A Subtle Message from Mumbai

Beyond the seven seas, the copious city stands

Mixed feelings running through its veins, bloodshed across its lands

The roots of its being, the core of its existence

Built up combating nature, filled up with aspirations

Inhabited by fishermen, it stroked its golden bristles

Upon the vassals of the sea poured down affluent existence

As years passed by, it laid its lineage; the Mecca of merchants

Swiftly took the world by its grandeur, drew populace from all directions

Laying down the foremost railway tracks of its homeland, it rejoiced

Yet failed to prophesy backfiring, as insufferable crowds out’ trains poised

Indeed it was ill-fate that caused this generous place to crease

The blasts, attacks, the dreaded floods; disruption of its peace

The malice in dark-hearted souls, the callousness of sinful minds

The molestation of its women; the terror in children’s eyes

Time and again it stood up; with valiant demeanor, lugged on the cart

Hoped to be revered once again, prayed they’d see a change of heart

Wasted upon spiteful populace, now its battle scars are weary

Reminisces the time when deference encompassed its rising glory

Lived though several ups and downs, it is set to mend the creed

To start afresh is what it wishes, perhaps it conspires to retreat...

The Light That Shone

Gushing by the city, swiftly he flew; cutting across trees and concrete galore

Fluid was his motion, swooshing was his gait; diminished all objects like in a park, a stroll

Above and below every obstruction, he believed in his freedom, his power, his might

Until he encountered the sparkling beauty; enclosed in a jar, grinning at his plight

He stopped for a moment, combating his nature; gazed at the splendor of her penetrating glow

Wondered how a spark with such humble origins could possibly confront his vehement blow

He swooshed, he twirled, encompassed the sheath; watched violent strokes failing to subdue her smile

Agonized, aggravated, he put forth the question, “What makes thee shine, ebbing the hostile?”

She chuckled and spun, a dramatic foreplay; slightly proceeding to the glass that he tapped

Warm eyes burning with passion deep, she spoke her heart out, her mannerisms apt

“I shine for the ones discouraged by fate; I shine for the souls of my martyrs

For the ones crestfallen by rejection, for my cities shredded down to tatters

“I shine for my strivers, my opportunists, my volunteers in changing the world

For guides to the path of Light, for the Holy teachers spreading the word

“I shine for all that is moral, hoping humility grows into a common virtue

I shine simply for ‘knowledge’; for that is all this universe must pursue”

Touched by her words, the wind flashed a smile and gently bid her adieu

His reach was far more than could ever be the flame’s, pondered on his path as he blew

From then on, he swore to use his scope better, to transform the world as he had known

He’d always remember the enlightening thoughts of the diminutive light that shone...