HUMAN FRAILTIES
Smiles do not tell the true character
Love is not what it seems
Friendship can be faked
There is deception in dreams


Words hide too many lies
Promises are made to be broken
Who would self-accuse
Condemn words he has spoken?

You knocked at my door
in the harshest night-hour of that winter
frozen, hungry, pale and in despair
you were gladly invited and we had a hearty dinner.

We chatted about life
and all things  beautiful and sublime
we sang and recited poetry together
our laughter filled the night-air and we lost count of time.

I was then so young and my heart was eager
to capture the essence of each moment of wonder
old, weary, derelict and only a spectre of a man
I am at your door this summer day--' 'I knew you never' comes your answer.

Chinese proverb: It's easier to change the course of rivers
and mountains than human nature
how wise and how true a saying--
what a rare treasure!

I can't be like anyone
I am not them
when closely I examine myself I begin
to understand why I am the person that I am.

1

The centipede bumped into the spider on the same leaf
and said:  I've been looking for you the whole day--what a relief!

2
The hooked fish looked its captor in the eye
and said: I'll curse you from your stomach until you die

3

The envious star said to its neighbour:
I'll outshine you in splendour

4
The dog approached the frightful mouse
and said: I won't eat you--there's a lot of food in this house

5

One fish said to another--let me see your eyes
you should see a marine ophthalmologist, I surmise

1

' I am deadly serious!' you said
My reply: ' Sue me then--when you are dead!'

2  
   Charlie, what should we do with Charlie Sheen?
   He would never come clean
   He takes delight in creating any public scene
   And often he's quite obscene!

3
    Two men argued in the tram vehemently
    Over the definitions of  'monkey' and 'chimpanzee'
    They went into a rage--came to blows--nearly
    A third man came along and said: 'Please respect our ancestry'  

4

     World population to grow to 9.7 billion
      By 2050 from the present level of 7.3
      The downside is food scarcity
      The upside is --fewer of us would suffer from obesity!

5
         I don't care much about money
         (But truthfully I do have have plenty)
         Only when I reach 123
          Would  I give away my money to charity

1
The shrink told his nurse
'I must go home---I've something on my mind'
'What's worrying you Doctor?'
His reply: 'I left my alter ego behind'

2
The shrink said to his patient
'Let me put on my glove before I shake your hand--please excuse me'
The latter asked: ' Is there something wrong with me?'
The good doctor replied: ' Oh no, it's just that I suffer from OCD'.

3

The shrink said to his nurse
'   I am going on leave---working too hard I think'
'To America, Europe or Asia?' she enquired
The boss replied: ' Oh no, I need to see a shrink'.

4
Patient to the shrink
' Doctor, are you Freudian, Jungian or Adlerian? '
Reply: ' I am not sure--those buggers
Are just as mad as I am--I really don't have an opinion'

5

The shrink could not marry
He was afraid of the female ***
He told his colleague
'  Last night, I dreamt a woman was chasing me with an axe!'

1
Sigmund Freud's sexuality theory--
not everyone could agree with or applaud
some critics wrote derisively :
'His name should have been spelt Sickman Fraud'.

2

Freud was fixated on ***
that constituted an obsession
did he become so
due to his own repression?

3

Freud: Religion is like childhood neurosis
a statement too brash and bold
if there were a heaven
he would be left out in the cold.

4
Freud's home was full of antiques of all types
was he a compulsive hoarder?
how should he label himself?
can we say  his mind was in complete order?

5
If you could understand
Freud's theories on id, ego, super-ego
you would get closer  to being a shrink
some say--that's all you need to know.

1

Why was it that Tarzan
only did one loincloth wear?
answer:  
there was no clothes-shop there

2

Do you know Tarzan had a terrible phobia?
if you must know---it lasted for a long while-
a strong swimmer he was but  devastated by this condition
as once he was nearly swallowed up by an 8-metre crocodile

3      Bringing home Cheeta the naughty little chimpanzee
         was the idea of Jane
         who said to Tarzan--we had enough of each other--
         without Cheeta we would go insane!

4    
        Why was it Tarzan and Jane
        didn't raise a family?
         they were fighting the animal-poachers
         all day long--too busy!

5
          Of course Tarzan and Jane
          lived together in the tree
          they needed no beds
          but were content and happy

1

The animals in the jungle ran away
when Tarzan appeared on the scene
it wasn't that he was stronger but rather
those four-legged creatures thought his semi-nakedness was obscene.

2
Food was scarce in a certain season
Tarzan went into a rage as Cheeta wanted all
he took his knife aimed at the cheeky chimp
and said:  this shall cause your downfall!

3

Tarzan and Jane-whatever you think-
were human and must yield to passion
their shelter in the tree shook every night
but the animals paid no attention

4

Jane loved to play with Cheeta
Tarzan liked to swing from tree to tree
since Cheeta's arrival their relationship suffered badly
as he turned green with envy

5
   Tarzan asked Jane where Hollywood was
   She replied: ' I worry about your failing memory
   Holy Wood is the jungle- habitat of your cousin Zantar
   his wife is Nancy--we once spent Christmas at their home named Ever-Free'.

There's too much to know
there are too many people who are wise
and so many different things they each say
I am never sure what to believe--I surmise

absolutes there are none
and knowledge and wisdom* is relative-
points of view of the thinker--is he wrong or right?
I am never sure--we are dealing with the subjective.

How could I be sure
when doubts spring to my mind
all the time?  Beyond the daily demands
and realities all else I've to leave behind

for I am an ordinary man
the limits of what I know I clearly set
as I am never sure of anything at all
on unknowns and probabilities I don't bet

I CAN’T LOOK BACK EVER

I've taken this route
I can't look back ever
my footprints have disappeared
rain-washed and sun-burnt away--never

will my life
be the same again
though dim the horizon
and I walk in pain.

I can't look back
I won't  regret,  I won't look back
though the journey knows no end
and there's no food or drink in my knapsack.

Ah, via dolorosa
which traveller is without a tear ?
but I won't look back
I'll still venture forward alone--I know no fear.

I don't know why
some sunsets make me sad
I stare at the fading sun
as I had
done in times past-   memories
still linger on somehow
(what entered my feelings then-
why should they affect me now?)
this I can only surmise
evenings are hours that languish
as the heart that seeks comfort and rest
the day's troubles wishes to relinquish

what would I dream of tonight
in a realm hidden from human sight?

If love were but words
I have plenty--too, too many
bland, repetitious, habitual, like a stranger's greetings
I would be the least worthy.

If love were but words
the banal I would find from a love-dictionary
'forever, eternal, ever-lasting, unfailing
sweetest,  dearest, angel, darling'--what type of person would I be?

If you told your story*
I would listen--attentively
every life is a mystery
your story would remind me of our common humanity

If you told your story
you are opening your heart to me
every life has its misery but also poignancy
through trials and tribulations we become what we want to be

I had a dream
time spoke to me -woefully
'  My youth has fled too quickly
all that's left now is but melancholy

having witnessed too much of mankind
and its inhumanity
love and beauty has vanished
hearts are lost and empty-

I'm getting old
I'm weary
people come and go
but I'm chained to eternity

and there's no respite
no longer can I live in this endless monotony
even the sweetest songs lose their glory
when over-sung----none would shower me

with any sympathy
there is no consolation in my tears
I'm the oldest of the old
but I can't rest or die --years

after years after years
still I'm bound by duty
my suffering is deeper than any mortal's--
because of my deathlessness I can never be set free'.

I must go away
from myself--- life
should not hold me back
and I would have said farewell to strife

in my new
becoming
as illumination
is unfolding--

everything takes on
a new meaning
if I look and step away
from myself---experiencing

a fresh
dimension
a clear
vision

old roots must die
for new ones to spring
murky waters can be washed away
only when clean water is flowing

the voice
of the past
should be let
to rust

only the heart
that's free
can be
happy

letting go
of the self and its every trapping
is to flower
into my true being.

I walked in
none noticed me
I was having a drink
the pub was noisy

then entered a  pretty young lady
and asked: May I sit next to you?-so gently
what's your name?
mine is Lily

I'll buy you a drink--I said
' I'm from far-country
500 miles away
came to see my boy-friend Henry

but he didn't turn up
the neighbour said he had moved away
he broke my heart
what a sad day!

(suddenly her mobile started to ring)
her face brightened up as she spoke: Yes darling
is that really you ? O Henry, O I love you Henry
then rushed to the door--Sir-thanks for the drink!'

I walked in
none noticed me
I was having a drink
the pub was noisy

then entered a  pretty young lady
and asked: May I sit next to you?-so gently
what's your name?
mine is Lily

I'll buy you a drink--I said
' I'm from far-country
500 miles away
came to see my boy-friend Henry

but he didn't turn up
the neighbour said he had moved away
he broke my heart
what a sad day!

(suddenly her mobile started to ring)
her face brightened as she spoke: Yes darling
is that really you, O Henry, O I love you Henry
then rushed to the door--Sir-thanks for the drink!

'ENTRY' --I go in
'EXIT--' I get out
'VERBOTEN' I stay away
  These three words ring so strong and loud

Should I stay ?
But what's this all about?
Should I get away?
Can't decide--due to my doubt

VERBOTEN
Forbidden
I don't bother to argue
Prudence--a rule that's golden

When to get out or stay in I'd know
If I do have wisdom enough
Living life is not as easy as changing your clothes
The journey is long, lonely, burdensome and unrelentingly tough

In transit
(in parenthesis--you've not arrived)
waiting time this is
it's as though
time is arbitrarily suspended
and frozen
no forward movement
until the journey is resumed

'in transit'
the hardest test
of patience
whoever you are-
it applies to all--
no exception

and you can't exit
the gate is closed to you
there's nothing you can do

a time for unwelcome reflection
what were you yesterday?
what did you used to be?

what would you be
after transit time?

if
if only
you could grasp
that life is all about
being in transit
with you held in check
with untold possibilities
for change and acceptance
you would rise in triumph
from the ruins of your unhappy past-
a resurrected being
who has mastery over your life
and be thankful
for being kept in transit

only those
who can wait
will be the victors
and will never regret
for being kept in transit.

Is it true-
poets, more than others
weep?

beauty they worship
and if it is blemished or defiled
by man's callousness and indifference-
they lose heart
and even in their sleep
they are inconsolable

there is healing
in tears
despite the anguish
over time and past years.

Is it true
poets, more than others
love?

their yearnings
know no rest
and their passions
fearlessly sweep
over the wildest mountains
and the most tempestuous seas
even the bitterest Arctic

they burn like fire
and melt
every lingering piece of snow
they write across the sky
their poignant and painful poems
' Love is life's most sublime gift
and stronger than death'.

Are poets, more than others
lonely?

dwelling in the universe
of words and feelings
they are strangers to the world
even to themselves
as they struggle to find themselves
and unravel life's multifold mysteries.

Are poets, more than others
melancholic?

they dream of a world
beyond time
wrapped in eternally sweet dreams
only to end
in disillusionment and despair
(reality is too harsh and too cruel-
purveyor of the baneful, mundane
the uninspiring, the inane)

Should poets
be scoffed at

because
they long
for the beautiful and sublime
and draw
everyone's attention
to the ugliness
of the world?

I always stay safe within the law
Would really be worried if outside the law
But that which tyrannises*  and irks me most is this 'law'-
My mother-in-law.

It's better not to be there
than to be asked to unceremoniously  leave
society is a rough and tough thoroughfare
knowing your station saves you from much grief.

It's a power, fame and money-game
people meet and one another greet because there's gain
(if there's benefit--who cares about a bad name?)
I knew this long ago and from such places I happily refrain.

It suits them
if I walk away
they would make sure
I don't stay

and this is the worst cut-
they would then say
'That man is a coward
He hasn't the courage to stay'.

I've been a fool all my life
it does no harm to me
the world is the domain of the smart
such people have my fullest pity

I walked back to the past
and it stared at me
who are you? why did you visit here?
are you invited?--speak honestly

Don't you remember me?
I was the mischievous lad
who used to play tricks on you
at your compound?--you called me 'notoriously bad'

How presumptuous you are
billions of kids had been here before
there was nothing special about you
don't you knock on my door any more

It would do you mighty good
if you don't return again--persona non grata-
you are no longer the kid you were
and your company I desire not--stay away, stay away far!

Inside it does stifle
and suffocate
I want it out
fresh air I need--before it's too late.

I am not made
for an inside-something man
freedom has been my most faithful friend
as the world and people I scan.

Don't get me wrong
no misanthrope am I
beauty is in the open air
not in shut-doors--I shouldn't die

before I've tasted life's sweetest wine
don't lock me in--the room is loud, smoky, *****
dim, the carpets sting, cigarette-butts all over
the tap doesn't run,  people are rude--being out is the way for me.

I went to the desert
           hopefully myself to discover
           only to return empty-handed
           none the wiser.

           In my dream last night
           a strange voice spoke to me:
           '  a thousand deserts won't do you any good
           only you alone can set yourself free'.

We say 'Wel-come' (such a nice word)
but never 'Wel--go'
(I've outsmarted Shakespeare)
this word even he didn't know.

Good-bye, adieu, farewell
words that seem so sombre and sad
'wel-go' has such a lovely ring and glow
it makes everyone glad.

Kiss the light
dance with the moon
flirt with the stars
life is romance and too soon
time will blot out
the radiance
of the day
sweet moments are to be embraced
*before they sadly drown in the sea of transience *

come my love
tarry not
you are my light
come
I am waiting
don't let me wait
in the dark

So little I've learnt
understood even less
what then is the value of knowledge
which seems to be futile and useless?

I don't want to know
more than I should
too much knowledge makes for mischief
seldom does it do any good.

The learned I shun--all the time-
they rank as  the world's most rude
barking at one another like mad dogs--cantankerous, contemptuous,
supercilious, condescending, spiteful and outrageously crude!

Last night I dreamt
I was a butterfly
light,  so light
as I glided like a feather on high--

all around was an endless expanse
of flowers of all colours---I
could hear them say---' You are not dreaming'
( I woke up ---still desiring I could fly).

The music of late autumn
is solemn, subdued and melancholic drifting
through silent trees and falling leaves
birds take to wings and cease their singing even before evening

while the moon and stars
seem weary and are trembling
how many hearts tonight are lonely and forlorn
in their secret yearning?

The same bird sings in my garden
   as the morning sun its splendour spreads
   some flowers are in unabashed blossom
   the old lemon-tree some yellow leaves sheds

  a butterfly from nowhere
  settles on a rose motionless and serene
  I am writing this poem looking from my room
  the day's beauty has unfolded with such an unforgettable scene

Lead me not into temptation
I am not an 'into-money' man
You are an investment advisor
You say you have the best plan

for me--you do care
for my financial welfare
one dollar of investment will turn into five
' the best deal anywhere'

and I begin to wonder
why don't you borrow from your granny
sell your wife's wedding-ring and your house
since you say this is 'sure money'?

six of my uni-mates went broke
and three went to jail last year
they were all into 'high finance'
sorry, for them I don't even shed a tear.

' LESS'
A little word
So easy to express
It's simply called
' Less'.

Just one word
Makes my life's strongest fortress
With none to strive
I have none to impress

Let me sing my song to you
  ere the evening its dimming shadows cast
  let me say how much I love you
  over and over again--this won't be the last

Let me hold your hand
ere mine is too frail some day
look into my eyes that are no longer bright
ere time steals all our tenderest moments away

If you do come to Australia
don't think just of the kangaroo--also the dugong
the koala, the platypus, the wombat and the Tasmanian Devil
and learn to sing Waltzing Matilda the nation's most-loved song

far superior to  Advance Australia Fair (believe me)
our uninspiring national anthem (most Aussies would agree)
and the lyrics were so badly
written-- no wonder Aussies could never sing the song properly

If you come to Australia
Be sure not to wear some flowers in your hair
Aussies are down-to-earth and not poetical people
For floral beauty they don't really care

If you do come to Australia
The qualification you must have is drinking beer
Everyone in the pub (especially young pretty Aussie women)
Will hug you till you weep--otherwise, please don't come here!

LIFE AS A SCORE-BOARD?
    
    Why treat life
    as a score-board?
    with pen and paper
    adding up the points
    grumbling when you fall short
    every dart you throw
    is like one in vengeance
    with bloodshot and greedy eyes
    score
    score
    score
    more
    more
    more

and when the mark you missed
anger and shame swell in your face
like one consigned to disgrace
and you got terribly ******

   why treat life
   as a source
   of self-satisfaction
   and self-glorification?
   you feel good
   like a Napoleon
   or Alexander The Great
   when those around applaud
   your feat and prowess
  
   but
   too soon
   the night dissolves
   everyone in the bar
   is tired of the silly game you play
   enough drinks and folly
   for the night
   they start to walk away

   in the dart-room
   you are playing a game
   no one does bother to care
   and soon enough forgets your name

Life has two doors
marked 'Entry' and 'Exit'
you pay your rent as tenant
after which the landlord would say--'Quit!'

LIFE IN A NUTSHELL

What had been done
Can't be undone
What had not been done--
Temps perdu--can't be done.

Life in a nutshell is about
Doing or not -doing--verily-
Being or not-being
Forget all the high-sounding insipid philosophy.

So easy to remember
how hard to forget
the past is an unforgiving monster
with its trail of many a sorrow, blame and regret.

But life is a state of mind
an open road---you have the freedom of choice-
they live well---those who understand
life is a tale of both sorrows and joys.

How insatiate is the human heart
to endless temptations it does fall
abundance is still deemed lacking
it wants nothing that's less than all.

How hard to let go the past
how easy to attribute blame
so few do know the state of their minds
finding every reason to give life a bad name.

Life is but a view-point
yours and yours alone
sacred unto yourself
your inalienable right
your innermost sanctum
privy to yourself and none else

life is your raw material
which you shape and mould
in whatever way you want
into what your dreams dictate
the world has no say
nor have the right to know

with loyal, patient and faithful hands
you work
you give all you have
to this pursuit
of love, beauty and duty
you make life become
part of yourself
it begins to understand
and learns to speak your language

you and your life
then fuse into one complete whole-
one view-point
as immortal as time

LIFE: THROUGH  MY EYES

Forget, better still ignore
what the great philosophers had said
life is but a point of view
only I and I alone can shed

meaning from my experiences
unique, individual, lonely and tumultuous
life is in the singular and the roads
I have travelled are unknown to the multitudinous

no outsider heard me cry nor witnessed my tears
like a caged animal how often I had been trapped with my hands tied
also  imminently close to drowning and I struggled against the tide
my freedom to regain---every means I courageously tried

and promised myself with the words
'   I was not born to yield
   ( proud philosophy is no comfort nor succour)
    I  was victorious as I fought without fear in life's battle-field'.

Lily in the early frost
trembling in lonely cold and fear
who will come to me
and wipe away my every tear?

I can't last
before winter's close
it's sad to be born a fragile flower
my pain no human knows

Beware of the limericks you write
There are many defamation lawyers in sight
Don't write bad things about your neighbour's dog or wife
The lawyers are just waiting to pull out their sharp legal knife
You could lose a fortune in a court-fight

Three men went to sea
John, Paul and Henry
There was not enough food and they fought
The weather was unbearably hot
They blasphemed:  hell is a better place to be!

Her name was Nancy
The chatter-box of the city
Her husband could take it no more
Decided to marry the city's most famous *****
Believe me--this is a real story.