Passion…unbridled

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.- Mark Twain

Into the mirror when I peer

Devoid of the contoured veneer

Of flawless foundation on my face

I am reminded of my time and place

In this world, and I quickly realize

That though I might hide and minimize

The ravages of aging, I cannot ignore

Greying hair and wrinkles, each day some more

Extra pounds make their presence felt

As stubborn cellulite creeps in with stealth.

**

As my physical attributes proclaim

A gradual decline is part of the game

On the other hand growing older has brought

Its own rewards of which I had never thought

Such as gifting me the  most prized accessory- 

Confidence, which has replaced my gaucherie

With age I see my  insecurities dwindle

I feel free, and my passions are rekindled

To disregard others’ opinions is much easier

I follow my heart, in a manner much breezier

Preconceived notions of others, forced on me

I can now disregard, I think, quite freely

More attuned to my definite mortality

I pay attention, not to quantity but quality

Thus though my body more feeble be

I stand on firmer ground undoubtedly!

All things bright and beautiful

Whose value has been overestimated

All things wise and wonderful

That have always been overrated

The cynic in me set out to identify

Each one of these, one by one

Then try to figure out logically why

They acquired that weightage under the sun..

*

Money is probably at the top of my list

It can buy happiness, maybe it’s true

That happiness is like holding sand in your fist

As money multiplies, less happiness you accrue.

*

Being successful, another one I think

Because success cannot be defined

Material success can fade in a blink

Being successful is more a state of the mind..

*

Hard work is up there, I humbly opine-

It loosely translates into leaving the office late

Neglecting your home and family are fine

As long as you don’t have an available date..

*

Standing out in a crowd is overrated

When merging with the crowd is natural

You can stand alone with your ego inflated

Loneliness you may find as damage collateral.

*

I can fill sheets and sheets with my rant

Almost everything nowadays is overrated

If the Almighty could one wish for me grant

I’ d like to ignore them and feel satiated. 

Tiny leaves steeped in boiling water

Jostling in the kettle with spices exotic

Infusing their essence as the water gets hotter

Raising expectations with their properties aromatic..

As the golden brown liquid pours out

Of a kettle into dainty cups of fine porcelain

Everyone is waiting without a doubt

For a rejuvenating, refreshing sip again..

At last, tea is served on a tasteful platter

To the accompaniment of snacks delectable

As the guests indulge in idle chatter

Huddled in small groups around the table.

*

Ah! The heavenly first sip that promise brings

That all predicaments shall solutions find

Tea is water bewitched, every drop soul-stirring

A magic potion for the exhausted mind.. 

*

With hands wrapped around a cup of tea

In many discourses have I taken part

Sharing ideas and opinions with alacrity

Pouring out desires hidden deep in my heart…

Dunking cookies within the piping hot drink

Letting them melt in my mouth on contact

Nostalgia engulfs me every time I think

Of those childhood days whose memories are intact..

She had donned the perfect little black dress

Worn high heels, used cosmetics expensive

Carried a fabulous handbag, but she did confess-

Despite the investment in her looks extensive

Despite the appreciative stares from the crowd

Despite knowing that stunning she appeared

Her happiness was eclipsed by the cloud

Of a voice that had its disruptive head reared..

“This is not you”- her conscience reprimanded

“Do you get fulfilment from this masquerade?”

The persistent voice within her soul demanded..

She knew the answer though she was torn

Seeing successful women she had fantasized

For many years, of being a glamorous icon

Now that she was there, she was being chastised

By none other than her own conscience

She looked like a generic socialite, it was true

Being out of place, she lacked the confidence

That is worn by the glamorous women true blue..

Once she had stepped out of the party

She realized how stifling it had been throughout

She would never try to belong to the glitterati

This kind of glamor she could do without..

**
Back in her domain (an intellectual one), she realized

She was truly glamorous in her own way

When she wore confidence like an accessory prized

She could steal the thunder from anyone, any day!

Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today.

All of us have a natural inclination

To embellish facts, add some dollops of fiction

When ordinary incidents we narrate

Some truth we tell, some we fabricate

This is how stories we generate

By adding imagination we all can create

Stories unique to us, reflecting our perception

Modified in narration by others’ reception.

As we spin stories we develop comprehension

Of the world around us, we learn what to mention

And what to omit when we share our notions

We learn how to best portray our emotions.

When our paths cross, our stories united by chemistry

Get interwoven as threads in the human tapestry

Our worlds intersect, passions collide, stories merge

From these interactions, new stories emerge.

I have discovered a wonderful way-

A blessed way to start my day

Looking at the cherubic countenance

Of my child, replete with innocence

Lost in the blissful folds of sleep

Floating in a dreamless slumber deep

The sight of him floods every crevice

Of my heart with profound love, as I kiss

Him on the forehead and whisper a prayer

For God to shield him with an impenetrable layer

Of courage and faith, to enable him forever

To live life to the fullest, with zest and fervor

**

Then he opens his eyes with a smile

Stretching my happiness an extra mile

And into action we get galvanized

(It still takes effort to get organized)

As I pen this down, I thank the heavens

That in my life, I have an angel’s presence.