Rekha's Musings

Ganapati Bappa Moraya!


Ganapati Bappa is coming home today
For ten whole days he’s going to stay.

Mummy is busy making sweets
Everyday she will serve new treats.

Dad’s busy putting up the lights
Bappa likes beautiful sights.

Roses, lilies, and jasmines galore
A silver chakra to add to the decor.

Uncles and aunts and cousins will come
Together we will have lots of fun.

Yes mom, I will be good, and never rude
All for Bappa, isn’t he a cool dude?

Why can’t I be like Bappa for a day
And sit in his temple just for a day?

All will sing aartis to me, and pray
With folded hands they will say:

“Give us good sense Oh God
Keep us happy Oh Lord”.

They will all eat modaks, while I watch
No, no, never, for Bappa - I’m no match!

Home Sweet Home

Let our home have a heart, Not just vacant walls.
Let its doors stand open, to meet, greet and welcome all.

Let love and affection abide here, And feelings never alter.
Let wealth come with warmth, In sharing we never falter.

Let love blossom always, Not just in fair weather.
Let tears trickle with tenderness, Binding all together.

Let words ring full of meaning, Not just hollow speech.
Let us practice all that’s noble, Not just pray and preach.

Let music be the food of life, Not just shallow song.
Let the thread of oneness weave thru, strong and long.

Let our home nurture little ones virtuous and strong.
Let our home nurture little ones virtuous and strong.

MANHATTAN MUSINGS

The streets buzz, the avenues throb
The entire lot is on the ball!
‘Park’ for the posh and ‘Broad’ for the arty
Lex and the rest for the hoity toity!

Manicured lawns, terraced gardens, heated pools
are a way of life – no fetish!
Scurrying puppies, handsome, well kempt
Loved and cared as babies on a leash?

Why in hell!, What the fcuk!, Oooh My God!
Colorful epithets hang in the air
As youngsters flaunt in gay abandon
Spagettis, shorts and music pods.

Office goers rush; in smart suits and laptops
Tight skirts and stilettos clicking the sidewalks
One arm clutching a bagel and capuccino the other
Home, Metro, Office- Elevator to Elevator!!

Desi drivers in their yellow cabs, carry on jostling
With giant SUVs, stylish Porshes, BMWs and Ferraris,
Bentleys, Chevvys, and Lexus, Corollas, Wolks and Rolls,
You name it, they have it, they flaunt it!

A Global Village it truly is, a kaleidoscope of cultures
Every hue of skin - white or black, yellow or brown,
Every language, every religion- Known-Unknown
Have made it their Home without a frown!

The young and the brave, from every nook and cranny
Descend on its shores with a dream in their hearts,
And the lady with the torch embraces all
Promising and Inspiring, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity!!

150000 Kms. Ke Us paar!

Is paar it’s heat and dust and sweat for all
Us paar the lovely spring, summer and fall.

Is paar the yearly cycle of floods and droughts
Us paar even nature knows her bounds!

Is paar we ride thru broken roads and traffic snarls
Us paar amazing web of highways crisscross.

Is paar we’re shamed with Dharavi and Sulabh sauch
Us paar they revel in Empire State and White House!

Is paar we grieve over farmers’ deaths
Us paar they’re blessed with wealth and health.

Is paar we’re hit by the poverty line
Us paar they celebrate the Versace line!

Is paar hain bachche hi bachche
Us paar it’s nahiii, abhi hum hain kachche.

Us paar hain ‘problems of plenty’
Is paar hain plenty of problems!

Is paar is religion, swamis, yatras, upvaas
Us paar there’s no time for such bakvaas.

Is paar - the holy cow and weeping widow
Us paar- the live-ins and gays gung-ho!

Is paar a houseful of chachas, mamas, cousins galore
Us paar its you, me and no more.

Is paar there’s diwali, holi and masti
Us paar there’s Thanks-giving curtsy!

Is paar hai India meri jaan
Us paar Uncle Sam ke mehmaan!