Bum-Ba-Ra-Bum

Oh, they come in countless sizes,

and in many different shapes.

Oh, they come in varied colors,

and are a feast for the bloody eyes.

Those cute little cupcakes, 
the teenage missies flaunt.

Tightly wrapped in low cuts,

for a peek from passers-by.

Those round fleshy melons,

the curvy aunties flash.

Deftly wrapped in regulars,

for a gawk from passers-by.

Those ripe puckered papayas,

the weathered socialites bare.

Cleverly wrapped 'n' padded,

for a look from passers-by.

Oh, they come in countless sizes,

and in many different shapes.

Oh, they come in varied colors,

and are a feast for the bloody eyes. 

Chutki... a year later

A bundle of mischief, joy, and energy;
always curious, she's never still.

O Bangalore

Missies, pretty and well-endowed,
hunks, rugged and macho.
Wrap defiant attitudes in urban attires,
and prefer to live life in the fast lane.
Feel conveniently secure in,
dim-lit bars and noisy pubs.
Blow smoke rings between,
leisurely sips and tasty tidbits.
Zoom around in a drunken haze,
careless and carefree, they are.
Life begins through thy veins,
O Bangalore, even the metro!

Women, engrossed and trussed,
men, bored and seeking.
Wrap frustration in branded outfits,
and prefer to live a life of pretence.
Feel comfortably secure in,
ashrams and holistic retreats.
Take deep breaths between,
chanting mantras and yoga poses.
Walk around in a hallowed haze,
confused and piqued, they are.
Life moves through thy veins,
O Bangalore, even the metro!

Grannies, frail and wise,
grandpas, mellowed and patient.
Wrap loneliness in altered garments,
and want to live every moment.
Feel conveniently secure in,
old-age homes or with reluctant off-springs.
Stifles a sniffle between,
every step and flashes of reminiscence.
Wobble around in a submissive haze,
perturbed and glum, they are.
Life ebbs through thy veins,
O Bangalore, even the metro!

Woman

Beautiful among his creations,
blooms when nurtured in freedom.
So have fun and let her be; for change
is a part of her chemistry,
and of life itself.

The death knell?

People I knew left, one after the other
euphoria does not last forever.
One quit, as a nuptial favour;
had to happen someday or the other.
The Star-Spangled Banner took another;
opportunity and talent walk close together.
Soon followed, the only mentor,
interference had doused the fervour.
Another got the wader;
warped instincts lead to failure.

Hisses are getting louder and closer;
intent is clear, it’s all for power.
Indus bonds with Hoogly and Bellandur;
sounds surreal, it's the truth however.
Claps aplenty for all things mediocre;
mired in apathy lies the stickler.
Works are fiddled, just to bother;
zeal is lost, no creative fire.
Got caught, in a state of stupor;
road ahead looks rocky and obscure.

Curtains for some... close shaves for a few

Just recently...
an uncle, a cousin,
and a chum, shed
their mortal forms and
crossed over to the netherworld.

Another two buddies,
almost caught a glimpse,
of the pearly gates,
but a twist of fate,
brought them back.

Now, the departed...
are they reliving,
their earthly days,
with good old St. Pete,
over beers and cigarettes?

Or, are they getting
ready for another stint,
in a new guise,
on good old earth,
to savour life, yet again?

Now, the survivors...
are they thankful,
for the second chance,
the lord gave them,
to sip from the cup of life?

Or, do they remain
oblivious to the close call,
preferring to live life,
with a bit of virtue and ,
a lot of vice or vice-versa?

Tenors of a Tenner

How did it go, all these years?
What did it give, the decade gone by?
Was it Bouquets, all along?
Or, were there brickbats too?

Didn’t you meet many, all these years?
How did they fare, bonds of the decade gone by?
Did they turn out to be enduring ones?
Or, were they like meteors on a starry night?

Yet, you did have your bit, didn't you?
To be proud of the decade gone by.
For it made you a sound professional,
a fine wife, and a loving mother too!

This was written for my colleague, Meena, who completed 10 years at our organisation on the 31st of May, 2011.