Y : Youth & Regret #AtoZChallenge2020

The dreams of the youth are the regrets of maturity 

~ Tim Curry, English Actor & Singer

Extended lockdown period is also about to get over on 3rd May 2020, and many of us in red zone districts are not sure about its further extension. While everyone in my social circle is making efforts to stay positive, some have faced few moments of anxiety and in some cases moments of regret too. Regrets which cloud our peaceful existence in idle moments! Regrets which we shouldn't carry into our old age / maturity! This led me to a poem, I had written on a whim in 2016, but never shared it with anyone. It is the job of a novice. But I didn't want to regret later, that I never shared it on my blog. 

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Poem : Youth & Regret

I remember my harum-scarum youth,

When I kissed you in the school booth.

I remember the freckle on your face,

Getting you in my arms was no less than a chase.

I remember the day, when we took different routes,

You forgot me completely, but I missed you in bouts.

I remember the years where worth remembering happened nothing,

I got lot of action but stopped feeling a thing.

I remember getting married and having a grown up son,

It was too late when I realized, you were the one. 

Today, I am alone on my death bed,

Looking back on my life, some tears I just shed.

I wonder where you are and what you are doing,

I wish I hadn't slapped you that day, it was my undoing. 

***

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My theme for this year's #AtoZchallenge is Lock-down Blues. I intend to write and talk about how I deal with it, what it inspires me to read or watch or any aspect of it which fascinates me. You can read the theme reveal post here. 

Previous Challenges : Letter Y

2017: Yumdude

2018: Yes and No - The success mantra

2019: Yash Chopra's cliches - Hindi Films / Bollywood

S : Sycophant #AtoZChallenge2020

As this lockdown in India is now getting mired in all colors of politics, we see sycophants rearing their ugly heads across the political spectrum - left - right - center - everything in between. This was the time to show some solidarity and display a broad political consensus. May be every democracy deserves the masters and media, it gets. Today, I try my hand at free verse. I tried to write a poem, but couldn't get a rhythm or a pattern. So free verse it is. On sycophants! 

***

Poem : Sycophants

She was the perfect one,

Head bowed down,

Tongue always sweet,

As the master appeared,

Hands folded to greet!

She was the perfect one,

Lying prostrate,

Saying things great,

As the master appeared,

Call him handsome,

Ignore his bald pate!

She was the perfect one,

Approve of his scary plan,

Order the genocide,

Without batting an eyelid,

Annihilate the entire grid,

As the master appeared,

Call it a collateral damage,

Praise what he did!

She was the perfect one,

A woman in pants,

Politician's aide,

Perfect among all his sycophants!

***

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My theme for this year's #AtoZchallenge is Lock-down Blues. I intend to write and talk about how I deal with it, what it inspires me to read or watch or any aspect of it which fascinates me. You can read the theme reveal post here. 

Previous Challenges : Letter S

2017: Story - The Minor Glitch

2018: Short Sentences / Stories

2019: Slaps in Hindi Films / Bollywood

O : Obdurate God #AtoZChallenge2020

The word "obdurate" fascinates me. It is an interesting word that describes some one who is stubborn or unyielding. But its Latin etymology is even more interesting, as per which the word 'obdurate' describes some one who is hardened in sin. 

As we go through these hard times because of an obdurate virus, there are many out there who aren't privileged like us and are having tough time earning their livelihoods. Today, I write few lines for those who don't yield, even in tough times. 

***

Poem : Obdurate God

She knelt in front of him,

and said a prayer.

In her heart was a wish for cheer,

and some money to spare.

Her life was tough always,

and full of sweat, grime.

She wanted just peace of mind,

and an extra dime. 

Her prayers were never heard.

and she had an obdurate god.

But her belief was rock solid that he will listen one day,

and she was no less than her lord. 

***

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My theme for this year's #AtoZchallenge is Lock-down Blues. I intend to write and talk about how I deal with it, what it inspires me to read or watch or any aspect of it which fascinates me. You can read the theme reveal post here. 

Previous Challenges : Letter O

2017: Oh Brother!

2018: Once Upon A Time

2019: Occupations in Hindi Films / Bollywood

D : Dogs / Saare Kutte #AtoZChallenge2020

Today in this blog post, I am experimenting. I am trying something I have never done before. It is a poem and that too in Hindi language (English translation included). So please be tolerant of this first time effort and excuse my mistakes. 

After reading George Orwell's books titled 1984 (review here) and Animal Farm (review here), my mind was agitated for a long time. I have had nihilistic thoughts. Belief that life is meaningless is not a good place to be in. When you can't rely on any kind of system or -ism, it is really a hopeless situation. These thoughts combined with the situation post lock-down, where humans are inside their homes and several animals / dogs have free run of the roads, made me write this poem. 

Poem Title: Saare Kutte / सारे कुत्ते / All Dogs

In Hindi / हिंदी में

कुत्ते भौंकें

कुत्ते काटें

काले कुत्ते, सफ़ेद कुत्ते, भूरे कुत्ते

सारे कुत्ते

कुत्ते पूँछ हिलाएं

कुत्ते पूँछ दबाएं

लंगड़े कुत्ते, लूले कुत्ते, अंधे कुत्ते

सारे कुत्ते

कुत्ते जीतें

कुत्ते हारें

धर्म निरपेक्ष कुत्ते, सम्प्रदायक कुत्ते, साम्यवादी कुत्ते

सारे कुत्ते

कुत्ते विरोध करें

कुत्ते विरोध का विरोध करें

जंगली कुत्ते, पालतू कुत्ते, हलके कुत्ते

सारे कुत्ते

कुत्ते चाटें

कुत्ते बांटें

प्रभावी कुत्ते, सम्मान्य कुत्ते, वैचारिक कुत्ते

सारे कुत्ते

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English Translation 

Dogs bark
Dogs bite
Black dogs, white dogs, brown dogs
All dogs

Dogs wag tails
Dogs have tails in between their legs
Lame dogs, limp dogs, blind dogs
All dogs

Dogs win
Dogs lose
Secular dogs, communal dogs, communist dogs
All dogs

Dogs oppose
Dogs oppose the opposition
Wild dogs, domestic dogs, rabid dogs
All dogs

Dogs lick
Dogs divide
Dominant dogs, Ordinary dogs, intellectual dogs
All dogs

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My theme for this year's #AtoZchallenge is Lock-down Blues. I intend to write and talk about how I deal with it, what it inspires me to read or watch or any aspect of it which fascinates me. You can read the theme reveal post here. 

Previous Challenges : Letter D

2017: Divinity

2018: Do's and Don'ts of Life

2019: Death Scenes' Anatomy in Hindi Films / Bollywood