Better

She is not talking to anyone
Chooses to remain quiet
Rather than facing this loud world
Selects the silent disguise

The reason for her sickness
Is not this bad weather
But the people who broke her heart
That she was trying to treasure

She is now afraid of dreams
The unrealistic pleasure
Prays to God before she sleeps
Hoping things to get better

 

मुसळधार पाउसात भिजतो आहे मी

मुसळधार पाउसात भिजतो आहे मी,
आई ओरडणार हे माहित असूनही.

शाळा सुटली, पोटात ओरडू लागलेत कावळे.
तरी का तयार नाहीत, घरी वळण्यास हि पावले.
जोरदार पाउस अंगास झोंबतो आहे
आणि सोबतीला गार वारा हि.

मुसळधार पाउसात भिजतो आहे मी,
आई ओरडणार हे माहित असूनही.

कपडे सुकणार नाहीत उद्या शाळेत जायला
पण भेटतील का हे क्षण कधी परत पाहायला
भिजुद्या मला आजच, जितका भिजायचा तेवढा
कोणास ठाऊक पडेल का पाउस उद्या, पडायला हवा जेवढा.

येईल का मातीचा सुगंध परत,
दिसेल का पुन्हा हिरवळ हि.
मुसळधार पाउसात भिजतो आहे मी,
आई ओरडणार हे माहित असूनही.

Blur glimpses of your face

Had seen you from far away
On my visits to your place
In my mind still they stay
The blur glimpses of your face

The chances were a very few 
To crack a conversation
Reason why I never thought of
Grabbing your attention

But time wanted us to meet
Share good moments and make memories
Give each other a lovely treat 
Of sweet and tangy life stories

You filled my vacant days
With your never ending talks
And how could I forget 
The mesmerizing lakeside walk

What really mesmerized me
I was still contemplating
Was it the beauty of the lake or of you 
That kept my eyes waiting

To find the answer I often went
To the lake beside my house
The lotus flowers seemed inviting
But they failed to arouse

Now I got the answer I guess
You is what I want to embrace
In my eyes they will stay always 
The blur glimpses of your face

गणेशोत्सव म्हणजे ..

गणेशोत्सव म्हणजे ….

गणेशोत्सव म्हणजे
घराची आवराआवर
डगमगलेल्या आयुष्याची
थोडीशी सावरासावर

गणेशोत्सव म्हणजे
पहिल्या दिवशी उडालेली धांडळ
पाहुण्यांचा पाहुणचार करता करता
झालेला थोडासा गोंधळ

गणेशोत्सव म्हणजे
लज्जतदार फराळाची मेजवानी
आणि लाऊडस्पीकर वर मोठ्यामोठ्याने
लावलेली ती गाणी

गणेशोत्सव म्हणजे
कानात घुमणारा टाळांचा निनाद
आणि गप्पागोष्टीतून झालेला
थोडासा वादविवाद

गणेशोत्सव म्हणजे
रात्रभर केलेला जागरण
प्रत्येक गृहिणीस  एक संधी
होण्यास सुगरण

गणेशोत्सव म्हणजे
शेवटच्या दिवशी येणारे विसर्जन
कोणाची मोठी गाडी
कोणाचा मोठा आवाज
याचे प्रदर्शन

गणेशोत्सव म्हणजे
माणसाने माणसाशी
जोडलेले गोड बंधन
पण तरी कसे विसरता येईल
भावाने भावाशी
मित्राने मित्राशी
दारू पिऊन केलेले भांडण

- कौस्तुभ पाटील
१३/९/२०१३

Not My Fault

I am not the one that you want me to be, 

But by the heart ‘am true

Not my fault if you can’t see.

People who wear the mask of goodness,

With them, you want to be

While ‘am the one who help you stand

When you badly fall on your knee,

Not my fault if you can’t see.

You complain that I smother you

And do not give you the space you need.

Yes, at times I hold you tight,

But Otherwise you are always free,

Not my fault if you cant see.

Little Shining Star

Things are not what they used to be,  

They have changed like the seasons 

Time has gone when we always used to talk, 

While now we don't without reasons 

Tied to me you are going away 

Wait, you will break the rope, 

Even I tried to forget you, 

But I could not just lose the hope 

I have drowned into the fear now 

Too deep inside  

Afraid to express the feeling 

For what I am dying 

The bright sun is setting now  

Telling me not to travel far 

But am still walking in the dark 

Chasing the LITTLE SHINING STAR.

"Occupation, our only occupation."

My mind was preoccupied with some thoughts while I was rushing for work in the morning. I reached the railway station and was waiting for the train to arrive. I was standing by the edge of the platform and was listening to my favourite number with the earphones plugged in.  

The empty station was soon occupied with hundreds of people as the train was close to arrive. Everyone was eagerly waiting for the train. If the train was on time everyone would reach their destination on time but if the train was late, no one gave you a damn for that excuse of being late. 

I looked at the indicator, the time was 9.58 and I could see the train entering the station. The train, not even halted that the people started jumping inside in a hurry to occupy the seat, not only to occupy the seat but to occupy the one at the window. No one cared if their shirt got torn or the lately polished shoes got dirty again while entering the crowded train. The first thing in the to- do list was to occupy a window. The train halted for few seconds and speeded for the next station. 

I was standing at the door still listening to some good songs that gave me energy and helped me to deal with the morning blues. The next station arrived. I was worried as I saw a herd of people jumping into the train. I would probably lose my place at the door which I had some how occupied.  

The people jumped in, I was pushed in and some other fellow occupied my place. I decided to stand in the corner.  

Later at the next station I noticed that the fellow who had occupied my place at the door was now struggling to retain it. He knew that he would get pushed in and lose the place but somehow he was able to secure it. 

Now I was imagining this world, this life like a train. The instances that took place till now were so similar to the life that we lead. 

I saw a student standing and reading  a book. May be he was revising for his exam. May be he was preparing to occupy the best rank in his college. As my station was close, I removed the earphones and kept them in my bag.  

I overheard a bunch of train mates discussing on their salary and the designation. Everyone was bulling about their growth, anticipating for more. 

My station arrived, I got down. Walking on my way to the office I realized how no one is different from other. Everyone wants to occupy the best possible place. Someone want to occupy that one seat at the window, someone wants to occupy the best place in the class, someone wants to get admission in the best college in the world, someone wants to occupy the best position in the office, someone wants to secure the best salary package while someone one wants to occupy a safe place in someone's heart. 

In the long run if we ask ourselves "What is our occupation?" answers like doctor, engineer, banker or student won't justify the question. The best answer is "Occupation, our only Occupation."