Hobby....And I was punished.

I used to curl that metallic, steel coloured rectangular box to me wherever i went, sat, and slept. The most prized procession, I had, of which I didn't want to lose sight. The one that I showed off to every one, taking pride and explaining in detail about the blood and sweat that has gone into this. I patted myself on my resourcefulness, while digging through the filth in collecting the treasures of trove. I borrowed the lens of Mr 10th Baker Street, looking for the tails and eventually finding new evidence. Wow...what a trail. 

I even got a feel of what barter system actually meant when I used trade one of my items with the wannabe collectors for a full size image of my fav star from sportstar, the then revered magazine, or for a polished square magnet, or for a treat of yummy phuchkaas, alu kablis ( bengali for paani-puri ) during the school recess. I even tried to cash on this with the opposite species, the girls, but in vain..they were never interested..I still wonder Why??? I had been asking this question to my wife, who used to be one of my then targets, with no concrete answers. 

This box travelled to Durgapur, Haldia, and Kolkata wherever my father got transferred. All credit goes to my mom, you know how they are. She used to treasure this as if its an IIT or IIM certificate that she cannot afford to lose..But then with time, when new friends, noon shows, girl friends, nancy fridays wrapped in brown sheet started keeping me busy, I lost touch and the maddening spree declined. 

Recently, while searching in the store room, though I could lay my hands upon that rectangular metal box, the contents - THE NUMEROUS COVER FACES OF A MATCH BOX, the different designs, the varied colours - were missing; all memories coming in a flash......May be the rats acted as a messenger and helped those disappear in the thin air, punishing me for the way I shelved those, ignored those, and left those on their own.....Yup..I'm sorry, and I deserve it....

Hope....

The adage holds still...there's many a sip bxn the cup and the lip

When I thought I've touched the ribbon, there went off that beep

Thecoldcomfort, the consolation....there's always a second time

Was there a bit of truth in it, or was just a friendly dime

The last, the final option, and then all w'll be dry

If this slips by, I wll be clueless of where to start, and what else to try

Neither can I stand on a soil so soft, nor can I walk into the stinky cage

Can I keep my composure, or be trapped in the maze

The light is at the end of the tunnel, thats what I thought

Thoughts can also be delusory...why alone Looks always boil on the pot

I experienced the truth..Beatings of life is harsher than those of a cane

Wincing in pain, I still reprise, this bleak moment wll eventually wane

HE w'll either drop a new canvas, or wll spread the blotter

The breeze of hope is getting steady, and my heart stops to flutter

Winning this over, I want to scream till my vocal chords ache

I hope HE befriends me in this very last take....

Exhausted.....

Give me peace, I am drained

Washed up.....the mind can no further be trained

I am just cruising, dont know what's in store

Expectations changed, I want no more

Why did I do, was there any need

I curse the day, when I planted the seed

The steps taken, did I weigh the risk

Or was it again an impulsive kick

I did my bit, but my patience is falling

I dread that day, when I listened to the calling

A single decision, and now everything is grim

At times I loathe myself, why did I dream

I hide it from all, but I am in fear

The whispers are getting loud, I can hear

I jerk off the thoughts, try to be in gear

Heavier getting the thoughts, pushing me to the rear

I dreamt, I stretched, and I chose to think tall

Life cannot punish the pursuer, in place everything will fall.

Let me rekindle the torch of faith, I won't let my confidence crack

I won't sign out so easily........I'll march on this track.

AMEN!!!!!

Toilet for BABLI

The emerging economy, the roars at the summit, we claim to be at the front

The nature's call, Women by the tracks, isn't those enough to haunt

We care for our women, their respect means a lot

Irony -  Women, Kids defecating in the open, we are indifferent to the thought

Our kids are blessed, they are safe, in the chilly winters, at the cosy comfort of our room

The poor souls battling the gushy winds...sh'ld this discomfort be allowed to loom ?

The darkness spreads its wings,  Tensed - why aren't the women back ?

The unfortunate go out in the open, only to be crushed and then end up in a sac

The vultures are out in the dark, waiting to pounce

They are aware, but they are helpless and just cannot bounce

Pulling the window shut, Covering our face with the hankey, is this the way out ?

Can we not act cohesively, can we not shout ?

We shout, our heart fills with pain at the sight of an ailing cat

But, we are  incognizant of a sight so grave and fat

Malnutrition is less dangerous says a WHO's poll

Defecating in the open, if unchecked, will take a heavier toll

The poor sanitation practice will stunt the growth of our kids

The ugly weeds need to be pruned - that's the hours need.

The basic amenities of sanitation,  the need is too small

Just a pointed effort is required...let us roll the ball

Babli feels happy, the new angel will see the world in a healthy light

She sends her wishes, grateful to those for starting up the fight.

Quotes, Sayings - close to me

• Its not how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and still keep moving.

• Adversity only brings out ones true potential.

• Every problem you w'll face has already been faced by numerous individual..so dont panic, nothing unique has happened.

• Do the thing which you fear the most.

• Comparison is the thief of joy.

• Never regret your decisions - they are just situational.

• The game ends only when your self confidence gets a crack.

• Never underestimate your instincts.

• Its obvious to have fear, how you handle it makes the difference.

• Do your bit, and let Destiny shape the end.

Friend

He goes to the mosque, but he is my friend

I wonder, can this be a worrying trend ?

The clamour on Diversity, Secularism, the winds of change

The thoughts, in reality, hover over a narrow range

The divide still exists, might be in a subtle way

Hope things w'll fade, albeit thin is the ray

I celebrate Puja, and he does EID

The trivial issues, shldn't we get rid

Pained , I laugh at the thoughts so hollow

I w'll go by my conviction, and won't swallow

The way we have blended surprises a lot

Now, can this open the pandoras pot?

But then why should I bicker, why should I care ?

He listens so patiently, whatever I share

Things got grim, and blazing was the sun

He stood by me, when there was none

Why do they bother, instigate, prod in the name of God ?

When the friends are in agreement, and there's a nod

We are friends, that's how we want to be known

The veil of religion, shouldn't that be blown

We care for our smiles, and not others scowl

Our friendship w'll reign - Period; A deaf ear to their howl.

The Confusion

If you do something of your choice, Its comfort zone

If you do something out of your choice, Slipshod is the tone

If you bow to all that you hear, No guts to raise the treble

If you don't to all that you hear, Spunk to be a rebel

If you speak, Busy with his conviction  the kingpin wants to steal

If you listen, Shaky is his confidence with poor mingling skills

If you plan, Too methodical cannot think on the feet

If you don't, Careless canon relying on gut wll surely fall over the pit

If you win, Cannot learn anything unless one fails

If you fail, Lacks the attitude to get hold of the sails

If you seek out, Too lazy to analyse always require someone to bail 

If you introspect, Too egoist to burrow than to come out of the shell

Stopppp !!!!!! Confused ???

Thus I pass on the baton to my heart, And w'll be all ears

Let's enjoy the journey of rise and fall, And not niggle over the shears