Pointless Distance

Perhaps this will remain a silent soliloquy...
Of words longing for their souls to be free,
But in your understanding does lie the key,
That what is, is not what you see.


The air's bereft of friendship's blooming fragrance,
Only lasting memories give past their credence,
Now all that lies is this pointless distance,
Some sinking shadows, some stalking silence.


In the dark hours the regretful Psyche,
Does wonder of what was and what might be...
The lamp so lit, lost was all she could see,
In time will you regressa a mi?

Lunatic Lows

...She does not wane, but my fortune,
Which her rays do not bless,
My wayward path declineth soon,
But she shines not the less.

And if she faintly glimmers here,
And paled is her light,
Yet always in her proper sphere
She's mistress of the night.

- Selected verses by Henry Thoreau

Perhaps some of you will think - 'Aah what a typical Cancerian - governed by the Moon'. Others will tick me off as a lunatic. But after the memorable Solar eclipse; last night, I was really looking forward to the Partial Lunar Eclipse ... and greatly disappointed that I couldn't even see the Moon!

If you have ever snail walked with me some night you'd remember that I have pointed out the mesmerising, magical, playful Moon who's presence may not have registered in your mind. She excites even the mighty ocean....mine is but a mortal heart!

I'd been noting the movements of the Moon so that I'd know where to look for her on the 16th.
Last night both of us were really tired after a long day doing this and that. After a hurried dinner I wanted to catch the eclipsed Moon climbing. But I couldn't see her from the staircase in the building...which she too has been climbing past few days. So we both walked out on the desolate streets to become aware that it was drizzling & was quite cloudy!

With me singing -
Chand pe daag hai yeh jaante hum lekin
Raat bhar dekhe bina usko raha nahi jaata
...khoobsurat hai woh itna saha nahi jaata...

But the Moon did not greet us. Shadowed by the Earth....hidden by the clouds.

Ohh! Trophy of the Night ..where were you?
Upon whom did your gaze linger?
Could you not offer so much as one fleeting glimpse?

Seeking the Celestial

Last Friday I'd gone to the Royal Observatory to catch the Partial Solar Eclipse. It was truly an out of the world experience!

Left home at around 8am....takes about an hour to the Royal Observatory from home. They opened early that morning to let the public observe the eclipse.

The Royal Observatory from Greenwich Park

The atmosphere was fully charged. With children chanting a countdown in the moments before the eclipse started & screaming out that they were the first to spot the beginning of the eclipse!

The coverage was partial (12% by area) over London. Nevertheless, I was quite excited...to see the Moon orbiting the Earth orbiting the Sun! It was beautiful to see the Moon just glide across the face of the Sun.

The photo was taken using a Coronado telescope. The Coronado telescope has a 'hydrogen-alpha' filter - it lets through the red colour light emitted by the hydrogen gas on the Sun. The Observatory staff was really helpful and enthusiastic. Did remember Professor Yashpal & his coverage of the eclipse on Doordarshan !

It was a little difficult to get the shot of the eclipse for several reasons - there were many people wanting to observe through the telescope hence we got little time to take photos. So it was important that my eyes got the exact angle to catch the eclipse through the telescope & my hands didn't shake with excitement (& ya I do suck at photography!) and importantly.... no lazy cloud drifted by at that exact moment!

I suppose you can tell how thrilled I was about it !

PS - For MSB - Geographer & my eternal guiding star

View from the observatory
The London Eye, Queen's house, wings of National Maritime Museum, the towers of Citigroup, HSBC and others

The Serenity Prayer

It's funny how some of the prayers I'd detest saying as a kid....had forgotten all about as years flew by....just come back to me when my spirits are low.

This one came just at the right time. My mind has many voices screaming out their unsolicited opinions.

But I'll let this prayer echo in the silence of my heart.

Lord,
give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Dead But Not Asleep

I closed my eyes and held my breath
The wait just seemed so endless
And when I felt I could take no more
I heard a voice, a strange calm it bore

A pale and melancholy form did I behold
Of someone who would take me in her fold
And lead me to joys unfelt...untold
A vision I longed to touch and hold

I waved at loved ones on either bank
No more talk of my ship that sank
I've finally found my vision my goal
Thank God I've finally found my soul

In a strange delirium I ran down the stream
I ran and ran to hold on to that dream
Her twinkling eyes like million moon beams
Under her gaze the pebbles like petals did seem

But wait have I come far and gone astray
I look back ..theres no one even far away
Just then her sweet anklet music did play
And once more in her promises did I sway

Hopes are for those who believe in tomorrow
Future for those who have some 'time' to borrow
The inner shadows of myself did I follow
Dreams that are dark, deep and hollow

I found myself in the ocean of such streams
There were many who had tried living their dreams
Had I lost myself or found myself in my dreams
I know I will not find answers -No...not even in my dreams

PS - A poem of the past

All The World's A Stage

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and and their entrances;

....The famous soliloquy from Shakespeare's As You Like It.

& there can't be a more magnificent stage than Life itself & yes...the dramatic setting of the 750 seater Minnack Theatre!

With its vertigo inducing seating and circular amphitheatre thrusting out over the Atlantic, it's an unforgettable place to watch a play.

Guess what it was built piece by piece by an eccentric Rowena Cade...who carted the wood, sand & stone from the beach in a battered wheel barrow! The first production was Shakespeare's The Tempest.

I had probably seen the picture of this place in my childhood....or maybe it was a place I'd visited in my dreams! I was just so excited! I unashamedly took a bow on the stage...whatta brilliant performance I'd just given :D! Just when I'd lost all inhibitions....I heard a loud voice from behind saying - 'Dekho Dekho woh ladki kaise pose maar rahi hai' I turned around to see 4 desi junta watching me ...without realising that I could understand what they'd just said! I gave them one of my ' :D' .....dazzlers ;) !

So among the white sands, turquoise ocean, blue skies....there was a blushing red me! :P :P :P !

PS - Ok since I was writing about a theatre....by sheer coincidence I seem to be listening to Dil Dance Maare Re, Tashan. I can't help laughing at the rustic & ballistic lyrics and this 'Theatre Booking' verse in particular -

Hoye… tohare dil ka theatre ma aaa….
Tohare dil ka theatre ma
Dil deewana booking advance maare re!!!

lol :D!

Tug Of War

It's just one of the days of dilemma
When my heart and mind speak a different language

The inner voice echoes in the depths of silence
And silence tries to deafen the voice to a memory.

To win or loose

To give to each moment or to take from each moment

To find happiness in myself or to find it in others

To live this moment as if its the last I have
Or as if it's the first of the rest of my life

To silence your words
Or word my silence

To tell you to get lost
Or to get lost in you

ps - I chose to win and loose