I
devoid
the
void
filling
it
with
word.

A Friend is one
who holds your heart
is there,
when you need them
for such a friend
do make concessions
as you would like, treat them
forgive easily their mistakes
accept apology , when sorry's said.
be kind, when they're
out about
living in a strange land.

Accept invitation to be togeth'r
answer greetings with a smile
don't ever treat with boredom
their company is to treasure
Discourage backbiting with,
about them,
prevent from being unfair
persist in giving
good advice,
and stand by when
they've come to hurt,
are subjected to injustice.

Guide them to get back
when they are lost
help redeem losses that may occur
fulfill their trust to very best
take their word to be of honour
sincerely do guard
their secrets
don't ever forsake them
if tide runs high
times become too troubled.

Accept their gifts
with warmth and love
never take them ever
for granted
thank for their help, support
be grateful for assistance
return favours with good
and kind word,
send on and off
a wish.

Extend a hand
when they're 'bout to fall
visit when they are ill
be there for them
at their funeral
to speak of them
as person of character
and good merit,
then affectionately
reach, hug in protection
their family as your own.


Wishing everyone the best of all relationships - FRIENDSHIP

Zindagi mein
sulag
tabhi tak -
tufanoon se
guzar basar kar
takleefon ki gard jhad
kuch pal sahi
jab jati hai saj
doston ke sang
hoton par
hansti khilkhilati
khushi.

Faith

It is possible
to rise
from the ashes
with a smile.

Na tumhare sukh mein hum
na hamare dukh mein tum
phir kaisi
ye yaari
rishtedari?

I remember

SJC I remember
your vast expanse of grounds-

that spread the world

out there for me

in many a vibrant colour

there I saw esteemed

Sister Mary

as chubby as her kindness

that was there defined

in every single crease

on that friendly face

dignity stood proud

upon a lone white hair

jutting from her chin.

SJC I remember
our nose fronted 'Blue Bus'
it ferried squash'd and squeeling

school kids, plus

my half dozen siblings

from Krishna Puri to

the Ghat Mahendroo

its wheels did steadily reel

screechily when bus

came to halt

were throngs and throngs

of hawkers-

they yelled to shell out

pachak and golgappa

peppered guava did entice

while mouth watering were

the lavishly served

spicy chats of aaloo.

The moustached 'Golden' man

doled out

ice-creams from his box

his indulgent smile

spoke in volumes of satisfaction

it flick'd and gleam'd

as lollies were licked off

we then galloped

on and on, hopped across

rows and rows of

stone bench

to hastily quench

the thirst we drank

from leaky cups

of hand.

SJC I remember
flights of hungry ravens-
in hoards they swooped

down upon mates

who flock'd in grounds

behind shut green gates

to run in merry play

it was then

those beasts descended

to prey at lunch hour

our food was grabbed

snatched taken away

devoured, consumed

in jolly galore;

all we did was turn

our eyes with a sorry sigh

to look up

at the open sky

with tears and dismay

SJC I remember

those ghostly ghostly tales
spun by boarders -

they cheekily played

silly games of planchett

then recounted with brags

of gal nightly visits

and spiritly encounters

to astound and scare

very life off us, who

turned away in gay abandon,

bidding them adieu-

every afternoon

we went to homes

leaving them in school.

SJC I remember
the games - budhiya kabbadi
kho kho, dots and crosses

roses and posies
march to beat of drums

chanting prayers

and hymns were sung
in classrooms and assembly;

sounds of songs rose high

to kiss, reverberate

thru' the beams that adorn'd

our old music hall

a lasting spell was cast upon us

when Bollywood classics

got screened-

then there were

plays, debate, elocution

fancy dress competition

were held to cheer, enchant

there was challenge and salute

with varied talent displays.

SJC I remember
eerie narrow stairs

right beside the auditorium door

that led high

to junior lab and library

it catered with

Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys,

Famous Five, Secret Seven
Naughty Girl of Enid Blyton
thrilled to bits, primed us

for adventures

in our lives.

In lessons were: 'Miss

please excuse me'

for not needed escapades to loo

then were times

when we conspired

to peek inside

the habit to gain

some very naughty views

then were times

of innocent wander

exploring the rear corridors

curiosity brought me

to chance and peep inside

nuns' living quarters

where silence often graced

aisles were quiet

inside the Chapel

where I could get

a taste of peace.

SJC my alma mater

I'll always remember

the decade well spent

learning what

life ought be from you:

physical and social sciences
man is a social animal
problem solving with maths
hand in hand go rights and duty

honour, courage and humility

to let devotion integrity

guide, be compass

when ways felt lost

we learnt here to

say with ease - 'I love you'

and lasting friends for life

I gained so many, SJC

I got much

too much from you.

Phir wohi rudali

Kal anayas hi ghoomte ghoomte
cyber ke bikhare pannon par
shabd todate jodate
bahla rahi thi main
apne vichlit man ko -
tab kan kan roondha gaya
mere bachpan ke
ek dost ka gham -
wahi ekaki
wahi rudan tha
wahi thi
paapi prem ki peedan.

Junjhlayi main
kuch kari rudali,
phir man se thi hook uthi -
kyon hum sab sakhi
ghoom rahe bematlab
chahat chahne ke
gol ghunwar mein?
kayi aur bhi to ho sakte the
aur hain bhi masale nit paraye
unhen apnate
aur jee jate hum tum
bin hichki ke.

Kahan khot hai?
kidhar kami thi -
jab rang chadhata tha Vidhata
jab bunte jate the har din
bachpan se dhaage yauwan ke?

Kaal ghalat tha
jab janame the -
ya mamta ka aanchal
seenchta tha vyarth hi
karampath pe aanewale
din ko?

Dosh tha kakscha, katha ka
ya guru dakshina par hi
koyi gaanth padi thi -
jo le gayi woh dayan
bahla ke ham se, tum se,
kisi aur sakhi se
sukh, chain hamara
bik gaya nirarthak
muffat hi sub kuch
loota, sacchi preet ki
laalas aas ne.

Refer poem 'advice' on http://billiboli.blogspot.com/2009/07/advice.html

Angeethi

Hai darkar mujhe
ek angeethi
jis ke koilon ki
dahak se senk loon
apna thithoorta
soona man.

today's lesson

All I smell, see
hear and feel to taste
is because the grey cell
works for me.
These work well
and serve right
only with intellect
that foresees -
desire and lust
deliver not
rather settle discontent,
not glee
So wisdom lies 
in awareness
in being conscious
and striving on
incessantly -
to set the spirit free.

Recipe to freedom: dharam, karam & yoga

Satyamev Jayate

Gandhi ji bole to sahi
shikshak ne bhi seekh dhari
maa ne batlaya tha padh padh -
Satyamev Jayate Jayate

Nahin samajh sake
nadaan bade the
waqt ko phir batlana tha
jab jhooton ki
andhi nagri mein
umar chadhi
ghata ghor ghiri
tab mere dagmag kadmon ne
arth sahaj hi jaana tha
pag hile nahin, hast bali huye
us dum hi-
jab man achran ek jut bole
Satyamev Jayate Jayate.

I loved staying awake
Clambouring out of bed
Each day -
To welcome sound 'n' sight
To ride the highs and low
That was brought in with light.

Things have changed
Ever so slowly silently -
Turning my days
Into long welcome nights
I love falling asleep
again and again.

Soulmate

I'd met once
not long before -
a mate
who was matched
in mind to mine.

We gazed together
at same horizon
in same frame of time -
spotted hues
smelled fragrance
sought and thought
in ways similar

when nights and days
were chatted away
sipping sizzling cups
of tea and lime.
Our paths had met
once and once alone
by chance, destiny
it was to move on
without any ponderance
on the sweetness of

our rhyme.

We parted road
changed direction
moving on was will of life

No questions there
remained to raise
no need to seek for reason
why it was meant
to look ahead
why couldn't norms

entertain us

why life couldn't be asked

for more of life

in this life?

Never for once

did we stop or listen

to heed melody of our souls,
small surprise then
I never realised-
person that'd been
left behind was

true partner
to my whole.

Not until the night

before did

a realisation dawn
transported I was
shipped ashore

across waters of sublime
Lo behold it seemed

no dream, I was there

in sweet company

it was my friend
with you
I was at home.

We walked
we talked
looked, laughed and
stopped along to listen
pouring forth
in our silence
were no less than

a thousand word
so much was said
not much undone
without utterance
of a kind.

Your glance was set
upon my face-
it warmed aglow

my gaze
without speaking
you raised a hand

to stop from fall

a single drop
holding on to lash.


Lips then moved
while hearts rejoiced -
sanity began to slip
my words flowed alongside

yours in a conversation

divine up along

till pause was reached

in time to seize in heart

the demand

of random flutter.

A surge was felt-

it paved the way
to give in to temptation
hands held abay
pushing away
from sway of stray emotion

when pupils locked
passions razed
to pinnacles of desire
I chose it then

to lay my head

to rest

it was against the heart

I sensed, homecoming

it was forever!

The moment lasted
a fleeting second,
next minute it was gone.
our breaths had risen

to fall in heave
leaving us to wonder
how the hell we'd survived

the blaze of life

with fortitude

and no ardour?

All we did was
to lay and savour
when peace and vigour
gushed in force

from deep tranquil hollows

our souls were filled

right to their brims
for one had met

the other.

I woke up next
in empty bed, turning over

to my side desperately in vain

I tried to hide
as rays of sun

did hit me;

painfully

it extinguished

the night, light

extended sight and vision

I c'd see with my stretch

of arms, a working day

had begun.

There was no time
to swoon or moon for

while sweet bliss it was

with you near

no heart breaks now, its okay

even tho' you're gone
for I've had

my chance, a special moment
it'll hold to

make my smile to linger
happily I'll mill about

my daily grind, strive around

till supper.

Rise and shine

I'll my love now, to hum

along the way
I'll search for memories
all day through in experience

that was meant to last

be eternal it was not

yet O how beautiful

it was for sure

when mind had

mated mind!