I am the earth…

I am the earth;
Deep and fathomless, full of wild secrets.
My womb that yields life to all,
Is dark, slumberous, protective.
I am the earth, mother of life…

I am the earth;
Many seek shelter in my quiet hearth,
And quench their thirsts, eternal, in my depths.
For, my warmth does envelop their beings.
I am the earth, whore of passion…

I am the earth;
My depths, they hold bygone treasures.
For, diamonds miraculously materialize,
From black coals that trap the light.
I am the earth, magician of destiny…

I am the earth;
My naked splendour does enthrall, mesmerize,
As gurgling brooks garland my body
And mountains define my contours.
I am the earth, beauty of nature…

I am the earth;
My fury bars none, spares nothing.
Life, I claim rightfully, much as I create.
The fire in my depths does spurt and swallow.
I am the earth, the destroyer of creation…

I am the earth;
I wear clouds of smoke - my crown, my shroud,
Weeping great, fatal rains of death.
For, heavy iron monsters invade my bosom.
I am the earth, slave of man…

I am the earth;
Trampled and torn by the vices of man.
Shriveled, barren, prematurely wrinkled,
I lie awaiting death like an ancient woman.
I am the earth, tragedy of mankind…

My grandfather’s portrait…

Time has cruelly weathered that unmoving face,
Deepening the creases on the fabric of his brow.
Yet those deep, dark eyes speak forth a tale
Of undaunted days of old, bygone ages;
When simplicity and strength blended together,
Untouched by the gory afflictions of today.
And the embers of life remain unextinguished
As I look onto that face adorning that far wall.

I remember those ancient, unencumbered days,
When the day would eventually be cloaked by dusk.
He would lovingly settle me down before the clock;
To teach me the enigmatic motion of their hands,
Dragging with them, seconds, minutes, hours,
And magical moments and wispy memories along…
And today, that disc ticking away on the wall,
Is but a sweet reminder of a person long gone.

That wooden walking stick, his third leg,
Had been a silent supporter, a constant companion.
But today, in this fast-paced, uncaring world,
Has been callously tossed away, lost into nothingness.
I remember his straight-backed, cross-legged posture,
As he sat, playing solitaire on the bare floor;
And the authority that rang in his voice,
Still echoes in my heart at unguarded moments.

I also remember that blissful, contented expression,
That adorned his masterful face, even in death.
As if he had that ever coveted, impossible power
To command over the reins of death’s chariot.
So, no matter how many cob-webs settle unfeelingly,
Upon and around the canvas of his portrait;
The picture of my grandfather lies forever fresh,
In the depths of my heart, like a buried treasure…

Gathering Illusory Spoils…

Indira Mishra

I sit at my study desk,
All agog, to cram upto my throat
Until I choke and see black,
For a forthcoming test…

I manage to lose myself
In this weird wilderness of words,
Goaded by these sheaves of paper
Sprawled importantly before me,
Trying desperately, to ‘enlighten’ myself.
For, they claim they can open my eyes
To the mechanizations of this world.
And I indulge their delusions…

Unwittingly, I glance outside my window
My gaze, arrested by a patch of blue sky,
Seemingly distant, utterly unattainable,
Like a creature in a dream…

Through the din of the noontime traffic,
I’m able to decipher a lone, faint call.
Melodious and melancholy in its remoteness.
Yet mesmerizing –I think it’s a koel’s song.
Like an old friend I’ve long forgotten,
While I’ve been running without rest
In a fast-paced, remorseless world,
Gathering illusory spoils…

Yesterday’s Sands…

Indira Mishra

Take a walk alone
On a breezy evening.
Head not for the nearest store,
But simply go on ahead,
Wherever your feet take you.
Can you hear a voice?
Talking to you like a friend,
Deep in the recesses
Of your overburdened heart?
Listen to that voice
And clamp shut your hears
To the intruding world outside.
And if you see little children
Lost in their own little games,
Forget your blues
And look on…
Admire life’s simple treasures
And let your heart fill with joy.
So, leave your foot-prints behind.
The wind shall blow them awayLike yesterday’s sands…

Why is yawning contagious?

I've heard that if you yawn, somebody around you also begins to yawn and I've even found this to be true. So, if anybody knows why yawning is contagious, please let me know...

Is there really re-birth?

As any Indian would know, Karma is an inherent part of Hindu scriptures and texts but I would like to know how true is the concept of rebirth...How can such a claim be validated?

how important is "having expectations" from our friends and loved ones?

We often find that having expectations from our near and dear ones ,and not having them fulfilled, makes us angry, sad, dejected and hurt...So, how important is it that we should not have any expectations and just be contented with whatever we get..?As human beings, is it even possible?