poetic thoughts on statehood day

ON EC’s action
(of disallowing Ram Punayani’s talk)

There are those who feel the EC deserves a clap
But in the din, didn’t you hear the sound of a slap
A slap on the face of the people who seek a peaceful state
That is under attack by fascists and their venomous hate


LANGUAGE

My teacher taught me in school
That language is a very powerful tool
So, if the words were from my pen’s surge
“Hindutva right wing” would never emerge!

My teacher would exclaim, “What a weak construction…
Of a sentence about perpetuators of destruction!”
Use the right words, lest readers understand late…
“rapists”, “murderers”, “fanatics” would be appropriate!


SALESMEN

Sometimes it is the name of an astrological sign…
Sometimes, it is an atheist with a name divine...

Sometimes it is about developing common wealth
Sometimes it is about suppressing your own breath!

All the time we thought that politics was the pits
But look at those salesmen do their dirty bit!


DILEMMA

You see it really isn’t anywhere close to fair
For those of us who are fast becoming a tribe rare!

I can’t bring myself to down the Corrupted drink
Or jump off the communal cliff’s brink!
I can’t appreciate the two-timing two-leaf guys
Or board the flight full of diseased flies!
I can’t get myself to ride the wolf in lion’s clothes
Or search for the dove in the scattered feathers!

You see it really isn’t anywhere close to fair
For those of us who are fast becoming a tribe rare!


VOTE FOR ALCOHOL

The election commission disallows us a legal binge
As if we were going for a talk against the right wings!
But it is okay to down the free flow of alcohol
and drown the noise of your conscience call!

ON REPUBLIC DAY

my country’s flag flies full mast to the full-throated singing and cheer
it’s great to have a public holiday … please pass on some more beer!
let the school kids do the drill… the national anthem is beyond us to sing
freedom took away the foreigners… now elected leaders do worse things!

the pathetic politician waxes eloquent in his superficial sermon
puffed up chests will wane… republic day is just another occasion!

you see, it really isn’t something to be much bothered about…
in my country’s consciousness, democracy is plagued by doubt!

I can rattle off the problems and fail to be part of the solution
it is sad but true that patriotism is just a plastic emotion!
but then, why is that when India wins that rises in my heart a cheer?
and why is it that when India loses that I succumb to my tears?

a foreigner’s abusive words may make me see red…
but, in deed for my country, I prefer to play dead!
I maintain my stoic silence as my nation is raped and razed
it is just a piece of land… my behaviour remains unfazed!

so what if I am a man of honour, so what if I talk the lofty talk
how can I forgive myself when I can’t do the patriotic walk?
we have to take the initiative, by each let this be heard

call it saving ourselves; call it patriotism or any other word!

don’t wait for someone to begin, it really starts with me…
…to save my land, its people and every threatened tree!
they are so few… those who grab, loot and terrorise
we are so many and stronger… if only together we rise!

Republic day belong to us… we the public that is eager
to do what it takes to secure our country’s future….
Republic day is a time to make the commitment again
to do what needs to be done to pull my country out of the drain…

love for our country should never be an occasional intention…
love for our country is when we speak through hands-on action…
let each moment be where, together we walk the united way
let each day be celebrated as my country’s Republic day!

---- Pravin Sabnis (January 2007)

THANK YOU SATISH & PATRICIA

Thank you Satish & Patricia,
you are the bright blaze
that uncovered our shifty eyes
and our lame daze!

We shed only teeming tears
We hid behind our selfish fears
Refusing to take on the threatening might
Running away from the righteous fight!

The police came without fail
And send the saviours off to jail.
But then something happened to me
… my mirror reflected the cut tree!

Keep going Satish & Patricia,
you are the igniting flame
that dispelled the darkness
and exposed the dangerous game!

The aggressors had to be tackled…
their greed had to be humbled…
The Goans now began to talk
and dawned the urgency to walk

We must save the Goan identity
where Mother Nature lives with dignity.
We want the real Goa and not a fairy tale
Don’t you dare put up my motherland up for sale!

Thank you Satish & Patricia,
you are the motivational flare
that lit up our spirits
and reminded us how to dare!

We must also gather our guts
To take head on the two-faced nuts
Let’s challenge every deceitful argument
That speaks for fallacious development

It isn’t just about saving our land
Or the forests, mangroves and sand
It is about saving our future generation
From the necropolis of misplaced progression.

Rest assured Satish & Patricia,
you are no longer the lonely embers,
from Odxel, Saleli, Sulcorna and everywhere,
Goa is showing the numbers!

No money and no muscle can deter
The Goan who has cast off his fear
It is after all, the fight for true freedom
From the insatiable rulers’ fiefdom.

The people are awake and aware
The rude rulers have to beware
You are out to abuse our mother
And expect us not to bother?

Smile Satish & Patricia,
we have thrown away our pretexts
'Save Goa' is no longer
just another spoken concept!

---- Pravin Sabnis (December 2006)

the wanderer

THE WANDERER

The wanderer keeps wandering,
unwinding, unlearning and unleashing
Exploring the beauty of the earth
In the colorful flowers that rise in the dirt

The wanderer walks to overcome fear
across rivers of tears and gardens of cheer
The path leads to someone waiting
Is it the dreams that set the heart beating?

Every glance from these paths’ maze
find colours melting in the gaze
the soothing winds, the soothing shade
Offer the vision of a destination glade.

The wanderer sees a new horizon, a new dimension
Dreams are realised by backing desire with dedication
Turn every moment into a precious one
following the call of your heart is real fun

The load on your mind will disappear
As the child in you reappears
Life will feel fresh and new
Love and bonding make a fine brew

Victory is when wanderers leave a trail
As an inspiration for others to set sail
A trail across waters and earth, high and low,
That beckon others with an invitation to glow.

Touch to transform

TOUCH TO TRANSFORM

let go of the past… and those moments old…
cast yourself afresh… in a brand new mould!
get set to rise… on newer horizons…
“touch to transform” future generations!

yes! we can do it… “touch to transform”…
first ourselves within… and every person along!
don’t wait for later, who knows if things remain…
”touch to transform” with your love… again and again!

“touch to transform”… sure this is true...
life is an opportunity… with moments few!
don’t let it waste…lest you regret later…
now while you breathe, may your roots go deeper!

the luxury of a palace cannot buy you sleep…
oceans of wealth cannot quench a thirst deep!
greed pulls you down, happiness sets you free…
peace of mind transforms adversity into luxury!

“touch to transform” the differences around…
through sincere sustained efforts, real treasures are found!
it is said so well, that time will not wait…
and that fortune favours feet, that cross failure’s gate !

yes! we can do it… “touch to transform”…
first ourselves within… and every person along!
don’t wait for later, who knows if things remain…
”touch to transform” with your love… again and again!

Stars

STARS

The beauty of every star with its simmering light
Can be seen from afar as they gather in the night,
Each has its own spark, yet they glitter as one
Like the colours of the rainbow born of the sun.

Seven colours bind together for the rainbow to emerge…
Would a rainbow ever form, if they chose to diverge?
When people get together, a nation is raised
Differences bring despair and defeat staring in our face

Every drop makes the sea; otherwise what is a sea?
Every act is crucial that carries the value of empathy
Let go of egocentricity, don’t stay aloof and away...
Let’s join hands together to create a beautiful day!

The farmer ploughs the land to reap a golden grain
The cowherd is not rewarded with milk, without any pain
The blacksmith shapes the iron with tools that shine!
The potter shapes the clay with a picture in his mind

All these are faces of effort… a desire to have a say...
With enmity to none… and a dream to seize the day
Deep down we are alike, no one is a stranger,
That is the real truth, stars are meant to be together!

A NEW SONG...

Cast the sadness away
Together let’s walk the way
Remember that it is our smile that brings
The splendid cheer of the season of spring

Sing a fresh tune; sing a new song.
A new season, a new day shall come along...

Let your song be full of play
Like a boat riding waves' way..
Keep up the spirits when down
Dreams rise with the setting frown

The wind that takes your breath away,
“Dance with me”, it seems to say!
Live your life with passion…
Ride the wind with positive emotion!

It is true that you only live once.
This life is constantly altering its stance;
Embrace every moment with a smile that cheers
the joys are to be found by clearing fears.

Sing a fresh tune; sing a new song...
A new season, a new day shall come along...

Pravin Sabnis
30 April 2007