Solo Traveler

Solo Traveler and his four companions !!
Laptop, Mobile, Camera and Kindle smile emoticon
No Bed, No Bread or shade he seeks
"O Lord, Before the charge bars dwindle
Just three holes on a square inch please"
(Written May 2015)

Wishing for Wings?

I wish I had wings
And could fly like an eagle
I wish I had fins
And swim like a sailfish

I wish I had legs
And run like a man
I wish I had hands
And climb a tree
I wish I had a tongue
And speak free

I wish I had the guts
To stand up for what is right
I wish I had the vision
To envisage a future bright

I wish I had wits
And woo a mate
I wish I could act
And rewrite my fate

But here I am stuck
Wishing wings
If I had it
Would I be fit
To fly
Would I eat healthy
Exercise daily
So that I can fly
Till the day
That I die
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

Somewhere near Ooty

Moonlight on the hills
Sound of insects one can hear
Lost in thought
Wondering why I am here

A cottage overlooking a valley
Nestled amidst a forest
Finding my thoughts
In this warm cozy nest

No power lines reach here
No tarred roads connect
My thoughts surge across lines
And ideas intersect

Stars watch over the stories
These hills have ever seen
Every animal sighting
Every folklore that's been

Birds wake you up
With chirps echoing in first light
Mind is at peace
With this acoustic delight

Orange rays streak the canvas
Shades of green come to play
Mist lifts from the valley
Start of a beautiful day

Sun rises from behind the hill
Walking trails beckon me
Thoughts have all settled
My body and mind feels free
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

Ego Deflated

Poem No 100!!
Group Poetry in progress!!

With my small boat
I conquered the sea
The majestic waves
bowed down to me

I rode the waves
Like a Knight on his horse
I cut through the wind
Like an arrow,  of course

Sea was calm
Right under my palm
Boat was being steered
With nothing to be feared

Suddenly I noticed
A breach in my fort !
A small hole
In the bottom of my boat

I panicked
Heart skipped a beat
the ocean became  mightier
and I  stood on my tiny feet

The boat capsized
I was neck deep in water
I knew how to swim
But that does not matter
Why did I freak out?
Why did I falter?

I was cut to size
my palms had cold sweat
My ego was gone
in less than a minute
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

(Poem continued by others)
I stayed frozen
My mind switched off
My feet was not moving
The sea looked terribly tough::(Alfons/Sister)

Life is to beautiful
To give up now
There is a way out
I ll find it somehow::(Teresa/Sister)

To swim for the shore,
Or to cling to the boat.
To depend on myself,
Or to wait for support.::(Rita/Sister )
The boat seems to float away
And I am falling down
I try to swim towards the boat
And try not to drown ::(Ronen/Nephew)

The sun going down.
The sky ever changing its tone;
 For a moment lost in beauty.
Horizon revealing it's variety.::(Michael/Elder Brother)

 My fear of drowning
Is ebbing away
As I float in rapture
Admiring the horizon,
sun setting far away::(Alfons/Sister)

 The waves take me up and down
Just as in life's tide
Sometimes I steer
But mostly just enjoy the ride::(Anna/Sister)

 Now whats that shining ahead
A city twinkling on a hill    
So the shores are finally here
Strangely sadness accompanies the thrill::(Rafiel/Sister)

One Degree Summer Workshop

There are men who dream
There are men who plan
There are men who act
But there are very few
Who do all three
But there was one
Who I met in One Degree

There are women who love kids
There are women who are passionate
There are women who teach
But there are very few
Who do all three
But there was one
Who I met in One Degree

There are kids who are sincere
There are kids who push limits
There are kids who are hardworking
But there are very few
Who do all three
But there was whole bunch
Who I met in One Degree

There were two set of parents*
I would like to point out
Who watched their children
Perform in glee
Their smile Their joy
Is no mystery
But they worked behind the scene
And they and they alone
Are the cause for the rise of
ONE DEGREE

Verse 1  Suneesh (Founder : Onedegree Beaneez)
Verse 2  Lekshmi
Last Verse, Their parents

Gold's Journey

Gold you hold
so close to your heart
Do you know where
it has been
How many jewellers
sold it in the past
How many homes
has it seen

How many weddings
has it attended
How many brides beauty
has it enhanced
Did it ever glisten on
a crown of a king
Did it ever grace
A neck of a queen

How many fathers
for dowries did sweat
How many drunkards
on it placed bets
How many times
was it stolen
How many times
blood was spilled

How many battles
over it were fought
How many times
peace was bought

Gold all malleable
and ductile
As a source of happiness
pretty futile
As a fashion statement
In India never out of style

Most men keep it safe
and rarely use it their life
Gives a sense of security
they say,
but for whom I wonder
Men guard it diligently
night and day
Gold is least bothered
whom it belongs to next day

So if you have
 a piece of gold
Sit back and wonder
what stories it holds
Imagine the first day
when it was mined
Till today when it rests
in your hands all refined
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

Get a Grip

My life is like a river
I am like a fish
River is dry
I am unable to breathe
I am unable to move
I am unable to live

Barren rocks
Are all that remains
Dried skelton
Does not hide the pain

The only water flowing
Are my tears
The only thing living
Are my fears

What happened
Don't ask
I am trying my best
Behind this mask

###

Well frankly that's how
Some people bullshit
Life is much more
make it a superhit

If you are dealt a wrong card
Play and keep steering the wheel
There is nothing so hard
Which a human soul can't deal

Night is long
But the day will break
Sad is the song
But happy you'll awake

Don't be hasty
The exit button? NEVER
The next monsoon
May flood your river
You may swim like a fish
For many days if not forever
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

Side by Side

Unrelated brothers
Destined together
On every table,
they reside

Black and White,
Side by side
Without them
No gastronomic ride

Gandhiji fought for one
Portugal and Spain
For the other
Ships sailed the seven seas
Many Kingdoms brought to their knees

At times priced over gold
At times freely sold
Good for the cold
You must have been told

Presenting, the duo
Envy of every spice
Salt and Pepper
Key to everything
that taste nice
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

Life Balance

Mirror reflected
Water deflected
But the light did
not feel so bad

Hills diverted
Trees blocked
But the river did
not feel so bad

Give and take
Is part of life
So accept it as you go
Today you are in credit
But tomorrow you don't know

Life is a great leveler
No man's P/L statement
Is even close
Most of us are reluctant
To even admit the debits
right under our nose

First ten years
And most probably last ten
We depend on other men
Who cared for you
When you were a child
Who will care
When you become senile

Serve when your hands are able
Work and stand on your feet
Love is also no fun
if it's a one way street

Be like the sun light
Dark clouds blocked its way
Rain kept pouring all day
But when sun light got a window
she came dancing with a rainbow
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

Paint this!!

(Context:: Thiruvananthapuram's Coastal Belt) (MohanChetan's poem request)

A sunrise on the beach
Golden sand as far as
Your eyes can reach
Clouds no artist can capture
Waves' joy and rapture

Witness the fishermen's quest
As they pull in their catch
Their strength and resolve
We city folks can't match

Churches on the sea shore
Man's quest to peace
Culture full of folklore
Our minds want to sieze

Thattu kada or the tea shops
Offering the perfect brew
To help our hearts soar
and let our bodies feel renewed

The hamlets on the sea side
Alive with children's laughter
More old wise men
than you normally see
Must be the air and water

Coconut trees stand tall
But with the mighty ocean
It seems pretty  small
The green hills on the backdrop
Are a pleasant sight
As I run
 in the morning light

I leave footprints
on the golden sand
Only to be wiped away
By ocean's mighty hand

But the footprints this place
Will leave on my brains
May remain deeply etched
In spite of all life's summers
winters and monsoon rains
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

Introspection by the Sea

(Context::Specially for hard working people)

I have been watching the waves
For an hour or so
Time seems to stall
and go very slow

What have I done today
To make me aimlessly smile
Maybe just talking to myself
Its been a while

I need to give some quality time
To my heart and soul
What's the point of clocking hours
If it does not make me whole

The crab peeped out
of his tiny hole
The way he moves is so efficient
He definitely has a better role

The waves are so persistent
Do they get a better pay
Or is it because they travel
And don't sit on a desk all day

Aah there goes the sun
At the correct time I bet
No overtime hours,  no wonder
so spectacular even when he sets

Ideally I need an office
Overlooking the sea
But more realistically
I need to learn
To let a few things be
And teach myself to spend
more time with ME
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

New Academic Year

(perspective of a child in middle school but it may apply to you :-) )

It was just a few years ago
That I walked thru that door
Hoping to make no impact
Hoping to not ruffle any feathers
Live below the radar
A few friends for each other

Today the story has changed
My gang is like no other
Hoping to have a good time
Learn a few things
If it's not too much trouble

Who am I,  I always wonder
To my dreams should I surrender
Will the class see me in a new light
Will I give challenges
a good fight

A new class beckons me
A desire to give and recieve
New clothes, new me
A teacher who will believe

Dear God,  do guide me
To bring incremental changes
To find deeper purpose
To rise above the surface

My life is not perfect
But let me get in control
Let me make most of my talents
Let me rock n roll

This year will be different
This year will be great
I will dance to change
I will redefine my fate
(Written by Jibrael Jos) 

Three Cheers

After a few drinks
With close friends
The world seems just right
I will credit my friends
You will discredit my drink
But I beg you to rethink

What did man ever possess
More valuable than a friend
What did man ever possess
More cherished than laughter

The memories they shared
in a state slightly blurred
Rates higher than
all important meetings
of this world

Nothing is secret
In this group
Your lows your highs
Embarrassing moments
you don't dare to share
Come tumbling out
and you hardly care

More of life stories we share
Closer and closer we get
Friendship without pretention
is the mantra
we should not forget

Drink buddies
Can lead us to doom
But when close friends
Since 20 odd years
Share a joke over a beer
Its good for our
Heart and Mind
And we learn
To live life with a cheer

(Written by Jibrael Jos)
(Warning : drinking is injurious to health, so be careful what you drink and with whom)

Bangalore Rain

Rain in all its splendour
Came to visit us
We were parched and thirsty
It came to uplift us

The heat had sapped our energy
Such high temperatures we had never seen
Now as I sit on this balcony
It seems like the Bangalore I have been

The lightening strikes in tandem
With thunder to uplift the beat
As I sit on this rocking chair
I promise no resort  can offer a better seat

Cloud has blocked the sunlight
Rain has improved the view
Dust will be cleansed tonight
And the earth will be renewed

Raindrop are still falling
Trees are dancing in their own way
Water droplets have collected on the railing
Ah I am in love with Bangalore
I hope this weather is here to stay
(Written by Jibrael Jos) 

Solitary Bird

I am a solitary bird
No soulmate is destined for me
But why does that
not make me sad?
Why do I feel so free?

I have relatives
who stood by me
and friends
With whom I could spend the day
But the nest was always empty
When I returned every day

I am very happy
mind you
You may not believe
what I am going to say
Marriage is overrated
I like the way I spend my Sunday

I travel when I feel like
I read a book anytime of the day
Nobody's expectation to take care of
Nobody telling me things are wrong
every minute, every hour
every day

If you are happily married
I am very glad for you
I don't expect you
to understand my choices
My life has a deeper purpose
I will rise above
all these sarcastic voices

Lonely is not the correct word
Solitary I would prefer to say
I am happy as I am
I am not marrying
just any proposal
which comes my way

Things may change
If I fall in love someday
but the decisions will be mine
I won't let society decide
whether I am okay
or am I out of line
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

Nail through the heart

Cupid's  arrow through the heart
Love sparks and happiness
Knows no bound
But the day the arrow becomes a nail
Not a smile can be found

Removing the nail
with a plier or lawyer
both are painful

 Walking around with it
Or not walking
Both are not advisable

Keeping your heart locked away
 in a safe place
is no solution
Not using it regularly
can lead to serious depression

But alas there is no way
to smile and file
your problems away

Some play victim
And showcase the nail
And retell the tale
Of the blood that was spilled

Others heal with time
Forgive,  forget
and realise
there was no crime

They use the
new found wisdom
And live life well
Their heart and mind open
To cupid's next dart
Hoping to make a new start

Warning: The poem may restart
But I don't need to tell you
As you are pretty smart
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

Fail Safe

Two Poems in One!
----------------
Tiger is found in the zoo
One day trees will be like that too
Water is already sold today
Air is not far away

Sky is no longer blue
One day roses will no longer be red
Lakes froth and foam
One day the fishes will all be dead

Are friends just a virtual concept
For every favour we will one day issue receipts
Will smiles be limited to smilies
And forget why we say cheese

Will home be just an icon
Because we love to be free
No responsibility No Commitments
Life one big party

We have screwed up the earth so bad
One day a format and reboot she will do
But before that day happens
Man may collectively go mad too

It maybe the ultimate fail safe
Nature has made for mankind
So hang on to the tabs and mobiles
Remain obsessed
with consumerism and greed

Nature has a plan for earth
But this time I am sure
 it does not include
You and me
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

I have failed

We all have failed
at some point in life,
 Some we accept
but most we deny

Some we claim
gave us feathers
Some we blame
squarely on others

How many dream castles
On my tomb will I build
Externally living
But dead within

How many days
Will I lament
For the train I missed
How many years
Will I wait
For the one who
crushed me and zipped

Sometimes I have let
My emotions get to me
Anger,  frustration
Loneliness,  jealousy

Did I fail when I failed
Or the day after
Did I lose when I lost
Or the choices thereafter

Bounce back
Easier said than done
Behind every success
How many times
failure has won

One fine day
I hope to rise from all this
But to be frank
I have a nagging feeling
I won't get out of this
(Written by Jibrael Jos) 

Fruits of Summer

Crispness of a green apple
Texture of a Mango bite
Sweetness of pineapple
Are delicacies of nature
Which are delicious and just right

Juiceness of a watermelon
Perfection of a clementine
Subtle taste of nectarine
Are the wonders of nature
With a signature of the divine

Kiwi's unique sweet flavour
Honey dew melons luscious slice
Jackfruit, banana, grapes
Are the varieties of nature
For which no poetry will suffice

Chemistry behind the taste
Physics of the texture
Intricate design of each fruit
Are the mysteries of nature

Each summer I am in awe
Of the fruits on display
This is what makes heat bearable
April June or May.
(Written by Jibrael Jos)

When in doubt, Pray

When in doubt pray
That's what holy men do
If it worked for them
It could work for you

Some claim they can  hear God
Some with their inner self do connect
But for me at times
The doubt itself becomes irrelevant

A trick I learnt with time
Is not to expect an answer at the end
It comes in a day or two in the form of
An idea, a book, on TV or from a friend

Why do I light the candle
Why do I ring the bell
God does not need it
Am I putting myself under a spell

The mind is still a child
And these things calms him down
He uses the cues of sight,
smell and sound

I also noticed
a need for rythm
A ritual you may say
A hymn I may sing
It somehow helps me pray

There was a time
I was extremely depressed
And said the rosary three times a day
Its better than drugs and alcohol
As there are no side effects anyway

When in doubt pray
That's what holy men do
Then follow what your heart says
And give 100% all your days
(Written by Jibrael Jos)