End the Sadness

chaos inside, smiling outside, chest emits so much of grief
bottled up feelings, the place gets heavy
and so many things unsaid, still is a coral reef
ages passed, times have changed, inside, heart is still a baby

endless woes they come, living on hopeful dreams
blessing is a family, lucky is to love
suffering is to live, silent tears flow downstreams
a cheezy heaven and a scary hell, an illusion we believe

in this world so round, its all a cycle
nothing started with an apple
lifetime lasts 3 days, ends quicker as a bubble
everyday a new question we face on every channel
endlessly keep solving the most toughest puzzle

as we grow, the world grows
youth then, old now, end is soon - god knows
still the smile is on, days are hopeful
the smile will last, the days wont

flesh and bones, its all that is
empty hands, but greedy hearts
why so cry?, why so whine?
know nothing whats in store
know not of future days,
give more, learn more

end the sadness
give a smile to those who cant afford one
a warm hug shared, the battle is already half won
end the chaos leave a happy season
worlds created to which you're the special reason

Happy Dasara Festival

Day starts at 5 AM, the eve of Dasara Ayudha Pooja Festival,  I see my cute brother still asleep with his tiny palms half open, I was 11 then, Slowly an hour passes, we are all ready, slowly the Sun starts to rise as the soft rays peep in through the window, as we watch the round golden Sun shine up, we are all prepared for the pooja and I will always remember it. Dasara Holidays, a much awaited 15 day vacation from School, right after the mid term exam, everybody celebrating, and it was a lot of fun.
Later in the day, me and Pachu (my brother) loved playing in our little garden, watching the rain through the window sometimes when it rained and my best buddies used to jam up on our little terrace for all kinds of Games like Chess, Snake and Ladder, Business and the mandatory cricket in the evening at the Milk Colony and the Graveyard ground, those were the best days of my childhood.

My granny used to prepare the most delightful dishes along with my Mom's Cuisine, Dad's chanting of the Holy Mantras as the puja progressed, I never knew, I was blessed to be amidst such a blissful family.  There were no cellphones then, no Cable TV,  no Facebook of course, no hyped movies etc.,, and still life was just superb. The mood would be so cheered up, everyone happy, gearing up for the day, looking forward for the coming days, meeting relatives and friends, wishing each other for prosperity and good luck etc.,, Those were the real days, real festivals, true practice of our culture.

The difference now is, we have too many things to do, too much of crap to take, too much on our plates, the real valor and color in these celebrations has gone missing. We are still worried about a Project due, a Mail not sent, a work incomplete, a debt not paid, a gossip not cleared, a revenge not taken, a movie not watched, a heart thats broken (for a few), etc.,., Now wishing on Dasara means one SMS or a wall post. A lit Diya, exchange of sweets sometimes, and quickly get back to the same demeaning busy schedule with a fake smile on your face to show the world you're okay (not that if you are not anybody would bother), come back to the focus mode and continue the struggle.  

As I said, I will always remember and miss that day, because it happened every year till I was 16, thats when I stepped out of the house for College Studies and never have been able to live that day since then. Every Dasara, I miss my Parents, miss being with them. Just for what I thought I could do, I stepped out and since then every attempt every year this season reminds me of my family and I wish I get to be with them just like the old days. I miss my brother everyday, less he knows this is true and I cant even tell him how much I think of him in a given day. I want to show my Dad how much I love him, but he is miles away from me.
Even though cell phones exist, social networking is so easy, communication has advanced so many folds, though you are in reach of anybody within the click of a button, yet, nothing beats the traditional way of being together as one Family.

I will give up any of all that I have to spend one jolly day with my Family and getting to stay with them is all I want. Happy Dasara to all of you and I wish you all get to be with your loved ones and celebrate the days, wish you all prosperity and happiness....

- Maddy