A Feast of the senses

 A FEAST OF THE SENSES

In the domain of meals, I take my stand,

I love good food, to be close at hand. 

From morning breakfast to dinner at night 

I taste the ingredients – I relish each bite. 

I was rather skinny – but now no more. 

I don’t overeat- just go with the flow.

Indo-Chinese cuisine,

 My heart's true desire,

 My stomach starts rumbling,

Seeing the pans on the fire. 

Kung Pao chicken, prawns divine,

 Each taste bud dances,

That’s a culinary sign.

Not too much spice, nor too much grease,

 For me, clean eating  brings intestinal peace!

 But listen bland food,

"Just  be gone, from my plate"

 For flavors bold, I do celebrate!

When in the kitchen, I hold my reign,

 Cooking up storms, with not much of a strain. 

But my daughter, oh she's a culinary queen,

 Her skills are unmatched, a winner she’s been. 

So here I stand, in food's embrace, 

A lover of flavors, in every place.

 From morning light, to the quiet of night, 

Each meal has a story, a pure delight.

The unseen journey

 THE UNSEEN JOURNEY

In shadows dark, he quietly dwelled, 

No burning blaze, no tales to tell.

 No grand ambition, no flashy flair,

 Just steady steps, no rush, no blare.

Not born to dazzle, not born to whine

 Yet in his heart, the will to climb. 

With patience worn, as his daily crown,

 He tread his path, without a frown.

Through days of toil, and nights of rest,

 A silent hero, by fate, was blessed. 

His brilliance hidden, but not unseen, 

In every task, a diligent sheen.

Slow and steady, the journey traced,

 Through valleys low and heights embraced. 

No soaring heights, no drastic fall,

 Just steadfast progress, through it all.

In the quiet rhythm, he found his way,

 With steadfast commitment, day by day.

 Sincere in effort, gentle in his ways, 

His silent dedication never swayed.

Each rung he climbed, with firm resolve, 

No need for praise, no need to evolve.

 For in his soul, a leader brewed,

 With wisdom deep, and fortitude.

Atop the peak, he stands tall now, 

Not by chance, but by his vow.

 In esteem held, his name aglow, 

A self-made man, from depths below.

Gratitude fills his humble heart, 

For every step, for every part.

 Thankful for the journey, long and true,

 For in his silence, greatness grew.

In gentle steps, his guidance flows, 

A beacon bright, yet softly glows.

 Unseen by some, but felt by all,

 The unassuming leader always stands tall.

THE QUEST FOR LIFE

 THE QUEST FOR LIFE 

 In the quest for life, not mere existence,

 We strive to find joy, not just persistence. 

Beyond the mundane, beyond the giving, 

To truly live life, make each moment worth living.

Seek not just breath, but the air that invigorates, 

Find solace in moments, before time dissipates.

 In laughter, in love, in simple treasures,

 Discover the richness life offers in measures.

Indulge in the senses, God’s gifts from above, 

Taste the sweetness, feel the warmth of true love.

 In sights, in sounds, in scents divine, 

Embrace the world, let its beauty shine.

Purpose is elusive, yet deeply profound,

 In the depths of the soul, it can be found.

 A journey unique, for each to explore, 

In passions ignited, in dreams to soar.

For some, it's in creation, in art's embrace,

 For others, it's in kindness, in love's ample grace.

 In serving others, in making a mark, 

Fulfillment is found in leaving a spark.

So, make a life, not only a living,

 In each fleeting moment, find the joy in giving. 

When in the pursuit of happiness, we thrive,

It is in truly living, we will come alive.

Gratitude

 Echoes of Thanks- Verses on Gratitude

In the tapestry of life, 

Gratitude weaves a thread of light,

 Illuminating souls with its tender  touch, 

It bids us to perceive 

The blessings that our journey unfolds.

In moments dark, 

When enigmatic shadows loom near, 

Gratitude stands as a beacon bright,

 Guiding us through the tempests we fear,

 Towards the haven of hope's pure light.

For in the realm where gratitude reigns, 

We find solace amidst life's ebb and flow,

 Each breath, a gift, each heartbeat sustains,

 A melody of thanks, soft and low.

In the richness of life's bountiful grace,

 We discover treasures beyond compare.

Homes  that shelter, beds - our resting place 

Food to nourish, and tender, loving care.

Money's whisper, like a gentle stream,

 Jobs that grant purpose,

 Paths to pursue,

 Family's embrace, love's eternal beam, 

Relationships that bind, steadfast, and true.

Amidst the chaos, amidst the strife,

 Gratitude stands as a steadfast guide,

 Turning darkness into dawn,

 Breathing life, into the weary souls, that in it confide.

So let us pause-  and with hearts sincere, 

Give thanks for all that we hold dear, 

For in gratitude, we find joy's sphere,

 And blessings abundant, ever near.

Echoes of existance

 Echoes of existence: A meditation on Life 

The sun had not yet peeped over the horizon.

Was it undecided about starting another day? 

While the fluffy white ‘cotton balls’ 

Pretended they had a plan of their own!

They tangoed across the sky's vast blue,

Painting stories, in shapes old and new.

And whilst I sat sipping my ‘chai’

I did ponder and I did sigh.

To tell you the truth

I don’t even know why!

 From whence did I come?

 Who am I inside?

 Why am I here, in this limitless expanse?

 How should I tread this intricate dance?

Where am I going, on this winding road?

 What's the meaning of life, in this cosmic abode? 

Is this world ‘Purgatory’, & that too- man-made?  

 Or a stage set for souls, where destinies are laid?

Is there a heaven, beyond the azure sky?

 Where souls find solace, and loved ones lie? 

Or is it all but a dream, a fleeting sensation?

 A figment of our minds, in endless rotation?

What follows life's journey when the curtains are drawn? 

What becomes of the soul when the flesh is gone?

So many queries, like stars in the night, 

Seeking pointed answers, in the dim morning light.

Yet amidst the chaos, one truth gleams bright,

 In the tapestry of existence, amidst the flight,

 What truly matters, on that final bend, 

Is the love that we share, 

And the hearts that we mend.

For in the end,

When the journey is through,

It's not the wealth amassed, nor the accolades due, 

But the kindness shown, and the bonds we've sown, 

That echo through eternity, in a world unknown.

So, let us live, our lives.

With compassion, and grace,

Cherishing each moment, in this transient space, 

For in the end, as the mysteries unravel, 

Love is the answer to all that we travel.

Music in Allahabad

 Thoughts at 4.40 am! 

Way back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s 

In the heart of Allahabad's bustling streets, 

 Where the Ganges whispered tales of ancient lore,

 A vibrant scene of music took its seat,

 In melodies that begged to be explored.

There, amid the sunshine and the shadows 

In bell bottoms and long hair for style

Bands of young musicians found their place, 

Their instruments were a symphony amassed, 

In tunes that often set the night's wild pace.

At the famous Bandhwa Club, where history breathed

 And in the Army messes that stood tall,

 The echoes of their music bedazzled all 

 With Rock and Roll's infectious call.

Within the Fort's ancient walls 

 And weddings where the joyous masses swarmed, 

Their melodies spread like grains of sand, 

Igniting passions in the calmest of storms.

The crowds, they cheered for more, 

With every chord that rang out loud. 

The music reigned supreme,

And the dancing never seemed to end. 

The energy infectious

More so on a weekend. 

But now, alas I hear

 The scene has lost its gleam, 

The once vibrant pulse has begun to fade, 

No longer do the melodies redeem,

 The city’s spirit-  dulled and decayed.

Yet memories linger, of nights so bright, 

When music was the heartbeat of the town,

 When every note ignited pure delight, 

And dreams took flight with every sound.

For in Allahabad, where music once thrived,

 Talented musicians found their fame, 

The legacy of those nights still survives, 

In whispers of a melody's sweet refrain.

Gone but never forgotten

 While in  his warm embrace,

 Her spirit took its final  flight,

As death's cold hand stole her breath

Leaving  him numb.

He held her tight, bereft of words or might,

Her silent form was now still,

Her swansong now strummed.

Their love, a tale inscribed in stars above,

Now fades to whispered echoes in the night.

He clings to memories, his anchor, his love,

In shadows deep, where dreams take flight.

Though parted now, their souls forever bound,

In heart's embrace, they dance in realms unseen.

He finds her presence in each sight and sound,

In every fleeting moment, still serene.

Though she departed, 

never to return,

Her essence in his arms will ever burn.

He knows she's near,

 though gone from mortal sight,

In heart's embrace, their souls forever twine.

Through darkness, she remains his guiding light,

In every moment, love's pure essence shines.