier films
Different versions available
Wiyh an alternate title
Grossed 43 million when it came out
The yellow jump suit he wore
Mimicked in films to the core
Final film to get a release
Stardom reached beyond belief

John Wayne synonym
For the Western
Embodied the Cowboy
Walk and delivery
Cought the audience's fancy
Silent movies to the 70s
Remained at the top of his popularity
Textbook definition for global Superstardom
None yet to fill his shoes in filmdom
Liked by generations
Loved his potrayals
Won an oscar for True Grit
Top ten lists his name will fit

Gary Cooper Superstar
Do Gooder Chivalrous hero
Testament for fame proved
No actor has been loved more
A very strong fan base his core
Conscience of America
Always played characters
Only with positive shades
Very carefully built image
Lasted for many decades
Sargent York and High Noon
Brought 2 Oscars home

Clark Gable The King
Box office No 1 Towering over everyone
Sold out cinema halls across cultures and countries
His popularity limitless knew no boundaries
Gone With the Wind
His name cast permanently
Till time ends
First Film to win the top 5 Oscar's
It Happened One Night was one of his Starrers
Great career from the Silent movies
Ended after 4 decades with The Misfits

Cary Grant Everyone wants to be
So do I replied he
Style Suave Smooth
The way he naturally moved
Dialogues delivered at a speed
That was relished and tried to be copied
Ideal for Comedy and Mystery
Drama War and Adventure
Global audience flocked to the theater
4 decade career
Mid Atlantic accent
Made him different

Randolph Scott  Chamber films
Cult star known for his Westerns
Produced his own films
Minimalistic films in its settings
Solid and Taut his films
Unemotive style evolved
Always on the right side of the law
Do gooder chivalrous hero
International Superstar whose films always gave the studios an overflow

Errol Flynn Swashbuckling Flynn at his dashing best
Handsome and action oriented
Costume dramas created his niche
Historical events brought to life
Westerns War and Biographies
All part of his Filmography
Career spanning decades
None dated till today can relate

Humphrey Bogart Film Noir
Acted in bit parts
several years passed
The Petrified Forest gave the break
He still had to wait
John Huston and The Maltese Falcon
Took him to Superstardom
Well deserved and retained
Terrific dialogue Delivery
Moviegoers in a frenzy
Cigarette dangling from his lips
Gun tucked away in his hips
African Queen in 1951
Took the Acting crown his only one

Robert Taylor The man with the perfect features
Starred  Opposite Greta Garbo
Typical Hollywood Hero
Ventured into edgy roles
Westerns War Romance
Met with great success
Costume Dramas like Quo Vadis and Ivanhoe
The fans pleaded for more
Golden Globes named him
World Film Favorite
That's how his fans till this day rate

Spencer Tracy First to win back to back Academy awards
Natural portrayal of characters
One of his  primary acting nuances
Sizzling Chemistry with Katherine Hepburn
9 Super hit movies on the run
A great example of the Actor   & Star combination
One of the greatest Movie Stars of all time Without hesitation

James Stewart everyman's Hollywood man
Drawl in Delivery and High sense of Morality
The main reason for his soaring popularity
7 decade in the movies and a well deserved Oscar
A part of his glorious well defined career
Credited with reviving the Westerns
One of many achievements

Speed of lightning
Philosophical in thinking
Put it down in writing
Life saving for generations

Father from the Opera
Placed him before the camera
Acted in 20 films
From new born to adolescent

American by birth
Hongkong nurtured his growth
Street fights in his daily route
On his way to studying in school

Grandmaster Ip Man
Martial arts legend
Teacher of Wing Chun
Took him under his wing

Enrolled for a study
His favorite subject philosophy
At Washington University
Met Linda lee


Founded a new system
Called it no system
Jeet Kune Do just a name to list
The art of the intercepting fist

Ed Parkers Tournament
Performed in front of an audience
Showcased his talent
Greatest Martial Artist of all time title given

One inch punch
Sent other masters flying
Mastery and dexterity of Martial Arts
Capability and Competence
He imparted

Different styles should compete
Only then the real test of a fighter complete
Deservingly called the the Father of Mixed Martial art
Its founder Dana White swears that he is god

Cast as Kato
Second lead in a series
Green hornet had a short run
He was so quick his scenes had to be shot in slow motion

Small parts in Marlowe
Followed by Longstreet
Espoused his theories
He had discovered through his practice

Started Martial Arts schools
Superstars as his pupils
James Coburn Steve McQueen to name a few
Kareem Abdul jabbar and Stirling Silliphant joined the queue

Had written scripts
His pet projects
Studios Didn't allow him to star
Could not get a star to star

Fought many battles
Couldn't break through prejudice
Humiliated and insulted
He would never be accepted

Career threatening injury
His entire back in jeopardy
On the road to recovery
Will never be the same opined the medical fraternity

Brandon & Shannon his progeny
Son & daughter completed his family
During the time of the back injury
They helped him overcome his adversity

Hollywood closed its doors
Wanting a movie career
He left for Hong Kong
The rest as they say is history

Waking up today
Grateful for everything
That happened till yesterday
From my heart I say

The good and the bad
Makes me who I am
I consider myself blessed
In this lifes contest

Misdeeds requiring admonition
Forgiven and forgotten
Wrong paths chosen but destination reached that of protection

Monetary security incompatible
Money earned not relatable
Shortage of money
An experience never understandable

Providing me food
When in need
A roof above my head
Along with a sense of pride

Friends taking interest
Forgoing my trespasses
Treating as an equal
Kind and modest

Alcohol and the rest
Should have made me rest
Permanently and would have  been the best
For family friends and the rest

Giving me chances
To understand my mistakes
Start analyzing my life
Inception from incompetence laid to rest

Another shot at living life not at odds
Learning and transcending the faults
The seeker within awakening the soul
New path towards a new goal

A new career path
From nowhere got
Last chance it was
To redeem my lot

Not repeat the same
Twice is a shame
Strive for name and fame
Best shot given in the new game

Thank you again
Grateful forever
All that I got
And that awaits

Feeling of compassion
Shown in my direction
Without any judgment
I'm the luckiest man

Time of the night
Extending till daylight
Still of the night
Not on the mind

Eyelids closing for a duration
Winking the only reason
Eyes closed for sleep
Not able to recall from memory

A matter of discipline
The body shuts down within
By nature's law it should happen
If not what is the reason

Alertness in  thinking
The thoughts keep pouring
The mind keeps seeking
Source of the thought processing

Source of the thought
Kills the very thought
Wired and wrought
No answers breaking this law

A doctor's advice
Sought to revice
Is there any device
To bring rest and peace

Willing to pay
The price if any
Life led with harmony
Sleep and night in Symphony

Watching or browsing
Listening or reading
None of the above happening
Full throttle mind a weird feeling

Deprived of anything
Not a good feeling
Questioning the feeling
Self transcending thinking

Day  and night
Only by sight
Blurred insight
Awake all night

Not a clue
On what to do
If I bid writing adieu
Nights longer than the Trojans feud

Water to be heated
Used fire and a funnel
To turn up the heat
Barrels of cold water
Taken after every shower

Grinder and mixie
Even in imagination not to be
Block of stone
Weighing  a million pounds
Used as base over a grinding stone

Concept of a fridge
Did not exist
Water in mud pots
Kept them from being hot
Innovative methods adopted
To stop food from getting spoilt

Only channel telecast
Duration limited to after sunset
Televisions not in color
Sundays awaited to watch what was broadcast

Radio broadcast in AM
No stations in FM
Sports commentaries its staple
Movie songs at set timings for the people

Joint family system
10 members in a house minimum
Only one washroom available
Air conditioned rooms seemed like a fable
Sleeping on a mattress with mosquito menace
Or lying on the terrace with temperatures like a furnace

Apart from this
Always a visitor
Never made to feel like an outsider
Part of the household treated like a family member

Telephone in the house
Made you famous
Recieving calls for neighbors
Registering and installing would take years

Cycles used in turns
Elders get the first chance
By the time you get yours
Atleast a week would pass
Mode of transport for decades
Riding one a matter of great pride

Washing of clothes
Every backyard had a Stone
Cleaning of utensils
Done with hands clean and simple

Buses plying with overload
People hanging on footboards
School bag and lunch bag in tow
Hop on to it the next will carry more

Rich or poor didn't matter
Every household life didn't alter
Not many choices in the offer
In case of rains power failure regular

Theaters showing movies
There by the dozen
Playing different languages
Giving the viewers choices

Types of cars
Only 3 were made
Anything else on the road
Was a miracle to behold
Two different types
Limited in bikes
One better than the other
Races to pick the winner

Star hotels in the city
Maximum was three
Not yet fully ready
Visiting them a once in a lifetime opportunity

Daily mornings waited
For the newspapers with bated breath
Number of publishers very limited
English or vernacular selected
Sports events to be updated
2 days late but never minded

This was the life
Led by most of us
Southern most part of India
Life led  for decades with no paraphernalia

No one complained
Nothing was explained
Lived with what we had
Content and never compared

Image Actualization
Agenda of projection
Acts of deviation
Covered with manipulation

Your lifestyle mocked
Dressing sense joked
Expenses told
Hiding in the name of truth

Honesty questioned
Integrity doubted
Ridiculed repeatedly
Image built for covering their personality

Image of honesty
Hidden under rudeness
I speak only the truth
Remember only wherever it suits

Image Actualization
Agenda of projection
Acts of deviation
Covered with manipulation

Lectures on honesty
All flowing freely
Spoken of self glowingly
Total lack of modesty

Witness to acts
Sabotaging the facts
Silent when time to react
Make up on continuing to act

Such a clown
Will spiral down
Not aware of his fall
Image Actualization his downfall

Hurting someone  purposely
Injury caused previously
At the Recieving end
Wanting to tie loose ends

A matter of memory
Exact opposite of Harmony
Filled with enimity
In line with its enormity

Got away with their deed
Harming intent their seed
Impetus to cause insult
Resolute in their conduct

Unapologetic demeanor
Justifying their behavior
Their motive your failure
As a result of the orders order

Success in their pursuit
Kicking the ladder under your boot
Shake you at your very root
Whole life have to reboot

Predictable in its unpredictability
Lawful lawlessness
Universally
Impermanent in seemingly permanency
Order in Chaos judgment delivered finally

Wanting to get back
Hurt them on their track
Insult added with interest
Their fall the required result

Natural feeling of revenge
Time to settle the grievance
Use all the weapons
They repent their actions

Matter of pride
Chance to deride
Proving the self right
Time decides might

Feeling replaces thinking
Heart the deciding *****
Futility of such actions
Void of knee **** reactions

Hurting the other
Makes you no better
If you had to suffer
Was decided by the maker

Learn from the insult
Giving it back doesn't change the result
Patience is progress
Brings forth your strengths

Mind looks inward
Vengeance a step backwards
Action not growth oriented
Even a thought not worth invested

Forgive them forever
For yourself not the other
Not your business to deliver
Or to see if its delivered

Change in a person
Brought by action
Nothing more delusional
Than to make it personal

Learnt his lesson
Karma knows its mission
Our own conclusions
Lack of Transcendence

Settling the score
Remove from the core
Forever remaining sore
Spiraling down asking for more


Let them be
No choice than to be
Our nature is not to be this or be that
It is just to be

On the contrary
Wish them to be happy
Their nature is to sting
Our nature is being Zen

Revenge is a dish best not served

Waiting with the rest
Nervousness at it's best
Awaiting the test
Clueless about the result


Sir name called
Didn't know their protocol
Walked to the Counter feeling tall
Came out feeling small

Lasted a few  minutes
Fired questions on many topics
The tone of the questioning
I knew she wasn't interested in issuing

The shock of the rejection
Contrary to my expectation
Killed my motivation
Post graduation remained just a notion

It's a matter of time
Before I secure mine
Second chance provided
Will not get rejected


A week later
A different Visa officer
Had spoken to the earlier
Response very similar

Boxed into a corner
Crossroads my career
Knockout punch delivered
Didn't get up before the countdown ended

Doors closed for America
Twice rejected my Visa
Longest night of my life
Yet to see the rays of daylight

Half a decade later
Thought my chances were better
Tried again with vigour
Interview lasted a few seconds longer

Shivering and sweating
Had driven myself into a frenzy
Interviewed by a lady officer
Addressed her in the opposite gender

Questioning all familiar
Trained another visa officer
Made him stand near her
Made me an example of a looser

Waited for my reply
Turned to him and explained why
A candidate for rejection
Stood there like a clown

Rejected 4 times
America remains a dream
Chances to visit even as a tourist
Even the gods cannot do the trick

First to decide
To visit the United States
Family and friends
Everyone has visited my turn awaited

Asked my father
No one wiser
He had no answer
Hopes closed forever

Not one day has passed
Without thinking of the visa
Remains my biggest lacking
Everyone but I seem to go
Why not me I keep wondeting

Empty your Cup
Free of thoughts past
Choiceless awareness
Non judgmental in the present
Be flexible
Fixated and Opinionated is easily breakable
There is no opponent
Self knowledge clears the confusion
Not tense but ready
Complete focus on the fray
Not thinking not Dreaming
Outcome not in the Reckoning
Keep Practicing
Integrity on doing
One with the opponent
Fluidity in motion
Dont think feel
Heartfelt effort on the deed
Express yourself
Truth from within not suppressed
Have no technique
Learn practice forget
Self Actualization
Knowledge of self without imitation
Self Image Actualization
Projection a false sense of who we are without inhibition
Be Water
Be soft and you cant be hurt
No way as way
Using all methods available
Having no limitations as limitations
Get past barriers and projections
Emptiness
Egoless equations

First day of College
Met him in the hallway
Said hello to a fellow student
Defenition of a true friend


Apart from education
One thing in common
Exchanging information for better orientation
Taste in music laid the foundation

Found a friend on day one
Till today there is none
I became another son
Lived in his house without paying rent

Surprised to be invited
Went and visited
Warmth from the family felt elated
Will soon become family unexpected

The only thing lacking
In that house was oxygen
Music not a hobby but a devotion
Filled the air for respiration

The room became
My abode for
3 years in a row
Hammock added to the glow

Entire new world
Opened for me
Brother in IIT
Never met anyone so bright intellecually

Coffee lunch and dinner
Never made to feel an outsider
Every family member
Related to me similar

Passion for music
A world of magic
Till today nostalgic
One day will revisit

Value of education
Learnt its importance
Intellectual furtherance
All at his residence

Conduct of a clown
Asked me to play it down
Till then I hadn't known
My presence was a laughter zone

Took pride in it
He told me the opposite
Lessons learnt well defined
Cant list them cause they're infinite

Exposure to brilliance
Through his brother and his friends
My Academic performance
Made absolutely no difference

Treated as equal
Made it special
Visiting his house a misnomer
Cause was living  there forever

Graduated to a scooter
With him as Pillion rider
Memories no fonder
Daily trips to College Remembered

Looking back today
If you take the negatives away
Whatever remains to this day
Was what I learnt as the hammock swayed

Gratefully alive for
Introduction the Grateful Dead
Played more in room
Dead heads will soon know

Thankful to Ian Anderson
And the Jethro Tull
The first exchange about locomotive breath
On loneliness made me lay a wreath

Thank you my friend
For being a friend
Never remained a friend
For another brother I became

Music playing as music
Today playing as a memory
Feelings can never change
The song remains the same