The Messages

As thoughts travel to the battlefront
Expecting messages in replies
They shudder and shiver
By the missing bullets and bombs

Sitting in the balcony
Eyes closed, hair raising
The mere thoughts are disrupted
As they return without any messages

Dead bodies all around
There is no one to deliver the messages
As thoughts gather courage
To see the unforeseen scenario

Tears rolling down the eyes
Clenching fists, folded hands
Pray, pray and pray endlessly
For the messages to arrive

The bullets find their targets
The bombs embrace the bodies
Even before the thoughts could reach again
The messages ultimately arrive from the battlefront

Brothers, sons, fathers, uncles, cousins, nephews, husbands, friends, lovers
There are messages of everyone
Happy thoughts dare the inevitable
Anticipating the messages

They arrive! Yes, they do finally
Wrapped in the flags of the nation
The messages are delivered
With great honour in coffins!


- Johnny D

Humans Never Worked On The Small Heart

As you all know that I am journalist, who used to interview stars to earn my living. Once I hired an auto rickshaw, whose driver was an old Muslim guy, wearing all white dress from head to toe and his shining white beard said that he had seen world a great deal. He was surprised by my chaste Hindi and asked me curiously from where I belonged? I told him and as we started our journey to my destination, we got talking about humanity and spiritualism. It was so wonderful that we connected with each other almost instantaneously.

He told me how and why we humans have to suffer so much in our life.” He said, “Please do forgive me sir because I am an uneducated fellow and it may seem that I am boasting of my knowledge. Imagine, what humans’ mind could achieve when they worked on iron? They made big-big ships and aircrafts, which could float on water and fly in air, respectively. When we worked on stones, we were able to build amazing structures like Taj Mahal and Kutub Minar and many more across the world. My son is a computer engineer and he says on computers, in a click, we can get the required information within a second. Isn't it amazing sir? Sadly though sir, we, humans have never worked on this small heart of ours. That is why we see so much hatred, killing, cheating and chaos all over the world.”

I was perplexed by his insight and thanked him for the most beautiful lesson he imparted to me in such a short journey of life. We parted our ways as my destination arrived without even knowing each other’s name. However, while parting we made a promise that we both would look forward to meet each other in future, God willing. As I turned back to look at the auto fellow once again, he had vanished amidst the traffic and I was shaken and touched for his generosity for having touched my life in such a noble way. HEART so small yet so difficult to work on for us, who have conquered nature's abundant sources with great success. However, this small incident surely proved to me that as humans, we have indeed failed to achieve what we were meant to, by the Supreme Power!

- Johnny D

Just One Smile

Just one smile, if I could leave behind
How wonderful it would be!
Neither would I lose anything
Nor would I gain anything
Simply a smile
Knowing I had left behind
A smile, remembered forever
For making someone real happy!
Just one smile, if I could leave behind
In the everyday struggle of my life


If millions could learn
Just watching the smile
If millions could get enlightenment
Understanding the smile
All the chaos in life
Does it really fetch anything at all?
That is why my friends
Let us leave behind just one smile
In our everyday struggle of life
Just one!


Johnny D

Two Little Plants

Little did they know
When they were born
They would be separated
Travel to distant land
To live a life
Short lived yet with total freedom.

Having been separated from their roots.
Not even bothered
Looking lively
Enjoying every single moment
Standing tall
They are such a beautiful sight!

Everyday I watch them
With delight and amazement
At times in pity
Mostly though, in awe
I envy them
For their fearless living.

Barely a handfull of soil
Is all they have to live with
No sunshine or enough water
To outgrow, like their family members
Their contentment and will
Though, have been so infectious.

Looking at the two little plants
I learnt so much about life
While I saw one dying the other day
The other remained steadfast to live longer
This is how the story ends of the two little plants
Who lived in a small crack of my window sill.


Johnny D

Bubble

I met him, when he was barely few months old
And then we parted for twenty long months
I had completely forgotten him
Because he was never important to me

After twenty months, we met again
While I couldn’t recognize him
He did in a mere few seconds
And yearned for love from me

Following me everywhere
Wagging his tail left and right
He kept showering his love and attention
Till I gave in to be friends with him once again!


Johnny D

Moonlight

Just like the moon,
You shine so bright
O moonlight…

You have spread a cheer all around
With you radiance & aura
Your beauty & calmness
Your brightness enlightens my dark life!

A life…
That is full of sorrows
My life…
Only if I could understand
You spread…
The happiness in me
Like you do
In this world so selflessly!

I want…
To hold you in my arms
But alas…
Only if I can!

Your radiance…
Is boundless & beauty?
Oh, so soothing!
I am sure you understand
How I feel when I am in your arms!!!

O moonlight…
I love you
I love…
The moon in you

I know…
I can never hold you in my arms
You are boundless beauty
Beauty…
I can only aspire to be with…
All my life!


Johnny D

War War Everywhere?

War war everywhere
Sign of peace
Oh, nowhere!

While they invade
For sake of peace
Mayhem spread
To make a gist

Peace is all
We all wish
But with war
Is there peace?

They sell supply
Arms to crush
In just, they claim
For one and all

Peace will prevail
While they always quote
Busy they are
Counting notes behind closed doors

History says
Oh, my peace!
Where did any one
Find it please?

War war everywhere
Sign of peace
Oh, nowhere!!!


Johnny D

Love! Where is Love?

Looks doesn’t matter any more
As long as you have the moolah
If gifts doesn’t flow in regularly
No matter how much you care
Love! Where is love?

Sparkling diamonds, flashy cars
Designers’ outfits will always define love
How you are in bed
Doesn’t matter any more
Love! Where is love?

I love you
Three little words doesn’t mean a thing any more
Caring and missing each other
Being together for each other
Love! Where is love?

Yearning to be in tight embrace
Passé are the emotions of togetherness
Dried petals of roses
Sweet fragrant long love letters
Love! Where is love?

Those ticking hours
That long wait
Those loving memories
And that lovely togetherness
Love! Where is love?

Emotions built in two hearts
Thoughts transcending as one
Those anticipating moments
Smile capturing souls
Love! Where is love?

Oblivious of the world
Being in each other’s arms
Whispering sweet nothings
Those romantic naughty moments
Love! Where is love?

No matter how the relationship is
Is love all about money?
No matter how rude the person is
Is love just physical pleasure?
Love! Where is love?

Greed seeping in individuals
The emotion is resting in peace
The fast paced life
The faster have the achievers of love become
Love! Where is love?


Johnny D
1st December 2007

Indian News Channels

They come and go in a flash
Only to be forgotten as trash
Later to be flashed again and again
Increasing viewers unending pains!

Deaths, Rapes, Violence and Political Gimmicks
Are what the channels present as lyrics
Bad, awful, without any substance
There are always topics without any substance

No authorities have any real stance
As trivial issues are given so much importance
Tragedies are sold as hot newsreel
With stupid anchors asking – How do you feel?

Insensitivity and glorifying pains
Have become the rule and mantra for channels’ gains
These news channels have no stopping
One wonders where the world is heading?

Breaking the news is always a break
Through advertisers, channels increase their stake
More than the news there is always a break
With meaningless news, there’s really no take

Crime, Calamities, Catastrophes and Celebrities
Is not all, the channels sell them as news
There are craps like comedy to irritate
With Commercials aplenty, the channels have saturate

Highlighting violence has become the order of the day
Covering celebrities walking to temples “LIVE”, is joke of the day
I often wonders where’s the fourth pillar heading?
As news have become just another commercial products

Gone are the days
When news provided knowledge
And important happenings, all around the world
Today, it has just become the game of TRPs (Television Rating Points)

I strongly feel TRPs stands for
Totally Ridiculing People’s Sentiments
I am sad about the downfall of news
News today, who really cares?

Johnny D

Just Today!

They really don’t even care about tomorrow
As they get ready for today
They wait for their master of today
Knowing well, they will get some work to do

Bare minimum are their necessities
Barely are they clad in clothes from head to toes
With a will to excel for today
Their smiles brighten their day

Husband, wife and children
Live their lives fearlessly
Toiling all day long in hot sun
Their sweat earns enough for today

In between the breaks
They relish their meals with contentment
While children play with abandonment
Their parents work selflessly

With really nothing to possess or desired
Seldom will you see such a happy content family
They work, smile and spend the day
As the sun comes down to celebrate their feast

With a handful of money for their day’s work
They buy their food for the day
Singing and cooking with happiness
They celebrate the night as if there is no tomorrow

As they sleep instantaneously
Darkness engulfs them in loving embrace
It is sheer magical moments
As they live for just today!

Johnny D
27th November 2007

The Unrest World

Civilizations were lost
Civilizations were built
The unrest world
Remained intact as ever

From novice hunters
To the barbaric clan
Spreading its tentacles
The unrest world grew at an alarming pace

Inventions, discoveries
The growth of modern civilizations
Still a distant dream is though
Life with comforts!

Hunger, crime, passion
Enhanced the world’s unrest
As each one tries to outdo the other
The never-ending race of unrest begins

Hunger gives birth to crime
As crime became the passion
Bugged by passion
The unrest world overtook comforts

Contentment!
What is that my dear?
We are here to achieve
So what, if we have to pay a little price of unrest!

The race as always will be fought and run
As milestones are achieved with a point of the gun
The unrest world will never know
Where and when this race will ever end?


Johnny D

Cute Little Sparrows

As dawn breaks
The chirping of sparrows
Enlivens the day
Flying here, there and everywhere
Cute little sparrows
Make me feel so joyful!

Watching cute little sparrows
Flying, chirping all around
I wonder with a smile
Sitting in my balcony
The ambience they create
Is truly nature’s amazing gift!

Endless chirping
Hopping, flying
From trees to my balcony
They look with amazement
Some with fear
Some in awe!

Just like me
I am sure
They too, must be thinking
As to what I was thinking?
Always playful
Cute little sparrows spread endless joy within!


Johnny D

The Burning Candle

Tragedy strikes
Lives lost
Shock prevails
Nightmare begins

Love lost
Supports snatched away
As tears overflow
Grief stricken hearts cry in silence

Those quarrels
Beautiful loving moments
Smile on the sullen tearful face
Memories haunt endlessly

Burning a candle
Remembering lost lives
A moment of silence
Prayer warms the hearts

The burning wick
Brightens for a while
Spreading solace
In everybody’s hearts

As wax melts away
Slow and steadily
So do memories
Fade, one after another

Life starts to smile once again
Lost lives, lost in oblivion
Just like the burning candle
Melting away in oblivion!

Johnny D

The Force – Child Labour

A lot is being done by various NGOs, while there are lots, who have been exploiting the force. The force is globally known as CHILD LABOUR. Various groups in various measures and ways have exploited children, the world all over. However, what is heartening to note is that, we, as human race have been unable to put a full stop to Child Labour, ever since our existence.

Child Labour is a very common phenomenon in under-developed and developing nations worldwide. However, its presence in the developed nations is right in front of everybody’s eyes and nobody even call them Child Labour. I am talking about Tennis ball boys & girls, who are so prominently seen at US OPEN, FRENCH OPEN, WIMBLEDON and AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Day in and day out, the media splashes one or two cases of Child Labour and abuse, to sell their TV ratings (TRPs) or else publications. Celebrities are often being seen (courtesy media) talking great things to eradicate Child Labour. The reality, however, is just the opposite. In most of the celebrity homes (99%) you will find children of various ages working as maids or errand boys, doing all sorts of dirty jobs for the stars’ family.

There is a very thin line between truth and reality. However, when you know the reality, truth seems to be miles away from the real world of lies! That is the way it is! Orphanages have turned into money minting business in the name of foreign donations, by offering children to paedophiles. Children in these orphanages live in unhygienic conditions, are made to work to earn their bread and butter, and not forgetting, are fed horrible food. No wonder, many children run away from these orphanages to survive on streets rather than give in to the unusual demands of the orphanages’ head.

Pathetic! Gruesome! Awful! These are some of the expressions that are often remarked by the people, who exploit children for their own comforts. What is interesting to note is that these NGOs, which were started by a committed individual to save children from being the force (Child Labour) loses its main objectives, once it grow into a huge organisations. The reality of such NGOs are an eye opener because their swanky offices, high salaries of their staff (to serve human kind was the sole aim of social organizations, not any more though), the limousines of the NGO’s heads, seminars and functions in five star hotels (celebrities would not attend otherwise and how will they get media coverage without celebrities?) – are really hard to believe and be seen.

It is not that we humans don’t know these facts, however, what is surprising is that we have accustomed to overlook these TRUTH in our hypocritical society. NGOs, celebrities, rich and famous and common man have all turned their eyes shut and act or behave as if we all live in a blind world. How do you think we can eradicate this force (Child Labour) on which the whole society is so much dependent? Be it the ball boys in major tennis championships all across the continents, your Chotu chaiwala (small boy serving tea in various offices), akbaarwala (newspaper boys) or else your errand boy, Child Labour is part and parcel of everyday life.

Do we, the society at large really care to eradicate this dreaded disease (dangerous than AIDS) in REALITY? Yes, a mere silence and question mark looms in front of our eyes. Child Labour as the incurable disease starts from the very childhood and it’s our parents, who first exploit us, even before we know the real meaning of the term. Many eyebrows will be raised and many heads will shake in “nays” but then do remember the very first time you bribed your own children or neighbours with a toffee or a shilling (money) to get your errands done? There we go! The truth is miles away from the reality in our world of lies and hypocrisy.

Child Labour is prevalent in every part of the world – the reality, which is the truth of our world. The force (Child Labour) is just impossible to eradicate because the society needs them and have turned a blind eye towards children. Blame the parents, neighbours or else the whole society, CHILD LABOUR is the PARASITE, who delivers a great service (to human kind) and earning to the nations’ economy!

Johnny D

Concrete / कांक्रीट

कांक्रीट

आपस में सटकर फूटी कलियाँ 

एक दुसरे के खिलने के लिए, जगह छोड़ देती है

जगह छोड़ देती है गिट्टियां, 

आपस में चाहे जितना सटें

अपने बीच, अपने बराबर जगह

खाली छोड़ देती हैं

जिसमें भरी जाती है रेत

और रेत के कण भी

एक दुसरे को चाहे जितना भीचें

जितनी जगह खुद घेरते हैं

उतनी जगह अपने बीच खाली छोड़ देते हैं

सीमेंट 

कितनी महीन

और आपस में कितनी सटी हुई

लेकिन उसमें भी होती है खाली जगहें 

जिसमें समाता है पानी

और पानी में... खैर छोड़िये

इस तरह कथा कांक्रीट की बताती है

रिश्तों की ताक़त में

खाली जगहें छोड़ने 

और उन्हें - 

भरते चले जाने की अहमियत के बारे में

--- नरेश सक्सेना ---

CONCRETE (English Translation)

They leave space to bloom
In spite of being bonded together as buds



There is space left in between pebbles
In spite of being together
They leave equal space
In between them to breathe free



In which sand is filled up!



Each particle of sand
Leaves a space
Equal to what it really occupies
In between them



In these spaces are filled the concrete!



Cement
Bonded so tightly
Yet hold spaces
In which water accommodates oh, so easily

And water... let us just leave it



The power of relationship
To understand the importance
Always leaves a space
So the tale of concrete states!



Johnny D

There's An Angel

THERE’S AN ANGEL

When the chips are down
The goings rough
Individuals break down
To curse their fate

Not knowing what to do next
Feeling all alone
Individuals sulk in solitude
Knowing well, even his shadow has deserted too!

Lifting up his low morale
Showing him number of open doors
All these while
An invisible angel assists him

With the chips all down
Individuals live in complete darkness
Far away from the world
In the big, small world

The angel treads swiftly
Showing the trickle of light
Brightening his dark world
A will to live enlivens the individual

Overcoming obstacles with new confidence
Life starts to roll once again
With the will to strive
The individual excels with a new vigour

Smile takes over the frowns
As failures turn steadily into success
The angel moves aside
As individuals walk again in lost pride

To thank the invisible angel
There are a very few individuals
Maybe difficult but it’s true
There’s an angel always by your side


Johnny D