The ubiquitous lust for power
Constant strife and discord
War, discontent,  terror and arson
The constant rhetoric and finger pointing
Arms race and nuclear buildup
Bloodshed and broken rubble
Shuffle like images in a kaleidoscope

The fleeting dove has lost its way
In this illusory maze
Deluded in anger , lust and envy
Its vision is blurred
Seeking the rainbow -utopian and ephemeral
The naive man rushes outward
Hidden in his own *****
Is the lasting peace he seeks

©copyright  skm

The morning sun in all its glory
Is smiling through  pine trees
Mountains kiss the snow-white clouds
And birds soar  towards the heavens

Fields of multi-coloured tulips beckon
The honey bees buzzing by
The sound of the cascading waterfall
Calling to the river below

Wild grass swaying in the passing breeze
And radiant butterflies fluttering by
A frisky squirrel nibbling nuts
And cows grazing listlessly in the pasture

The sweet stream trickles in calm delight
Guiding rainbow fishes along
And water lilies shyly dance
Their leaves glisten in the light

I drink in the sights and sounds
And my heart feels light
Transfixed, I stand and gaze in wonder
Amazed at natures splendour!


© copyright skm

Snowy-white cotton *****
Magic carpet of eternal white
A white quilt for the blue sky
Soothing and comforting

Pearl-white candy floss
Across the  blue  skies
The sun like a small child
Bathes you in its  glow

An angel draped in her wedding gown
Waiting eagerly for her moment of bliss
Just in time the groom jets through
Lifting her off her feet

Meandering through infinite space
Slowly but purposefully
I see you change colours
Sparkling white, orange, yellow and crimson

We look at the sky in awe and wonder why
Your shapes keep changing all through the day
At times you turn dark and grey
And wave your magic wand to thunderous  applause

When the sun sets
You dazzle and sparkle
Like a peacock ecstatic
Showing its multicolour plumage

And when you are hurt
Tears fill your *****
And fall down like pearls
As a blessing from heavens!

© copyright skm

Lying in the mothers lap
After a fun day
Sleep like a lullaby
Soothes the little infant

Fatigued, tanned bodies
Lie on the pavement
Sleep gives solace to them
Magical,  sweet sleep

Sleep tender sleep
You ease the pain
Calm the nerves
And appease tired souls

Like a loving mother
Who dotes all her kids
You bring tranquil peace
To thief, saint, beggar and  king

Sleep take me on a dream
To a world without walls
Where there is only joy and peace
And one does not belittle another

©copyright skm

As the sun sets
He is laid to rest
The bugle sounds and guns fire
A nation pays tribute to a soldier

He fought with honour and without fear
To protect our country from foes
He stood guarding our borders
As seasons changed around him

Far away from his home
Leaving wife and son alone
A soldier fought a war
So that we are at peace

Braving bullets and bombs
Without food and sleep
He is alert all day
Keeping enemies at bay

The earth upon which we tread
He worshipped till he was dead
Fighting hard for our freedom
What a noble patriot he was

Then one day he fell down fighting
A bullet tore through his chest
With a cry for freedom on his lips
He lay down his life for us

A tearful wife and son
Are joined by a whole nation
We salute the brave soldier
And his noble sacrifice


© copyright skm

A pure mind
Discerning and dissecting
Living in a world of forms and shapes
Still revels in the true essence
Beauty in truth

When beyond mere looks
Your presence enlivens
Brings meaning to my life
A feeling  unexplained
Beauty in love

A child at play
Looking, touching, querying
Lost
In wonder
Beauty in innocence

The artist looks at his canvas
And it becomes his world
Everything else turns to nought
A flourish of colours and strokes
Lost in creation
Beauty in work

This universe infinite
Defying all imagination
All we can do is surrender
In awe, In admiration
Praying for inspiration
Beauty in devotion

© copyright skm

The curtain of clouds  has cleared
The sun lights the stage
A new day, a new act will be staged
All of us are wearing  masks
The show has begun
Acting is our forte

Sometimes we are a child
Crying out for attention
In another scene we are parents
Teaching our children
An employee at the office
Or a spouse at home

The show is a thriller
With a host of surprises
It has action and emotion
Humour and suspense
You can have popcorn
and coke during the show too

We get carried away in our roles
An emotional roller-coaster
The scenes keep changing
And new actors appear
Time just fleets by
And we have grown old

When will you throw that mask away?
How long can you hide behind that shadow?
Suppressing your true self
The curtains will soon fall
And the sun will set
Come out of that cocoon
And live life carefree

© copyright skm