Happy Birthday, Krishna

Happy Birthday, dear Krishna, my friend, philosopher, guide,
My protector, my companion, always by my side;
You've been there for me ever since I remember,
In you I've found a sibling, an elder brother,
Walking along with me when life is a bed of roses,
When the path is strewn with thorns, carrying me on your shoulders,
Playing silly pranks on this little sister of yours,
Holding my hands when I feel scared and lost,
Listening to my complaints, always with a smile,
Even when I've been unreasonable all the while,
Watching over me, even as I peacefully sleep,
Knowing that my little secrets safely you will keep,
Your janamdin dear Gopala, is a special occasion for me,
Please accept this little gift of love on Janmashtami.

The Canvas

A shroud of grey on the canvas above,
Bringing forth showers of blessings and love,
The sleeping earth springing to life,
A million greens coming alive.

Shyly peeping from behind the shroud,
Mustering courage, and stepping out,
A smile spreading, one end to the other,
A royal welcome, a garland of seven colours.

Slowly the canvas, changing again,
Strokes of white, rising up like waves.
Expanses of blue, like the seas below,
Splashing over to a grey sea shore.

Suddenly, a million hues of red,
Yellows and saffrons, carelessly painted,
Peaches and pinks, splashed recklessly across,
Behold! The masterpiece of them all.

Finally, the Artist covers the canvas,
With a black veil decked with gems and studs,
A new day will dawn, and yet more new art,
And new masterstrokes to bewitch the heart.

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View pics of the Canvas @ http://picasaweb.google.com/preeta.chandran/SkyTheCanvas?feat=directlink

Taken from my Bberry during a walk in the park on a beautiful monsoon evening, which also inspired this poem

The Pine

Lone, solitary, tall, and majestic,
The Pine stands there, looking so proud,
The sky above, the hills beyond,
And caressed gently by a cloud.

As I look out of the arched window,
I think she looks beautiful and fine,
Without a care in the world, she stands,
And I realize, I so envy the pine.

Swaying gently, she flirts with the wind,
And romances the golden morning rays,
She lets the dew drops kiss her gently,
And tantalizes the sky with her charming ways.

And suddenly, I realize, I too can be free,
I'm a prisoner, a slave, only to my thoughts,
My soul, can it be chained, if it refuses to be?
I open the door, and then, I step out.

I spread out my arms and look up at the sky,
The sun now smiles warmly at me,
A song fills my heart, a light, my soul,
I dance with the universe, to the eternal melody.