82.Young ones of birds

Taking a stroll in my neighbourhood park early in the morning, I saw birds flying from one tree to another. Some were sitting on branches all alone while others were in groups. Some would sit for a while and then fly – as if staying idle for long was not acceptable to them.They would fly from one branch to another without any apparent reason- for the pleasure of flying as if to convey that every effort need not be made for some concrete gain.

The sun had not yet come out and it was quite cold early in the morning. I wondered how the young ones of birds behaved. Do they make excuses not to get up from their cosy beds? Do they say, they have a headache and are unable to get up? Do they fight with their siblings for the cosiest and warmest part of the nest? Do they plead to their parents to let them sleep a little more?

How do those who get up early behave? Do they say,”can I have a quick flight to that branch?”Do they insist on getting a quick bite first? Do they yearn for some drink- something like bed tea? Do they begin their day with a full-throated chirp to announce “aall izz well”?

When young ones get up in the morning, are they cheerful or are they irritable? Are they fresh or are they tired?

I watch birds in the park and keep wondering. I am sure, the young ones of birds are much more relaxed than our kids. There is no school, no homework. No one expects them to be doctors, engineers or executives.

59.Growing up

When will you start walking
So as to trample someone,
When will you start speaking
To be able to abuse someone?

When will you gain strength
To hit someone really hard,
When will the smile on your face
Give way to a permanent frown?

When will you start hurting others,
When will you become vindictive,
When will you shed your innocence,
When will your softness vanish?

You are so small and defenceless,
My son, when will you grow up?

58.Calendar on the wall

Let me live my life, old calendar,
I know, I have but one year.

Let me be of help each day,
Let me hide worn out plaster,
Let me give colour to drab wall,
It is how well I live -
Not how long- that matters.

I can’t mock at you,my friend,
I can see my future very clear,
Just as I have taken your place,
I shall be replaced by another calendar.

I feel for you, but I must say,
Everything falls into disuse,
Do it with rancour or with grace,
This is the truth you must face.

81. Greetings through e-mail and SMS

For most of us, hand-written greeting cards on occasions like the New Year have been replaced by e-mail and SMS messages. These are much more soulless and indifferent than printed greeting cards. In printed greeting cards, at least the name and address of the recipient has to be written or typed out. Some money also has to be spent for the card and the postage. One can be sure that the sender intended to wish the recipient whatever might have been the motive.

Alas, the same cannot be said about SMS and e-mail messages. These are frequently sent in groups. The sender may not even know to whom and to how many people he is sending the greetings. Sending e-mails cost nothing and SMSs can be sent at negligible or no cost. Just a couple of clicks and you are through with wishing hundreds of people at a time. Also, if you send greetings through e-mail or SMS, you are most likely to be greeted back. Reply, copy, paste, template and insert functions make the process so easy.

This is not to say that the greetings sent through e-mail or SMS are not welcome. The ease and economy of sending such greetings has brought shine to the lives of those who witnessed festivals and special occasions coming and going without anyone contacting them. Those who used to get some messages get many more now. They may happily imagine that more people love them now.

I am happy if someone sends me greetings through e-mail or SMS, happier if I receive a printed greeting card and happiest if it is a hand-written note.