Anxieties, worries, fears, despair are as much  part of human  experience as hope and faith, And, when  a poet weaves them into a beautiful web of words, they seem to lose their hostilities and become a welcome companion. So, you get simultaneously the feelings of agony and ecstasy. With over 25 years in the frenetic aviation industry, Vandana remained a closet poetess till the Covid Lockdowns dialed down the pace of life a few notches.

Going by the nom de plume- Bindu, Vandana’s writings touch the depths of your soul & tug at the heartstrings. Just like the word Bindu which is Sanskrit for the point from which all creation and consciousness begins, this publication is the beginning of her creative journey.

The poems reflect her emotions and possibly the emotion that the world went through in 2020 – from despair and despondency, to quiet acceptance, to realization of the silver lining of families getting closer and finally hope of a better world emerging.

New Faith

 

 

 

 

 

Lockdown! Lockdown! Lockdown! Lockdown!

Stay home! Stay Safe! Help keep Us Safe!

Today’s new mantra we all chant,

New faith of all, an era dawns!

 

Temples, mosques, churches all closed,

Please stay away, don’t come too close.

God’s angels are in new avtar,

A stethoscope, brave caring heart.

 

What ails mankind? Just stop and think,

Is it a viral pandemic?

Nation, religion, riches, rules,

Cleaved us apart, divide and rule!

 

All were enmeshed, a clueless quest,

In Juggernaut of Man’s progress,

Trail of destruction left in wake.

Lone edifice, standing in state.

 

An “Act of a God” or “man playing God”,

Has brought Humanity to a halt!

Entangled in man’s web self made,

Web disintegrates as race is braked!

 

This time to pause, to think, reflect,

To pray at home, regain lost strength,

Let man made lines of hate be gone,

All faiths unite, and be reborn.

 

*****************

Godly Humor

Vexed, perplexed, distressed, am I,

Your Godly humor evades me.

 

The ambulance goes dashing by,

As do processions celebratory,

The little newborn is carried home,

The corpse in coffin too moves on.

 

For all, the road is just the same,

It does not cry, laugh or proclaim.

A quiet witness to life’s drama,

Myriad emotions, changing actors.

 

Who are we, moving on this path,

From birth to death, we race apart?

Machines, or shadows, puppets no strings?

An atom of some larger being!

 

What humors you, I fail to see!

Please answer me! Oh Bhagwanji!!

 

The saint dies young, the sinner lives!

Your logic remains incomprehensible.

The criminal thinks a judge he is!

Whole and intact, a beggar still!

 

I plan and plan, none fructifies,

The path I chose, does vaporize.

You are the master strategist,

Creating paths where none exist.

 

My soul is restless, bound I am,

Past is my blinder, sight is blinkered.

Your vision is beyond 360 degrees.

Encompassing dimensions seen unseen.

 

I lose today, yet hope remains,

Tomorrow I may win life’s game.

Win or lose or length of game,

Of most Import is game well played.

 

Please give me faith to walk the faith,

Tread on the path that you create.

Give me the strength oh Lord benign,

To appreciate Your humor divine.

**************

Good morning All !

 A new day calls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sun still rises in  the east,

Our heart still beats a symphony!

The chirping birds a blessing sing!

Angels on earth with feathered wings!

 

Which way opens? Which will close?

The choice may not be mine, I know.

I choose to bask in sunshine bright,

Enjoy the peace of moonless nights,

The drenching rain which hides my pain.

And thank God for his daily grace.

****************

Battle of love

Each day we warred!

Passionately sparred!

Battled from far!

On matters not!

 

She in her home,

I safe in mine.

Both locked away

To rest and hide.

 

When cause was none,

Then what the fun?

A question always

Plagued their mind.

 

Oh those who watch,

Don’t cringe and nod!

Of no import,

This war being fought!

 

A pause in time,

Hibernate a while!

Blood flow may slow,

Not cease, go cold.

 

Alone alive,

Mansion sublime,

Bricks, stones formed home

Her safety zone.

 

Yet loneliness,

Chronic ailment,

Had her in hold,

Choking her soul.

 

Disease was grave!

Unspoken, brave,

The pill was call,

Out of the box!

 

Each morning call,

Her medicine shot !

Adrenaline kick!

That made her tick.

 

No walls or miles

Could lock their smiles!

Her lonely heart,

Beats strong apart.

*****************

Amaltaas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amaltaas! Amaltaas! Swaying in the breeze,

Your golden blooms, with sun compete!

More golden than the sun by far!

Ocean of gold, while it’s a mere star!

 

Amaltaas! Amaltaas! Golden your shade!

We hide and seek amidst your glade.

A shimmering golden flowery sea,

Golden your carpet ‘neath our feet!

The golden showers of your flowers,

Swirling, enhance our whole attire!

 

The sun’s gold orb when shining bright,

Gives us the light, yet still we hide.

It’s brilliance unsurpassed by none,

Shines fiercely bright, sparing not one.

It’s scorching heat, burns all in path

Defiant blooms the Amaltaas.

 

And when the blooms are dried and gone,

The seed pods hang in disciplined form.

Providing instruments for joy,

A rhythmic toy for girls and boys.

Your dark green fronds still shade and shield,

All passerbys from sun’s glory.

 

This wordless lesson we must learn,

It matters not fame or power.

The gentle and the kind beget

More genuine love and all’s respect.

The sun shines brightest in the sky,

Yet in our hearts, Amaltaas does lie.

********************

Strange Times

I, Me, Myself.

Living together in one shell.

A phone in hand, sheltered yet sad,

What ails the soul, don’t understand!

 

A message tings, my heartbeat blinks.

What message comes? oh what to think?

Another’s gone, the pyre’s lit.

A Neighbor’s hand, Son’s video call.

 

No shoulder lent, tears unchecked fall.

A soothing touch, memories recalled.

Strange lives we live, Time freeze persists.

Distant distraught, in virtual hearts.

 

Another ting, new message rings,

My world is captured in this thing.

A grandchild’s laugh, a carefree dance,

I see, I hear, arms enfold – can’t!

 

I live alone, yet world’s my home,

Connected souls, just call from phone.

Each day we pass, a grace bestowed,

To thank for blessings known unknown.

 

**************

Simply Human – A Luxury

North, South, East, West, news, news, such unrest.

Humans are now numbers at best,

A daily count of ill and dead,

Depressing facts seem all that’s left.

 

Of laughter, love and joy no sound,

Of kindness, hope also no sound,

We heard it’s love makes world go ‘round,

It seems the world has run aground.

 

Millions still starve, food stocks that rot,

A race being run, paused state of shock.

A clear blue sky! Future? No sight!

What fog is this that clouds the mind?

 

Oh listen heart! Give self kickstart.

The sun moon stars, have not yet paused.

The heart that rules, energizes all

Human Spirit is which wins wars.

 

Let not humaneness luxury be,

Though we be far, connected be,

Technology! a boon for me,

A kind word, heals and sets both free.

 

******************

God’s Garden

Tick tock tick tock tick tick tick tock,

In rhythm beats the solitary clock.

Birds sang and pranced, freedom still danced!

Yet, World’s clock seems to have been paused.

 

The earth still spun on its axis ‘round,

Of man’s cacophony there was no sound.

We ruled the earth, captured the skies!

Dived deepest seas, mountains astride!

God’s image most enlightened ones,

Now in our homes, captors locked down!

Listen, listen, listen, listen!

Who is it that gives a call?

Nature’s anguish, muffled till now,

Our thoughts, conscience, muted till now,

In strident synchrony they call!

The school of life, peremptorily calls.

Ancestral collective wisdom calls!

 

Look, look, look, look!

 

A bright new world, blue skies, clean shores!

A hesitant Nature ventures forth,

A step in joy, a dance enfolds.

Eightyfour lakh species freed and safe,

They breathe, they swim, Earth rejuvenates!

While man forcibly now meditates.

 

Think, think, think, think!

 

Oh man! Despair not! All’s not lost!

Life’s not eternal, a lesson forgot!

Lifetime’s ambitious striving forget!

Of greed, want, and strife forget,

Awake dear soul, enjoy with less!

Respect all life, pollute me less.

 

Feel, feel, feel, feel!

 

This is the flower bed being prepared,

A new world order’s seed to rest.

The tallest tree with densest shade,

Grows slowest, as do beings complex!

A little patience, faith, and more,

And Man’s freedom will stand restored.

**************

Treasure Hunt

I watch the world, windows ajar,

The breeze caresses from afar,

Secrets whispered amongst rustling leaves,

Treasure unknown! Who holds the key!

 

A solitary crow caws soulfully,

His mate’s busy with family!

Come out and play! Bright sunny day!

The flowers nod as if to say!

 

Morning walks seem, an era past!

Will they return, the question’s asked!

Alas! Home bound we must remain!

Give earth time to rejuvenate.

 

My phone companion gives a buzz.

Aleesha’s solitary Easter hunt!

She runs around, no stone’s unturned!

Her face a grin, Joy in each jump!

 

A treasure’s found! A plastic ring!

She cares no bit, it’s little thing.

Unbridled joy! Unquestioning stance!

Just guided by an unseen hand.

 

Let’s also go on treasure hunt.

Look for secrets locked deep in us.

Clues are around, hide unannounced,

Hunt’s fun when challenges abound!

 

As Nature’s secrets come to fore,

Discover facets known, unknown,

A boundless joy slowly enfolds,

When we find our hidden treasure trove.

 

**************

Storm

The howling winds, were buffeting,

At eight AM, sun was hidden.

Lightening lit up the darkened sky,

Heralding storm, a prophesy.

 

A fierce storm raged, we stayed in place.

This was forefathers’ strategy.

Our windows shook, we watched awestruck,

The dervish dance of dried up leaves,

 

Branches and twigs, soil loose in fists,

Clothes pin-less flew from the clothes lines.

All swept away, anchor-less strayed,

Maelstrom of odds did they create.

 

Just as it came, the storm just waned,

Sun up above, again held reign.

A little lesson Nature taught!

It’s momentary, don’t fear the storm!

 

***********************

Happy Retirement

Another month rolls to an end,

It’s hashtag retirees! good luck friends!

Remain at home, no hugs, just phone,

Nothing will change, we are all at home!

 

Each month the list goes on and on,

An aging company’s farewell song!

In question hangs remainder’s fate!

Will we get dues, on our due date?

 

I write, he sings, afar yet synced

Wishing you the best in new Innings.

May good health, joys and peace be yours,

Freedom from stress, well earned enjoy!

 

You will be missed, undoubtedly!

Your empty chair, mute testimony.

The laugh, the scrawl, arguments galore,

Tasty lunches shared from a box.

 

Each day you worked, left loved ones home,

This work’s ne’er done, focus on home!

Silken bonds formed, will keep us chained,

Colleagues we were, friends will remain!

 

Good luck dear friends, be blessed, take rest!

New journey starts, Wishing “All the Best”!

***********************

Rest In Peace

Each time one friend goes on, away.

A vacuum, sorrow, memories stay.

A grieving world, a gentle ache,

Oh Rest In Peace, whispered, messaged.

 

How does one really Rest In Peace?

Is it when our breath does cease?

When soul has left body bereft,

Which of the two in peace does rest?

 

Till moment passed, the soul just danced,

Carefree, the body puppet pranced.

Work, work, work, work, a sudden pause,

Left incomplete, left with no thought.

 

Who really knows the great beyond?

Do souls take rest? Live on and on?

No answer yet we guess, and guess.

Waste our today, in strife, unrest.

 

Parent’s gone on, we still live on.

Distraught, perplexed, we carry on.

He lived his life, so we could rest,

Enjoy this world, heaven at best.

 

Now He is just a breath away,

Beloved! In memories remains.

Last lesson taught, with breath that’s gone,

Don’t fret, enjoy each breath that’s yours.

************

Caught In Time

 

 

 

 

 

Same place, same time

Same food, same wine,

Life moves, just fine,

Who knows the time?!

 

You there, me here,

Celebrate and cheer,

Miles far away,

Connected we stay.

 

Mood swings in beat,

Once up, once down,

While feet remain,

Fixed still on ground.

 

Game rules unknown

Future unknown

Our fate unknown,

Riches who owns?

 

Virus unseen,

Fear is unseen,

Can Faith be seen?

Can God be seen?

 

The birds still chirp

Flowering buds,

Animals have fun

Nature has won!

Have heart, dear heart!

We’re not apart!

Soulful connect,

A world apart.

 

Your voice on phone,

A video call,

Moments of peace,

Let’s breathe and pause.

 

Are life rules new?

Reality new?

Old wine it is.

Bottle is new!

 

A body whole,

Food for the soul,

Roof overhead

To live is goal.

 

In home we stay,

To hibernate,

A step a day,

Thankful, we pray!

 

Same place, new time,

A happy mind,

Secure and safe,

We’ll win this fight.