A Prayer of Pride

One day I pondered, prayed and asked,

Would you be proud if I had fame?

If even in places obscure and vast,

people knew and praised my name?

Would you be thrilled of my success?

If whatever I did, I was the best?

Unsurpassed, and nothing less,

If I wore victory like a crest?

Would you be pleased to see me rise?

And conquer every challenge faced?

Win each and every single prize,

every time I run a race?

God replied, “Sure, perhaps I would,

but maybe a little more if you paused your run,

took time out to do a little good,

and chose to have a little fun.”

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Teachings of Conflict & Mercy

Fighting teaches us a lot, and we have evolved to learn. We know when to attack, when to hold back and when to tolerate. The only new feature we have as a species is forgiveness. Though forgiveness seems like a virtuous, peaceful and heavenly quality, it is also entwined with numerous rules. We learn when to forgive, when to ignore and when to dismiss pleas. We learn when people are manipulating us, levying false and dishonest apologies upon us. This decision making process is what makes each of us unique. If we unknowingly dismiss honest and integral pleas, we are merciless. If we constantly forgive people with malicious intents, we are pushovers. None of us wish to be used or to be ruthless, but both conflict and mercy require difficult decisions that we sometimes simply cannot choose between. This seemingly simple and slightly uncommon situation actually occurs on a daily basis all around the world. The choice between hate and love, war and peace and between revolution and tolerance is the choice that leads our species on the precipice of indecision, and if wrongly chosen, disaster.

The Lane

Author’s note: The lane is an extended metaphor of life 🙂

Many souls have walked this lane

Perhaps searching for something to gain

Some unknown and some of fame

But few I really know by name

 

Some walked in sunny, pleasant strolls

For them, happiness filled their souls

And some have tried to leave their mark

while some rushed along in the dark

 

Most people pace the street in haste

but only few savour the taste

of the walk they walk and things they hear

and the things they love, and the things they fear

 

Travellers listen to the sounds

that almost erupt from the grounds

the laughs and love from much before

the waves that lap against the shore

 

The sound of people who cried and cried

Or the people who stood tall and defied

Only the sounds can really guide

In this long street, there’re no rules applied

 

Some people live their lives a lie

Some people walk on with a sigh

Some fill themselves with hope and pray

But no one really knows the way.

 

I’ve seen them run of course, but that’s fine

The streets is large and can’t confine

Perhaps they’re just exploring time

and hope they don’t find dirt and grime

 

But this lane is quite new to them

It can praise and can condemn

The trick is to keep walking, though

And make your pace quite soft and slow.

Human Ego

“We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.”

-Stephen Hawking

Thousands of years ago, the Greeks believed themselves to be at the centre of the universe. At the time, the idea was plausible, believable and since it showed the human race in a godlike form, widely accepted. Humans, although civilised, were hardly advanced. The Greeks enjoyed seeing themselves as powerful and important beings, and at the core of everything.

We have come far from that belief, and humans have uncovered radically different truths about our role in this vast and unending universe we call home. We have discovered that we are a minuscule and insignificant part of an unimaginably large collection of matter.

Awake in the Waters

Author’s note:- this is a short piece written on 11/03/2017, describing the thoughts of a girl who loved the waters. Tell me what you think of the description in the comments! (This was written in 6th grade) 

The water was her world. There was no judgement of looks, no unnecessary small talk with people who considered themselves superior, and no constant competition to be the best. While swimming in the lake, one could only watch and simply observe. Nothing but that moment was important. You solely observed the magnificence of what lay before your eyes, without running away to complete errands. Scuba diving was not just her hobby, but her enlightenment as well. She discovered many facts that could not be obtained in her daily life. She discovered that if you didn’t live in the moment, you didn’t live at all. One must see through the mind as well as the eyes to think clearly. The way to learn was not just to read textbooks, but to experience the wonders that are waiting to be sought out by you. So, to her, the waves were her wisdom. The tides were her thrill, and each and every moment she spent underwater was special.

Work & Win

Worn and weary from the long-hour day,

This is the worker’s everyday plight,

But no one will complain, nor should they,

when they settle in for a calm, relaxing night.

Author’s note – for all the people slogging all day and working so much to accomplish their dreams – keep at it! Make sure you take breaks, and if you can’t, allow the night to ease into sleep. Don’t complain – it’ll be worth it in the end! ~ Urvashi ❤

Outer Beauty

Author’s note – This poem addresses feminism, insecurity, beauty standards and superficial media. Read this with an open mind, and learn what women of this age and before constantly go through.

–

I’m female, and beautiful as I am,
No need for makeup, sparkle and glam,
Yet you say this and then into my hands you shove,
Cosmetics and makeup that I’m supposed to ‘love‘.

I’m a female, and you tell me to be natural,
You say it as a thought so radical,
‘Be yourself, don’t change’, these are your words,
Yet I have to conform to your beauty standards.

What happened to respecting what lay inside?
Sure we say it, but by your words do you abide?
Don’t you judge those people based on what they wear?
Don’t you hurl insults about people if they’re not young and fair?

Why can’t you see past that first impression?
It’s hard, I’ll admit. This is my confession,
It’s hard to remove from our judgment these norms,
It’s hard to see beauty come in so many forms.

But it’s there, whatever the media says,
Those face creams may make you feel better in ways,
But you must know, that’s what they want you to believe,
They sell products through the insecurity they weave.

Are you dark-skinned? Fat? Wrinkly everywhere?
Is your dream to be like that model – so gorgeous and fair?
Beauty can’t come in one size, we’re all unique,
So give up joining that fake high school ‘beauty‘ clique.

Give up that insecurity, begin with your mindset,
Give up the judgement, and you’ll be set.
Give up that fake kind of insecure beauty,
Give up all this and the difference you’ll see.

Don’t let people make you feel odd and misplaced,
We’re all working our way to this standard in haste,
Just pause, think about all your good features,
Good qualities only lie in the best and beautiful creatures.

Compare that look to your kindness,
To your dreams and your happiness,
No cream can make you beautiful internally,
There is no secret, superficially.

I’m female, and exposed to pretty girls,
Princesses, ball gowns and dress twirls.
But forget this female training, this system is old,
Forget all that outdated stuff, this advice is gold.

Yes, you’re a woman, a girl – a female.
But my inner beauty you can’t find in shops, on sale,
It comes from within, not bought off a shelf.
That confidence, respect and love is enough for yourself.

If You Want to Be a Star

If you want to be a star

Trust me – the sky’s not far

Don’t wait too long for night

For the star that shines most bright

Is the Sun, free of fright.

 

Author’s note:- Pursue your dreams without waiting too long for the ‘right time’. The stars are invisible to us in the day, except the largest star we know of, the Sun. It is glorious, it is powerful, it is wonderful. Learn from the sky, for it will teach you lessons in thought.

Father, Appa, Parent, Dad.

Author’s note: This poem is dedicated to my father, A Balasubramaniam, who is the most awesome person in the entire world (after me) and to my mother, Uma, who’ll get a poem on her birthday too 😛

Father, appa, parent, dad,

You cheer me up when I am sad,

You hug me tight when my eyes water,

and I’m so glad to be your daughter.

You’re a mentor, a marvellous teacher,

Of wise words, you are a preacher.

I am the great person I am today,

because you make me one every day.

 

 

Your humour can light up the entire city,

your puns make me groan (but they are quite witty),

you wake up early for me, no matter your mood,

And I want to express my boundless gratitude.

You are my habit-setter, my creative battery,

You charge me up to use my skills so creatively.

You constantly inspire me and show me articles and things,

And along with that, a sense of curiosity it brings.

I’ll keep exploring this crazy world, with you by my side,

Observing, talking and laughing with me, for you are my life’s guide.

 

I know you’ll be the first person to like my post,

And I just want you to know that I love you the most. ❤

 

 

Nature Beckons

Author’s note: I was once asked why I write so much about nature, but how can I not? Almost all my inspiration is drawn from it. To quote Moana – “See the line where the sky meets the sea, it calls me”

Turn off the lights,
Put down your phone,
Stop all the fights,
Get out of that zone.

Run away to the park,
Or to the sandy beach,
When it’s pitch dark,
You’ll see when you reach,

The specks of thousands,
Of stars that glitter,
The trees that enclose you,
When you feel bitter,

The grass that tickles,
Your face and your hair,
The moonlight that shines,
With such hope and such care,

If at first you don’t see it,
I implore you to stare,
The stars will emerge,
And nature will be there,

Run your fingers through,
The streams that flow,
Splash about in that puddle,
Wherever you go,

Bite into that amazing fresh pick,
That really delicious fruit,
Hug the bark of a tree that’s thick,
Look at it’s textured root,

Enjoy the cold weather that seeps into your core,
Or even the moderate heat,
Hear the waves lap against the shore,
Watch nature’s tremendous feat,

Escape, towards the wondrous call,
And stay there in solitude,
It’s guaranteed, in love you’ll fall,
With joy and gratitude.