poetry by cummings

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did

Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

My favorite rain poetry

Black Rook in Rainy Weather

On the stiff twig up there
Hunches a wet black rook
Arranging and rearranging its feathers in the rain-
I do not expect a miracle
Or an accident
To set the sight on fire
In my eye, nor seek
Any more in the desultory weather some design,
But let spotted leaves fall as they fall
Without ceremony, or portent.
Although, I admit, I desire,
Occasionally, some backtalk
From the mute sky, I can’t honestly complain:
A certain minor light may still
Lean incandescent
Out of kitchen table or chair
As if a celestial burning took
Possession of the most obtuse objects now and then —
Thus hallowing an interval
Otherwise inconsequent
By bestowing largesse, honor
One might say love. At any rate, I now walk
Wary (for it could happen
Even in this dull, ruinous landscape); sceptical
Yet politic, ignorant
Of whatever angel any choose to flare
Suddenly at my elbow. I only know that a rook
Ordering its black feathers can so shine
As to seize my senses, haul
My eyelids up, and grant
A brief respite from fear
Of total neutrality. With luck,
Trekking stubborn through this season
Of fatigue, I shall
Patch together a content
Of sorts. Miracles occur.
If you care to call those spasmodic
Tricks of radiance
Miracles. The wait’s begun again,
The long wait for the angel,
For that rare, random descent.

Sylvia Plath

Rainy thoughts...

Today is an unusually rainy day, and most people find such days depressing....But as I look outside, I have a sense of peace... The moving clouds, the silvery skies, the rain that envelops everything in the city!
It reminds me of the monsoon season in my city Mumbai, as the water floods the roads and people huddle in tea stalls for chai and pakode!

Another thought is all the Hindi movie songs ... The rain is the perfect scene for a romantic song... Some of my favorite ones:
- Bhaage Re Mann- Chameli
- Taal Se Taal Mila- Taal
- Hum Tum- Hum Tum
- Jo Haal Dil Ka- Sarfarosh
- Pyar Hua Ikraar Hua- Shree 420
- Tip Tip Barsaa Paani- Mohra
- Rhim Jhim Rhim Jhim- 1942 a love story

Ambition=Greed?

One of my more recent musings was how the world suddenly seems so much more chaotic... People don't seem to be content anymore... There is always the drive to get the next big thing--a bigger car, a faster car, a more expensive car, a jet... How do you draw the line? When does ambition become greed?

Don't get me wrong, I am not talking from a moral high-ground here.. I fall prey to the same thing, I have a good life no complaints-- great apartment, a wonderful and supportive life partner, supportive family... But somehow it isn't enough.. I moved to the United States in a recession economy, and I know its going to be a long haul before I find a job, but somehow I cant enjoy any of the things till I find some way to utilize my time... And I mean while money isn't the key motivation, it still is a rather important part of the entire equation--I want my freedom and no guilt about my shopping sprees... I used to pride myself on not having a capitalist head--to weave away from the constant need to earn more money and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.. But my recent thoughts/feelings prove otherwise...

So what exactly changed? Was it peer pressure or being embarrassed to say you are taking time off your work? Or is it the feeling of empowerment, of being able to buy whatever whenever without any guilt?

When I see/read about my forefathers, they struggled to make ends meet, but once they provided for their families/bought a house... they were content, they enjoyed simple things like a stroll in the park or playing scrabble at home....

Has our generation lost out the feeling of contentment in the race to get the next best thing?

5 year plan

Continuing from my last post, I think instead of a new year resolution, I will have five 5 year resolutions:
- travel to 5 countries
- learn a new language
- learn an instrument
- learn sailing
- learn some form of self defense

so by 2015, I will be a kickass foreign language speaking guitar (or another instrument) playing traveler, sailing to my next destination!!!!

happy new year

As a new year begins, I have been wondering about resolutions....

• What are the most common resolutions?
  
• How long do they last?
  
• What are you hopeful for?
  
• If last year was awful, what makes you feel optimistic?
  
• Should you make a resolution that is so ambitious you know you wont achieve it?

While I listen to Lady GaGa and ponder about what should be my New Year resolutions, feel free to share yours!

A new year beckons

Its 2010, and I just realised I havent blogged anything in the last year, especially given it has been by far my most eventful year... Lots of changes--- moving to a new country, accepting a new person in your life, giving up your job and hoping to find something that inspires and motivates you... Almost a bit too overwhelming...

But the one thing I realised over the last year was that the reason change is so scary is the paralyzing fear of failure... To have dreams and not work towards it might seem easier than chasing dreams and landing flat on your face to realise the dream was just a dream... It seems a lot easier to settle with what seems like the more sensible or realistic options... Risk isnt always a good thing (bankers seem to illustrate that), so doing the rational thing, the option that seems to be the best shot at maximising your utility should be the best option....

How can you chase your dreams without fear?