Watching telecast of Mahabharat triggered memory revival
Eerie similarities of epic with continuing battle for survival
Blind king flouted every rule with disdain for love of his son
Responsible for an epic horrendous war which Pandavs won

Smiling omnipotent Krishna did not prevent war
Not much impact of his omnipresent power so far
His inspirational teachings which made Arjun shine
Now mostly confined to books, temples and shrine

Grim battle for humanity also started in similar vein
By reckless powers aiming to consolidate their rein
Arrogant regional satraps blinded with lust for power
Have been mute spectators from their ivory tower

Like helpless Bhishma hiding behind grand eloquent dialogues
Big leaders have become arrogant and delusional demagogues
Religious seers and priests contributed by enforcing all ritual
Promoting and spreading pandemic disregarding havoc visual

Vast army of virus supported by conniving profiteers
Faced brave and indefatigable medical musketeers
Unlike Arjun, not waited for Krishna’s encouragement
And practiced Gita’s selfless Karma with best judgment

Dedicated frontline warriors in PPE have taken up the cudgel
Ceaseless heroic efforts will eventually sound winning bugle
Evil forces cannot overwhelm our warriors for righteous cause
Will not leave any stone unturned for making nightmare pause

Never have any doubts that humanity will survive
The gospel of victory of good over evil will revive
Millennial battle will be remembered for generations
With praise for warriors and their rightful venerations

Election results making power seekers jump with elation
Shed a tear, if possible, for wounded soul of nation
Mega super spread rallies and processions charted the path
Facilitating the nation to easily plunge in tragic bloodbath

Hoards of living came out to cast vote to make it count
The dead sacrificed their lives to put leaders on mount
For census of caste and religion of dead do not take pain
Deceased can no longer be exploited for electoral gain

We grieve in silence without ado or funeral procession
Celebrate and take victory lap to fulfil macabre obsession
Project bigger dreams and positive spin without cost
Pyrrhic victory for power seekers but humanity LOST

Forgot to turn off gas, nearly starting a fire
Becoming a vegetative zombie divine desire
Before senility, in anguish I wail dear God!
Look at my mercy plaint, Almighty me Lord

Set me completely free from all kind of fears
To happily welcome Armageddon with cheers
Worries and fearful thoughts cast sardonic stare
Prohibiting joyous and free living without scare

Survival becoming difficult with rising tensions
Modern era gets complicated with false notions
Rising social and environmental tempers twin malady
Spreading a pandemic with need for urgent remedy

Wipe out prevalent perverse religious bigotry
Shameful blot on mankind’s living and history
Religions fossilised as intolerant rituals of hate
Tenets of love and brotherhood met uncertain fate

Forgive mankind for loot and plunder of nature
Polluting lifestyle now reaching poisonous stature
Forests burning, glaciers melting and ravaging typhoon
Irreversible damage and shattering cozy human cocoon

Creation of universe was Lord’s labour of love
Difficult to decode neglect and disdainful shove
World is on boil hurtling towards catastrophe dire
Oh Lord! Put out the flames and douse the fire.

Malfeasant spectacle on Capitol Hill,
Down the spine it sent a frightening chill.
Demagoguery and ego provoked the herd,
Democracy became pantomime of absurd.

Such tinpot despots need to be defeated,
Hope and pray that events not repeated.
Failure to introspect and calm down mind,
Reiteration of self destructive ways of mankind

Self consuming righteousness root of sin,
Very difficult for gentle humanity to win
Ruthless bullies will forever scream,
Caring and sharing society is a dream.

Vaccine for raging pandemic now around,
Cure for virus of hate and intolerance to be found.
Introspect and make an honest resolve to help,
By controlling irrational urges and wayward self

Mysteries of love, like oceans hard to know
Is it frenetic frolic in rains or in falling snow?
Sonnets to write and melodies to sing,
Promising the moon or stars to bring

Quest across the oceans was in vain
Disappearing contacts nothing to gain
Realisation dawned like a bolt from blue
Look deep within to discover love so true

Love is her cuddling little daughter on a chair
Looking after family with tireless tender care
Forgiving follies with teary reproachful stare
Affection and compassion in actions forever there

Sailing turbulent high seas seemed a nightmare
Wishing adieu and fair winds with silent prayer
Spirits high with her love encouraging every dare
Waves in moonlit night show visage in luminous glare

Invigorating hug greeting elixir wiping out despair
With genuinely loving deity for lifelong to share
Enjoy every moment of bliss and wander nowhere
Make headway on steady course with due care

“Where the mind is without fear”
Immortal lines Tagore held so dear.
Traversing arid life with hurdles to clear
Redemption is possible by conquering fear.

Pristine childhood was full of fun and game
Toddling, tottering and falling were no shame
Growing up with rising expectations a nightmare
Excitement and thrill vanished, no joys to share

Increasing lust for glory and pelf
Killed cheerful spirit and inner self
Get caught up in endless rat race
Hurry to reach the top at fast pace

Fear of failure is forever haunting
Coping with challenges indeed daunting
Above all fear of death is so pervasive
Face the demons without being evasive

Enjoy every breath as precious gift of life
Harmony with nature without any strife
Life invariably began with a shrill cry
Resolve to end it smiling worth a try.

Stranger in the mirror difficult to recognise
Wonder, it is me in weird disguise
Bleary vision has become treacherous
The reflection looks smirking and lecherous

Furrows on forehead like cracks on surface
The face appears to be just out of furnace
Countless wrinkles and complex webbing
Navigating tides of life flooding and ebbing

Pleasant smile that disarmed many a friend
Now toothless tired grin difficult to mend
Charm, confidence and strength of yore
Have apparently become part of folklore

Weather beaten face and sea dog scowl
Earned in tempests in weather fair or foul
Every pore and every scar has a story to tell
Treasures to preserve and never to sell

During journey of degeneration the will is steadfast
To keep the bonds of friendship to forever last
The harmonious relationships must remain strong
Spare no effort and always ensure no wrong

Do not grieve at inevitable transition
Be thankful for core values in possession
If reminiscences of past cause no terror
Look with pride at stranger in the mirror