What If I Were A Man?

What if I were a man?

My ego would be simply praised, as “male pride”
Anger delicately handled, like a newly wedded bride.

My culinary skills, would never be put to test
Household chores, distributed amongst the rest.

My periodic mood swings, a thing of the past
Bad tempers and tantrums, accepted as pass.

My balancing of several acts, no more a source of tension
Leisures and pastimes, would get my undivided attention.

My choice of clothes, won’t be under a scanner
Virtues and propriety, a matter of indifference rather.

My career choices, no longer belittled or questioned
Ambitions respected, without a doubt or apprehension.

My friendships neither judged nor under review
Boys or girls welcomed, no late night curfew.

My thoughts and beliefs, no more repressed and binded
Strong opinions won’t make me, cold or mean minded.

My life no more to be toyed with as pleased
A privileged one with no glass ceiling; opportunities to seize!

Friendship

A bond so sweet, never do we keep
Any formalities, as the time leaps
Making it stronger, love in abundance and heaps.

Stress busters, just a phone call away,
Mind, lighter than a feather, it sways,
Right path shown, pulling me out of many a tricky maze.

Empathy and kindness her natural trait;
Supporting me, wiping clean, my slate;
Infusing me with reason and love, never to imbibe hate.

My soul sister, close to my heart, my dear,
Never shall I meet another fiery saviour,
One who lifts my mood and brings cheer.

Her advice, always practical and easy,
Partner who made my studies breezy,
Helped handle even my pregnancy woes, when queasy!

Taking them for granted, I often do,
Fights we have had, quite a few,
But a strong bond connects us, like glue;
May the friendship forever last, God! Bring this wish true!

The Breakdown

Spouses lose the contest, for each other’s time,
Conversations are not deemed, worth a dime!

Meaningful words, seem to be lost in distractions,
Blame is on the “better” half, for lack of concentration!

Romance, no more exciting, but just a bore,
Expressing love for each other, is a thought no more!

The order of priorities, gets gradually reversed,
Living under the same roof, takes a turn for the worse!

The office suddenly seems, warm and inviting,
The cold stares at home, day-by-day get daunting!

Love and appreciation, no longer in the heart,
Is this how marriages, slowly fall apart?

Expectations

People and expectations walk hand-in-hand,
Both disappoint us, when we demand,
Yet we yearn for attention; hoping to command,
Never do we learn, slipping like grains of sand.

Empty words, merely a lip service,
Lies, seemingly holding us from precipice,
When reality and deceit come face to face,
The truth becomes difficult to fathom and trace.

Accusations thrown, left, right and centre,
“I am innocent but you are the tormentor!
Stop twisting the truth, you are a liar,
Repent you will, I’m worse than fire!”

The bond now shattered, whom to trust?
Expectations thrown out, going bust;
Cherished moments, fading away like dust,
Memories tarnished forever, with hurt and distrust!

Will human nature ever change? 
Relationships suffer, people get estranged,
Lies and deception, both second nature,
Reducing us to a grotesque caricature.

कुछ तो कहो!

इतने बेचैन से क्यों हो,
कुछ तो कहो,‌ कुछ तो कहो,
मुझसे बातें करो,ऐसे खामोश ना बैठो,
कुछ तो कहो, कुछ तो कहो।

आज भलेही हमारी जरुरत नहीं,
तुम्हारा सर हमारे कांधे पर नहीं,
ये सितम ना करो, ऐसा जुल्म ना करो,
निगाहो से बया करो, निगाहो से बया करो।

दिल की गेहराई मे झांक कर देखो,
मेरी रुह की कशिश को जान कर देखो,
दिल को रूह से यू जुदा ना करो,
जुबां से होटों का लंबा सफर
तय कर के देखो, कर के देखो।

मन के सैलाब को मेरी बाहो में छुपा दो,
कडवी यादो को मुझमें भुलादो,
मुझसे दूर रेहकर सजा ना दो,
मुझे यु दगा ना दो, दगा ना दो।

इतने बेचैन से क्यों हो,
कुछ तो कहो,‌ कुछ तो कहो,
मुझसे बातें करो,ऐसे खामोष ना बैठो,
कुछ तो कहो, कुछ तो कहो।

Way of Life

Mobiles have become a way of life!
Is that why humanity is in a state of strife?

Conversations filled with monosyllables
Does that say, we are emotionally unavailable?

Discussions die down, leaving many a question
Meaningful talks are a distant sensation!

Use of emojis, not words, is on a rapid rise,
Behind the LOL there is barely a smile!

Expressions are crushed, like a fallen autumn leaf,
Yet the spring will bloom again is my certain belief!

An Anomaly

Are they really different? Or just like us,
Love binds them, yet some make a fuss!

Stigmatized, ostracized, disapproved by society
For following their heart, is that a folly?

Love’s not just one shade but a multi-coloured hue,
Rainbow’s seven colours prove that it’s true!

Accepting themselves first, then coming out to the world,
Most difficult thing, when everyone’s ready to judge.

A loving household, caring and doting family,
That is what they all crave, just to live normally!

Why is their love forbidden, relationship a taboo?
Their union blessed too, not perverted or voodoo!

Love is beyond rules that decide holy-unholy
I wonder, why theirs is considered different – a deviant anomaly?

My Father

My very first friend and dearest mischief partner;
Our Sunday breakfasts, a tradition—never to barter!

Master story-teller, weaving tales—vivid and bright,
Slept, not a single night, with him out of sight.

My childhood idol, I looked up-to and longed to please,
Not long could I stay apart, without having fever and unease!

His demeanor, eternally, charming and fun,
Growing up, always, my best buddy to turn!

Music flows in his veins, I mirror his taste,
Gave me treasure so precious, never to erase.

Ever supportive—education, profession, any advice,
His suggestions, always turned out to be, appropriate and wise!

At loggerheads, we might be, most often than not,
Yet his love for me undiminishing, good times or not!









Happy Father’s Day Dad!!

The Cage

Depression kills, hundreds around us,
We pretend, it can never happen, to ones amongst us,
Questions about emotional well-being, make us aghast,
Looked down with disdain; an illness, under wraps.

Emotionally disconnected,amidst technology that connects,
Loneliness slowly affects and then wrecks.
The mind trapped, agitated, distanced from sanity
Seeks release, calmness and eternal tranquility.

It decides to open, the cage of misery and fly away,
We are left holding scraps of memories that eventually decay.

How can one embrace death? Don’t we owe it to life?
What could be the reason? it’s not about wrong or right!
We never get answers, the soul set free, body alight,
But the cycle continues, the illness treated with contempt and fright!

My Family


I stepped into this house without trepidation or doubt,
‘Cause she welcomed me with arms open wide, not a bout!
Treated me as her own blood; like her own daughter
Whom she met in life, but just a little bit later!

An elder sister whom I never had, took me
Under her wings, as I trod the delicate trail,
Her love and affection, never to pale
Embracing me with happiness and glee.

She’s a mirror image, of my loving granny,
Meeting her seemed like, it was destiny.
Her kind words subtly touched my soul,
Developing a bond, deep and whole.

His unspoken words, but earnest actions,
The solemnity of a father, concealing emotions.
Eyes bestowing warmth, showering blessings,
Unassuming, restrained, hiding pains and hurtings.

The household that now, I claim as mine,
Is my backbone and my spine; their enthusiasm
And appreciation is difficult elsewhere to find;
A Godsend family that is as loving as kind!