Beginning of an adventure

"It's so boring, nothing changes. Same work life routine, things are monotonous."

It was one such evening, Ravi was resting at his house. It was Sunday evening and he was in his room, browsing through internet. His parents were in living room watching television.

It was normal life every Sunday as he had nothing much to do after his work and friends have been busy with family. Being in  his 30s, single man, workaholic,  he never had the chance to be on dates and his heart was not ready for arranged marriage and start his own family.

So, here he was sitting in front of laptop, browsing through You Tube. 

" So, what should I search today? " Ravi wondered. " Lets try travel blogs and see beautiful locations." 

 It was one such blog of a woman visiting different countries. The joy and excitement of her narration captivated him.

" Ah, such a lucky person to be free and exploring world." Ravi sighed with envy. " And I have work to do tomorrow."

" What are you doing? Come out and have tea with us." Ravi's mother Rekha called him.

" Tea, I am coming. I was just watching some travel blogs. Those were great, even I was inspired" Ravi answered back.

" Then why don't you go out and travel." His father Shyam commented.

" It would be easy for you to say, but it cost money and I have my work too. " Ravi said.

" Then have a short trip to for a start." Rekha said, " Rather than watching them in screen."

" You know, may be I will" Ravi answer while thinking about it.

" Sir, I need to take casual leave for 7 days." Ravi asked his boss next day.

" Why? Is your marriage fixed. " Boss joked. 

" No I would like to take a trip." Ravi ignored the jibe and asked casually.

" But you have so many work to do, 7 days is long." Boss questioned.

" I haven't taken much leave, and I really need it. " Ravi requested.

Boss finally allowed him and he planed for the trip. The first one to Andaman islands.

So, the day of travel came, and he started his packing.

As he opened the wardrobe, he could find all those new clothes he brought that he could try and it still had the tags on. Now he could use it.

He brought the empty suitcase from the store house, that was full of memories from his college days. Today it would be used. He booked a cab for the airport, and the car came to pick him up.

" Mom, Dad, I am leaving." Ravi called his parents before he left the house.

" Have a safe journey " Rekha blessed him.

" Have fun, have a great trip." His father said.

" Take me to airport, I have a flight in 2 hours. ." Ravi entered the car and told the driver.

So, the car took him to airport. But the road was a bit crowded, and he was getting late. He started to panic as they stopped over a traffic stop. The light was red, as the time slowly passed.

" Brother, can you make it fast, as we are getting late." Ravi requested to the driver.

" Sure I can, but it would cost more." Driver replied.

" No problem just make it fast. This is my first travel after a long time, I don't want to miss the flight."

" Then, be ready for an adventure. " driver laughed and pressed the accelerator and the car accelerated before the signal turned green.

" Yes, it's a beginning of an adventure" Ravi smiled.

Changing identity

As the seasons changes,

so is my heart,

each passing year brings,

it's own nostalgia.

The memories are created,

with the experience we gather,

new mask are decorated,

leaving behind the old ones.

Gone were the innocent days,

all our emotions were bare,

now every response is calibrated,

to avoid the prying stares.

Changed our likes,

changed were the outlook,

changed as we interact,

making friends in the student days.

The disappointments and frustrations,

gulping down of humiliations, 

as we aspire to achieve,

suceed in the competitions.

Life is not bed of roses,

we bleed as we move,

building castles in the air,

living as an open book.

By hitting the book,

or covering our bases,

still there are days of biting bullets,

and go back to the drawing board.

We mature with every mistakes,

gain precious wisdom of world,

build a place in society,

and contribute our share.

Does it mellow us down,

making it easy to compromise,

as we lose the adventurous spirit...

valuing tranquility of life.

The days of freedom,

of explorations and escapades,

the rebellious heart of young,

got shadowed by the reality.

But the path is still long,

there would be many fellow travellers,

each bringing their point of view,

coloring us with each interactions.

The essence remains the same,

every moment has its change,

every phase, every situations

a shift of focus...each passing day.

A walk on a beach

A walk on a beach,

As we were on bare feet,

So close and within reach,

A conversation brief but sweet,

Adoring you as your face gleams.

You spread your beautiful smile,

With infectious laugh once a while,

I was glad, you are in my life,

While having our memorable time,

And everything seems so right.

Our feets getting wet in water,

As we stood to view sea better,

The waves crashing the shore,

Washing away all hesitations, 

I held your hands, interlinking fingers.

You turns and looked tenderly,

Being immersed in the moment throughly,

I brought you closer to me,

Bending over to look at your eyes,

Moments passed, while you blushed.

It was magical, in the sunset,

Golden rays were opening the gate,

Indeed it was a blessing of the fate,

Being together from the day we met,

A fortunate change after a long wait.

So, it happened before we realized, 

Got closer, this urge we couldn't fight,

Witnessed by the ocean and sunlight, 

With closed eyes, sensing softness of skin,

The feeling of our kissing lips.

An ode to the tree

 It's a tribute to benevolent tree,

a manifestation of nature's spirit,
You are a major pillar of life,
Bestowed upon us as God's design.

Surrounding us in different forms,
be it small or larger vegetation,
as you spread your seeds,
supplying the earth with greenery.

Precious oxygen that we inhale,
or the shades against the weather,
supporting and providing different lifeforms,
With protection, dwelling and nourishment.

I too am one of your admirer,
thanking you for many moments together,
cimbing and plucking fruits or flowers,
enjoying your shades in the summer.

Of days simply resting at your base,
or taking covers in the rain,
waking up of voice of songbirds,
entertaining myself watching playful critters.

Every part of you are a blessing,
from leaves, flowers, branches or fruits,
helping us grow and get civilized,
as we used you in our daily lives.

But now, we have become a dangerous being,
destroying your existence for our greed,
clearing your species in name of development,
pushing you to the brink of extinction.

Forgive me for I am powerless,
as I look painfully at your abandonment,
slowly but surely the world changes,
your life in exchange of our selfishness.

Role to play

You have a role to play,

not like a sports you play,

or music you play for friends,

but like a play of a theater,

where you are a character.

So, look back and see,

where have you been,

what path you took,

how many have you missed,

in your quest of desires.

The world is giving the hint,

call it an intuition or instinct, 

every time you have second thoughts,

taking your momentary pause,

to find the right direction.

What's afore is not complete truth,

things have different meanings,

broaden your point of view,

to look beyond your sight,

capture the essence of being.

Yes, it takes some effort,

to elevate your consciousness, 

be it spirituality or meditation,

a feeling of attachment,

to the oneness of soul.

And you will play your part,

even if you want it or not 

like a river flowing towards ocean,

you will experience it too...

this energy of universe.

Voice of heart

 Is it the spread of information?

as a form of communication,
or some spark of inspiration,
conveyed in images or dictation.

Human as a species,
had the means and opportunities,
to observe, explore and analyze,
spread their wings of imagination.

It's in our being,
to share things we learn,
find others with similar interests,
that would accept and appreciate.

We developed our individuality,
took pride in its originality,
carry in paintings, songs and stories,
displaying our soul in different categories.

So, bring out the essence,
with dynamism and vigor,
be it casual hobbies or deep passion,
still a true voice....of your heart.

Its not a house

Home,

it's not a house,

but part of our emotions.

Might be old and rickety, 

needing patches and repair,

holding on to precious memories,

and valued like a treasure.

Even a new house,

gives us the pleasure,

with families and closed ones...

any space can become habitable.

A sense of security, 

place of our comfort,

giving us the strength to face the world,

and return back to be refreshened. 

Like a root holding onto the earth,

nourishes, supports the spread of its branches,

or like a nest that protects birds,

helping them withstand the harsh weather.

It's not just a residence,

but a part of a community,

as we cultivates the traditions,

by adorning it with various symbols.

For, it displays our uniqueness, 

while being part of a society,

acting as a venue of communications,

forming trusts and creating new bonds.

It's our identity, 

that remains in our heart,

enriching ourselves through the lifetime,

acting as a source of our origin.

Yes indeed, it's a feeling,

influencing our perceptions, 

it's not a house,

but part of our emotions.

My artistic emotions

A bunch of wild flowers,

overlooking a seashore,

bright yellow marigold in garden,

shining in the noon of summers.

Pencil sketch of an old shop,

bringing out old memories,

or having a relaxing moment,

of a cacophony in the catkins.

Watching sunrise in spring colors,

viewing the woodwork in early morning,

watching afterglow over tree branches, 

or through the shrubs in a grassland.

A lone tree standing near a lake,

or rows of them blooming with flowers,

sometimes a single daisy snapshot,

then there are gardens full of tulip blossoms.

A house and car with retro looks,

that take me to their times,

or a hiker standing over a cliff,

looking at the snowclad mountains.

A wooden path getting wet with drizzle,

as the leaves fall towards the pond,

a sweet bluebird sitting on a twig,

trying to get hold of a berry.

A picture of baby elephant,

enjoying sprinkles from a hose,

or small playful kittens,

caught doing some mischief.

Magnificent painting in museums,

or artful presentations of food blogs,

impossible location in wildlife channels,

or novel untouched travel locations.

Be it animation or reality portrayal,

rhythmic music or dry narrations,

as I keep browsing through life,

there are plenty of stimulus. 

So, how can I choose one,

with such variety of interests, 

every time, they make me mesmerized... 

satisfying my artistic emotions.

Moment of contemplation

 What is it, that I seek,

in these whispers of my soul,

that would put my heart at ease,

letting me experience the bliss.

In the moment of silence,

in the melody of some music,

in the colors of some pictures,

or the scenic beauty of the landscape.

Be the meditative trance,

when I dive in spirituality 

exploring the nature of life,

making sense of my reality.

To be attached to a lifestyle,

while being critical of its flaws,

having social or professional connections,

while being detached of them all.

Seeking the deep connections, 

while being cautious of the changes,

being practical in the approach,

while living in my dreams.

What it takes?

to create a balance,

just be content and happy,

while avoiding the monotonousity. 

For, we all need stimulus,

a feeling of accomplishment, 

someone to connect and share,

and keep on making memories.

I am just contemplating, 

It's just one of those days,

listening some instrumentals,

staring at the blank space.

The ideal way of living,

that would suit my aesthetics, 

I spread the wings of my imagination, 

and enjoy this feeling...of nostalgia.

© Dr. Manish Rout