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 

Out of reach

Sweet fragrance, 

bright colors shining, 

blinding the eyes,

overpowering my senses. 

As a ripe fruit, 

up above the branches, 

enticing my heart, 

while being out of reach. 

You are an enchantress, 

catching up my attention every time, 

I just can't escape your allure, 

as if pulled by an invisible string. 

Lightning up the fire,

burning up in my desires,

I tried attempting to get closer, 

that ended up in failure. 

Accepting futility of my actions, 

I came to the realization, 

being happy looking from afar,

as you keep spreading your charm.

Sometimes it's better to admire, 

rather than falling in despair, 

keep one's impulses on lease,

and remain out of reach.

Rise up again

At the edge of reality and disbelief, 

My broken soul shivers deep,

Torn and shattered on the reef,

It falls down and weep. 

What is this place, disheveled and broken, 

Giving momentary relief as token,

Realization kept me dumbfounded and shaken, 

Making me lie anguished in pain. 

I was left empty, dark and cold,

Being punished for being stubborn and bold, 

If only someone warned or foretold, 

There are things that can't be controlled. 

I am angry, frustrated and disappointed, 

To reach a situation that I hated,

These emotions that the world created,

 Is making me invisible and faded. 

For many, I might have been lost, 

You have achievements, but at what cost?

I do have things to hold on, remain aloft, 

As there are people to support at my worst. 

Right now, nothing I say have much power, 

But I will rise up again and devour,

All lies and cheats, tricks of these cowards, 

Obtain everything that is ours. 

Reversal of memories

 Like a leaf floating in turbulent water,

Around the rocks in the flowing river,

Visualized the life that I lived till now,
By reminiscenting throught my memories.

Standing here on the roof,
I look at the vast city,
Admiring the empire that I built,
Out of my humble beginning.

With the amenities in my palm,
I relish all of these luxuries,
Looking down to the people below,
Running around over my orders.

Ah, I remember the time,
I started with my company,
Requesting for the loans,
Celebrating every single sales.

Oh, I was so naive,
Fresh out of my college,
Having the big corporate dream,
Ready for any sacrifices.
A rejection by my girlfriend,
Immersing in academics to cope with heart break,
Lamenting all the missed opportunities,
Of going out with my school friends.

Those were my true friends,
Being together with young days,
As we explored the surroundings,
Having all the adventures and games.

I even forgot my childhood,
Being shy behind mother's back,
Having the stranger anxiety,
And hiding inside my father's lap.

I don't recall much of grandparents,
But was aware of being loved,
As they carry me over their shoulders,
And taking my to everywhere.

I was so fortunate to be born,
In the small government hospital,
There was no noise or fanfare,
Only pure joy at my arrival.

Afterglow

 On a dark moonless night, 

I was walking in the countryside,

besides my friends who came along,

to explore and experience rural wilderness. 

Away from the city lights,

where everything were so bright, 

and we miss the opportunities, 

to view the natural landscape. 

I was humming a song, 

and swinging an old twig, 

as they were chatting merrily, 

for, it was their first time. 

Then it came to our view, 

like a magic casted by spirits, 

all the trees along the hill, 

with silhouettes against the sky. 

Filled with red and green,

sometimes light golden hue, 

like some artificial decorations, 

illuminating the path with wonderful view. 

We admired and ponder, 

how to describe this natural wonder, 

as it captured our gaze, 

mesmerizing us with its haze. 

It was like a fairy trail, 

intermittently vanishing due to flashlight,

the faint glimmer over trees and bushes,

were like momentary illusions of our sight.

Taking the longer path, 

we all observed silence, 

cold breeze brushes our cheek, 

nudging us to realize what we seek. 

Looking up towards the stars, 

I could only managed to whisper,

praise to the god for this magnificent show...

we were blessed with beautiful afterglow. 

Familiar dilemmas

 It's like a ritual,

to follow family traditions,

for supporting the close ones,

and fulfill our responsibilities. 

Be it our love and care,

or being sheltered and secure, 

with limited dreams and aspirations, 

and avoiding any wishful thinking. 

Being devoted to work and studies, 

and managing our respective duties,

and not seeking pleasures or stimulus, 

outside our sphere of interest. 

It'd like growing under a large tree,

with bigger shades and steady roots,

providing us the warmth and support, 

while being somewhat restrictive. 

There are some natural practices, 

that is followed by most species,

like seeds that travel far to germinate, 

or birds that leave behind their nests.

Youngsters do prefer being independent. 

sometimes rebel or show defiance, 

tired of all emotional restrains, 

it's their act of breaking the chain.

As they were free to follow their impulses, 

explore new things and make mistakes, 

they also seek attention and fame,

in their quest of gathering experiences. 

So, it depends on human nature,

and our surrounding social structure,

which gives us different options, 

to choose the path of our bearing.

Either we fall into laziness, 

in our tendencies to resist change,

or we value our aesthetics, 

that suits and  promotes our lifestyle. 

Each path have good and bad points,

One with stability and other freedom,

secure privacy or going through scrutiny, 

depends on our thoughts and action.

It's a dilemma indeed,

to take the leap of faith,

or let go of our desires,

and stay back for later date.

Food for thought?

 Hunger and thirst,

the primal desires,

to forage or hunt,

till our satisfaction.

Being weak, needed groups,

and sharing of our foods,

bringing over many conflicts, 

along with the security. 

Then we learned to farm,

and store them in our barn,

as we became more stable,

developed many dishes and flavors.

Here we are in new age,

with innumerable menu in different places,

each having their innovation,

or surviving their old traditions.

So, arrived were the gourmets,

exploring the standards and the craziest,

as they try anything edible,

making them all their playthings.

Identified as the foodies,

following up with many cuisines, 

enjoying and having fun,

sometimes getting too much greedy.

And here I am following their trails,

but for me it's just curiosity, 

as nourishment is my primary desire,

providing me complete nutrition,

also have some higher taste,

ones that are visually appealing,

stimulating hunger and palate pleasing,

rewarding me with the pleasure,

Isn't that's what it worth...

Any food for thought?