A Pretty Woman

This poem was dedicated to me by one of my best friend. For others you can pick this and send it to some of your friend you admire or like as friend etc. A poem by Robert Browning.

A PRETTY WOMAN

That fawn-skin-dappled hair of hers,
And the blue eye
Dear and dewy,
And that infantine fresh air of hers!

To think men cannot take you, Sweet,
And infold you,
Ay, and hold you,
And so keep you what they make you, Sweet!

You like us for a glance, you know--
For a word's sake
Or a sword's sake:
All's the same, whate'er the chance, you know.

And in turn we make you ours, we say--
You and youth too,
Eyes and mouth too,
All the face composed of flowers, we say.

All's our own, to make the most of, Sweet--
Sing and say for,
Watch and pray for,
Keep a secret or go boast of, Sweet!

But for loving, why, you would not, Sweet,
Tho' we prayed you,
Paid you, brayed you
In a mortar--for you could not, Sweet!

So, we leave the sweet face fondly there,
Be its beauty
Its sole duty!
Let all hope of grace beyond, lie there!

And while the face lies quiet there,
Who shall wonder
That I ponder
A conclusion? I will try it there.

As,--why must one, for the love foregone
Scout mere liking?
Thunder-striking
Earth,--the heaven, we looked above for, gone!

Why, with beauty, needs there money be,
Love with liking?
Crush the fly-king
In his gauze, because no honey-bee?

May not liking be so simple-sweet,
If love grew there
'Twould undo there
All that breaks the cheek to dimples sweet?

Is the creature too imperfect, say?
Would you mend it
And so end it?
Since not all addition perfects aye!

Or is it of its kind, perhaps,
Just perfection--
Whence, rejection
Of a grace not to its mind, perhaps?

Shall we burn up, tread that face at once
Into tinder,
And so hinder
Sparks from kindling all the place at once?

Or else kiss away one's soul on her?
Your love-fancies!
--A sick man sees
Truer, when his hot eyes roll on her!

Thus the craftsman thinks to grace the rose,--
Plucks a mould-flower
For his gold flower,
Uses fine things that efface the rose.

Rosy rubies make its cup more rose.
Precious metals
Ape the petals,--
Last, some old king locks it up, morose!

Then how grace a rose? I know a way!
Leave it, rather.
Must you gather?
Smell, kiss, wear it--at last, throw away.

A Beautiful Message

One of my close aunt has sent me the following text as an email. I really felt happy and a thought came to my mind. Few words can make us happy and we feel on cloud nine. It is true that words have a life. Think before you speak. When words can make us happy they can also make us unhappy. Where they add happiness to your boring days, they can also make your boring days as discouraging ones. If you cannot encourage others through your words, you have no right to hurt them either by calling them names or by judging them.

Respect your words and think before you speak. This is the biggest strength of successful people and successful relationships in this world. Much above that stick to your words and commitments. One who cannot fulfil what he says or commits is a hollow human being.

God doesn't give you the people you want. He gives you the people you NEED……….

To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into
the person you were meant to be.

Dear God: The lady reading this is beautiful, classy and strong, and I love
her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please promote her and cause her
to excel above her expectations. Help her shine in the darkest places where
it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she
needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with you, She will
always be safe.

Jai Hind!!!

Jai Hind !

Strange!!!

I have not received a single sms on my either numbers. Though, if it would have been a Valentine’s Day or Diwali, my inbox gets flooded with messages. Indeed, I am no exception until my cousin messaged me with the following text:

“Never forget the heroes who sacrificed their lives to bring up this glorious day for us. Lets stand up and salute them.”

The moment I read the message, I felt ashamed that how ignorant we have become towards our country. A country that is not only our identity but also our ‘HOME’. Yes, the word is ‘HOME’.

Think if you forget your address (just imagine), how difficult it would be for you to find a safe shelter for yourself. Then how can we be so ignorant towards ‘Republic Day’. We have started cherishing 26^th January as more of a holiday than a national pride.

The moment I got the message, I opened my wardrobe to find something that is closer to the three beautiful colours of our Flag. Nothing was there. I experimented with a white salwar-kurti and an orange-green dupatta. Trust me, I felt connected to my motherland. No wonders colours can be helpful.

I am proud to be an Indian and I respect my identity much more than anything. Respect those who gave us a free democratic country to express our ideas and thoughts. There can be no description of me other than that I am a ‘PROUD INDIAN’

Happy Republic Day

Jai Hind!

The World Is Too Much With Us

In the sonnet "The World Is Too Much with Us" William Wordsworth contrasts Nature with the world of materialism and "making it." Because we are insensitive to the richness of Nature, we may be forfeiting our souls. To us there is nothing wonderful or mysterious about the natural world, but ancients who were pagans created a colorful mythology out of their awe of Nature.

This is a poem where the poet laments that in modern society, people are so busy with the earthly life that they have lost the ability to see and feel the beauty in Nature and lost their imagination. Here we see at strife the old pagan culture of humanism and modern Industrialism.

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon,
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers,
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not.--Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.

By William Wordsworth

A New Label - Poems

I have added a new label to my blog ‘Poems’. These days when I get tired and exasperated from the same routine of writing my book, I read a poem by famous poets.

It used to be my way to meditate during my college days. Being an English Literature Graduate, I always had an easy access to the poems in my college library. I enjoyed reading ‘William Wordsworth’ the most.

These days I am reading all love poems as they connect you to God and somewhere you feel peace within yourself. The best way to meditate for me is either listening to Buddhist chants or reading a love poem.

I believe ‘God is in Love. Love is in the Air’.

My First Love Poem for my readers under the label ‘Poems’- She was a Phantom Of Delight .

Hope you enjoy reading this as we all are too busy with our killing deadlines or SLAs. So take some time out of your outlook calendars and read the first poem.

She Was a Phantom of Delight

BY - William Wordsworth                                                

She was a Phantom of delight When first she gleamed upon my sight; A lovely Apparition, sent To be a moment's ornament; Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair; Like Twilight's, too, her dusky hair; But all things else about her drawn From May-time and the cheerful Dawn; A dancing Shape, an Image gay, To haunt, to startle, and waylay. I saw her upon nearer view, A Spirit, yet a Woman too! Her household motions light and free, And steps of virgin-liberty; A countenance in which did meet Sweet records, promises as sweet; A Creature not too bright or good For human nature's daily food, For transient sorrows, simple wiles, Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles. And now I see with eye serene The very pulse of the machine; A Being breathing thoughtful breath, A Traveller between life and death; The reason firm, the temperate will, Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill; A perfect Woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command; And yet a Spirit still, and bright With something of angelic light.

Love Never Dies

I never want this to happen to anyone in the world. But when I read this touching story, I looked at the brighter side of it. There is no end to true love. As great people said “Love Never Dies”. I thought to post this on Valentine’s Day but then as I believe do not live for events live everyday as it is your last day. So think today is Valentine’s Day and read this as a post under ‘From My Library’. Honestly, I cried after reading this not out of emotions but I was touched by the power of true love.

Red roses were her favorites, her name was also Rose.
And every year her husband sent them, tied with pretty bows.
The year he died, the roses were delivered to her door.
The card said, "Be my Valentine," like all the years before.

Each year he sent her roses, and the note would always say,
"I love you even more this year, than last year on this day."
"My love for you will always grow, with every passing year."
She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear.

She thought, he ordered roses in advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know, that he would pass away.
He always liked to do things early, way before the time.
Then, if he got too busy, everything would work out fine.

 She trimmed the stems, and placed them in a very special vase.
Then, sat the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face.
She would sit for hours, in her husband's favorite chair.
While staring at his picture, and the roses sitting there.

A year went by, and it was hard to live without her mate.
With loneliness and solitude, that had become her fate.
Then, the very hour, as on Valentines before,
The doorbell rang, and there were roses, sitting by her door

She brought the roses in, and then just looked at them in shock.
Then, went to get the telephone, to call the florist shop.
The owner answered, and she asked him, if he would explain,
Why would someone do this to her, causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago,"
The owner said, "I knew you'd call, and you would want to know."
"The flowers you received today, were paid for in advance."
"Your husband always planned ahead, he left nothing to chance."

"There is a standing order, that I have on file down here,
And he has paid, well in advance, you'll get them every year.
There also is another thing, that I think you should know,
He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago."

"Then, should ever, I find out that he's no longer here,
That's the card...that should be sent, to you the following year."
She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard.
Her fingers shaking, as she slowly reached to get the card.

Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note.
Then, as she stared in total silence, this is what he wrote...
"Hello my love, I know it's been a year since I've been gone,
I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome."

"I know it must be lonely, and the pain is very real.
For if it was the other way, I know how I would feel.
The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life.
I loved you more than words can say, you were the perfect wife."

"You were my friend and lover, you fulfilled my every need.
I know it's only been a year, but please try not to grieve.
I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears.
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years."

"When you get these roses, think of all the happiness,
That we had together, and how both of us were blessed.
I have always loved you and I know I always will.
But, my love, you must go on, you have some living still."

 "Please...try to find happiness, while living out your days.
I know it is not easy, but I hope you find some ways.
The roses will come every year, and they will only stop,
When your door's not answered, when the florist stops to knock."

"He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out.
But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt,
To take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him,
And place the roses where we are, together once again."

Love and Time

I went for shopping and while I was parking my car I read something very interesting. It goes like this “Helping Hands are better than Praying Lips”. It is very true what a helping hand can do for someone a prayer cannot. I was thinking deeply around this when I entered Crossword at Shoppers. While searching for one of the latest books by Jack Canfield, I picked up a story book. It was collection of short inspirational stories. While reading through the index I came across a short story around ‘Love’. I felt to share as a part of my label ‘From My Library’.

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.

Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.

When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said,
"Richness, can you take me with you?"
Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!"
"I can't help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you."
"Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"

Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Realizing how much was owed the elder,

Love asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who Helped me?"
"It was Time," Knowledge answered.
"Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?"


Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."

Making Of A Mother

Well most of the people think that a mother is a mother if she has a biological child. I was reading through some stuff when I read this awesome story ‘Making of a Mother’. It is a small story that is mainly an interaction between God and angel. After reading this I felt very contented as when God created woman he created a mother in her. There is a mother irrespective of biological or sponsored or adopted words tagged to a woman. When God does not differentiate a biological mother from a sponsored one then who are WE?

Just read this making of a mother and you will find a mother in every woman you met in your life.

By the time the Lord made mothers, He was into the sixth day working overtime.  An Angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

And the Lord answered and said, "Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not elastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands." 

The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. "Six pairs of hands! No way!"  said the Angel.

The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem.  It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!" 

"And that's on the standard model?" the Angel asked.

The Lord nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head.  They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."

The Angel tried to stop the Lord "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."

"But I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower." 

The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?" asked the Angel. 

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."

The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like You have a leak with this model. I told You that You were trying to put too much into  this one."

"That's not a leak." the Lord objected.  "That's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the Angel asked. 

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."  

The Angel was impressed.  "You are a genius, Lord.  You thought of everything for this one.  You even created the tear!"

The Lord looked at the Angel and smiled and said, "I'm afraid you are wrong again.  I created the woman, but she created the tear!"

It Touched Me....

The days I feel sad I login and read few good inspirational stuff. They really pump you up. I had some time today off my project work and read few good stories. Here is one as a part of label ‘From My Library’.

A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told
him that was all he wanted.  As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and  told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.

 Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, eather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you
give  me  a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had   not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make  arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed   to come home immediately and take care things. When he arrived at  his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.

 He began to search his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears,  he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those  words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible. It  had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports  car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?

3 Updates For My Readers

I had a great night out on January 1^st and hope you guys would have enjoyed as well. There are three updates for my readers.

Update 1:

I have finally taken up the idea to write a book. I know this will leave a smile on few special faces as few of you really wanted me to write one. I have no clue what will I write or pen down but yes my mind has started shaping up in that direction. To be honest I have already pen down couple of chapters and this keeps me truly busy.  As I scope things, I might have to invest the time of my blog to the book so the frequency of my posts might reduce on weekly basis. I will post the link on my FB to keep you guys updated. Like my blog my book has to closer to the realistic, practical world of common masses. It has to be in simple language and real facts which means no place for ‘Fiction’. Most of you would have judged I cannot write fiction and I want to do justice to what I write. My exposure is limited to real world and facts around common man only. So my posts might reduce to few numbers as compared to earlier frequency.

Update 2:

The idea of book is exciting and it really makes me feel that sitting at a desk with a laptop for 8 hours in an office was easier than writing a book. When you write for others there is lot of judgements about the subject and much more than that you have to be prepared for both sides of the coin – criticisms and appreciation. Where former gives you an idea of ‘improvement areas’, the latter keep you spirits high. So you really need focus and a balance between mind and soul. As a result I have taken of the comments section since I had to invest lot of time in screening the comments, deciding what to publish and what not. Much more than that responding to few readers who leave their comments with email ids. The best part is to screen comments that are more like criticisms and with not much information. As most of you are on my FB you can leave you healthy feedback there itself. But I appreciate all the comments both negative and positive as they give me a challenge to write better and develop as a mature writer. I want people to read me through my blog not through comments.

Update 3:

This is for the last post dated 31^st December 2010. Two of my close friends and my honest readers have left comments on FB. Thanks for the appreciation but I shared this story not to prove that I am ‘Bravo’ but to tell that ‘Live Life in Moments’. But yes your comments really pumped me up and I felt good that people are able to connect with what I write. And I admit that you two have been my honest readers who came up with criticisms as well. I would definitely need your help while my book writing.

Few days back when I got a good comment, I shared with all of you so today, an honest thing for all my readers. You all will be surprised to know that my biggest critic is my husband as he never read any of my post and he is definitely one of my biggeststrength to start this blog. This Saturday when he read my first post he said “You really write well and you can definitely write a book but I find your post not very exciting.” I gave a weird look to which he said “Healthy feedback. Everyone may not have the same interest. If you write for common masses then you are open to different feedback. I like fiction so for me your posts are not very interesting but on the whole you are good writer.” I felt bad for a while but then I thought his honesty is to be appreciated. At the same time he gives me a reason to improve. So does all of you.

I am planning to add few more labels to the blog and you guys would be updated around the same.

Happy 2011