Truth and the Myth: Couplet Quips

THINK IT OVER THINK IT OVER Often myth sounds truth And truth likens myth! What happens if truth and lie vie? The lie will stand up and truth lie! Wailed aloud as you came, availed eventful life, Prevailed, you will leave leaving others in wailing grief! You correct yourself, The rest will mend itself! You can assert your right if you are right; Only can falter when you are at fault! Choose who loves you Than whom you love! We can reap only what we sow; Fortunate few reap from mere show! If you work with your hands, looking up, You will rise unto heavens, and up! Camphor burns to smoke leaving not even ash and odd, Emitting fragrance of selfless oblation to the Lord! Note down, nothing will go into nothing; If you have nothing you will have nothing! Let you be punished for default, But never be it for deceit. I have rich learning, culture and manners; But beset with poor food, health and finance! Be prepared all the while for bitter curses; Boons may come, once in a while, as bonuses! Better to soothe the victim of your ill deed Than to confess before Minister ordained! I'm a lighted but unburnt wick of yesterday; Don't throw me out when am willing to burn today. I had pleasant dreams about life; It all turned a nightmarish strife! Muezzins have to call from Minaret To arouse our prayer instinct? Which gauge can measure acuteness of pain, Depth of love and degree of emotion? Present life is a present of bygone past, Only purest present presents future best. Statistics establishes a lie numerically; The opportunist takes advantage of it cunningly! Swinging justice's scale Is offered for sale! "Fowl of air sow not reap not": They feed on other's grain and fruit! "Seek and ye shall find", the Lord sayeth; But we seek what we can't find on earth! "Thy faith hath made thee whole"; Now, money maketh all "Put new wine into new bottles"; Put new thought into newborn minds! Man boasts, he could land on moon, But could he, as on land, walk on? Coin is minted round to roll From hand to hand, that's its role. Confinement is bondage, Even in golden cage! Someone's mistake of yesterday Might be social rite of today. Poverty cannot be alleviated By preaching philosophy concentrated! When thy begging bowl is full and flowing over, You will feel, you are the God, reigning world over! All of us work for and hope But only few reach the top! Man is slave of circumstances Created by his circumstandees* (* Don't look for this word in a Dictionary, for it is coined). Invention of Zero inspired calculation; Zero as a wheel had incited revolution! "Early bird catches the worm"; Early worm walks unto doom! Resourceful are not successful; Successful are not resourceful! To err is human; To pardon is humane! Why should purest of all rivers, Ganges, holy Desecrate itself merging into sea wholly? Even on udder full of milk, Mosquito fancies blood to suck! The event that will make you happy Might make many others unhappy! "Drops of water make an ocean", Drops that drip dry even ocean! Idle mind is not a devil's workshop At times, poetry flows from it non-stop! The wick will burn to ashes in no time If the lamp lacks oil that keeps the flame. While ringing in, with gaiety, the New Year, Grow and show, you are one more year wiser. You would become only what you can And not that you wish or others plan! Despite absorbing hottest rays of Sun, Moon always emits only coolest sheen! Moneys black and white, vie each other, Even within sacred temple coffer! Do whatever you have to, today, here and now For, tomorrow is a dream, may not come true. He who keeps company, in lone dark night, If dead suddenly, turns object of fright! With a begging bowl, I vie to reach the gate Of palace I built* and lived in my birth last! (* Hindus believe that the soul of a dead person will have rebirth elsewhere) What anybody could give in abundance To others, in time of distress, is advice! Know, thou were not born nor shall die at thy wish; Thence, time in between is not thine to lavish! Don't try to throw stones from glass roof, Unless the glass is bullet proof! Disease is always like a guest Comes at unexpected moment! You can kick even the air afar, If it is put in a ball of rubber! Water flows only on slopes The life flows solely on hopes! Wondrous monument for departed wife Tajmahal. Could she ever enjoy that architectural marvel? Hot morning news in evening turns cold; Tomorrow history and, then, tales old! Building castles in the air, does the idle; Won't building a hut on the land be ideal! When thy name scales thro' the ladder of fame, Know, it is someone else did give thee a name! One who feels ignorant only can gain knowledge As empty vessel has enough space for storage! Life is like a brittle sheet of glass: Transparent, breaks on being careless! Even dirty efflux from stable Holy Ganges laps with no grumble! "Rolling stone gathers no moss" It will only deplete its mass! You have something, you will feel a lot you have not; When you have not any, will not feel you have not. Only thro' crooked stairs and power-lifts Man can reach unto enviable heights! Souls of amoeba and an elephant, By mass and shape would not be different! Nudity is not sex appealing; It lies in dressing half-revealing! Man has no permanent foe or friend, For he has an ever-changing mind. Woman's bosom is Ocean of Milk for the baby; Reposing bed, to compose, for grief-stricken hubby! I don't long for fame as son of my father; But, indeed, wish to earn name as an author. "None in this world is perfect" a diction; But, everyone claims to be an exception! Man slays gentle peacock to gather its quill And present a "peacock dance" to show his skill! The needy nurtures no formality; Not patience to wait till maturity! Any event, however long, should end; Even God's incarnations have ended! Thoughtless act in split moment Gets man long years in punishment. Poor man's mistake could be a crime; Rich man's crime could be a mistake! The evil is not evil always; And the good need not be good always! One's internal and external beauty Is assessed by external entity! If you don't do what you have to do, Someone will do what you may not do! Between man and man, man is the enemy; Man to man, managing man is difficult! If you go on doing good, God will do you good; If the God doesn't do good, none would say good God! If you look once again, what you have done earlier, After years, you will feel you could have done better! If you shy ever to make a debut, Opportunities will fight shy of you! No wonder continental drift theories stay; Look at the neighbouring nations drift away! Woman is undaunted force; Man controls it by mere farce! While being poor is not a bane; Becoming rich is not a boon. Why need middle men Between God and man? All my vices will be adored If I have immense wealth amassed! Something is not better than nothing at all; For, nothing is better than something awful! Who does not spend, have to spend; Who spends may not have to spend! Taxes are levied to feed Government employees Still they tax public to add spice to luxuries! Somewhere a tearful farewell.* Here, a cheerful arrival. (Hindus believe in re-birth. The dead soul will be born somewhere else, quite often, immediately). Truth shall prevail When all lies fail! Rome was not built in a day; But it was burnt in a day! We don't do what we could do when needed to do, And try to do what others do which we can't do! I did not understand what my dad told me; My son doesn't understand what I tell him! I should now be loving my neighbour, A beautiful dame moved in next door! Talk never and you will have friends never; Talk ever, friends will be foes forever! You are not a made yourselves entity, Society carved out your personality! If you are fond of the fag's lasting puff, You'll take last breath in breathless cough! Man will not learn good things if taught, Sure will learn all the vices untaught! On God of heavens I was reposing my faith; And failed, 'cause I ignored all little gods of earth! God hath created man to live a century, But didn't give a performance guarantee! When I was a child, father was my hero; As I grew up, to me, he is a zero! Flesh and fish become delicacies By cooking them with vegetables! Lo! How I lost huge sums in interest Because I had no money to invest! Only virtuous will own All the wrongs they have done! Books are loved by knowledge seekers, And are shelved by antique seekers! Hindu tenets say, treat thy guest as god; We shall, if he pays in Dollars for food! From financier I don't get aid; From fiancιe I may get AIDS! All that had come were bad, And all to come are good! All I do is good; At times it turns bad! I wish, all that untoward happened today Should have been a nightmare of dead yesterday. This birth, I'm the wheel beneath, carrying all load; Grant me next birth at least as steering wheel, O' Lord! The blind shows the way For those gone astray! When two cons bat and dozens bet, Million fools squat around as bait! Neither the born nor the borne Know why, on earth, they have born, Bonehead who has no seat Pounces upon throne to sit! One who turns lie a truth Is fit to reign the earth! God is moulded into an idol For shaping Him a lifeless ideal! All the dreams I dreamt about Came true as nightmares aghast! Even if others love, if you don't love, You can't feel the love, for loving is love! THE TRUTH THAT IS DEATH Living man hopes for a future, best; Dying man repents on futile past! Where do the senses go on man's death? None gone did return to tell that truth! Why shower rose petals over the tomb? Can its fragrance reach deep into its womb? However fast, through life, we race, Death will follow us at the same pace! Dead, we may not be re-born, as legends say; Our souls, caught in condoms, will be thrown away! (* Hindu tenets say that every soul has rebirth) Know, death is not at all a calamity, It's life's destination at eternity! If you know wherefrom you have come here, You will also know, death takes you where! With death, we all have a date; When, where and how, we know not. The one who was terribly afraid of death Reclines calm and composed on its gruesome berth! While poor dies like a dog; The rich dies like a Lord! Obituary says: the dead attained heaven; Seems, he sent back a reaching note from heaven! Man's fear of death Is source of God. If now and today I die and go I'll join manes dead aeons ago! Blooms meant for propagation Deck the body of dead person! The Lord, with His aesthetic touch Created world, a beauty as such, FREEDOM Freedom is not growing wings, It lies in breaking the strings! We spent our fifty years of freedom Building, for our leaders, their kingdom! We struggled for freedom And won freedom to struggle! Fifty years of freedom Reminds, we need freedom! We won freedom to put minority in position Sidelining the majority into opposition! We won freedom in midnight, That's why we are still in darkness! Fifty years ago, we won freedom To vote against our own freedom! OUR POLITY Flying aloft on a helicopter I can fathom depth of deluge water! You can vote somebody to power, But can't recall him soon thereafter. Tolerance of all other's faith is secularism; Intolerance of other's faith is seclusionism. Faltering step in business, you will fall; Failing step in politics, you will be tall. Postal stamps are meant for damaging Faces of leaders by ink stamping. Political power is real kick, Under which man stabs at his own back. I am a V.V.I.P., because I am, er, A cousin of friend of son of the minister! Sprawling cremation sites of leaders, sanctified, Soon will turn the capital, city of the dead. Democracy is a process by which Certain men are voted to become rich. Political leader gives lot of opportunity To all his followers to make black money aplenty. Sitting in office, using office, I made money; Quitting office, wrote of office, and still made money! All political parties split, split and split- Like nuclear fission, to gain explosive might? Best way to hold party members together Is to make each one of them Prime Minister! Shameless face has a ribless tongue Extemporising non-stop harangue! Born with rich heritage, Deride rich in knowledge! The fool who has no seat Runs for the throne to sit! Nay, I am not born a tomfool For people to vote me to rule! Politician is not magician; He is only a tactician! I live here, in a world of politics; Only politics within my heart, ticks! The sect that make lie a truth Are born rulers of this earth! I say: 'the law will take its own course'; But, in my case, it can take off course! Nay, not tainted by a scam, It's the colour of my skin! I'm public servant doing all your chores And, for living, made only thousand Crores* (*Ten million) You can change the court But not the decree! Elections made it possible: Untouchables are now touchable! Between the playwright and heroine Who's the superstar playing hero? In politics everywhere, election we conduct. For popular votes, only unpopular contest! Try holding tricolour Indian flag From becoming multicolour tag! WHITE COLLAR Two men could do the job of one; The dexterous does the tens' alone! Salary is for sitting by the table, To do work, pay handsel, as per table! The playful could be studious as well, For, both call for devotion and skill. Public office always is for private profit; Treasure hunters! Take to public service soonest! Perfection is a serious deformity For it is not money making quality! If corruption is the curse of society, It's boon to public servants' community! Who pretends to be busy as bees Will be ignored always by his boss! If you do not sit where you ought to sit You will find someone else in your seat! In case you don't fare well, Boss will bid you farewell. People qualify for public services By ticking answers at random choices! If banks were nationalised; Employees have them privatised! The abundance of redtapism Does not check rampant nepotism! Enforcers are benefited By all laws that are enacted. COCKTAIL Liquor may be good vasodilator, But, once within, it is a dictator! Why dilute liquor before it is consumed? Because it is all evils concentrated! If party ends with "one for the road", Could be party's end on the road? Liquors are meant to give you a kick, You drunk, let not others get the kick! One is pep, two is pick, Three is tope, four is kick PROFESSION Government servants are employed to tell one Why they cannot do what he wants to get done! Banker is one who sees pounds of flesh in man But fails to notice the blood that streams within! Instead of winning the common man's trust Banker's interest is in interest! Trade unionist is one who incites labour unrest And settles it at the cost of Labour and management! Court is good to conduct sports But not to settle disputes! Advocate is he who takes a quarrel to court And conducts it until the client becomes bankrupt! Doctor is a person who fights a disease And conquers it even if patient dies! Accountant is trained to do a balancing trick, Lifting the pane of profit counterweighed by black! Businessman is busy scooping profits to prosper, With other's money, while his own idling in coffer! Actors are paid to depict different person Of the self, with fan and fare, one the stage or screen. Insurance agent is a pessimist Who fears his clients will face a holocaust! Classical musician is a hoarse voiced vocalist Deals with tunes in detail ignoring meaningful text! Architects design castles smooching the sky Which someone builds and some other occupy. Roll out a rumour, public will carry it; Float a company, public will finance it! By public issue companies make money; Once issued, it's public make all the money! When companies do manage to issue, There come many managers to issue! Pop is a branch of music founded in the West, Practiced by the hysteric exhibitionist! The Novelist narrates a short story In voluminous book, like history! Fashion model is a sex symbol, Dressed up to deem undressed overall! Salesman is who sell An ass as a horse! Medical salesmen teach doctor How drugs to administer! A TV serial producer is an entity Capable of stretching a plot to eternity! Hotelier is playing host Entertains paying guest! ADIEU I'm here to do only good To all my neighbourhood! I may go, one day, behind the thick veil of death; In these lines, I shall live forever on this earth. BLURB This is not a book of poetry, not a didactic literature. The idiosyncrasies of the Heavenly Father and the earthlings, you and me included, are exposed, with a tinge of sarcasm. If you don't like any of the sharp, straight and sour quips it is certainly unpalatable for me too, but it is a fact we have to reconcile with. I have no enmity with anyone who feels targeted and hurt by these couplets; for I know, I myself am the bull's eye! We should point our index finger against each other; for none is perfect and invulnerable to mistakes or resistant to allurement to eat the forbidden fruit. Come, have a fiesta, laughing and staring at and pitying and ridiculing us! A.R. Narayanan. *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TRUTH AND THE MYTH: COUPLET QUIPS *** Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed. 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