Inspired music : Theft or homage

We have fond recollections,

of the songs stirring emotions, 

those catchy beats, soft melodies, 

or great ones, being the support,

of our life's decisions. 

Growing up, we get attached, 

praise the magic of performance, 

a symphony of vocals & instruments, 

under the Midas touch of composers,

bestowed upon us average people. 

Yet, we discover the brutal truth,

secrets behind those masterpieces,

being stolen, copied from outside,

embellished with pieces for covers,

taking the credit of other's creations. 

It's not a theft, they argued, 

but paying homage, their tribute,

taking inspiration, using the chords,

for spreading the charm to masses,

by sampling, & re-imagining the tunes.

The universal appeal of music,

transcends ages and geography, 

we celebrate, share our favorites, 

in a way, to generate interests, 

what truly matters...

Our passion & intent!

Role of entertainments in civilizations

Since ancient times, 

humanity understood the values,

what entertainments play in life.

From chipped stones & mineral pigments, 

they carved primitive rock paintings, 

using oral narrations, clay tablets,

stories were shared among generations. 

Singing, dancing, creating folklore,

celebrating harvests, religious festivals,

commemorate events, grand occasions,

using sports and fights, off-seasons.

We see them developing separately, 

every region has its special traditions,

while it served as powerful glue,

transforming diverse groups, 

into cohesive society.

In the epics, rituals and performances,

we preserve history, promote values,

as they become living archives,

unifying codes, strengthening identity.

With expanding population, demographic changes,

came diverse opinions, individualized choices,

there were misgivings, of social hierarchies, 

while feelings needed some expressions.

So, leaders brought common stages,

from dramas, conflicts, and carnivals,

temporarily releasing social pressures, 

where everyone's experiences are equal.

Role of entertainment in civilizations, 

have only advanced with innovations,

and now deeply ingrained, 

as an important part of our lives!

Don't expect from others

Don't expect from others,

what you cannot give,

with outstretched palms,

waiting to receive. 

You set the rules of the game,

but others will seldom play,

until there's level playing field,

where each party has a say.

You can make mental scenarios,

but world moves at its own pace,

having a small window of time,

for grabbing passing opportunities. 

There's no use of blames or regrets,

one has to be rational in approach, 

nothing happens by holding grudges,

when you don't take initiatives. 

Then again, we have always known,

dreams incubating deep in hearts, 

which drives decisions, overcoming hesitations, 

encouraging us to follow directions. 

So, don't expect from others,

when you are not ready,

to contribute, to reciprocate

devoting your life to desired goals.

Or you can keep aspiring, 

for better alternatives. 

Lucky sneezes

I know this feeling, 

there's warning itch,

as tension is build,

before incoming sneeze!

"Wait, pause for a moment, 

or let out another breeze!"

My mother calls me out,

as I was about to leave,

"Don't you know it's bad omen,

if you embark with this?"

"Hey buddy, bless you,

God have sent divine message!"

My friend cracks a joke,

sending light-hearted greetings,

"Don't you know soul gets expelled

 as heart stops momentarily?"

"Someone is remembering you,

this one sneeze is the proof!"

My sister tried to tease me,

getting her laugh at my expense,

"Oh, another, they are criticizing, 

again? You have a secret lover!"

And I sneeze, sometimes on repeat, 

when encountered dust or smoke,

even when a bright sunny daylight,

triggers reactions, as reflex response, 

making me relieved, even overjoyed, 

my mucosal defenses, working perfectly!!

De-extinction

From fictional settings of Jurassic Park,

we have imagined a world we lacked,

where ancient species would thrive, 

showing us glimpse, a magical sight.

De-extinction...

We have romanticized, 

scientific breakthroughs excites,

but reality is harsh, anticlimactic, 

when we finally realize. 

For, nothing survives for long,

cells were dead, long gone,

even DNA become fragmented, 

after a million years, becoming dust.

There are some recent excavation,

discoveries of frozen specimens, 

raising hopes for their revival, 

if we succeed in the extraction.

Yet, complete DNA is elusive,

we only have shattered frames,

contaminated with other organisms, 

making us misinterpret information. 

De-extinction...

We may never have woolly mammoth, 

but have chance to save endangered, 

with moments like cloning dire wolf,

there's way to resurrect other animals.

With help of biotechnology!

Homeschooling or public schools

Most of us have great memories, 

are from times of our schooling,

from initial reluctance, to eagerness,

while separations causing distress. 

Most of our earliest friendships, 

were built within the premises,

going through the curriculum, 

in studies, sports, and activities. 

Yet, now, we have newer trends,

where children taught at homes,

by their parents, professional tutors,

outside the ambits of traditional school. 

For, they provide flexibility & security, 

where learning can be personalized, 

with specific skills, structured courses,

which can lead to desired successes. 

And I wonder which path works,

what should be criteria for education,

when history of gurukuls & boardings, 

were preferred over vocational trainings.

The criticisms of modern schooling,

is more about economic viability, 

when degrees lack enough depth,

wasting precious times of pupils.

Maybe the answer depends,

on family needs or preferences,

but I still support traditional schools,

for, it is more important...

For creating life-changing memories. 

** There are exceptions,

Those who were bullied, 

Children with professions, 

which make it difficult to attend.

Once in a blue moon

Been too late, took eons,

bring to surface, happy vision,

when stern look, with deep frowns,

soften a little, showing curves,

your beautiful smile, long overdue.

What is your worries, or concerns,

shackles heart, against the moments, 

which brought joy, cheerful thoughts,

appearing on face, spilling over,

brightening the atmosphere. 

There were compliments, and requests,

of your charms, increasing attractiveness, 

when you display, flaunt your features,

those crinkles in the corners of eyes,

widened cheek, like rounded apple.

You don't realize, how great a sight,

stealing heart, when caught a glimpse, 

an invisible pull, of sincere presence, 

when you radiate, energy that glows,

an expression that connects soul.

But, you seldom gave it a chance,

holding it for ransom, having demands,

when feelings be liberated, unattached, 

you avoided, kept it for last...

Once in a blue moon.

King of fruits, Mangoes!

Come summer season, 

my heart does a tango,

to get my hands on,

some delicious mangos.

I couldn't wait till they ripe,

bring raw ones, for a bite,

little sweet, sour & crunchy,

enhanced by black salt & chillies. 

Oh, I just love the chutneys, 

also the pickles, amba khatta.

exciting the receptors of tongue,

whole experiences is lip-smacking.

When floral aroma reaches nostrils, 

my stomach growls, while salivating,

so I devour them in one sitting,

slurping the content inside.

The big ones are cut into pieces,

served on sides, with main course,

but the best consumed wholly,

squeezing with hand or mouth.

There are so many varieties, 

I seldom keep the counts,

Akhu rasa, Dasheri, Amrapalli, 

even unnamed local ones.

Capturing my heart with flavors,

with juicy and fibrous textures,

the pulp is prized possessions, 

they are indeed, king of fruits!

The third man factor

A mysterious phenomenon, 

encountered during extreme stress,

when survivors & explorers,

feel an unseen presence, 

encouraging, giving guidance.

The third man factor...

It really intrigued my mind, 

to understand underlying cause,

reading or watching accounts,

of those who made it through, 

from life-threatening crisis.

Mountain climbers enduring blizzards, 

stories of shipwreck survivors, 

those lost in deserted lands, 

or traveling alone long distance, 

being exhausted to their limits.

When being vulnerable or in danger,

they could sense another presence,

which could be person or shadow,

accompanying, cheering, even directions, 

until they overcome the predicament.

Researchers have given explanations,

skeptics doubt, even question intentions, 

biological culprit being brain stimulations, 

triggered from sensory deprivations, 

attributing to evolutionary mechanisms. 

The third man factor...

We may never discover the reasons,

physical symptom or spiritual revelations, 

but it's comforting to believe something,

that might help us in precarious situations, 

be it human psyche or metaphysical existence. 

In a bind

In a bind,

I am struggling, 

to make a move,

towards desired directions. 

There are concerns,

but there's no solution, 

an uninformed choice,

doubting intentions.

When principles compromised, 

for the sake of convenience, 

foundations become fragile, 

to sustain it long-term. 

I am aware of limitations, 

stemmed from my perception,

not putting enough trust, 

halting required progression. 

So, I tried to be accommodating, 

to the demands, I am cooperating, 

until it ignored, breached boundaries, 

I had to protest, refuge conditions. 

In a bind,

when situations not provide,

space to convey my wishes, 

while being compelled,

to make early decisions...

End it in a positive note

In our interactions, in our thoughts,

we have conflicts, or have loss,

which influences, guides response,

getting heated, fomenting discord.

We feel guilty, after some time,

or keep ruminating, perceived hurt,

getting angrier, as days progresses, 

poisoning emotions, damaging mood.

It's few episodes, we are complacent, 

when it becomes habit, reducing tolerance, 

pride takes over, concealing insecurities,

frequency & intensity, changing personality.

We give excuses, of unrestricted expressions, 

while in reality, find pleasure in declarations,

unaware how it impacts, our relationships,

as brain learn patterns, for communication.

So, wise ones speak of harmony,

it's not being polite, but being steady,

as these experiences forms memories, 

which we evaluate, and make summary. 

The brain stores intense moments & endings,

favorable impressions drives our optimism,

which motivates, ensures relation continuity,

eventually defines, our mental narratives.

Wagging tails

In animal world,

tail have different roles,

for balance and support,

or mode of sanitation, 

but the mostly utilized,

as way of communication, 

to show their happiness, 

even fears and irritations,

giving others warning signs,

or show of deep affection. 

Wagging tails...

It's so common to see in pets,

to show love and excitements, 

from the dogs wide & sweeping,

to the ducks, rapid side to side,

while cats, gentle & slow waves,

battles and larger mammals,

use tail position for signalling, 

inviting people for some play,

with joy being easily conveyed, 

through the movement of tail.

Wagging tails...

With its display of emotions,

our moments become enjoyable,

creating stage set for games,

building trust with merriment. 

Environment & genetics

Have we wondered about diversities, 

that we see today in our vicinities, 

which took millennia to established, 

from the cradles of ancient humanity.

From braided streams of Africa,

we emerged and reached corners,

through land, rivers and ocean routes,

to develop colonies & settlements.

Yet, the path was never straight, 

we have to adapt and propagate,

passing the traits to our offsprings,

to survive in newer conditions. 

Those who moved to colder regions,

become thick build, for heat retentions, 

while ones living in tropical climates,

have increased melanin & sweat glands.

The ones living in high mountains,

have gene variants for oxygen efficiency, 

while ones living with the seas,

have developed larger spleen.

Our food habits also influence,

milk diet promote lactase persistence,

while agricultural ones amylase gene,

meat heavy diet have efficiency,

in fatty acid oxidation.

So, every race have inherent qualities, 

which were embedded in their genes,

some were strong, some highly immune,

others more healthy, or remain younger.

It's indeed fascinating!