Does Death opens up new avenues?

Would death arrive,
like a sand storm in the desert?
Would death arrive silent,
like a lizard aiming it's prey?

Is death inevitable,
like a sun rising every day?
Is death painful,
like a trusted friend's betray?

Is death a magic
where soul change places?
Is death a trick,
to buy our souls' new dresses?

At the doors of death,
What awaits us?
Tended gardens with fresh fruits
or starving snakes, targeting fat Rats...

Like a moon, which rises after the sun,
would death rake the ashes, clean of our past?
Like a mom, who tends to her baby,
would death, forgive the sins we commit?

Waiting at the gates of death,
a long queue, before me.
I stood on my toes, to get a glimpse,
of the dainty garden/rotting grave.

Is eternity another possiblity?
Is being born again inevitable?
Wish my grandpa or grandma take pity on me,
and give me a sneak preview, on what's in store for me.

Nothing is sinister about death,
Death fascinates me, as much as life do.
What is waiting at the other end?
Wishing the doors are transparent.

Sighing, I stood at the queue.
Imagining a deep fry pan, with water fully boiled,
Hundreds of people waiting at their tables,
to eat me half boiled :)

What "Music" means to Shiv !!!

As I had once mentioned in one of my posts, I work in HR function of an IT company and been working there for close to 5 years now.  I would have browsed, reviewed thousands of resumes, technical and functional or techno-functional. After I finish reviewing each profile, my fingers flip to the last page, where the personal info and interests can be seen.

Hobbies section, is what I look at eagerly, varied interests; cooking, fishing, swimming, hiking, sketching, flying an air-plane... But there is a mandatory sentence which is present in every profile, that's "listening to music".

I love to listen to music too everyday, while I commute to and fro to my office. But, I look at the scenes outside, and at times remove my ear plug to chat with a friend. Many a times, I even forget that a song is playing as my interest is caught elsewhere, my mind planning on that day's activities.

But Today, I had the chance to see, what music does to some people.  I had breakfast with a friend,  asusual we were talking about the day to day grind. It was then, I gave him my i pod and asked him to listen to a song, a favourite of his.

He plugged the ear phones in his ears and started to listen. I sat there and looked at him. His face transformed, tranquility set in. A smile wreathed his face, his eyes closed and he became one with the song. It was a divine feeling to watch him. I could feel the rush of tears in my eyes.  I had to tap on his shoulder and told him that I will lend it to him for few days, as he was travelling that night to his home town. He could have the pleasure of listening to his music, while travelling.  He said "No". It was abrupt.

A chronic music lover, saying "NO" to an i pod? Shook my head and left. He should have had his reasons, for not wanting to take the i pod.  He could easily buy one, but he stays away from doing that. His reply was, "Music is everything to me, when I start listening to it, I will transcend to a different world and I would hate to come back. But, I will be forced to." It may not be an exact quote but that's the gist of it. He told me once, that he does not listen to music except for weekends and the long evenings spent in his room.

We were surrounded by hundreds of people at our office cafeteria. But, that was an intimate moment shared between Shiv and his music.  He forgot the world. He forgot that, I was sitting before him. He didn't exist too, while he listened to Yuvaraj's, "Manmohini..., Manmohini Morey Man Bhave". Wish, I had a camera then, I would have captured that tranquil moment.

I cursed myself, for tapping on his shoulders and take him away from his music. But, it is not polite to leave the place, with out saying a Bye, isn't it?  But, was he angry that I disturbed him? Did he glare at me? Nope. He didn't. But there was a sadness in his eyes, the sadness that would reflect in my eyes, when Suresh leaves for a long trip. The longing look coupled with a sadness, of having a thing dear to heart, for a very short time and grabbed away brutally.  Hope he does not meet the girl of his life, during the weekend.  He would certainly miss her.  Well! That's what it is!! What "Music" means to Shiv....

The story behind my ultra thin hairdo :(

Pyaar hua ikraar hua - Innocent scribbles :)

When you looked at me...
The waves thrashed on the boulders at the shore.

When you walked towards me...
Thunder roared and lightening struck.

When you held my hands....
Roller coaster topsy turvy at the highest point.

When you embraced me...
Silence in a peak hour traffic

When you put your face on my shoulders...
Heart beats could be heard a furlong away.

When you started to kiss,
I died and became you....

Heart to heart and hand in hand - as long as we stand!

Holding your hands
Guided by your love,
Looked at your eyes
Warm in your stead.

You lowered me down
On the grass so green,
The sea turned blue
The sky azure.

The breeze so balmy
Enveloping us,
We lay that way
For hours at a stretch.

The time stood frozen
As we gasped in unison,
The lift of your eyebrow
Your breath on my face,

Made me want to coil and enter you,
Like a snake slithering through.
Wanted to hug your frame from with in,
Would hate to leave even for a second.

Hold me to you
With warmth and passion,
And promise to love me
As long as we stand.

What is so special about 39?

At the strike of 12 AM on 2nd May, I complete 39 years and step in to 40. Yep! the big 4"O".  How do I feel about it? I am smiling and laughing, as I write this post. I think of myself as 39 years wiser and one year younger now than I would be in 2011.

Got curious and googled the number 39. Two films were listed under the number 39 - "case 39" and "The 39 steps".

Scrolled to the next page and found some odd topics like "39 Lyrics - Queen", "Audi sees 39% growth in 2010", "Wipro now has 39% locals in overseas units", "Gujarat's gold imports rise 39% ", " Tata Motors global sales grow 39% in March", "39 languages spoken in one British school," and last but not least, "Mumbai: 39-yr-old man hangs self in toilet".

I can't help but wonder, why this 39 year old guy chose toilet to hang himself? Would I do the same thing under the same circumstances he had faced? Maybe I would have, but I will definitely not choose toilet, I don't want my corpse to catch an infection and definitely not a nylon rope as it would hurt my neck. Let it better be, a nice Velvet rope in the colour of burgundy.

I also came across some witty captions on aging.

1. I'm not old, I'm youthfully challenged.
2. 50! I demand a recount. 
3. I'm not 40, I'm 18 with 22 years experience!
4. Damn right, I'm good in bed. I can sleep for days!
5. I used to jog 5 miles a day; then I found a short cut.
6. 50 year old; one owner; needs parts; make offer.
7. I get everything I set my mind to. Now where'd I set my mind?
8. You're a classic, you only get better with age!
9. Age is important only if you're cheese or wine.
10. If God had wanted me to touch my toes, he would have put them on my knees. 

Found a poet by name Joanna Fuchs who writes funny "over the hill" birthday poems.

"Hike across green Ireland;
Bike the USA;
Backpack through New Zealand,
But don’t call it a day…

Do yoga in lovely Paris;
Jump rope in Katmandu;
Avoid Italian pasta,
(Well, maybe taste, but don’t you chew!)

Climb atop Mt. Everest;
Do aerobics on China’s Wall;
Lift weights on Mexican Beaches;
And honey, that’s not all…

Shake your booty with native dances
In Fiji and Bora Bora;
Move your body and exercise
Like you’ve never done befora.

Okay; that’s good; you’re finished;
Now you can take a break;
You’ve finally burned enough calories
To have your birthday cake!"

To wrap up:

"I wake up every morning at nine and grab for the morning paper. Then I look at the obituary page. If my name is not on it, I get up."
-Harry Hershfield

I am neither senile nor suffering from dimensia or alzheimers, so 39 is not a bad age after all, what say?