The unknown soldier

For the unknown soldier I light a flame,
To the unknown soldier, I give my name,
The one who fought to protect my land,
To his life that melted into the sand.

To the crimson blood through him that flowed,
With every drop a warrior it sowed.
To his family who hold their tears behind
In whom an equal martyr  you'll find.

To the village that brought him up so strong,
To the teacher who taught him to fight the wrong.
To the ones that gave him his fighting skill,
To never bow down to mortal will.

To his passion to serve for honour and pride,
By his solemn oath to forever abide,
To them I give up all that I hold,
I bow my head and my hands I fold.

The Canvas

Through me ran your breath
Soothing was your heart beat
Not yet out of death
And not yet on my feet

The background on my canvas -
Abundant clouds of pink
In you I dip my paint brush
From you I draw my ink

You begin as yellow streaks,
Thinning towards the ends
-Golden frays of sunshine leaks-
With you my conscious ascends

The dots of red audacious
Spread throughout yet obscure
The mysterious life fallacious
The basic-nature you underscore

Fore - portrait in colours of strength
Of courage and creation,
Intertwined at repeated lengths,
Our blue pearls, thoughts , emotion.

Brighter than the fire you fought

Beaten and being left to bleed,
Your wealth robbed and respect shred,
By a murderous creed;

The future you dreamed but now dread,
For yourself and your sons,
Broken by words better unsaid.

They could break your bones, or use their guns,
What they couldn't break is your will,
Or the millenia of life through you that runs.

You fought the fire, stood strong and still,
You promised yourself to rise,
Even with odds against you and paths uphill,

At seventy two you stand tall and wise.
A son looks up to you, oh nation of mine,
As you now soar above the skies.

Like a guiding light, like a star you shine,
Brighter than the fire you fought.

Take a Bow

You've set the targets even higher,
Ignited minds, set them on fire.
You gave us hope when none existed
Clenching your fist, you persisted

It breaks my heart to read the news,
But you mustn't care for wordly views
You've surpassed yourself once again
The question's now changed from whether to when.

It takes guts to travel the path to glory,
One day you'll write a successful story
Enough dismay, get back on track,
Its time to make a glorious comeback

Cheering  you on stands now a stronger nation,
Every bit you deserve, the standing ovation.
So hold back your tears, dont let them flow
Take one step back and take a bow, ISRO

Life happens in the past

Holding on to thoughts from before,
In the safe confines of our memories we store.
Always looking back when we realise,
What we are living is a happy disguise.

Life is really what has already happened -
A chest of moments into which we send
Every new story, every photograph,
Every tearful good-bye and joyous laugh.

Life cannot be what is yet to come,
We create memories like a guitar's strum -
The music isn't heard till the strings are played,
The memories aren't stored unless our senses are swayed

With feelings like joy, resplendence or agony.
Think of life like a happy cacophony -
A ship that has sailed and come ashore
Only when we can create and store no more.

Course Correction

Many years back were you here,
When the vast expanse lay before you,
Asked to choose a path you desire,
Achieve the greatness you were meant to.

I ask: Where to have you got?
Have you chosen your path to tread?
Have you found what you sought?
Have you eaten or have you fed ?

What makes you stand still
When you are meant to go higher?
Take the plunge and sharpen your will,
Because this river fuels your fire.

Course your path against the tide,
Keep moving, promise, never stall.
Your goal isn't on the safer side,
You are the cliff, not the fall.

Unlike the sand that reaches the sea,
Bruised, rounded and distraught,
Having found out eventually,
That its only one of a lot.

To a Skylark

To believe you are no more
In your physical body,
No more to read these words

To believe you have begun,
Your journey to higher worlds,

To understand the purpose
Of your higher being
In leaving us behind

After having blessed our lives
With love that is divine,

To accept a life without
Your constant motivation
In every changing phase

While the warmth of your touch
Remains in your blessed ways,

To experience such a world,
Yet smile like you taught us to,
Seems beyond my ability,

But I'll get through it, I promise,
And live up to your belief in me.