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REVERIE-OLD TIMES by Hema Ravi

9/8/2009

You visited me again last night.
Father, you were there in flesh and blood.
I pinched myself-Yes, it was true.
I remember every word that you said.
You were happy at the progress I had made
The way I had planned all my activities,
Every word of advice that you had passed,
I had practised.

It was like old times again,
Moments which I could not afford to lose.
You sat there sipping the tea
As I updated you of the happenings,
The joys and the sorrows
Of the right and wrong decisions made.
Every phrase was taken in
No frown, only a gentle smile.

Daylight had gone, night crept in.
We had talked for hours, I realized.
I complained about how you had punished me
Once, I had gone out without your permission.
You made me wait outside the house till late in the night,
Until mother took pity on me and let me in.
Strict you were then,
Now I understand it was for my good.

Happy moments last only for a while,
The truth dawned on me as we were conversing.
Not wanting to let go
I asked if you could spend the night with me.
You had other plans,
My offer was declined.
Reluctantly I had to say Good Bye.
The morning alarm screamed-Reality!

Hema Ravi, 08.09.09

UNWIND (MUSETTE) by Hema Ravi

9/28/2009

Great day!
Visit people,
Chat, Sway!

Catch up
juicy gossip,
then sup.

Dine too.
Calm down, release.
Speak, Coo!

Hema Ravi, 28th September 2009

FOOTBALL by Hema Ravi

9/28/2008

Forward, Faster, Further...
Over here, pass it on,
Over there, dodge,
That’s a lovely kick!
Ball’s in the goal.
All players run across
Look out- kick from midfield
Lo! It’s another goal. Time up, We've won.

Hema Ravi, 29th September 2008.

(These lines are for Aravind, who is a die hard football fan and a good player too.)

PASS IT AROUND by Hema Ravi

9/23/2009

Walk,
Walk along the river bank
as the light creeps in

Reflect
till the feelings are clear,
Contemplate as you stroll.

Breathe.
Inhale the unsullied air
till it rejuvenates and refreshes.

Float
like a straw on water
leaving behind no cares.

Soar,
ascend high
charged with invigorated thoughts.

Win!
Reach out to hearts with kind words
pass the happiness around.

Hema Ravi, 23.09.09

(Inspired by a quote by Rabia of Basra, the most towering name among lady saints of the Sufi tradition)

REVERSE, MOVE FORWARD by Hema Ravi

9/15/2009

Walking by the stream
without purpose
brought back memories of good old days.
Throwing pebbles
to watch the ripples....
Soon, the stream would become
placid once again.
Perennial source of delight!

The serene water on a moonlit night,
always a source of joy.
The turbulent flow,
when it rained
and rained for nights and days
disrupting all activities.
Restriction was only temporary,
For the rain would always abate.

Keeping pace with the humdrum,
exigencies of day to day existence
unmindful of Nature’s bounty,
Time to halt, revive good old times.
Gaze at the stars in the moon lit sky,
Watch the moon hide behind the clouds.
A stroll as the sun brings in radiance,
helps move forward with rapid strides.

Hema Ravi, 15.09.09

MARRIAGE by Hema Ravi

9/15/2008

Meeting of two hearts
Appreciating and understanding
Reaching out to one another
Rejoicing in the other’s company
Imbibing the partner’s good
Allowing personal space
Growing with time
Expectation of each other fulfilled.

TWILIGHT by Hema Ravi

9/13/2004

At crossroads during the sunset of Life
As days bygone are brought to reminiscences
Without cares or worries, with anxieties and tensions
The ebbs and flows in the familial Ocean
To gratify desires of all and sundry,
With resultant brickbats or bouquets
The fallacy of this world has been understood.
Uncomplicated matters have become complex
The ogre of malevolence, envy, prejudice
Would never ever unravel simple truths
All that is left at this instant
Is to introspect and discern
The spirit and Origin of Man
Riches or scarcity, fame or name
Aren't matters of bother any longer.
While awaiting everlasting peace, undeterred,
Relentlessly, day after day

WHAT I FEEL ABOUT YOU by Hema Ravi

8/7/2010

Where are you, Friend?
How have you fared
Are things under control?
Time and again,your role

I contemplate, recall with nostalgia.

Friendly bond cannot be measured
Ennui arises when pressurised
Ever increasing routines
Leaving little time for verse and rhyme.

At all times, you have been a guide
Brilliant, transparent, nothing to hide
Online acquaintance blossomed into friendship
Under the sun there are just a few.
There will arise an instance

You and I will meet
Only to discuss poesy
Under a canopy.

BELATED FRIENDSHIP DAY WISHES!

Hema Ravi, 7th August 2010

ESCAPADE by Hema Ravi

8/6/2009

Youngster sat down on the stony bank of the river.
Tired after the escapade,
sat down for a wash and a drink.
Resting under the Neem, he went off to sleep
Only to find that it was evening.
The sun was setting, how splendid the sky was!
Soon, darkness began to creep in.
He could sleep on the tree, proceed at daylight.
With these thoughts,
he climbed on to a strong branch.
At first he enjoyed the independence,
Soon, he felt restless and nervous.
Morbid thoughts haunted him.
Foolish he had been to flee.
In the distance, he saw a faint light.
Did he imagine it? It came nearer.
Panic struck, his hair stood on ends.
Heart missed a beat-unfamiliar face holding a candle.
Screaming, he fell down with a thud!
“Wake up, Rahul, time to go to school!”
the familiar voice boomed.

Hema Ravi, August 6, 2009

LOST DAYS by Hema Ravi

8/6/2006

The days have vanished
Have they perished
Will they ever be retrieved?
There'd been a time
When it was only fun and cheer
Without a cause to sneer
At whomsoever whatever far or near
No tears or trouble to dread or fear
without warning it has made retreat.
All seems to have gone astray
Nothing seems straight- everything's awry
What I thought was for eternity
Could not be passed for perpetuity
The laughter, the frolic, the joy
Which I have long ceased to enjoy
The pleasure, the leisure,
The delight of childhood
Whither have they been Lost?

FACE THE BRUTE by Hema Ravi

8/5/2009

Time stops working when needed,
Kith and kin turn their backs,
Friends have forsaken,
People near and dear stand and scoff.
Even when the world disowns you....
Attempt not to escape, but to face.
Analyze, accept, accommodate,
Allow the thoughts to flow.

Introspection helps determine
Help is at hand, be spirited,
The world is not lost!.
Battles are planned for victory,
Challenges meant to be overcome.
The moment is meant to pass.
Inner strength helps to move on,
Face the brute, do not flee.

Hema Ravi, August 5, 2009

TEN STEPS TOWARDS NOBILITY by Hema Ravi

8/31/2009

Make a difference even to one,
You have won.

Pass on a smile to one and all
You can stand up tall.

Break all barriers with a smile,
You have walked more than a mile.

Barriers can be broken with humility,
You have an uncanny ability.

Humility takes one towards the goal,
You have been transformed into a noble soul.

Hema Ravi, 31.08.09

CAMARADERIE by Hema Ravi

8/2/2009

Distances separate,
Time zones differ.
Physical proximity absent,
Yet, the thoughts
Of the good old times
The sharing, the caring,
The sad and the happy moments
will be remembered!
For, true friendship has no expectations,
surpasses all barriers.

(To a special friend.)
Hema Ravi, August 2, 2009

ONE MORE CASTLE by Hema Ravi

8/13/2010

Building castles on the sand
with play mates at hand
victory under the warm sun
with a leap can run.

Castles in dreams
rescuing damsels in distress
in order to impress,
a sense of pride.

Castles in the air
life has not been fair,
the suffering no longer can bear,
As twilight sets, look up in prayer.

ACCEPTANCE by Hema Ravi

8/11/2009

Mild, vigorous breeze,
Plants bow, bend in surrender,
Storm uproots tough tree.

Forceful in heyday,
Wheel of life gone up and down,
wrong side up right now.

Turns and twists in life
helps deduce higher power,
Supreme control sensed.

Hema Ravi, 11.08.09

INSTINCT TO SURVIVE by Hema Ravi

7/9/2009

Diminutive in stature,
an instinct to survive,
an indomitable spirit
at such a tender age,
have not come across earlier.

The child of seven
had become fatherless, a year ago!
Mother, the bread winner
left with little time on her hands
relying on the school and the crèche
to nurture the youngster.

I questioned him on a Friday morning
the cause for the delay in submission of notebook.
Pat came the reply, “Mother is having a lot of stress!"
Wishing to pry more, I queried, “‘why so?”
Like lightning he shot out-“She has a lot of work! My father died, you know?”
“Doctor has said she is not to stress herself.”

Candid view expressed.
A prayer for the child
plucky, resolute and bright.
If he could be groomed right
would turn out to be his Mother’s pride.

Hema Ravi, July 9, 2009

FOR THE NOT SO YOUNG by Hema Ravi

7/4/2009

The toothless smile, radiating joy,
captivating everyone around,
Gleaming freshness of blossom
that lingers.

The same toothless smile,
no longer attractive,
gets a sympathetic look, at times.
Often, dismissed!

The power of attraction
later, a burden to reckon with.
A kind word of concern,
A benevolent smile relieves.

Hema Ravi, July 4, 2009

FRIENDSHIP by Hema Ravi

7/30/2008

Frank, free and filled with joy
Round the year, remaining intact
Increasing over the years
Expressing feelings of love
Never a bitter word
During stress or difficult times
Sorting out problems with each other
Holding out to one another
Individuals with inquisitive minds,
Partners in action and deed.
That’s FRIENDSHIP!

Pushing aside personal woes
Imbibing each others’ good
Hanging on until required
Showering goodness upon the other
Demanding-no, never!
Notwithstanding the shortcomings
Evolving, emerging as better beings
Improving, improvising, never substituting
Reaping dividends from the bond
True enough, that's FRIENDSHIP.

Hema Ravi.

(This poem is dedicated to my friend Shantha Eashwar, who has been a companion, role model, advisor all rolled in one on the occasion of Friendship Day. May this companionship grow more.)

GLORIOUS DAY by Hema Ravi

7/24/2009

Today you have completed six decades of your life.
Through toil and slog
you have made it to the top,
your children now settled,
accomplished and established.
Rags to riches story
you could share yours too.
Meticulous, focused, unrelenting
in your efforts, you have been.
Against all odds
you had one thought –to accomplish!
And that you did.

Time for you to relax,
enjoy the fruit of the toil,
Moment meant to rejoice,
How fast the years have gone by!
Gone are the days of walking for miles,
going to bed with just a glass of water,
The occasional gruel would be a treat.
The feet that have braved the sun and rain
weathered many a storm,
The never say die spirit still alive.
You have walked several miles,
Time for you to relax and smile.

(These lines are for a relative who turns sixty tomorrow)

Hema Ravi, 24th July 2009.

RENDEZVOUS by Hema Ravi

7/20/2009

Academicians, professionals, homemakers
A time for them together
What do they want?
Freedom of expression!
What is the bond?
They are all dreamers.
They do not dream about the future
In its stead, they dream about words
And bring them to life.
Their love for verse
has brought them all together.

Hema Ravi, July 20, 2009