SHACKLES OF MIND

Neither ahead, nor behind;

All shackles,

I have created in mind.

Like a clean slate,

Never I meet a mate,

 

Anger , anguish

Jealousy and hate

Prejudice and pride
Are in  my mind.

 

Neither ahead,

Nor behind.

All right and wrong

is in my mind.

 

I am cleaning

Purity I am feeling.

 

In relationship and

in the world  out;

 

I now know

I cannot live against

But with the life’s flow.
though very slow

I care my words,

Mind more they may not over blow.

Now I am patient and tolerant

More loving and affectionate

 

I love humans,

birds and animals alike,
As I loved in youth
My  fancy bike.

 

Now I believe  

Neither ahead, nor behind,

All shackles,
I have created in my mind.

 

 

 

 

GREEN THOUGHTS

IM Soni brings out the joys of maintaining a kitchen garden in the middle. "Green fingers" (April 30) Man's longing for seeing tiny seed sprouting into beautiful plants is understandable as both have roots in the mother earth.

We can find joy in plants and trees, if we are bored by the rush of bustiling crowds on our streets.

There is a myriad variety of plants, flowers, trees and birds around us which we fail to notice. In the daily rush of our lives, we forget to appreciate nature's bounty. If we sit for a while and clear the cobwebs blurring the memories of our childhood, we can definitely remember climbing up a gauva tree or stealing mangos while the gardener was away.

In the face of catching up with life, the real wonder of life like trees, flowers, birds, dandelions and beetles are left behind. If we stop and look at a tree, we will wonder why we are in such hurry! We can learn a lot from trees- the virtue of patiences, giving fruits and shade to one and all without discrimination.

BHUSHAN CHANDER JINDAL, JALANDHAR

A LETTER TO THE TRIBUNE May, 6, 2010