Shashi Gupta

Oh, to be a child again
Go back in time left far behind
To days when life was nought 
But happy and carefree days.l
When games we played 
Keeping no track of time
The afternoon sun
Burnt our skins black
The winter chills
Chapped our cheeks, hands and lips
But did we care ?
No sir, as long as we could
Our marbles play
Fly our kites and climb trees
The indoors was for the oldies
And for the days when sick we fell.
In the rains we raced our paper boats
Barefooted we ran all over the place
Chased each other and splashed
With water from stagnant puddles
Never caring for the dirt on the roads
Traffic was never a worry at all
Pollution was something not heard
By all, we reveled in the fresh
Clean air, and that was our childhood
That we haven't forgotten,
That lives in our memories
And that we miss so much.
Oh, if only we could go back
And be a carefree child again!

Shashi Gupta

There are times when all seems hopeless
And life seems to be slipping out of hand
There's silence that surrounds you
When the world is whirling around
The darkness drags you away from the light
And the stars have forgotten to twinkle
The fragrance has just lost all its charm
And there seems no reason to go on
That's when you should just take a pause
Take a deep breath in and feel the magic
Of the wonderful world that's a gift to you
And the strong desire to carry on.

There are times when for no reason
You feel your face break out into a smile
The eyes crinkle up and the lips turn soft
And though it's so dark outside
There's a light that guides you on
Every person you pass by on the street
Is a creation that you admire
And though the little flower grows from a crack
You stop to feel it's amazing beauty
That's when you should realise
The power of your inner beauty
And thank the God above for it.

Shashi Gupta

I don't know what it was
That blocked my very breath
Led me on a lonely path
All decorated with breathtaking sin.
Your lips I couldn't resist
Though I knew they were not for me
I sank deep into your dreamy eyes
And clung on for life unseen.
I lay down besides you
Your warmth igniting sparks
I felt your skin against mine
And I erupted out in flames.
Someday I know you will be going
Far away from my reach
So for the present be mine
To give and take love divine.
If this be my share of loving
For the moment I take you as mine
Tomorrow when it comes along
Goodbyes will be in line.

Shashi Gupta

Someday when I lay down in my bed
Drained of strength from body and mind
I know my heart will still be beating for you
Happy memories of you will stay with me.
Weakened, yet strong I know I will be
Reaching for the light that shines from you
Trying to embrace you in my cloudy mind
You will ever remain in my memory.
As the light grows dimmer
And the distances widen
The colours start fading
And my hands fall listless
My spirit will still be yearning for your love.
From the ashes as they smoulder
A deep sigh will fill the air
A fragrance sweet
Of an undying love
And my spirit will envelop you.

Shashi Gupta

Id like to be a part of
A dance in the wind
Where colourful skirts
Get whipped and blown.
Id like to be a part of
A dance in the rain
Where with abandon
My very skin gets drenched.
Id like to dance
Under the stars and the moon
Create magic with the fairies
And paint myself silver.
In the woods
Id like to dance
With the bunnies and the deer
On tip toes so not to
Scare them away.
Id like to be
In the waves of the sea
Feel the tug and push
And dance on the seashore
With sand between my toes.
I ask for the pleasure of
My life being a dance
So I can skip past all sorrow
And be a happy spirit all day long.

Shashi Gupta

Under the weight of the falling night
Chased by the dreams that take off from life
The dying sun lay down to rest
To rise again with renewed strength.
The rosy glow that soften the edges
Of the bright light of the sun all day
Bring out dreamers to watch the sun set
As it finds it way to the other end.
The birds all twitter aloud, their final song
Chattering as they prepare to rest
Animals too slink off to their lairs
To be warm and cozy with their mates.
The world is at peace in the dark of the night
The twinkling stars wink at the passers by
The moon with its soft halo shows the way
Finally man too, to his home he turns.
Parties over,
Friends depart,
And under the stars
There is peace and calm.

Shashi Gupta

Of late i have worn a happy smile
For I see the silver lining around the clouds
I know that like the sunshine after the night
A day will dawn when my life will be bright.

Gone are the days when tears I shed
And dull is the pain that squeezed my heart
Gone is the darkness I've spent my days in
And gone are the doubts that surrounded me.

Along the way, life has taken much from me
Loved ones have left me and gone on
But when life takes, it give more in return
And in all the gloom, I've found some friends.

I wish the whole world be happy like me
Taste the sweetness that God blesses me with
A full throated laughter that echoes all around
And love again that had deserted my life.

Shashi Gupta

Under the sky
Just you and I
The flowers around
Let's fall in love....
Of love lets talk
The flowers smile on
Just you and I
Let's make our home
Under the sky....

Shashi Gupta

Take me as yours
For it was decided by nature
That planted the seed in my heart
And gave it in your care.
I'll smile and rejoice 
And flourish in the warmth
Of the love and caring
I see in your eyes.
I'll rest in your arms
I'll rise from the dust
From the glow of your liquid eyes
I'll quench my thirsty soul.
In your shade i will grow
And reveal my beauty for you
Fill your days with my light and
I'll brighten up your nights.
I will be yours when you need me
Yours till the end of my days
I'll love and cherish you
Even in the twilight years of our lives.

Shashi Gupta

Long had I lived in darkness and gloom
Built high walls to protect me
From winds and storms. 
But now I break free
And stand up to face the world.... 
I've opened my heart
To the songs of the birds
That create sweet music each day.
I've opened my senses
To the sunshine and shadows
That fills my heart with warmth.
I've opened my eyes
To the colours of the world
That paint my days and my nights.
I've opened my arms
To the people around me
That crave for love in their lives.
In giving I get
More than I asked for from life
Happy I am and so shall I remain. 

Shashi Gupta

The earth was parched,
The seed was starved,
Lay under the gloom
All craving for some water, a drop.
The eyes were dry,
In the freezing expanse
The soul lay barren,
The spirit not sure
It could ever bloom again.
But a ray of sunlight bright
Brought light into the gloom
The heart smiled as it felt
The warmth of forgotten love.
The clouds lifted high
Gave way to rain drops,
Slaked the parched earth
And filled with life the seed.
The face lit up
With colours of the rainbow
As it spread across
The newly washed sky.
Life took on meaning afresh
The spirit danced wild
Joy filled the deserted lanes
Of the heart abandoned long.

Shashi Gupta

Cut off from life, when all alone
When silence haunts my nights
I hear God's voice all around me...
When clouds roll in and hide the sun
The deep rumble I hear is the voice of God.

The trees that sway in the gentle winds
Both speak a language in God's voice.
The songs of the birds that sing in the trees
Carry messages from the depth of their hearts.

Trapped in the shackles that restrain my life
When tired I am of struggling for freedom
The tiny voice that whispers into my ears
Is a herald of a peaceful life ahead.

I know not the path I've chosen to walk
Nor do I know the destination I reach for
Stumbling on this unknown path with faith
I strain for the footsteps that walk besides me.

Shashi Gupta

A storm came into my life one day
It uprooted me out of my shell,
I stood tall, my intentions strong, but
The fight in me was quickly defused
As the storm kept raging around.

I could see no further than my nose
My roots were shaken loose
I dug in my feet so I'm not dragged
But the storm would release me not.

And then I gave in and let myself free
Of the shackles that had tied me for long
Enjoying the might of the fierce storm,
We danced all night like whirling dervishes
And tasted the nectar of life.

I tried to chain the storm to me
But tired now, the storm soon abated
I've searched the world around since then
But the name of my love, I cannot disclose.

Shashi Gupta

As a child when I fell
Scraped my knee or an elbow
My cries and tears brought
My mother
Who kissed the tears and pain away.
In my teens when I got hurt
My heart bled and my ego bruised
I cried with my friends and
My mother was the last to know.
As a young woman I fell in love
The world saw a bud unfurl it's petals
Dancing to a tune
That only my heart heard
I was on top of the world.
But then my heart broke and
With tiny pieces around me
Alone and shattered
I searched for the shoulder I knew
Was the only one I knew was strong
To bear my pain with me
And lead me onto a new path.
But my mother was gone
And I was alone...
Finally I knew that real pain
Could only be dealt with
Good, beautiful memories
That live in the heart forever.

Shashi Gupta

I'd go through my life
Looking for time to be with you
I'd swim through oceans
So I could spend time with you
High mountains will I climb
To fall in your arms again
But if all universe conspires
And I never meet you again
If here, right now,
Our story ends,
I know that the moments
The seconds I keep holding on to
Will always be precious
And deep in my heart
I will hide from the cruel world
A beautiful image of you.
I'll treasure the moment
When I first set eyes on you
The moment of the first touch
Your lips so warm and giving
I will thank God for
Having put you in my little world
And showing me forever,
That you love me too.

Shashi Gupta

Share 
What you have been blessed with.
Enrich
The lives of others around and your own.
Relish
The fragrance that permeates your soul.
Bask
In the sunlight giving warmth and life around.
Skip
Over the stones scattered across your path.
Dance
With abandon, like no one is watching.
Pray
To offer gratitude for all the beauty in your life.
Give
With an open heart never expecting a return.
Retire
When the day is done, put down your head and rest.
Joyfully
Reach out
And happily embrace the end when it comes.

Lisa Beaumont

SCULPTED

 

I

HAVE BEEN SCULPTED BY LIFE

CHIP, followed by bLOW AFTER BLOW UNTIL MY FORM IS REVEALED

BEFORE My MATERIAL was CONCEALED

MY TRUE FORM is Now DEFINED

WHEN the stroke hit me I did not crack

I tried hard not to look back

It is the material with which you start that matters most

THE MATERIAL TOOK SHAPE AND WAS REFINED

A NEW ME

CONFUSING FOR THOSE WHO THOUGHT THEY KNEW ME

TIME TO START AGAIN A NEW ENCOUNTER

WHO KNEW LIFE IS A SCULPTOR?

Shashi Gupta

High into the star spangled sky
I take wing and fly, for
Free I am now
Of the shackles of my heart.
Like a moon beam I stray in
When you dream in your sleep
Like the fireflies
I dance in the dark of the night
Like a brook
Tumbling down the rocks I rush
Like the winds
Teasing the trembling leaves
I come to you
With a heart full of love.
Hold me and love me
For soon I will be gone
The dawn will say goodbye
To the sleepy night
And reluctantly,
I too will fade with the light.
In your dreams will I live
And stay in your heart
As memories sweet
Do not tarnish our love
Keep me safe in your dreams.

Shashi Gupta

Am I two opposites
Rolled up into one?
Sometimes I'm the best for you
Sometimes with me you are done.
Your silence wrenches my heart
Your voice I crave to hear
But just when I am longing for you
I find empty spaces around.
Tell me do you love me truly
Tell me do I have a place in your life
For without you I'm only half of me
Without you I don't know how to survive.
I cannot hold on to you now
How can I last forever
I know my love for you is true
Keep me in your heart forever.

Shashi Gupta

It's a life time of wondering
But I know that
From moment to moment
It is just this, only one, so
I fill my life with notes
That I pluck from the flowing breeze,
Bird song that I hear on waking,
Raindrops as they drum
On window panes,
Laughter of little children
As they chase dandelion seeds.
It's a life time of wonders
That I have stolen from my dreams
Stashed away to fill my days
One by one as each one passes away.
I store away my desires
To fulfil when the time is right
And then it's not difficult
To dance in the rain.
Like a flower head
Basking in the morning sun
I spend each passing moment
In the warmth of my loved ones
Which makes my life worth living
Moment to moment.
And I wonder at the beauty of life...

Shashi Gupta

I love the lonesome cloud
That floats across the sky
I love the golden stars
That twinkle all night through
I love the big full moon
That shows me the way in the dark
And I love the people around me
That enrich my life with their being.

I love the eagle so high up in the sky
Wings spread wide, cutting the wind
I love the deep shadows
That under the trees live
I love the thunderous music
Of the rushing waves crashing in
And I love little children
That plant wet kisses on my cheek.

I love the tall trees
Shaking hands with the blue sky
I love the strong winds
That bend all as they want
I love the sound of laughter
That wake me from my dreams
And I love frail old people
Holding hands of their loved ones.

Shashi Gupta

Sometimes I'm sad
So down in the dumps,
Love has deserted me I think
But mostly I know 
Love lives in little things
That stay in my heart
And all around me.
I thank the Lord
For the birds and the bees
The flowers that grow
In corners unseen
The fragrance
That intoxicates my senses
And the desire
To live my life despite pain.
I walk in the rain
To wash away my tears
Laugh with the winds
As they unchecked blow
I dance amidst the leaves
That come twirling down
And tired at last,
Sleep peacefully without dreams.
Life is a mixture
Of happiness and pain
One without the other
Will seem in vain
So with a gulp
I swallow the sorrow
And step out everyday
To greet a new morrow.

Shashi Gupta

‌I seek the wonders of this world
Tho I know they come not alone
For with every smile on your loved ones face
A tear is sure to roll down. 
I hunger for the pleasures in life
That bring some sorrow too
For He promised not rainbows
Without rain and thunderstorms.
I love the sound of laughter
Though laughing makes me cry
‌The roses spread their fragrance
Their thorns always make me sigh.
The sun rise splits the darkness
Brings joy and light to the world
But as it sets, there's darkness
Darkness that's rests my soul.

Sandra Donald

Stroke what you brought is........

Starlight so bright it dazzles

Treasures so rare transparent in full glare

Opportunities in abundance unique that they will dare

Kindred spirit wrapped in stars of gold

Everlasting glory in praising the Lord

So thank you for dropping by with such a wonderful array of gifts

Shashi Gupta

I see your face when I close my eyes
When I blink my eyes, I see you there
Of course it's just my imagination 
For you are not here, you never were.
I've moved on in time but somethings stay still
Stagnant on the surface of time are images
That my mind conjures up from the past
A past I lived in, of my own sweet making
Now sorrowful I am, though I know the truth
The images on the wall are slowly fading 
Shadows of the passing of times I hold dear.
Bittersweet memories arise from the past
Forsaken for their being drenched in falsehood.
A magic I created in the eyes of my mind, my heart
A world so beautiful that all else seemed faint
In there I lived till the glass walls shattered
And before me lay, my bleeding heart.
Now I have learnt many a lessons new
To share but to give only to those who care
My life is precious, not to be thrown away
To forget the past and build a life new.

Shashi Gupta