Chimerical echoes

Hidden by layers of books, Beneath the shelves, Lay a forgotten hobby of mine- As I blow out the dusty cover, Preserved are the strings of joy; Reminding me of a forgotten promise- The promise to pursue this hobby!

People generally assume that life begins earlier in villages, and not in their urban counterparts. Sadly mistaken are these assumptions as the downtrodden face strains wherever they decide to eke out a living..... As early as 3.00 am She awakens and wakes up her adolescent daughter to join the other women dwellers in the make-shift pavement colony to use the public toilet at the end of the road. She however realizes this is to be a luxury as many other women, unable to afford the amount Rs.2/day have to wake up earlier to finish their nature's call under the night of the morning sky, in the open. Having slept just 2-3 hours earlier does not make any exception to the situation. Finishing the business She and the other women troop back and resourcefully manage a meal for the day. Setting aside a little for morning they along with the men folk start out to their construction-work job sites located at the other end of the city!

I seek you out, So I can see myself, I search within, For the truth beyond, The mysteries you have set; The questions you pose; Push me to think past- The boundaries that have been set, To rise above duality: To follow the guiding light, As there is no greater truth, Than what lies within

Between the shades of sunlight, Passing through the window grills; Peeped in, a little stranger- Bewildered and curious; Scared as I am of feathery friends, I shooed away the uninvited guest, Ruffling its feathers, As the “common” sparrow flew away; Dawned the significance of this “uncommon” sighting, For sparrows as I recall- Have been lost in the urban jungles, In the face of pollution, And remain as childhood memories… *********************************************************** Simple joys of the pitter and patter, Drizzling drops on my face, What a lovely reminiscence, Of those long rainy days, With the years passing, The rains have come down heavily, As fearsome monsoons- Threatening lives and livelihood; Flooding villages and towns; Creating panic with their acidic flavor: Surely gone are the days, Of the playful drizzle, Evaporated into thin air, As one more unknown pleasure, *************************************************