Nothing hurts more than a harsh, unkind word
From the mouths of people unnecessarily frank and pert
Insulting others is to be avoided at any cost
Speak one sentence, and then you’re as good as lost.

What urges people to tell stories about others?
Why don’t they treat all as sisters or as brothers
How would they like to hear tales concerning them alone
Wouldn’t they blame the world, wouldn’t they sigh and groan?

Its no use, my friend, you can never assure man
You can never, never, gossiping in the land, ban
Man’s good at making a mountain of a mole-hill
Spreading false rumors, and creating ill-will

Ensnared by material benefits the world provides him with
Man, who is, by the urge to win fame, bit
Forgets all his manners – just brushes them aside
And is enveloped in a snake-skin of venom and of pride

So! where’s the land of our dreams in which we can take pride
Why do people revel in taking others for a ride
Why cant we be engrossed in our own joys and sorrows
A hopeful, expectant, wait for the morrows

Why interfere in other’s affairs when our own work is there
Would we tolerate it if they laid our secrets bare ?
Why tell stories behind the backs, and why insult others
Why not mete out love and respect if all mankind are brothers??

There will always be someone around you
Who will resent your claim to fame
Do not stress about them
They will soon be caught at their game

Let the jealous ones paint you
To be black like the coal in the ground
But show your true colors and shine out
Like the diamond waiting to be found

If humility is your forte
It will be your armored coat
Neither praise nor disgrace will touch you
And none can rock your boat

Do not let your success
Make you proud and rude
For it’s a’9 day wonder’
As has been always proved

Stay grounded all the time
Even at the height of fame
Let people talk with fondness
When they mention your name

The rustle of the leaves
The gently swaying palm
The slow refreshing breeze
That acts like a balm

The twittering of the birds
The silently grazing herds
The mist that hides the beauty
The guard who’s going off-duty

The call of the cuckoo
The screech of the peacock
Will herald the dawn
And your senses fully block..

All these sights will meet your eyes
If you go for a walk, around sunrise
So wake up, smile, and greet the day
Nature will, many dividends, pay

In the lush green landscape
Rose a tiny blob of yellow
So bright and so beautiful
So soft and so mellow

The harbinger of spring
Small and yet so brave
Opened up its petals
To share a tiny wave

Gathering up their strength
Others followed suit
Soon a thousand sunflowers
Bloomed on taking root

It’s the first who leads the way
And inspires sisters and brothers
So let’s learn from the sunflower
And inspire a few others

The sunlight speeding through the sky
Touching everything – low and high
Touched, in its, travels, a sleepy little town
And helped it discard its old night-gown.
Dawn was bright, spreading the light
Dispelling the shadows from a great height
Before its greatness, night had to bow
It had to pick up its bedding, and go..
Factories began to hum with activity and life
Glad as there were, that there had come a new morn
Whilst women started to sharpen their little kitchen knives
Eager to cook curry, rice or prawn.
Soon, over the town, spread a hustle and a bustle
And in the gym, athletes flexed their strong muscles
A  new day had been ushered in – the old one had gone
The sun smiled benevolently, as a new day was being born…

Its farewell to the old year
And welcome to the new one
Its ‘thank God’ for the old year
And best wishes for the new one.
It’s a permanent adieu to the old year
And bright hopes for the new one
It’s a tear for the old year
And a smile for the new one
It was ‘tough time’ in the last year
But should be ‘smooth sailing’ in the new one
It was a royal kick to the old year
And an obsequious obeisance to the new one.

The harrying days are gone
We welcome a new dawn
Nothing has changed, but the date
So change your attitude, to change your Fate

If, with life’s struggles, you will cope
You will give birth to a new type of hope
You will overcome, you will succeed
If the seeds of doubt, you do not feed

So stand straight, with chin up,
Smile, and take a chance
Party with your friends
Lead life a merry dance

Here’s to the coming year
May it be good for you
Our prayers and our blessings
And wishes good and true

Are yours for the keeping
Use them well with care
Be safe, be healthy
But It’s time to do and dare

2024 is ending
With a whimper and a sigh
So let 2025 enter
With a note that’s sweet and high