Born to Fly

The special lecture by H.E. Dr. Abdul Kalam, to coincide with the
 "2012 Trilingual  Policy: of Sri Lanka

He spoke to us,
As he held our gaze.
I could feel what he said,
Because he meant everything.

I could feel that I was 'born to fly'
As he instilled belief in me again.
I realised that there are great things to achieve,
As I am a unique being.

He was humourous.
He spoke about serious things,
But he was not lecturing us.
He was simply giving us the wings,
Teaching us that our wings aren't clipped
And that we can, indeed fly.

I felt grounded and humble,
As he stood there,
A man of the world, a man of great knowledge, 
Talking to us mostly, as a friend.

I know we will all fly,
Reach greater heights,
As we have been inspired,
Inspired to be a better person, an individual,
Finally, a unique Sri Lankan.

Written in appreciation of H.E. Dr. Abdul Kalam's special lecture conducted this evening, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Amazing Friend

Have you a friend who can make you smile without knowing you're having a bad day? Have you a friend who can shed light to you without knowing that your path is suddenly dark? Have you a friend who knows just the right time to hold an umbrella without knowing you're having a rainy day? I have one, and I thought of writing a few words about this amazing person! 

She has this impressive ability to read and unread me. She knows my every smile and the rain clouds that hover over me. When we were just kids in school, we thought we were soul-mates; who knows, we probably are! She never fails to help me out without knowing I needed it. 

Today as customary, I was reading one of her weekly articles. (Her weekly column can be found on her blog  here) Suddenly I felt light at heart and I realised I could empathise with every single word she wrote. In that understanding, I realised she had given me an answer, I didn't even know I was searching for. To me, her weekly column has become a guide. A guide to solve my problems and sometimes, at times like this, a provider of answers to queries I knew not I had. 

Is it not only her weekly columns that teach me and guide me. She has taught me quite a lot about life, be it by sitting silently with me, with the wind blowing through our hair and the sun blazing on our faces or by writing to me or even by recommending a book to read. 

We realised at an early age that it is the little that we do that always means a lot. I am glad we realised this early on in life. When we studied together, I remember we found so much of depth in meaning in two texts we were studying at the time, MacBeth and Pride & Prejudice. To date, I can remember the lines to quote should I need to or even to crack a joke, and I know I can say the same of her, "coz he love'd thee well" (MacBeth).

I don't mean to brag about her, but I must say with time, I have come to appreciate beautiful friendships like this. As people walk in and out of your life but only some really understand you. Only a few, a very few people truly care about you.  

The Splash

I swallowed a rock I thought not I could.
I drowned in an ocean, that wasn't visible to me.
I stopped breathing, coz no air I could feel.
I stopped... I drowned... I died


The granite tied to my feet dragged me down,
I hit the bottom, I heard the 'thud'.
I let the air leave my lungs, because
I stopped... I drowned.. I died


Who'd have thought it would blast this way,
The words spoken, ignited my way.
I can only feel the darkness now,
As I stopped... I drowned... I died...

I realised I'm innocent

I realised I'm innocent,
In that there are so many ugly things happening around me,
But I'm ignorant to those.

I realised I'm innocent,
Because there are so many backstabbers
But I see no use in that.

I realised I'm innocent
Because I don't meddle in other's dirty work
And my hands are clean.

I realised I'm innocent
Because my heart is pure
And I do no evil.

I realised I'm innocent
As I can sleep peacefully at night,
Without my dreams keeping me awake at night.

I realised I'm innocent,
Because I'm still like a child
And mean no harm to anyone.

I realised I'm innocent,
Because I want to live freely,
Walking my life's path.

Path to My Inner Being

Life is like a rat race. That's a fact. This is what modern life is and it's made us in to rats! 

I have been running in this race for far too long I felt, and I wanted out. I wanted out really bad. So I got out. 

It was simple. It's shocking some would say; but I am happy. At least more than I was several months back. I am smiling again. 

I decided that I need to take this 'time off' and rediscover myself. I missed who I was before this rat race started. I have been up to a bit of soul searching and have realised that I miss the spiritual side of myself. I miss the meditating, and that wonderful connection I had with my inner being. I miss the time I had to sit and read or even to get some proper sleep. I realised, we don't have to wait till we are old and grey to enjoy these things. These are some of life's most simple wonders that we fail to see, in our race to reach the top (or where ever it is that one intends to reach). 

I'm back to being in love with my surroundings; with nature. I realised the rat race hadn't given me the time to enjoy it as much as I wanted. I stare at the clouds as they float over me. I stick my head out of the vehicle, to breathe in the fresh air (not in the City of course!) loving the feeling of the cool air wash over my face and taking with it all my worries. I am loving the fact that I can go on spontaneous trips, just to enjoy the countryside. I am blissful. 

I have come to realise that I miss the silence that the City doesn't give. The humming of insects and the chirping of birds. I miss the whistle in the wind that can be heard only when you're truly listening.  I miss the smell of the Earth, in its uniqueness from place to place. The richness of our nature, that we fail to see, because we don't stop running. 

I miss being at home (not my house home) but completely within myself. I think I am starting to feel whole again after a long time. 

I guess I am smelling the roses as I walk. 

"Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it." Jacques Prevert