Mom's poem: निरंकुश माणूस (The Unbridled man )

Presenting my mother's poems, starting with this one (about the modern amoral & ever-dissatisfied man). the poem is given above & the line wise translation given below it. My mom is a published poet (in some local marathi magazines during the late 70s & early 80s). This is her latest poem. However, I'm trying to locate her older works & put them online some time. I should acknowledge that this is my first exposure to marathi literature, & I'm enjoying it thoroughly!

निरंकुश माणूस भौतिक सुखाच्या ह्या गराड्यात

हरवलय माणसाच माणूसपण

धरुनिया सुखाची अतृप्त लालसा

बांधलय वेठीला स्वतःच स्वपण

असू जरी आम्ही हक्कासाठी अधाशी

नसे मात्र सोयरसुतकही कर्तव्याशी

दडपली सारी आधुनिकतेच्या आवरणात

आपल्याच चारित्र्याची सखोल संस्कृती

वरकरणी जरी दाखवत असू पुरोगामी

दिसुन येई नेहमीच प्रसंगी अधोगती

कशास जगलो, का जगलो कोणी बरे सांगावे

उठता बसता मात्र दोष नशिबाला द्यावे

तुडविली सारी बंधने आज माणसाने

म्हणून का फिरविली पाठ निसर्गाने?

Translation

NB: I would like to say that any weakness in language while translation is mine, the poem reads well - those of who can read marathi fluently will agree with me..

निरंकुश माणूस The Unbridled man

भौतिक सुखाच्या ह्या गराड्यात

In this great heap of worldly joys, हरवलय माणसाच माणूसपण

man's humanity is lost धरुनिया सुखाची अतृप्त लालसा

having the ever unquenched greed of these joys बांधलय वेठीला स्वतःच स्वपण

one has even bet one's self-esteem असू जरी आम्ही हक्कासाठी अधाशी

if we are greedy for our rights नसे मात्र सोयरसुतकही कर्तव्याशी

but there is no consciousness of one's duties दडपली सारी आधुनिकतेच्या आवरणात

in name of modernity we have bundled away आपल्याच चारित्र्याची सखोल संस्कृती

the entire culture of our morality वरकरणी जरी दाखवत असू पुरोगामी

even if we display our sophistication outwardly दिसुन येई नेहमीच प्रसंगी अधोगती

when the occassion comes, seen is one's regress कशास जगलो, का जगलो कोणी बरे सांगावे

for what did we live, why did we live, who will tell us उठता बसता मात्र दोष नशिबाला द्यावे

time and again (literal: sitting & standing) cursing (putting responsibility on) one's fate तुडविली सारी बंधने आज माणसाने

broken all ties today has man म्हणून का फिरविली पाठ निसर्गाने?

is that why nature has turned its back on us?

Email: patilsandipr+sandylief@gmail.com
Blog: www.sandylief.blogspot.com
Blog2: www.sanventure.blogspot.com
web: www.patilsandip.co.nr

Song on trying hard...

This was written a few days ago while listening to country music- im not sure as yet whether i want to call it complete:

idle we rust -
fiddle we must:

edison the great -
exhibited this trait:
a million failures-
lit his success!
cross your comforts-
to achieve new landmarks

einstein says:
One who has never made a mistake-

has not tried any new ways...

hard work
smart stuff,
not just the muscle
its also the mind..
as both are brought together -
a new strength we find..

Posted via email from sandylief

मेरे साँसों की आवाज़..

तुझ संग  बिताये पल जैसे एक ख्वाब -

तुझ से थी रौशनी -

और तुझ से ही ज़िन्दगी हसीन.

तेरी मीठी आवाज़ से होता सवेरा -

ढलती तेरी आँखों में शाम.

तेरे जाने से जो

हुआ ज़िन्दगी में अँधेरा,

सोचता हूँ

कब आएगा अब सवेरा.

तुझ सी ना कोई कभी 

न थी, न होगी मेरे लिए.

इस कलम से जलाता हूँ 

अपनी गुजरी ज़िन्दगी के दिए 

खो गया हूँ जालिम दुनिया के सागर में

न कोई कश्ती 

और न कोई किनारा 

ढूँढ रहा मैं 

कोई सहारा.

Posted via email from sandylief

The Story of Isaac by Leonard Cohen

The door it opened slowly,

My father he came in,
I was nine years old.
And he stood so tall above me,
His blue eyes they were shining,
And his voice was very cold.
He said, I’ve had a vision
And you know I’m strong and holy,
I must do what I’ve been told.
So we started up the mountain,
I was running, he was walking,
And his axe was made of gold.

Well, the trees they got much smaller,
The lake a lady’s mirror,
We stopped to drink some wine.
Then he threw the bottle over,
Broke a minute later,
And he put his hand on mine.
Thought I saw an eagle
But it might have been a vulture,
I never could decide.
Then my father built an altar,
He looked once behind his shoulder,
He knew I would not hide.

You who build these altars now,
To sacrifice these children,
You must not do it anymore.
A scheme is not a vision,
And you never have been tempted,
By a demon or a god.
You who stand above them now,
Your hatchets blunt and bloody,
You were not there before.
When I lay upon a mountain,
And my fathers hand was trembling
With the beauty of the Word.

And if you call me brother now,
Forgive me if I inquire,
Just according to whose plan? 
When it all comes down to dust,
I will kill you if I must,
I will help you if I can.
When it all comes down to dust,
I will help you if I must,
I will kill you if I can.
Have mercy on our uniform,
Man of peace or man of war,
The peacock spreads his fan.

So, continuing with my poems, after letting Shelley romp about in my mind & heart; the first thing that probably came out was this:

XY My Dear

by sandylief

XY my dear,

Do not adhere to the fear,

That I’ll desert you in your time severe,

Like some of your other friends-

With whom I’m familiar.

I’ll be extremely sincere,

You make my life lovlier,

How can I ever leave you?-

My greatest asset, my sympathizer;

I can’t be material- words are all I have to offer;

But I understand that my words make you feel a lot heartier.

So always expect from me a long and emotional letter,

Poem is just fine- my asset is being a good writer,

Hence I can express myself lot better

Which makes my letters even more lengthier!

But I know they’ll be the promoter,

Of my feelings and your heart’s splendorl

On my part I consider it a wonder,

To develop for you a feeling so tender,

In my heart,-

Which is of a cold blooded nature!

Terrible choice of contents & words, but that's probably my first :D. Im sure you'll find subsequent ones improving. However, you can easily see how shelley pushed me, and out came this outrageous declaration of infatuation! This is an actual poem dedicated to somebody :D, which is ofcourse history & hence, now unclassified ;)

To-

This is my favorite poem since the day i have first read it..

which would be Gulmohar reader in 8th standard if im not wrong.

i was definitely in one of my infatuations then ;), but the poem has lived in the deepest part of my mind through many years & events.. I am still elevated each time i read it..

To,-

P. B. Shelley

One word id too often profaned,

For me to profane it,

One feeling is too falsely disdained

For thee to disdain it;

One hope is too like despair

For prudence to smother,

And pity from thee more dear

Than that from another.

I can give not what men call love,

But wilt thou accept not

The worship the heart lifts above

And the heavens reject not,-

The desire of the moth for the star,

Of the night for the morrow,

The devotion to something afar,

From the sphere of our sorrow?

Why am i putting up poems that are not mine? Well, with earlier pattern you might conclude that i first show you things that have inspired / touched me poetically, and then I wish to present you my poems. I hope this provides you a perspective, and relieves me of answering many genuine concerns of my friends who think i have turned "majnoo"

As i write this, i am listening to "Unchained Melody" by Righetous brothers, another of my favorites since the same length of time (OST movie: Ghost)..

You should definitely listen to it!!

Well, if you have read the poem in the earlier post, here is one that's written by me (during my teens, when I was probably in love ;) ). It's definitely inspired by the earlier one, if not plagarized outrightly! Well, I'm not unhappy about that, it was the start of my writing skills, and I wanted to get the rhymes right ;). How I pity my THEN self now ....

I hope you like it! Please do comment...

The Spirit Of Love

-by Sandyteen

Make me a promise- that you will never desert me:

I’m not asking for your help- always just remember me;

I want your support- for my greater cause inlife:

To protect you, even at the point of a knife.

To encourage you, and help you build your world,

To supervise your path, and see that your flag is unfurled.

To deal with your sorrows- earthly and spiritual:

To slay them all, completing any due ritual.

But, if I ever perish at my duty,

Or, if time ceases our unity:

Do not weep on my grave-

Only my sweet memories forever save;

‘Coz for you I will never die;

And with all my energy I will always try,-

To keep returning to you:

As rain, water and the morning dew;

As the elements of the earth,

Or as diamonds whose availability is dearth.

As the rush of your emotion,

Or as your heart’s ceaseless motion.

As daily life at its best,

Or in vacation, as energizing rest.

As a Samaritan in your need,

Or as success in your deed.

As an angel- guiding your path,

Or as the conscience- removing your wrath.

Although I may fade away as a person,

I’m apt to continue my supererogation;

Because even in God’s court

I intend to express only one desire:

To be appointed as your angel and to inspire,

My only promise in the concluding line:

My acts will speak louder than this,

Under which I sign………

I'm supposed to have signed here, but then it must be my "LOVE" reading it.. now its just you people :P

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep (a poem)

Its been some time since i have opened my poem collection. I found this poem in a Times of India a few years ago. Its written by an unknown soldier. It touches me to date. Have a read:

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep.

- by an unknown soldier.

Do not stand at my grave and weep:

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on the snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush…

Of quiet birds in circled flight,

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there. I did not die.

The daily drone....

On a hot day,

i'm working away..

my life:

complete disarray,

The disorder

underlying the daily routine

of running,

not knowing where

i go

fuming-

at everyone,

no one...

road rage-

helps

let the steam out..

A country at gunpoint,

Work at deadline-

A friend in need,

Another friend paying no heed.

I try to complete my work

& stitch back-

rest of my life,

& surroundings.

Work always undone,

Life always unkempt.

TV numbs my mind at night,

Internet-

drums rest of my life.

Am i lonely?

Or am i-

too connected?

I know about everybody,

i'm "IN TOUCH"

& yet,

Im lost..

nowhere to go,

nothing to know!

A scene too common,

A life too normal-

i wish i was -

ABNORMAL!

An ode to Amdavadi Autumn

This poem is inspired by all my classmates from around India who braved the Amdavadi autumn heat for their convocation!

An ode to Amdavadi Autumn

Days are hot,

Nights cold;

Autumn in Ahmedabad:

On the roll...

Blinding (sun) light-

Chilly night winds;

Sweating all day:

& shivering at night!

City of contradictions:

Ahmedabad is:

Inspiration I realize,

Climate gives!

Balance of opposites,

Each taking its turn.

Harsh environment:

Keeping everyone on the run!

The day shows mirages-

Wind whisltes at night.

Stillness of the day

Killed with vengeance

As darkness comes to stay.

Nature makes me run

Stillness is no fun.

As long as I'm in motion:

Breeze ventilates me

In the sun.

If I stop-

Heat takes over;

Beads of sweat

Threaten a downpour.

These are lessons

In speed and agility,

Sharpness and flexibility;

Ahmedabad teaches,

I'm still learning!

A walk in the rains...

में शायार तो नहीं, मगर पता नहीं,
जब से लिखा हे ये ब्लॉग,
शायरी फिर आ गयी!

I'm amazed at my own pace of churning out poems. To be honest, they just come to me, mostly while on my walks, and at the most bizzare, on the way back from office!

So here is another one, regarding tonight's failed attempt at a walk.

A walk in the rains...

As i start my stroll,
Rains decide
To break my ritual.

Walking in the rain
I see:
People taking shelter
Life:
Helter-skelter
irritated cows,
A cat meows.

Drenched i am
as is the earth,
Several pairs of eyes
Follow my determined march forth.

Coolness in my head
Cold atmosphere spread;
Large drops making bubbly sound
And patterns of waves:
Round.

A lone school-child shares my way-
Kicking the water:
As he returns
After a long day.

Faster i walk,
Harder it pours.
As i reach home,
The clouds end their score.

Frogs coming out,
Music of monsoon renew-
Puppies running out,
And chasing frogs anew!

As i enter my house,
One last glance
(at) the dark sky
A break of (moon) light
Forming a smile wry!

Another Rainy Day & other Haikus

I woke up in the middle of the night with a mind filled with flowing words..
I have tried to form Haikus & freeverse. The poem may be read as one go, or as individual parts. I am presenting in the manner that i composed them.

Again it rained,
Memories pained:
and living feigned.

Life's a game
Of harbouring pain;
Limits of strain:
Numbness,
- insane.

Rain you came,
Awakening lost shame,
Remorse:
Intense-
and in vain.

Tainted I am,
Have everything I want,
And yet
A pauper's existence I flaunt!

Wishes derailed,
Trials failed.
Aspirations buried,
I'm not worried.

Internal strife,
Searching good life;
Grass always seems greener
on the other side!

I'm one of a kind,
A fuddled mind
Daily grind.

Looks betray,
Promises gone astray-
Bets lost
Life is the cost.

Chances & dances,
Risks and nuances;
Troubled waters
Crocodiles-
Waiting to slaughter.

Existence lost,
Persona distraught;
Rebuilding my life:
A huge gripe.

My Lamy runs,
Paper burns:
Thoughts the fuel
Restlessness
Pouring itself to cool

Another version of the last one is:

My Lamy runs,
Paper it burns:
Thoughts- the fuel
Restlessness
Making of a perfect fool!

A rainy depression

Rain rain-
Come again;
Wash my mind
Of its pain…
Assure me
My existence is not in vain!

Show me a place-
Where life is not a race,
Things move,
At a comfortable pace…

Pour away…
Shoot streaks of lightening
Completely blinding!
Muster your deepest thunder
Deafening my mind-
As it starts to wander…

The piercing feeling in my heart-
Everytime I remember her face,
The tearing apart:
A text book depression case…

In a drop’s fall I find the joy,
As momentary as you;
I wish this is her ploy –
To make me forget
Moments with her few…

I seem to have lost
Life’s meaning
Every thought of her
Reminds me
Of the still incomplete healing…

Bring me life
From where you gain your might
Give me courage
To withstand a broken’s heart’s rage…
Shout and dazzle-
Make me jump,
I want the glass to crackle,
With your stupendous rattle…

Wounds exist
Marks are not seen
Suffering persists
To leave me alone-
Remorse is not keen…

You blow the wind
Cool the earth
A burning fire
Lies in smoulder
And yet,
How can you not-
Stop my mind
On its way to rotten moulder.

She was the light
Shining my life
The world has separated our way,
And I am left-
Cast away…

I challenge you,
You are no different;
Shouting and dancing –
Up there alone…
Trying to show your might
Giving people a fright..
Entertaining, refreshing –
And yet,
At the end of the day,
Alone you end your stay..

And so,
Rain rain-
Come again.
So we may both-
Relieve our pain…

Darwin vs love

A small attempt to put love in poetry:
(ps: the last paragraph "I say:" is written off-hand)


When I am down,
with no one to look (after me) around:
I realize I am
Darwin's unfit loser,
Wright's sociable unsocial animal,
who can only:
crawl his way if crutches are offered...

I put on music deafening:
Hoping to drown my heart's wailing;
But still I can't catch the notes-
Lost in my sorrow,
That chills my marrow-
Tearing my mind apart,
Till I fall asleep,
Tired of the same thought.

They say:
It is better to have loved and lost:
I loved, I lost
And each time I hoped..
for a better start.

That illusive feeling,
Love, with its infamous healing...
Evades me..
& leaves me reeling..
Darwin's unfit loser.

Some (Darwinians) say-
Love not anyone, more than thyself.
For loving is the sure road..
To heart's disgress.
And they love themselves, live by themselves,
oblivious to the warmth
That is offered by love's hearth.
The world is their enemy,
Survival at other's cost their never ending ceremony.

You say:
I speak against love,
I speak against non-love-
What's on my mind?
Am I the insane kind?

And at this point my friend,
I ask of you to recognize the trend..
A troubled heart's lament,
A broken mind's predicament.

Love shall not set me free,
Until I have truly,
Understood its decree.

Love says:
Dearest worried soul-
I am not about getting,
about achieving,
about conquering...

I AM about caring
about giving
about sharing
about sacrificing
about letting go & still
keeping oneself on the show.

(My dearest worried soul)
If you cannot
gather your happiness
from what I am-
Then you,
have never loved at all!

I say:
I know not love yet,
I know not survival yet,
I am starting my life,
Understanding my mind's strife:
But I shall go on,
As Tennyson's brook:
Living life on the hook;
I cannot relate to Darwin's agression,
I believe I have the loving passion:
With some patience
& some digression
Learning & unlearning the world's fashion,
I will arrive at love's bastion!