Beauty of Goodwill

Fortunate you are to experience a goodwill

Culminate it does over time, not at will
Inherit though some do, sans a written will
Alas, acquire some do by passing a bill

Maintain it well, like it is your health
Sustain it will, like your wealth
Jealously it may create, at times in stealth
Seriously if taken, may plant thoughts of filth

Asset it is not, still worthy of a credit
Liability it becomes if not followed by a debit
Leverage it wisely, never misuse it
Else, erode it will - bit by bit

Intangible it can be on your balance sheet
Responsible if you are it will often repeat
Intention if there is to amass and cheat
Tension it creates and will soon deplete

Respect it well, so it becomes your legacy
Suspect none will or call it a fallacy
Adopt its heritage they will in infancy
Your goodwill, of all, will rein in supremacy

Fortunate you will be to experience goodwill
Accumulate it over time, never at will
Inherit if you did, do pass it on in your will
Acquire, never do, by passing a bill

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©Balaji Palanidurai
January has been busy with setting up my consulting business and working on my first client project. Preoccupied mind is not creative and I experienced it during his period - result there was no poem in Jan.

But, few events in my daily life and recent holiday in the East triggered something  - goodwill of  vendors that I meet who don't hesitate to top up my vegetable purchase with some greens or that extra couple of bananas when I buy a dozen.

I think about help my wife extends to our servant maid at times in kind and sometimes monetary - all in goodwill!

I also remember the incident when the AT&T lady topped up my phone card (free of cost) during our holiday in USA - actually their system was not able to recognize my UK post code and local post code was not matching with the credit card address! $10 just added.

Goodwill is such a good thing, so lets admire its beauty.

Pssst: I asked my 14 year old daughter to make me a cartoon for this poem and she did one. At first I could not relate to it. When she explained the story I realized she thinks deeper than me!!

Its a large family that buys some goodies. The last kid does not get a piece. So, the shopkeeper give her a piece out of goodwill!

Gin's Ode to his master

My master calls me good old Gin
Might be the effect of alochol
For, I love my coffee in sun
Filtered & light, with chicory et al

Woof, woof i love a mountain hike
Many he took me, when young
Aloof, we went on his motorbike
Memories on his wall, they are hung

Streets many we roamed in our city
Friends, a few, he made through me
Strays many we found, full of pity
Befriend many, I did through him

Coat & socks for my fur and skin
He looks after me, like next of kin
Bed and mattress for my comfort
His house, i guard like a king's fort

Fourteen years for a dog is history
How I survived illness is a mystery
I admire all efforts, for me,  he took
Umpteen years, i will live on facebook

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This is close to my heart. A good friend posted on facebook that his pet Gin (a good old Lab that has its own facebook album ) turned 14 that day and he had written a nice note appreciating their companionship.
As a dog owner myself I could completely relate to every word in that post and something in me said that I should write a poem for Gin and him. I soaked in the message in his post and mapped to the photo album to create a poem in my standard style of writing.

Outcome is the this Gin's ode to his master. Hope you like it.

Beauty of perception

Beauty lies in beholders eyes, they say
Duty lies with them to appreciate it, I say
In the heart of the artist, beauty is conceived
Mind of the viewer decides how it is perceived

Communication is an art, they say
Mastering lies in its empowerment, i say
In the flow of words our message is conceived
Expression and tone decides how it is perceived

Network is your net worth, they say
Exploring it usefully lies the secret, i say
In our behaviour and approach, impression is conceived
Humility and attitude decides how it is perceived

Negotiation is a valuable skill, they say
Elevating it assertively is the secret of leadership, i say
In persuasion and tactics our intent is conceived
Happiness and outcome decides how it is perceived

Happiness is a state of mind, they say
Joy of spreading it lies with us, i say
In our flow of thoughts happiness is conceived
Emotions at that moment decides how it is perceived

Beauty lies in beholders eyes, they say
Duty lies with them to appreciate it, I say
In the heart of the artist, beauty is conceived
Mind of the viewer decides how it is perceived

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©Balaji Palanidurai

I happen to see a Tweet by @anandmahindra that had a philosophical question.

https://twitter.com/anandmahindra/status/1073472301767757824?s=19

I also happened to see a wall art and posted a similar tweet yesterday.

It got me thinking and I started to react with a reply. Soon, I realized the depth in that question and the framework I am working on to promote enlightened growth.

Result is this poem, which got further inspired, by me being, in my native village immersed in the fresh air and beauty of  green farmlands in the neighborhood .

Beauty of Outcomes

Our act of living has an outcome
Some define it as a purpose
If it becomes pursuit of income
Redefine it, with a discourse

In the act of setting up a wakeup alarm
Outcome we expect, is to rise
The act, intentionally, to snooze it with an arm
Purpose, neither met nor wise

In the act of hearing someone speak
Outcome we expect, is to listen
The act, inbetween, to respond to a beep
Purpose, neither met nor brazen

In the act of caring someone in pain
Outcome we expect , is healing
The act, though, of doing it for ample gain
Purpose, neither met nor appealing

In the act of responding to our need
Outcome we expect, is joy
The act of, voluntarily, giving in to our greed
Purpose, neither met nor coy

Our act of living has an outcome
Some define it as a purpose
When it becomes pursuit of income
Redefine it, with a discourse

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©Balaji Palanidurai

I wrote this on a my travel back from Bengaluru to Chennai on 11th Nov. I had made a personal choice to travel in the common man coach - decison was an outcome of minimalist living. The cost of this travel was 1/20th of the cost of the same trip that I used to do by air, when employed.

Outcome matters for everything we do in life, be it brushing our teeth or baking a birthday cake. Personal hygiene, purpose of former and show of affection or cost savings could be for the latter. As long as the purpose is clear followed by genuine  effort, a positive outcome is more or less guaranteed.

நினைத்தேன் நிறைந்தேன்

என் அத்தானுடன் வாழ்ந்த காலத்தை நினைத்தேன்
பல ஆயிரம் வண்ணக்கணவுகளுடன் மனம் நிறைந்தேன்

எட்டாறு ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு இல்லற வாழ்வின் தொடக்கத்தை நினைத்தேன்
எட்டாறு மாதங்கள் அவ்வாழ்வின் ஒவ்வொரு நொடியுடன் மனம் நிறைந்தேன்

கடந்த ஈராறு மாதங்களில் புது வாழ்வின் மாற்றங்களை நினைத்தேன்
நல்லதோர் குடும்பம் மற்றும் நோயற்ற வாழ்வில் மனம் நிறைந்தேன்

எழுபதிலும் வெற்றிநடைப் போடும் செட்டிநாடு ஆச்சீயை நினைத்தேன்
தானாக வந்த ஊக்கம் மற்றும் மனஉறுதியுடன் மனம் நிறைந்தேன்

வாழ்வில் நான் கடந்துவந்த பல வெற்றி- தோல்விகளை நினைத்தேன்
அவற்றை உணர்ந்து கற்று வாழும் பக்குவத்துடன் மனம் நிறைந்தேன்

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©Balaji Palanidurai
I wrote this poem on 6th Oct 2018 midnight by the bar and dinning area at Club Mahindra Puducherry (Pondicherry). 6th Oct happens to be my dad's remembrance day and usually we spend the day at home. There is a ritual that we do to help his soul rest in peace. I support this so my mom feels at ease. 

This year I wanted to do something different and booked a family holiday to celebrate his and our life. Pondicherry felt like a good idea as my father used to frequent and loved going there. 

Glad I did what I did. We had a wonderful time and I saw my mother rejuvenating at 70! This poem is my dedication to her and infact is actually her mind voice ...that i heard!

Me, myself and WhatsApp

There was a time, in recent past 

WhatsApp took over me & fast
Instant replies to a beep from far
Distant, felt my folks close & for

Bin, block, hide or uninstall

My duel with it was, an order tall
Sin, i did by giving it a divorce
My life; saved from getting worse

21 days, lasted our blissful separation
Reengaged we were with negotiation
Limited touch agreed; work or pleasure
Habituated I got; no metric, no measure

Time is now & I live in the present
Ignore, I do, those beep with no resent
I even made a new circle of friends
Explore we do & I wish it never ends

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©Balaji Palanidurai

I wrote this on my 44th birthday for which I had made dinner plans with family and then a movie night with my wife (after a long time!!) to see the newly released Hindi movie Karwaan. We both like Irrfan Khan & Dulquer Salman both great actors in their own category.

Unfortunately, we had to drop all plan as Mr Karunanidhi late Chief Minister of Tamilnadu passed away in the evening. State mourning was declared in his honour and the least we could do was skip our party plans. 

After some Quality time with family and nice home cook food l started browsing thorugh my birthday wishes on social media. WhatsApp was overwhelmed as I had reconnected with my school(s) friends and made a new circle of friends. This positive effect of technology prompted me recollect the opposite effect it once had and what I did to neutralize. Outcome is Me, myself and WhatsApp!!

I am sure most of you will relate to this... 

Beauty of compassion

Streets many he roamed, with
lens in hand; held with passion
Retreat home he did; tanned, with
heart in hand dipped in compassion

To bring those landscapes to life
he added color to the canvas
To see life in his portait still
in b&w he clicked one, as it was

In acts of life he zoomed & clicked
angles many, at times even twice
Facts of life, subtle but there!
beauty, he knew, lies in beholders eyes

Scanned them all in order & at ease
Stumbled, he did, upon a master piece
A pair of friends sharing a drink
Looks differed, but needs in sync

Friendship day it was,
weather sunny & clear
Inundate with it, many, i did
whether, near or dear

Streets many, in quest, we roam
Ears plugged & eyes sans emotion
Free them once and feel at home
Hear, see & live with compassion

Picture taken by Shrinath Vs 

https://www.facebook.com/shrinath.v

©Balaji Palanidurai

Beauty of our heritage

Beauty of heritage is in the synergy

of tradition, buildings & language
Duty of people lies in their energy
to cascade it with pride & assuage

Diverse, are cities we live in, where
time & people move rampant & fast
Immerse, they do in routines, their 

yesterday seems like a distant past

No wonder, traditions with hardly
any existence or of age
Becomes a fashion and smartly
many call it their heritage

Buildings, preserved over ancestry
through care and diligence
Transformed into abode with luxury
throw culture in negligence

Tradition & values etched on stones
narrate to us many a story
Expeditions far & many, for thrones
curate for us a hearty history

Big temples & forts of supremacy
defied laws of nature & invasions
Stand testimony to our democracy
defined rules for modern inventions

Beauty of heritage is in the synergy
of tradition, buildings & language
Duty of people lies in their energy
to cascade it with pride & assuage

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©Balaji Palanidurai
I wrote this poem after a heritage tour I went on 20-22 July 2018 Ottran Padhai (#OttranPadhai). It was to visit heritage sites of The Cholas and beautifully curated by a good (and crazy) friend of mine, themed on a famous novel "Ponniyin Selvan" by Kalki.

I started feeling like someone from that era. It kicked off an urge to find my ancestry, which I kind of know I have that roots. This, in turn, added fuel to my quest for my heritage!

Beauty of Freedom

Freedom is beautiful, isn't it?
To say yes, one has to experience it

For some, it might be freedom of speech
Not, if all they want it for, is to preach

For some, it might be freedom of the press
Not, if all they want to share, is  news to depress

For some, it might be freedom from parenthood
Not, if all they want it for, is to look under the hood

For some, it might be freedom from their occupation
Not, if all they want it for, is to complain about the nation

For some, it might be freedom from a current relationship
Not, if all they want it for, is to flaunt another courtship

For some, it might be freedom from suffering and pain
Not, if all they want it for, is to be able to do it again

And for some, it might be freedom from life
Not, if all they want to do, is to end it with a knife

For all you know, life is beautiful and we live it once
Let's make it joyful before we become past-tense

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© Balaji Palanidurai

I wrote this poem on 30th June 2018 onboard flight BA 36 sitting in a (windowless) seat 21A in the premium economy that I paid to upgrade!!
Incidents on the plane and in-flight experience inspired me to write this poem. I dedicate this to the nice cabin crew member by name Janet who said i have something in my smile to make others feel good. I have to live up to that now..no pressure.

Precision in nature

If you want to experience precision

Look no further than natures creation

Be it the stem, leaves or flowers

Be it the mountain, springs or rivers

No metrics, no scale nor measurement

No foundation, no drilling nor adjustment

They blossom and flow in cohesion

And inspire many an invention

©Balaji Palanidurai

Beauty of tears we shed

Why we cry is still a mystery
Some say, answer is in chemistry
Why do we want to know? I ask
Our feelings could do with a tear mask

Crying in sadness, anger & fear
Expressed at times by a rolling tear
Unspoken words of near & dear
Can be heard by all, loud and clear

Crying in happiness, calm & joy
Expressed alike, be it a woman or boy
Tears of legends, seen on the world stage
Is shared by all, irrespective of age

Crying in pain, agony & humiliation
Expressed with a wail or depression
More by women, I hear a few moan
Society is the cause, blame not the hormone

Crying is common in animals too, I read
How will they express? It made me dread
Insane it will be to watch them cry
Feel their emotion, its worth a try.

Why we cry is still a mystery
Some say, answer is in chemistry
Why do we want to know? I ask
Our feelings could do with a tear mask

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©Balaji Palanidurai

Last night I watched the legend Roger Federer in tears after giving his victory speech post his 20th grand slam title. It was beautiful to see the entire stadium cry with him and so did I. Earlier in the day, I was coaching my teenage daughter on fighting spirit and I noticed tears rolling of her cheeks. She did not know why she was crying, neither did I! I did a brief research and found there is quite a bit of research being doing on "why we cry?".
I think is is perfectly normal for anyone to cry, to let out out emotions - if involuntary it would be even more beautiful. Be happy!

Thank you in advance to various sites for allowing me to include your images. I do not intent to commercialize this work so I hope you will forgive me for borrowing them to express my feelings :-)

Beauty of words we speak

Choice we have, to empower

the words we speak
Voice it over, atop a clock tower
for the world to seek

Used nice, words can bind us
in love with freedom
Used wise, it can find us
a trove of wisdom

Less words create a feeling,
full of emptiness
More of it creates a ceiling,
to the wall of happiness

Words describe an event in time
as a story to be narrated
Subscribed over a period of time
history gets created

Coined together, words can provide
meaning to a phrase
Joined together to create a void,
is mean and a disgrace

To create a language with words
is a gift unique to the human race
Barrier if it creates worst than swords
be swift to critique, prima facie.

Choice we have, to empower
the words we speak
Voice it over, atop a clock tower
for the world to seek

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©Balaji Palanidurai

I am in a dilemma of the apt title for this poem - between "Beauty of words we speak" and "Power of our words" after writing the poem! I happened to see a TED India talk by lyricist Javed Akthar on "Words", which triggered this creation of my own. I hope you like it.
I created the image with words from my poem using www.wordart.com #wordart.

Beauty of small things

You can also listen to this poem.

Admire, I do, the beauty

of small things

Inspire, they do, in plenty

till my heart sings

Colorful rangoli, spread outside 

the front door of my neighbor

Wonderful and holy, she felt inside 

when I lauded her artful labor

Tiny flower in that earthen pot

hardly in my line of sight 

Shiny wonder it became on spot

when it fell in the line of sunlight 

Sparrows many flapping like a dart

noticed only when I need

Sorrows any drowning, get wiped apart

when I throw them some feed

Incense sticks lit in a corner 

felt only by its fragrance

Essence of it, if lavender 

melt I do & ease into a light trance 

Admire, I do, the beauty

of small things

Inspire, they do, in plenty

till my heart sings


©Balaji Palanidurai

The New Year feeling

Can you sense
the new year feeling?
When memories of the year
come down reeling

Those goals from last year
some even as resolution
Resurface they will this year
for your kind introspection

Some big and some small
bold and beautiful they were all
A feeling of pride that will arise
when ticked, sans any compromise

Whether it was to bring about
a thousand smiles
Or travel the world in a boat
clocking fewer air miles

More time with friends
and even more with family
What you achieved in the end
better not require an apology

Those stars and pats on the back
for slogging at work hours together
If they had a purpose and knack
would help you in all weather

Those goals on health
and holistic happiness
Tick them in stealth
not cosmetic completeness

Can you sense fast
the new year feeling?
Celebrate the past
but get the future rolling!

Wish you all a very happy new year!

©Balaji Palanidurai

Festival of lights

It's diwali, festival of lights
To celebrate at will is within our rights

Sweet and snacks we exchange
to one and all in our neighbourhood
Crackers we fire within a range
to bring back images of our childhood

Colorful dresses, many we wear
Vary at times of people who stare
Shoutout load so it spikes their hair
"Happy Diwali" and clear the air

It's diwali, festival of lights
Celebrate at will is within our rights

But hey, we live in a democracy
Be responsible and don't go crazy
Fireworks that fly and makes sound
Are better fired in an open ground

Elderly and pets living in our society
Be wary of their health & anxiety
Previledge we have, avoid getting  greedy
Indulge in some and share with the needy

It's diwali, festival of lights
Let's celebrate in style within our rights

©Balaji Palanidurai

Beauty of giving

I have made a few new friends
with good heart and soul
Giving for them never ends
as that makes them whole

In the day and age where virtual
charity is a style
Remote communities they choose
and go the extra mile

They share pictures of celebration
during visits with their team
Of men, women and children in jubilation
Beaming with pride and esteem

To read they give books in a pile
and to play there is a handmade toy
Their giving bring about relief and smile

Bond ir creates & camaraderie to enjoy

Happy with their bag of gifts

Stationary, beddings at times a dress
They share with family and guests
Gratitude most feel, a few unable to express

Their noble deeds for humanity
touch many a heart and soul
Through service above self & charity
transform lives they do...in whole!

©Balaji Palanidurai

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I wrote this in Oct 2020 when I got inducted into Rotary by a friend, philosopher and guide. 2 years on I am living this poem.

I updated a few lines based on my experience recently and dedicating it to Rotarian Mohan (from my chapter RC Chennai IT CITY) on his birthday - for his passion to give; both in cash & kind and for his tireless effort to make our giving sustainable and a lasting legacy!

இழப்பின் உள் குரல்

மாலை நேர மயக்கமா அல்லது
மனதில் தோன்றிய வருத்தமா?
தன் தந்தை இறுதி படுக்கையில்

மெலிந்து உறங்கும் தோற்றமா?

தன் நெஞ்சில் என்னை தூக்கி வளர்த்த அவரை
என் தோள்கள் சுமக்கும் காலம் தள்ளித்தான் போகுமா?

கூடியிருக்கும் சொந்தங்களுக்கு 

என் உள் குரல் தான் கேட்குமா?
கேட்டாலும், போகும் உயிரை 

அவர்களால் தடுக்க முடியுமா?

குடும்பத்தலைவன் பொறுப்பை ஏற்கும் 

தருணம் வந்துவிட்ட அச்சமா?
அப்பொறுப்பில் கால்பங்கு எனக்கு

மரபுவழி தான் வந்து சேருமா?

கொள்ளிவைத்த கைகளுக்கு கடைசி 

வரம் ஒன்று கிடைக்குமா?
என் தந்தை உறங்க இடம் ஒன்று 

சொர்க்கத்தில் கிடைக்குமா?

©Balaji Palanidurai

Moments before my inheritance

A quite saturday in October 2012, the date was six
Events over the course of the day had me into a fix

The man I looked up to was still and clam on his bed
Near and dear to him were standing around and spread

Long ordeal it was, which he fought through with patience
A value he knew, in minutes few, would be my inheritance

Time was ticking, the silence was deafening & feeling was of pity
His eyes kept watching his dear wife; signaling my responsibility

Images millions I could see in those eyes, along with a contented smile
Of his village house, the pond and ancestors, all stacked up in a pile

Was he in distress or in pain? How can I tell with hardly any sound or sign?
Atlast, he let out tears like raing drops  & a sigh of despair, yet benign!

He had led his life in public and private with virtue of honesty
A value that I would now inherit and adhere to in all earnesty

©Balaji Palanidurai

O' pigeon on the windowsill

O' pigeon! you are back
on that windowsill
to lay eggs one or two
and sit on it still.

In weeks two they will hatch
Four more before they fledge.
Hope the window latch
till then remains closed,
lest it pushes you from the edge.



It was different last time around
that house was locked all year round
I now hear voices in Dolby surround
at times makes my head to pound.

Informed I have about your nest
Nodded they did maybe in gist
O' pigeon on that windowsill
I hope they keep those windows still!

©Balaji Palanidurai

Presence

Presence! Isn't it strange?
Impact, they say, depends on its range.

Spreads warmth in proximity, also when heard and felt

Absence of it makes loved ones dread and melt

Described once by the phrase "..waiting on the line"

Prescribed now just by their status as "online"

Years many & with words 000's many try
to establish theirs on the street
Hundred forty words & at times as a reply
is all it takes for some via a tweet

Celebrity some become leveraging its essence
Brevity is the outcome if followed by arrogance

Hours or minutes, all that matters is its importance
Silence too can be felt, like a flamed incense.

*********~~~~~~~~~~*********

©Balaji Palanidurai