Bits of my heart 2020

 Like the musk deer, we search for miracles in God Men, temples, on mountain tops and deep valleys. Not realizing that we and all that surround us are more than miracles. Every night we go to bed as we sleep, unaware of the existence of self and the universe.  The next morning as we wake at the break of dawn or sound off an alarm date, day, time and month come back in play. For us, the great miracle of awakening every day is commonplace. Allow a little common sense to come into play, pray at the break-off dawn and fall of night. Savor every moment spread love and compassion to all around and drink the cup of life with relish till the last golden drops.

 This morning as I  was watching tv,  my grandson jumped into my lap and Held on to me. I was. Surprised at his show of affection, asked him what the matter was. He pointed at a cockroach in the corner. Smilingly, I carried him and shooed the cockroach out of the door. This incident took me decades back, cockroaches were my nightmare. Even in 5th grade, I have crawled under the bed when I encountered the flying kind. I used to lie under the bed till my mother came and saved me from this predicament. Truly, even to this day, the flying cockroach gives me the creeps. I stand bravely in front of barking dogs and chattering monkeys, but this one thing is a secret I've kept for long. I believe we all have a hidden fear in mind.

 We try to perceive far beyond, yet cannot see within. We advise, criticize, and cajole the world  around fail to see the fault line’s that run deep within Pause, a while, tell your heart to slow down, Unburden your mind The world that will not end if your attention slips a while. Think of common sense as putty, And fix those fault line’s within, Meditate, contemplate, and you will see the cobwebs in your mind Once you dust them down, you will realize you don’t want to point an accusing finger at another soul. Instead, will be bent upon dusting cobwebs in their mind. So be non-judgmental, my friend, and extend this courtesy to all brethren.

 Life uses all the colors of the rainbow and more.  Darkness and its many shades pass as a medium for this versatile painter.  String off colors starts with love and ends with hope, with a lot of juice in between - the juice of life.  Many relationships pain you to tears, even if one, sheds for you hold on tight.  A few drops of salty dew could be the litmus test to who will be among the four to bear your weight as you prepare to go. 

I need, glasses to figure out what's in front of me. But with closed eyes, I can see my childhood flashing before me. At times, I need the GPS to get back home yet I still remember the criss-cross lanes behind my childhood home. The trees I climbed, the friends I teased, the fall that broke my knee. Dirty hands, soiled clothes, stain on my face all was allowed. Parents were bothered, only how much marks I got and not how much time I spent, with my nose in an open book. These memories come to me strongly, as I watch my children, play on artificial grass and wooden stands. Hands clean and sanitized nails cut and hair properly dressed. A tear somewhere at the corner of my eyes as I sadden, thinking of the magic my children and the child of today are missing out. I still need glasses.

Chip away, chip away, to glory at every mountain, hill, and valley. Turn the green to dusty brown,  and say goodbye to blue skies, Make the rivers dry, dump everything you don't want into oceans, plastic, sewage, or industrial waste chocking every fish and waterbird alive And finally, nature has cracked a whip hesitantly at first, but growing stronger with every whiplash delivering the message without leaving any doubt, on who is the boss that harsher messages would perhaps follow? Proud are you of your achievement of the stocks and bonds,  and gold and silver But remember, if your aircraft is crash landing you will have no time to pack your bags the last thing on your mind will be the bags if you are sane would be on how to get out the mess alive. If luck is otherwise and you are scrambling, do remember you haven't left sufficient air for those  you  leave behind even to take a deep breath of fresh air of what was once available freely on...

Stopped Smoking a Dream. Just two hours have passed I know, I know too early to state. The smell of my friend of 40 is strong I feel his presence in the air around. I stopped not because my better half chastised, my daughter beseeched. It took the lazy staff of the building l reside to open my eyes. Near the entrance was a smoking zone with an ashtray like a welcome mat. This was the only place I smoked every cigarette of mine. Glanced at the ashtray and quickly turned away. It was brimming over, with effort solely mine Revulsion set in and I took oath, yet again,  never to be the fool, yet again, Just then the door bell rang, I jumped out of my armchair, the daydream took to wings. I know there's still hope, for I have at least dreamed of a sight I had blocked for a long long time. Stopped smoking but the dream continues.

An illusionist had a couple of tricks up his sleeve. Made a living on small stages and streets. Crowd was small unappreciated, he found a penny here and there enough just to make ends meet. As age set in his hands lost their speed, card's fell from his pockets and hidden sockets, birds flew from this tilted hat he feared his livelihood at stake.  Just then a miracle happened, laughter broke in the small crowd, the sound of laughter attracted others, crowd growing large. That day his collection was more than what he got a month in the past. People who scorned his magic, saw not just card's fall but a joker too a natural to the core. Though things are slow and steps are small as you plough on, the colour of sand will keep changing, sign of good things to come.