Fair exchange

What does it take,

to override conscience, 

compromising principles, 

for deals we make?

Fair exchange...

Not many take bribes,

when given in the face,

but lowers their guard,

when the stakes are raised.

It's a clever manipulative trick,

framing it as mutual benefit, 

making us believe in good intent,

gives license to bend core values.

There are ways it can be enforced,

by being helpful or be generous, 

invoking spirit of reciprocity, 

pressures us to return the favor.

Fair exchange...

When things non-negotiable, 

are placed on scale for rewards,

moral dimensions of our choices,

were replaced by cost benefit analysis...

And we create internal narratives,

to justify actions, furthering interests, 

slowly surrendering honor & values,

until it becomes unrecognizable!

Fear of being undermined

It's an irrational fear,

something of a scare,

when one is not recognized,

by their staffs or gatekeepers. 

Fear of being undermined...

What is the reason of such anxieties, 

when we understand their duties,

still it annoys, can be agitating,

losing our calm, making them wary.

Is it the pride, air of superiority,

making such queries as humiliating, 

or it captured the awkwardness, 

of singled out, making it embarrassing. 

Our mind seek balance, internal stability, 

avoiding situations, that breach privacy,

when forced to defend, explain, validate,

it activates defense mechanisms.

Fear of being undermined...

There are few who don't take it personally,

making light of situations, putting a smile,

shifting attention from anticipations, 

to communicate positions respectfully.

Alien life

What defines alien life?

Is it made of organic matters, 

or sentient inorganic beings...

Earth is hospitable, 

lies in habitable zone,

with magnetic fields,

protect against radiations,

and insulating atmosphere 

regulates weather & temperature. 

We are made of carbon,

having abundant liquid water,

with solid grounds as foundations. 

What if, these are unnecessary, 

for lives to keep flourishing, 

in extremes of environments.

An entity that process information, 

reproduce without relying on DNA,

adapting to their surroundings,

boiling surfaces to frozen lands,

intense radiations or gas giants,

having their own evolved creatures.

We have made assumptions,

but reality is surreal & astounding, 

when we expand boundaries...

Of imaginations!

 

When instincts were right

There are times we wish,

Our instincts were wrong,

To have faith in others,

For us to trust more,

Yet, as the time passed,

We see how things unfolds, 

And concerns were validated,

From their choices & actions,

But it doesn't make us happy,

Just disappointments...

Heights & standard of living

It was said that height is genetic,

yet lifestyles can also be limiting,

our potential for good stature.

We have seen things change,

in recent statistics, suggesting a trend,

accompanied by economic development.

Where countries traditionally being short,

have seen enormous growth spurt,

living behind less developed countries. 

For, except for the extremes,

average stature is a physical record,

depends upon net nutrition.

While advancements in healthcare,

dietary qualities & better environment, 

accelerates growth, beyond genetics.

Now countries are focusing on ways,

to provide best of the nourishments, 

and maximize the genetic blueprints. 

For excelling in fields of sports,

being more resilient to challenges, 

to reap the demographic dividends. 

So, we can now say for certain,

height mirrors socio-economic conditions, 

with access to better nutrition & healthcare.

P.S. Net nutrition: balance of nutrition left after using it by body physical and growth demand.

A noise woke me up

A noise woke me up,

the continued cacophony outside,

disrupting my peaceful slumber,

of dreams that awaited conclusions. 

As sunlight filters through drapes,

I open window for quick check,

of the chaos happening beyond,

a ripple in the stillness of morning.

What I discovered amuses me,

as a flock of babblers is fighting,

hoping over the edge of the walls,

as squirrels standing on guard.

There's flattened rice scattered around, 

a routine offering from mother's hand,

while clay cup has fallen from its place,

used as means of asserting dominance. 

The babbling of babble is deafening, 

and squirrel barking add to intensity,

while a pigeon watching from afar,

as the event were unfolding.

I decided to restore harmony,

by bringing food as peace offering,

distributing evenly, in different spots,

to stop their untimely clash...

Restoring the calm, 

for my tranquil daybreak!

Hike, hike, people hike

Hike, hike, people hike,

on the trails, immersing in nature,

with equipments & accessories 

to make it feel right,

exploring difficult terrains,

walking in day or overnight.

Hike, hike, people hike,

in the woodlands & forests,

under the shades of canopies, 

stepping roots, leafs, muddy patches,

sometimes there are steep climbs,

mountain ridges testing endurance.

Hike, hike, people hike,

walking through meadows or marshes,

sometimes follow rivers or coastline,

even explore extremes of places,

facing heat in deserts & canyons,

freezing on glaciers or snowfields.

Hike, hike, people hike,

for a break from noises of cities,

having a taste of adventurous living,

clearing our mind, boosting mood,

with benefits on physical fitness,

and a story, worthy of share or post.

Hike, hike, people hike,

increasing traffic in pristine sites,

with influx of human presence, 

degrades sanctuary of local wildlife,

bringing noise, mismanaged wastes,

breaking ecological connectivity...

The vital pathways of ones,

Truly needing that hike!

 

I am not bold

I am not bold,

to be completely sold,

the idea of taking risks,

have never worked,

inside my mind.

I have been told,

of too rigid an outlook,

that seldom welcomes,

newer ideas & perspectives. 

I tried to break the mold,

to avoid labeled being cold,

still, couldn't compromise, 

on values that I uphold...(dear)

Then again, I chose to withhold,

reasons that put me in the spot,

burdened with shame & concerned,

having fear of higher expectations. 

I have always admired,

who could express freely,

unconcerned of scrutiny or ridicule,

capturing, attention of the audiences.

I am not bold,

being happy in the backgrounds,

still, take the lead, when needed,

for ones, who means my whole world.

May be, someday I will be bold!

Ambiguity

Driving through a thick fog,

don't know what lies ahead,

I have to slow down my pace,

while scanning for potential threats. 

Ambiguity...

When your intentions are unclear,

how much weight should I bear,

analyzing pauses, lies, concealing, 

as something dangerous. 

I am exhausted, losing my patience,

have second thoughts, reducing confidence, 

every time you change your statements, 

through words, behaviors and actions.

I don't like uncertainties,

relations demands psychological safety,

conscious efforts to build the trust,

through proper communication. 

Silence works for genuine souls,

having integrity, sense of honor,

which doesn't breed unwanted suspicions, 

by eroding trust, displaying inconsistencies.

It's important to have privacy, 

intimate connections needs vulnerability, 

and the world, respect those voices,

who never leave room for ambiguity. 

You called me mean

You called me mean,

being green with envy,

as I was disclosing hypocrisy, 

when you tried to be clean.

You wanted to be a queen

to be put on a pedestal, 

and fulfill expectations, 

without any questioning.

Yet, I resisted demands,

wanted to address concerns, 

with clarity and boundaries,

for steady progression. 

And you became evasive,

taking offense at my behavior, 

as it was supposed to be enjoyable, 

but my words felt like daggers.

You called me mean,

for killing vibes of conversation,

by seeking honesty in communication,

which might impact our relation.

And I have nothing to say...

Rise of spectacle

I remembered the times,

when movie halls excites,

hearts of every generation, 

seen with families or alone.

Most were gentle, heartwarming, 

comforting soul, pleasant to eyes,

evoking emotions, putting a smile,

leaving lasting impressions. 

Rise of spectacle...

But now pushed to fringes,

by gritty justice, and violence, 

with actions, scene of passion,

adding spices, grabbing attention.

Now people chase blockbusters, 

visual effects and high dramas,

where clash of good and evil,

entertain with their intensity. 

Rise of spectacle...

Looking back at the golden age,

of romantic comedies & family stories,

which lost place in mainstream theaters,

to action franchise, comic superheroes.

Now migrated to streaming platforms,

finding its niche, among the masses,

buried under the mountains of contents,

waiting to be discovered by algorithm. 

Having no arrogance

"Having no arrogance, is itself an arrogance"

I tried to remain humble,

downplay successes & capabilities, 

when received compliments & praises,

I felt uncomfortable, not deserving.

For, I have been a realist, 

comparing it with contemporaries, 

knowing the extent of investments,

of time & efforts, I am lacking.

Still, there's a voice in my head,

being proud of my selfless acts,

giving me a sense of superiority, 

to have renounced accomplishments. 

Yet, deep down, conscience speaks,

exposing ego, wearing mask of virtue,

seeking social approvals & validations, 

developing this habit of performance. 

For, humility is not a skill to learn,

but an absence of self-interest, 

a quiet state of mind, being content,

in accepting world in every form.

Patience & tolerance

We might have seen it close,

read in papers, seen in news,

of people taking extreme steps,

when pushed into a corner, 

causing irreversible damages.

Patience and tolerance...

Capacities we have lost,

being victim to our environment,

where upbringing & circumstances, 

shrinking psychological margins,

for absorbing pressures.

What were the reasons,

that led to this state of mind,

where have we lost ways,

in our pursuit for fulfillment,

of dreams & aspirations. 

It starts with immediate vicinities, 

of things provided, or been lacking,

in relations, purpose, possessions, 

a life built on strong foundations, 

to weather highs and lows.

Many live in curated bubbles,

silently suffering in isolation,

staring screen, that flaunts wins,

making their failures debilitating, 

without support of community. 

Patience and tolerance...

Are we influenced by narratives, 

amplifying losses through overthinking, 

having seen comfort and conveniences, 

brain demands resolution, instant fixes,

when facing financial losses, or heartbreaks.