A Prayer

Dear Lord, I pray

Be with me today

Be my living

Be my loving

And my giving.

Be my song

Be my words

And my thoughts

Be with me today.

Dear Lord, I pray

Amen.

Just One Dance

 Why do you show your face just once dear Jasmine?

Why just one spectacular show

Won't you hold on to the fine dress a little while

And stay till the curtain calls your last encore.

Does anyone notice your pretty face?

All powdered from the green room below.

We sure are going to miss your finest lace

So stay with us for another show.

Your scent perfumes just for today

Your pearl white petals flash a trance

And just as quickly you lie dead on the way

Leaving us still waiting for that one last dance.

So what about tomorrow that pines in vain

Who can tell who lives and dies another day?

Learn then of the jasmine who tomorrow disdains,

But dances and dies in an eternity called today

The great Indian kit trick

 

She stood in a long line, pouring with sweat.

Praying that there would be enough for everyone.

Finally, overjoyed and thankful, she collected her kit,

Plastered with grinning photos of 20 party leaders’ sons.  

 

She quickly hurried home to feed her children. 

Ashamed to beg, her husband had hung himself a month ago.

She cooked a pot of rice, mixed with some dal,

And carried it past her hungry children to the hut next door.

 

She poured out a large portion for four starving faces. 

Then came home, fed her children and licked the pot dry.

“Why did you have to feed them first, Mother?," they asked. 

She replied, "If they die of hunger before us, then what am I?”

 

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This kit, that contains grains, oil, soap etc. being distributed by political parties and individuals, does certainly provide some relief to many families. But is that sufficient? Can families survive for months on this kit?

With each drought, flood, or pandemic, the government announces a host of new schemes. But will these one-time handouts, however, be enough to sustain families who have lost their family members, livelihoods and homes?
Does it actually reach those who need it the most? Is there a secure delivery mechanism to the one in need, not the politicians’ ample pocket? Or is all this  just another photo opportunity?

Governments should look into providing sustainable incomes and pensions for all.  Not just a political handout. Not just a quick fix kit trick. 

A hard night gonna fall

 This is song about the pain and suffering in India caused by  Covid and the negligence  by greedy leaders. Remembering the many who died and their loved ones, and the many health workers who continue fighting this sickness despite any Govt support. 

Based on the song by Bob Dylan - A hard rain gonna fall

Oh, where have you been, my dear little son? Oh, where have been, my darling young one?

I've been where a 100 pyres burn the night into day.

I've been where the powered make money from the dead.

Been there as a vendor's cart is kicked over in anger .

Was at the Ganges whose banks grow beds of saffron flowers. 

Been with young men carrying somebody's dead mother. 

And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard. And it’s a hard night that's gonna fall.

Oh, what did you see, my dear little son? Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?

I saw a life wheeled in and a body bag rolled out.

Saw the politician driven in his  oxygen loaded car.

Saw a doctor quickly wipe a tear in a reflection.

I saw a fist full of money couldn't buy a single breathe . 

I saw a long line waiting  for the magic vaccine.

Saw a longer line go hungry that evening. 

And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard. And it’s a hard night that's gonna fall

Oh, what did you hear, my dear little son? Oh, what did you hear, my darling young one?

I heard the beep of life that was silent in the morning.

Heard a young man's cough breaking heaven's door.

I heard an old man cry like a child for his mother.

Heard the rush of duty as nurses ran in their oversized gear.

I heard the last call of a child "bye mama I'm going, don't fear". 

And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard. And it’s a hard night that's gonna fall

Oh, what will you do, my dear little son?

Oh, what will you do, my darling young one?

I'll scream at the world as it's gone all wrong.

Watch them hang murderers with ropes of their poisoned money.

I'll touch a lost hand and hope it would smile back at me.

I'll wonder if plastic and masks will just cover the ocean.

I'll  fight for my right to life on this earth again.

And I'll pray that this doesn't ever happen again.

And it’s a hard, and it’s a hard, it’s a hard. And it’s a hard night that's gonna fall.

Dance

Not a soul, 

He danced alone    

Around the temple 

Like a man possessed

He danced in the eerie loud night

Through shadows and moonlight

Then exhausted, he collapsed,

Sweat blurred his eyes, feet sore

The priest asked him who he danced for

Said he danced for the lamp in the temple 

 and the lamp too danced for him 

A Goddess raped

 

No greater temple desecrated

No greater god mocked

When we in silence watched

A little life bled in the dust

For hate and greed and lust

Her crime was being a girl

A simple Indian girl

Raped and burnt into the sand

In the soil we call our motherland

Then that is freedom

 Then that is freedom

When the political elite don't fear being questioned 

And can defend their actions with truth or reason

    Then that is freedom    

When the farmer does not have to plead to live

And the hand that reaches out, is not to take but to give 

  Then that is freedom  

When every individual has a right to his God

And religion expresses love, but does not champion god

    Then that is freedom   

When creed and the colour on skin

Does not bleed the mind to differ in

    Then that is freedom    

When everyone has a right to school and study

And no  child or adult-ever cries hungry

    Then that is freedom    

When the water and air is not poisoned

And laughter is not masked or hidden

     Then that is freedom      

 

When livelihood  can depend on Government

Not choked in taxes and archaic law enforcement

  Then that is freedom    

When the elderly can still pursue happiness 

Not wait for death in dark silence 

    Then that is freedom    

When science is for healing and the means to joy

And the sword and gun is an outdated comic's toy

    Then that is freedom    

When the flag is folded and the anthem has been sung

When it still sings true, in hope, with every new day begun

    Then that is freedom