Clothes maketh the man

A century-old proverb,

still stands to this day,

of society making opinions, 

and confidence we gain,

when we wear better dress.

In our upbringings, it is shaped,

from financial status, interests, 

being affiliated to institutions, 

might demand certain uniform,

until we were freed from obligations. 

So, it begins with personal freedom,

influenced by aesthetics & opinions, 

dressing to express, make impressions, 

carving our unique interpretations, 

of comfort, style and presentations.

There are many who aspired,

allure by the beauty and desires,

flaunting capacities through attires,

using it to further their empire,

within relations, groups & communities.

For, dress functions as silent communication, 

commands respect, projects competence, 

inspiring confidence in self and others,

when we give attention to the details,

there's a positive shift in our behaviors. 

Yet, we have seen many examples,

of billionaires were rejecting fashion,

by wearing simple, casual dresses, 

not allowing outfits to define characters,

letting their work make the statements. 

Vintage ambience

There's an allure,

of these retro settings,

creating such spaces,

in restaurants or gatherings.

Vintage ambience...

There's increase demands,

of old-school aesthetics, 

using incandescent bulbs,

earthen pots & brass utensils. 

The walls show paintings,

of village life, humble designs,

nostalgic for older generations, 

exotic style for youthful enthusiasm. 

The decorations were added,

of bamboo handicrafts, wall hangings,

care taken for lights and music,

to gently envelop surroundings. 

Vintage ambience...

Triggers anemoia in my heart,

like an antidote for modern life,

transporting us to an era,

simpler, slower, more authentic. 

It shows...

It shows...

How you feel inside,

changing your features, 

getting it shadowed,

or shining right.

Not only your glow,

it changes your life,

letting people know,

how to be identified. 

People tend to project,

trying to see through lenses,

getting excited or disappointed, 

from your external appearance. 

When you get personal,

one discovers newer sides,

they might like or dislike,

changing behaviors or blinds.

It shows...

Still, a lot depends,

on how we see ourselves,

which then influences opinions, 

enhancing or waning interests. 

So, be mindful of your acts,

this art of making an impression, 

whose heart you want to capture,

or characteristics, you want to amplify.

Going down memory lane

Going down memory lane,

what was lost, what remained,

treasured songs echoing inside,

or the yearning, never attained...

Browsing through writing & pictures, 

from childhood to youthful years,

where days were colorful hues, 

feelings were latched, still blues.

Going down memory lane,

it's not nostalgia that stayed,

but regrets of lost times,

where goals have failed.

I tried to romanticize,

but the ache, made me wise,

it's not just symbolic explorations,

but requires judicious engagement. 

Going down memory lane,

I visited dreams forsaken, 

remnants of a radiance,

once inhabiting body.

And I lament, the stalemate,

ruminating through mistakes,

questioning actions, & my fate,

still leaving me in the lurch...

Going down memory lane,

provided me with some solace,

for the distance I have travelled, 

from my starting point!

Missed greetings

I keep forgetting, 

everytime needs reminding,

small hints and complainings, 

for this blunder...

Missed greetings...

I was preoccupied, 

been distracted this time,

having urgent works to do,

or I wouldn't have neglected. 

There are people keeping memos,

with mental notes, having demos,

to refresh, planning in advance,

leaving nothing to chance.

I do feel guilty, when I failed,

ruining such an important day,

when you are anticipating, 

something special coming your way.

So, I will not make any excuses,

greet properly, asking forgiveness, 

I might be late, but have well-wishes,

so, put a smile, it's time for celebration!

Staying honest

It's not easy to blend,

when society has requirements, 

to welcome us into it's fold,

by playing visible roles.

Staying honest...

I chose the difficult path,

to be transparent in my acts,

not lying, hiding my thoughts,

for personal advantages. 

I am not benevolent, 

been selfish for my turn, 

still, value other's contributions, 

not exploiting their goodwill.

So, I avoided such situations, 

limiting my involvement in activities, 

which might become unethical, 

swayed by lapse of judgments. 

Still, I understand circumstances, 

which forces others to take chances,

to pursue aspirations or obligations, 

that were contrary to my expectations. 

Staying honest...

I might be respectful for other's plights, 

wishing them happiness, as they rise,

still, be wary of deception and betrayals, 

when they show signs, having associations...

Which can have long-term ramifications. 

 

Peace or chaos?

"Better to be a dog in times of peace than a man in times of chaos" 

A Chinese proverb,

telling us something deep,

which the world today,

is lacking...

To be a dog in tranquility,

free from existential dread,

provided with comfortable living.

There's no sudden changes,

exposure to unpredictable weathers, 

stealing away peace and harmony. 

Chaos brings disturbances, 

putting immense toll,

on human consciousness.

Burdens of moral dilemmas,

navigating difficult choices,

forcing into hypervigilance.

Humanity with superior intellect,

could've prevented global unrest,

still corrupted by greed for power.

So, tell me, with limited capacity,

but maintaining equanimity, 

deprives them of growth...

Or truly become a luxury?

The essence of nature is to give

The essence of nature is to give,

return in full, what it received,

flowering plants, fruiting trees,

pays the price for what it needs.

What human calls food chains,

were the examples of that maintained,

from inorganic to organic matters, 

there's a presence of an invisible force.

The river flows to the oceans,

playing roles in water cycles,

and when we delve deeper,

every element goes through recycles. 

Oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air,

nitrogen, phosphorus in ecosystems, 

even rocks transforming with time,

going through geological activities.

The essence of nature is to give,

all organisms sustain another being,

creating a web of mutual reliance,

that is rooted in very design of life.

Yet, human being are sole exceptions, 

acting purely as consumers, 

having broken the sacred cycle,

destroying this delicate balance...

Which is difficult to reverse!

Efficient thinking

I don't know when it changed,

random thoughts became scant,

oscillating between extremes,

dopamine surge, or being productive.

Efficient thinking...

As I grew older, having exposures, 

climbing the ladders, focusing career, 

before long, filling specific contents,

restricting space for imaginations. 

It's natural for our reasonings, 

recognize patterns, process information, 

using mental shortcuts, early decisions,

maximize capacities, optimizing systems.

Society prefers the ones finding solutions,

having the skill set for crisis management, 

to become a cog in ceaseless machine,

necessary for the long-term survival. 

Yet, it does come with demerits, 

being susceptible to cognitive biases, 

while missing nuances, creative pursuits,

in my inclinations for over-simplification. 

Efficient thinking...

I am fortunate to have learned, 

still wish for exploring dimensions, 

diving into the creative artistry, 

beyond the boundaries of reasons.

Trophy travels

In old days, people stays,

living their life in one place,

where travelling is dangerous, 

and responsibilities, 

kept dreams at bay.

Trophy travels...

With advancements of technologies, 

we have reduced time for transit,

having every tool at our disposals, 

we are visiting newer locations,

for work, leisure and learnings.

Yet, there's growing narratives, 

of flaunting it as achievements,

creating a form of status symbol,

by gamification of visiting countries,

passport stamps as visual currency.

Now it's more tourists than explorers, 

vacationers were replacing seekers,

where casual visits were entertained,

to clear bucket list, adding memories, 

adding as feat of accomplishments. 

Trophy travels...

Even if the journey is exhausting, 

facing crowds, procedural delays,

they still attract ordinary people,

for the sense of personal growth,

when in reality, it's curated isolations. 

So, I wonder, 

What makes it as trophy, 

To be gloated upon?

El Niño and Monsoons

The arrival of monsoon delayed,

forewarning coming bad days,

our much loved monsoon,

is facing some interferences.

El Niño...

Abnormal warming of pacific oceans,

disrupting global atmospheric circulation,

as it influences, altering wind patterns,

pulling rainfall away from us Indians.

Cross-equatorial winds carried moisture,

with transforms into seasonal rainfall,

but these warming heavily suppressed, 

causing below normal, potential downfall.

These gloomy backgrounds are concerning,

but weak westerly winds weren't helping,

too disorganized to push moisture inland,

to replace vast stretches of clear skies.

And we worry, of severe dry spells,

as El Niño gradually gain strength,

impacting central & northern states,

of life dependent on monsoon rains.

White space

We were used to working,

by following schedules, 

where time is utilized, 

by planning & performing.

Yet, not all days are same,

sometimes we are occupied, 

sometimes remain free,

depending on demands met.

White space...

These deliberate gaps,

between meetings & tasks,

acting as buffer, mental reset,

or for planning & reflections. 

But, now things have changed,

with arrival of information age,

life became easier & convenient,

adding distractions in its place.

With constant flow of dopamine,

watching reels and playing games,

these empty moments being unsettling, 

increasing the feeling of restlessness.

Many create schedules, define boundaries, 

learn newer skills, refreshing knowledge, 

others include movements, and exercises, 

or just do nothing, taking power naps.

Bioluminescence

We have always been fascinated, 

by the flickering glow of fireflies,

lightening atmosphere in dark nights,

in the marsh, lakes and jungles,

but there's something more,

which capture our attentions, 

is seeing these shining colors,

emitting from living organisms. 

Bioluminescence...

From sunless depth of deep sea,

to terrestrial forest floors, it unveils,

mysteries hidden from our eyes,

as evolutionary tools of organisms,

as various forms of communication,

for offenses, defenses, mating rituals,

in shades of blue, green and yellow,

intriguing our sensory receptors.

And we are fortunate to learn,

through documentaries & researches, 

there's more concealed from eyes,

which are behind ethereal displays, 

be it chemicals, luciferin & photoprotein,

or complex relationships, between species,

like flashlight fish harboring bacteria,

or glowing mushrooms beneath soils.

Bioluminescence...

From survival instincts, to sheer aesthetics,

we truly are captivated by this masterpiece!