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

Taking a step back

Today, when a wise plumber fixed a leaky pipe in our house it helped me understand the true meaning of taking a step back. 

All he did was advice us to turn the nozzle back a bit after closing it tight. 

Putting pressure to make it tight will only damage the washer and make it leak further.

In life too we are always obsessed with moving forward and exert our energy doing it. It helps to take a step back at times to avoid getting burnt out.




©Balaji Palanidurai

In a digital age of viral ignorance

We live in a digital age of viral ignorance
Lost in the spiral at times is our common sense

Boosted by mobile that runs on apple and android
Blasted we are with news, ample and void

With humor added, spam it gets lacking veracity
Ignorant of rumor, added to a mocking society


Memes, snippets, videos et al we receive as forward
Reading them all we see ourselves and perceive as backward

Through WhatsApp and Snapchat we connect to folks far and wide
Alas, we ape and snap at our own folks near and beside

Like bees out of its hive, ignorant of the spy, on its honey to steal
Likes and share we do, ignorant of the privacy we reveal

Cross the road I see people do, with mobiles against their nose
Engrossed & ignorant of dangers approaching from far and close

We live in a digital age of viral ignorance
Ignorant of impact on our life and casual hindrance

Its never too late to come out of this ignorance
Just add to your plate, discipline and endurance

©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