Paeans written about beauty of stars in love story
Heavenly bodies invariably bask in reflected glory
Tiny glow worms twinkling in dark tell another tale
Of a life in pursuit of love in wilderness not for sale

Flickering luminescence lights up darkness of mind
Enthralling with awe inspiring delight difficult to find
Tiny playful creatures present a joyous surreal sight
Wonders of nature’s prowess displayed in full might

Dancing, prancing little angels of internal light
Hide personal turmoil in cheery façade so bright
Survival in shrinking habitats a challenging task
Development for profit convenient handy mask

Conundrum of nature and modern living to be resolved
Complexities of protection and preservation to be solved
Future generation will definitely be deprived of such joys
Will be confined to live only with online games and toys

Glow worms encourage us to light up the universe
With self enlightenment to make darkness disperse
Spiritual awakening creates aura of joy and delight
Happy and harmonious living without ever any fight

Myriad emotions create a perennial rhapsody
Narrating endless tale of comic tragic parody
Potpourri of sweet and sour memory set tone
For everlasting company in a mellifluous zone

Booming welcome to shrill wail of happiness
Creating delightful vibrations of melody mess
Endearing mischievous rhymes tickle my heart
Clutching straws to not allow them to depart

Rambunctious youngsters like brutal ***** lyrics
Staying away from dogmatic blasphemous clerics
Dancing to voluptuous music in psychedelic light
With confidence to win every challenge and fight

The pageant mellows to a serenade of joy
Spreading happiness and harmony to enjoy
Navigating maze of problems is tough task
Difficult to find peace and sunshine to bask

Cascading rhapsody enraptures with its sway
Overwhelming fun, impossible to walk away
Last Post trumpets a disconsolate conclusion
Or, a new beginning with end just an illusion

One More Hill, a gruelling cross country race
Seemingly endless peaks to climb at fast pace
Last year progressed like climbing another hill
Enthusiastic start gradually ground to a standstill

Near pinnacle meandered to a perilous road
Contrived to land in a serious implode mode
Agony of war and toxic climate are worrisome
Competing jingoism and insensitivity irksome

Herculean task to clamber out valley of despair
Resolute determination for remedy and repair
Fading memories urge sharp course correction
Universal brotherhood requires resurrection

Resurgent euphoria again brings new hope
Promising dreams of success on a long rope
Expectations of achievements, new pursuit
Renew firm resolve to reach for sweet fruit

With every bit of energy ascend inviting summit
Motivation and enthusiasm must never plummet
Shed miasma of failure and loads of expectation
To conquer final peak of ecstasy and redemption

From cobwebs of mind, flashback of silent movies
Bring immense  delight like savouring feast by foodies
Invigorate me with soothing calm without loud noise
Soft background music perfect setting to regain poise

Expressive eyes lucidly narrate soulful tales
Vocal chords never exercised to attract sales
Raised eyebrows search reassuring answers
Quivering lips quietly grip in invisible pincers

Language of sublime love, silence also portends anger
Ignoring swells of whispering resentment poses danger
Urgent need is for receptive heart and sensitive touch
And harmonious environment free from noise as much

Peaceful, serene, calm and caring world  set to drown
In hateful speeches delivered by bigoted with a frown
Mosaic of society callously destroyed and torn asunder
Triggering war, lynching, clashes and conflicts no wonder

Disdainful indifference by rulers to rumblings of silence
Lead to calamitous disaster and dystopian consequence
My fervent prayers to regain elysium of eloquent silence
To save rainbow of humanity from prejudice and violence

In the midst of raging tempest of perish or perform
Comforting blissful solitude is the eye of the storm
Incessant damages from ravaging waves of despair
Shimmers of hopes and dreams sooth and repair

Unruffled by thunderous accusations and shrill cries
Peace and calm not affected in face of repeated tries
Fortify the soul with abundant love for nature’s beauty
Preserving mental equilibrium is our foremost duty

Inseparable dreams paint a canvass of romance
With precious life waltzing through graceful dance
Holding the beautiful angel of love in my arms
Swirl with captivating smile and endearing charms

Titanic of dreams always crashes at realm of reality
Shattering the illusion of mythical fable and its futility
Exposing Machiavellian world of frustrations and fears
Replete with life full of tremendous misery and tears

Typhoons at sea invariably create beautiful rainbow
Persevere stoically with unrelenting efforts and flow
Invaluable dreams worthy of every sacrifice and oblation
With blissful solitude adding enjoyment and satisfaction

Adrift on a fragile raft in boundless ocean of life
My restless mind is invariably on edge of knife
Follies and failures of past are always haunting
Foggy horizon and gathering storm so daunting

Odyssey began with great fanfare
With encouraging and loving care
Adept steady hands always warm
In difficult times and freezing storm

Navigating across shoals of hedonistic youth
Was painfully turbulent and never smooth
Youthful exuberance charted perilous course
With devil may care attitude and no remorse

Goaded by hubris and humongous greed
Rational thinking and counsel not to heed
Swells of passion and swirling temptations
Indulgent fulfilment for instant elations

Rolling, pitching with uncontrolled yaw
Buffeted, bruised and every sinew raw
Sinking into abyss of calamitous advection
Saved by invisible divine course correction

Tying the knot, mate brought cheerful feel
Stability and buoyancy put raft on even keel
Timely, deft and sensitive touch at the helm
Assured stability no storm could overwhelm

Mad race for elusive gold at end of rainbow
Brought home realisation certain but slow
Harmonious relations only genuine treasure
To enrich eternal voyage beyond measure

Sailing into sunset at peace without acrimony
To enter heavenly harbour devoid of ceremony
Dark blue depths across horizon very enticing
And mermaids promising forever romancing

Return to sail on lovely azure blue sea I must
Unrequited desire for treasures fair and just
Saga of life embellished with jewels of sea
Now unbearable dull drudgery I must flee

Moonlit night, gentle breeze and flooding tide
Perfect irresistible setting for a romantic ride
To fulfil desire for comfort in welcome arms
Never ending thirst to savour thrilling charms  

Desperate search for youthful elixir of salty spray
Longing for comforting embrace I cannot betray
Greeted by rippling waves like a romantic rhyme
Encouraging welcome for exhilaration of life time

Sudden turbulent waves show capricious mood
Skill and agility needed without time to brood
Dauntless spirit must to be out of harm’s  way
Fighting to survive tempest to live another day

Waves cascading sense of perceptible petulance
Anger replacing scintillating playful exuberance
Wanton abuse by ****- sapiens leading to clash
Harming marine ecology with oil spills and trash

Pollution of ocean increasing at alarming rate
Livelihood at sea hurtling towards tragic fate
Human greed sole spoiler of nature’s design
Forever on the edge of inviting wrath divine

Environment deteriorating like butter turning rancid
Benevolent oceans may not remain benign and placid
Protect and preserve nature with vigorous veneration
To bequeath precious heritage to coming generation

Season of festivals always brings immense cheer
Eager to celebrate and enjoy despite lurking fear
Pent up emotions for long in a hurry to express
Celebrating with swagger and eager to impress

Compulsive shopping frenzy integral with festivities
Attractive bargains and offers boost such activities
Enjoyment and excitement of goodies gets top rank
Seasoned sellers relish and laugh all the way to bank

Mandatory mad rush to favourite religious place
Seeking blessings and praying for inner solace
Hoping to wipe out all sins with healing balm
Generous offerings akin to greasing divine palm

Festival of democracy election sees volcanic eruption
Spray of toxic promises and freebies as open corruption
All tricks and means used for securing victory and votes
Frequently even resorting to distribution of green notes

Endless wait for festive season of hope and harmony
For celebrating life without pompous acts, ceremony
Beyond tyranny of rituals and shackles of traditions
Clear labyrinth of despondency for idyllic conditions

Millennial moment in chaotic human history
Ignominious scooting and insurgents’ victory
Grapes of wrath have come home to harvest
Future misadventures meaningless to invest

New masters of ceremonies treading same path
Eager to launch all pervasive hegemonic swath
Violence and strife are quick and easy to sow
Peaceful progressive saplings will never grow

Commiserate with innocent folks in crossfire
Future entangled in violent lawless quagmire
Rooted in antediluvian thinking and way of life
Survival  precariously perched on edge of knife

Redemption indeed long and herculean task
World must find ways to deliver without ask
Growth and progress require united effort
A failed state is potent risk without comfort

Unraveling the enigma of Mona Lisa smile
For ages scholars found the venture futile
Captivated by lady’s beautiful angelic face
Resolve to explore her moods for solace.

Pathetic plight of mighty human race
Brings a sardonic smile on lovely face
A tiny virus from depths of dark cave
Shattered myths of humans so brave

Driven by senseless urge to live forever
Resorting to tricks fair, foul whatsoever
Displaying wanton limitless human greed
Hardily a care or thought for genuine need

Shameful shenanigans for money new game
Brazen reckless actions without any shame
Surprised and deeply shaken to the core
Nervous, scary wry smile flickers to fore

Dreams and passions of heart in silent mode
Words and phrases not adequate to decode
Endless wait for soul mate so heart warming
Sensuous wistful smile for prince charming

How long will you keep showering beatific smile
Tolerating every pretentious and devilish guile?
Come abide with me and escape from antiquity
To heavenly abode of love, peace and tranquility

Begin an unending symphony of lovely smile
With affection and relationships worthwhile
Adding happiness, making world better place
Wiping tears, infuse smile on every forlorn face

Marvel at guts and glory saga of paralympians
Epitome of success, indeed are true champions
Against all odds, inspiring journey to pinnacle
Life story sets example of stimulating spectacle

A herculean task coping with different ability
Required indomitable will and mental stability
Despite best intentions and eagerness to assist
Well wishers can only cheer and **** to persist

No room for pessimism or nagging negativity
Try and try again to achieve aim with positivity
Burning desire for perfection and aim to excel
Staying focused with no time to rest or revel

Performances of these noble souls make us sit up
Crutches of dogmas and prejudices, must give up
Remove blinkers, shackles of ideology and religion
Foster well being for all with encompassing vision

Sports extravaganza restricted to subdued level
Heart goes out to participants straining to excel
Culture of sports and love for them taken wings
Spreading across all continents in Olympic rings

Found many variants of games for classes
Powerful ruling elite to struggling masses
Rules for such games evolved and self created
Doubters and opponents steadily decimated

Jousting with dead is favourite sport of our ruling class
On high horse, impale hapless souls for sins en mass
Manipulating history cannot be substitute or panacea
To cover up own failures and induce collective amnesia

Bureaucracy loves wrestling with problem no resolution
Going around in circles with meetings, find no solutions
Bloated Sumo like organizations with no accountability
Always focused on power, growth and upward mobility

Swimming against tide for us is game of survival
Head barely above water, praying fortune revival
Indomitable spirit and tenacity keeping us afloat
Never letting any adversity to conquer and gloat

True champions display spirit and humility
Enhance and boost their talent and nobility
Be a champion and play as if no tomorrow
Ephemeral effervescent are joys and sorrow

Olympic Games are a test of character and skill
Participants display tremendous resolute will
Conducting the Games has been a testing time
Numerous problems, hurdles removed in prime

With perfect baton exchange in waves galore
Virus relay team constantly knocking on door
Ensuring safety from pandemic biggest task
With dangers pouring through without ask

Having witnessed elections and dance of death
Warily welcome the Games with bated breath
Olympics without doubt showcase skill and drill
Elections euphoria gives Olympian ecstatic thrill

Grandmasters meticulously follow rules in chess
In Elections, Code of Conduct invariably in a mess
Chess has two contestants with white and black
Rulers and power seekers two groups on attack

Ruling clan is blessed, virtuous and always right
Aspiring villains to be vanquished with all might
Cunning disingenuous provide a revolving door
Making it easy and convenient to cross the floor

Changing sides brings about absolute sanitization
Villains becoming virtuous in total transformation
Flowing money and rallies with speeches thunderous
Intoxicated passions ignite many clashes murderous

Pulsating ****** of Elections puts all others to shame
Garnering votes by hook or crook is name of the game
Need to be vigilant that institutions of our democracy
Never degenerate into violent draconian mobocracy.

On a moonlit night walking barefoot on sandy beach
Solace, salvation and mental tranquility within reach
Thrilling sensation of rippling waves tickling my toes
A perfect remedy for wiping out worries and woes

Soothing rhapsody of rushing waves with gentle breeze
Cooling balm putting travails and turmoil in deep freeze
Wishing for lifelong possession of such precious treasure
Thoughts of missing such joys  depress beyond measure

A fleet of fishing boats head out to sea in dead of night
To renew their battle with cruel sea and nature’s might
Fishing for livelihood such a noble and honest profession
Requiring seafarer skills with resolve and timely precision

Profession of fishing is love story sweet and sour
With moods of  welcoming seas swinging to dour
Strong single minded devotion sticks to this path
Hunger and passion prepares them for any wrath

Fishing in troubled waters malicious passion prime
Leaders of all hues vigorously indulge in this crime
Stoking the flames with intemperate demagoguery
Adding fuel to fire with preaching religious bigotry

World has invented ideal recipe for monumental disaster
With energetic embrace and eagerness to be a master
Urgent life saving need of the hour is thoughtful sobriety
To develop and promote caring compassionate society

A society at odds with itself is not the right note
Cheerful, happy and friendly setup gets my vote
For joys of beach walks bereft of worrying yokes
And admiring sincere and diligent fishermen folks

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

Incessant cacophony and maddening noise
Long for your embrace for sanity and poise
Music of gentle breeze and lapping waves
Succour for troubled soul, precious life it saves

Whirlpool of memories paint vivid colours of ocean
Soothing frayed nerves with rejuvenating magic lotion
Melody of the seas is like dramatic symphonic opera
Myriad moods and colours create fascinating chimera

Curtain raiser of lilting lyrics of ripples on calm sea
Breathtaking kaleidoscope, a feast for eyes to see
Tempestuous soprano unleashes change of tempo
With rough and turbulent seas like ravaging Rambo

Anger and fury of seas is without clash of cymbal
Men and mighty armada so helpless and humble
Survival is indeed tough test of character and skill
Desperate to survive, pray for Varuna’s good will

Crescendo heralds typhoon, hurricane and tornado
Calling the bluff of human ego, vanity and bravado
Important lessons for our survival are rarely learnt
Protecting and preserving nature, no human intent

Woken up with a start by the buzz of a honeybee
Little flying creatures collecting pollen, sight to see
Outside the window saw a magnificent honeycomb
Made by hoards of bees and hanging with aplomb

Million of bees working with perfect harmony
Their humming in chorus was sweet symphony
Working in unison, cohesion and flawless design
Producing the everlasting magical nectar divine

Quixotic dreams urged me to arrange and set up assembly line
Where humans working with bonhomie for a product as fine
Enraged mobs of motivated venomous hate started a tragic fire
Burning the beehive full of bees on the tree and my grand desire

In this chaos, seizing the moment and my honey bottle
With loud slogans and energetic chants at full throttle
Emerged a loved leader of the masses, strong and tall
Transforming to land of milk and honey, his clarion call

Soon rancour replaced honey and situation becoming curdled milk
With caucuses of pompous and bloated egos abound in white silk
Unquenchable obsession with power, position, pelf and penny
Only splendid bees blessed and gifted to produce pristine honey.

With passing years hopes for return of my *** of honey faded
In this confusion, searching questions are rhetorically evaded
Goodwill, civility, dialogue and reason have become lost streams
Keep me awake with utopian aspirations and unfulfilled dreams.