THE MOVING JASMIN

 

                                                                                

               

                            Every passing moment

                  Strikes like a bludgeoning stroke;

                  Despair pervades the heart

                  Like misty smoke;

                  The swan of life

                  Spouting her blood out

                  Flutters her wings every moment

                  As if to leave the body and fly out;

                  Like the flogging strokes of lightning

                  Like piercing swords of fire

                  Like the stinging bite of serpents

                  The patients feel their inmost pain

                  Dragging heavily the burden of life;

                  Their groans fall like rain

                  Like lashing showers, their cries are heard;

                  Silence hurled away

                  Cut down from the sky above;

                  This is an abode of unrest;

                  Agony pours down from everywhere;

  

                 You seem like a ray of light

                 Your heart is like a picture

                 Exuding sweet perfume;

                 Your life is a sweet, sonorous poem;

                 No tedium on your face;

                With an unfading smile

                Moving briskly like a top

                You offer help and care

                Moving from bed to bed

               Without feeling any discomfort;

               Even the most unbearable stench

               You endure, breathing out

               Sweet perfume like a Jasmin;

               Dressed in white you shine like moonlight;

              With mercy in your eyes

              With sympathy in your words

              With tender feelings in your heart;

              With a benign healing touch

              You give hope to everyone;

              You give them a new taste for life

              And add glowing colors of a rainbow

              To their golden dreams of tomorrow;

              Whenever the patients behold you

              They feel endued with new life;

              You make them forget

              The despair of yesterday for the rosy tomorrow;

              Like sweet-coated bitter drugs

             With soothing words

             You make them forget

             The prick of your needle;

             You are a candle that burns at both ends;

             To burn and give light is your nature;

             To live for others is your motto;

             Oh, Sister! When I see you

             I recall the sweet-smelling Jasmin

            The white flower of light

            That gives comfort and hope to all.

            ******************************

In Telugu original: A. Surya Prakash           

                     Title : Kadile Malle

Translated by : G.Somaseshu            6th November 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Treatise on Poetry

 

                        

             

Poetry is the free, skillful dance on the stage

Poetry is the free, deft touch of the brush on the page;

Poetry is the melting flow of moonlight

Under the magic spell of the melodious flute;

Poetry is the shaping of stone into a figure

By the touch of a marvelous chisel;

Poetry is the burden of nine months

Giving birth to an infant-poem to bear;

Poetry is the warm caressing of the squirrel

Which tried to resist the tidal flow

With its soft bushy tail;

Poetry is the sprouting of wings

To sleeping thoughts in mind’s cradle;

Poetry is the sunny smile on a rainy day

Lingering on the lips of an old beggar-woman

When she gets a morsel to quench her inner fire;

Poetry is the flow of fresh blood into the heart;

Poetry is the vibration of heart with tear-filled eyes;

Poetry is the mining of gold out of the heart

Poetry is the burning of the heart with boiling thoughts;

Words are colored fishes that spring

From the sea of language

Beholding the sunshine;

Words are the few hairs left on a bald head

Which toss their ends in balmy breeze;

Whether skating on ice

Or swimming through fire

Words should sprout as freely as the milky teeth

Or tender growth of hair on the lips of rosy youth

With natural spirit and zeal.

Words should open the doors

To new, unimaginable worlds

Thoughts should not get lost amidst

The wild growth of meaningless words

To lose their content and be sacrificed

By the sharp beheading stroke of pen;

The heart should hear the essence of sound

The poet’s body

Should be all-seeing with many, many eyes

Like Indra the God of Heaven;

Rational and precise thoughts

Should be born on paper

After their struggle with doubts and questions;

That leap out of one’s own brain;

Poetry is the dance of well-dressed thoughts

On the stage of our tongue;

Poetry is the blossoming of diverse feelings

That shine like the colors of a rainbow

On the sky of mind in drizzling dawn;

Poetry is the conflagration of raging untruth

Breathing new life into dying untruth;

Poetry is the code of inner struggle;

Poetry is the infinite flow of the Ganges

Leaping from the heart of the Himalayas.

#################################

Telugu original: A. Surya Prakash                      1st November, 2024.

                           (Kavitvopanishad)

Translated by: G.Somaseshu

          

                                  A Note on Sri A. Surya Prakash

 

Surya Prakash is the son of Sri late A.Kishan Das who served as the Chairman of Nizamabad Municipality. His mother’s name is Smt.Radha. Surya Prakash did his postgraduation in Public Administration from Osmania University and later did M.A. in Telugu literature. He joined as Lecturer in Public administration on 1^st April, 1970. He organized many poetry recital sessions, workshops and lectures by celebrated writers of Telugu literature.  Besides being himself a poet, he encouraged many of his colleagues and students to participate actively in literary and cultural activities. Many of his poems and essays were published in populat Telugu weeklies and journals such as Andhra Prabha weekly, Andhra Bhoomi weekly, India Today weekly, Chatura, Telugu, and Moosi journals. He established “Indur Bharati Association” on 14th January and worked as Secretary and as President for many years. He won many awards from famous literary organizations.  He worked as Principal in Girraj Govt. degree College, Nizamabad and retired on 30^th April 2005.

He published more than twenty books in various literary genres such as poetry, essays, stories, criticism, film criticism etc. Some of his famous poetry books written by him are: Samspandna(1971), Nagaram Needalu(1974), Malli Suryodayam(1980), Kagitham Puvvu(1984),”Allaalku Otami ledu”(1987), “Patra harithamu(1994), “Suryuni Edo Gurramu(2013) and “Kotha Yugamu” (1985), a collection of literary essays. He also wrote books “Public Administration” and “Local Administration” published by Telugu Academy.  In 1984 he was selected as national poet in Telugu and recited his poem “Tholi Keka-Thudi Swasa” at All Language Poetry Conference. This poem was translated into fourteen languages later. He also went abroad and visited U.S. Tanzania and Eastern African countries. 

Even at the age of eighty years he is an avid reader and writes comments, essays and poems. As a great lover of books, he has a vast collection of books in Telugu and English language. As a poet he tried to bring to light the social conditions and attitudes of different characters in simple and precise language. He tried to reflect the living idiom of contemporary society and adopt a sarcastic approach with gentle humor to point out the foibles of people and society. At the same time, he tried to infuse an optimistic and positive thinking in the minds of his readers.

As a colleague I have been associated with him for more than three decades. I translated ten poems and with his permission I publish the translated versions of his Telugu poems. I tried to reflect the thoughts, tone and rhythm of his poems. Hope the readers will get a glimpse of his poetry and his poetic talent.

                                ************************

 

LIVE GREEN, GO GREEN

        

                                               

                                 

                                          

                                

                                  

  

       1.      The sign of vital life in Nature, green

                God has chosen this lovely color

                In every bush, plant, tree and bower

               Wherever this vibrant hue is seen

               We find flourishing growth and change

               In various shades in woods and mountain range.

 

   2.       Green is the color of life and hope

             Green fills our hearts with happy thrill

             Green moss beckons us beside flowing rills

            Green grows on plains and mountain slopes

            Green represents fresh Nature pure

            A healing balm, a healthy herbal cure.

 

 3.       The grassy plains, an emerald expanse bright

           With multi-colored tiny blooms bedight

           In curious, skillful patterns, a charming sight

          From dense leaves, a flash of green parrots’ flight

          Green, a universal color of life on this sphere

          On other planets-- craters, volcanoes and vapor mere.

4.      Creation sprouted with this magic hue

         Our sustenance and breath these herbs and trees

         In every clime germinates life new

         Even in deserts or in dense woods with pearly dew

         Life without green, an arid, wretched waste

         If fanned by black furies of war and hate.

 

5.     Whoever sees mangoes, pears and parrots' green

        A ray of promise and peace reveal

       The touch of Mother Earth’s bosom we feel

       The shades of greenish jade in charming beads serene

       Even under placid waters of the seas grow bluish green

       In peacock feathers too sparkles the diamond-sheen.

6.   Monster-turned man destroys everything green

      Uprooting forests, parks and groves in ruthless ways

      Building skyscrapers to pave his own doomsday

      A concrete jungle with avarice mean

     Can he re-create Nature’s beauty undone?

     His greedy acts reveal his lack of vision.

7.  A slender shoot amidst these rocks show

     Nature’s invincible will and thrust

     Nature will display her green splendor from dust

     When guilty of his rapacious acts man will know

     How much he is indebted to this planet green

     To this life-giving liberal, generous queen.

8. Before this earth becomes a barren, lifeless sphere

    Before all beings are wiped out of existence

    Let man realize his unpardonable offence

    Let us rejuvenate our climate pure and clear

    Let us go green and put our knowledge to good use

    And not Nature destroy, pollute and abuse.

9. Let every house with trees and pants be seen

   Transform our vacant lands to gardens with cool shade

   Let us not murder age-old trees and glades

   Let us revive lakes, ponds and forests green

   In Nature’s wellbeing, man’s welfare lies

  Go green, with Nature let us harmonize our ties.

10. Let us make our life natural and green

  No artificial wasteful vanity-show  

  No harmful chemicals, a simple life let us follow

  No wasteful ways but hygienic and serene

  Eco-friendly methods better our climate impure

  Live green--go green, be your motto ensure.

                  ***********************

           27th October, 2024                  Somaseshu Gutala

 

       

                 

  

    

 

  

           

          

        

                   

 

 

RESTLESS ROADS (PART--I I )

                              

  

                                                

                                            

                      

 Stray cattle and dogs lie down without any fear

 Unconcerned even if vehicles come near;

 So many people slipped unable to check their speed

 To save these moving speed-breakers indeed;

 So many highways turn to playgrounds for all

 Unafraid they play games like cricket or football;

 None checks their zeal and leave them to their fate;

 Lack of civic sense teaches lessons too late.

Adventurous youth brag their daring skills

In bike races and feats to show off their thrill

Frightening onlookers and overcrossing rules;

None checks their rash attitude but remain too cool;

The reckless youth overtake others, drive and dash

On pedestrians’ pathways too fast and rash;

At night dreadful accidents are prone to happen

As drunken drivers hit innocent victims and run

Even crashing themselves to terrible death;

While their families suffer their loss till their last breath;

The roads assume a sinister, weird look at night

Though illuminated with streetlights at night;

Not a safe haven for lonely travelers, beware!

Robbers and cheating swindlers obstruct them to scare

To grab their loot, not hesitating to stab and kill;

 Still worse devils of brutal lust exploit their helpless state

 To despoil chastity and leave victims to their fate;

 The pavements are free shelters for beggars at night;

 The vendors’ carts and stalls occupy space as if by right

 Leaving no scope for pedestrians to walk

 The traffic rules shelved ineffective and blank;

 So many drivers move ignoring rules and speed

Leaving a confused mess for drivers to proceed;

These roads reflect men’s complex and curious ways

Men’s competitive, complicated and restless days;

Fraught with feelings of friendship, love, and hate

A network of mind-boggling rush of vehicles’ spate;

Wasting hours on the self-created puzzling maze

Can we untangle this undisciplined craze?

These ways appear serene with cool breeze and flowers

With shouts of children and birds in morning hours;

These ways turn dreadful at night with blood, tears and wails

A curious blend of shades testing our patience we find

Which startle our scurrying speed and hasty minds;

A many-colored network of life we feel

Our life’s journey with ups and downs these ways reveal.               

              ^^^^  *************************^^^^

 Note: In India nearly twelve hundred and sixty accidents happen every day, and every hour, four hundred and sixty people die due to accidents. Most accidents happen due to potholes and drunken driving. More than one lakh and fifty thousand people die in road crashes every year and most of them are teen aged youths. Proper maintenance of roads and strict observance of traffic rules and implementation of strict measures will reduce this dangerous problem. The restless roads reflect modern man's confused psyche riddled with so many problems and challenges. 
                     &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

 

  18th October, 2024                    Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESTLESS ROADS (PART--I)

 

            

              

                                        

                  

                          

 The roads are linking channels built in every clime

  As one’s sole right none has power to claim;

  Without these roads, our movements stop

  Our dealings and means of livelihood drop;

  Least cared these vital links in essence

  We use them without any common sense;

  We dig trenches and pits for our selfish needs

  We left them damaged and none doth heed;

  Most of the pot-holes by our negligence made

  Timely repair and maintenance delayed;

  Tons of wastage into our drains we throw

  Blocking gutters over the roads to overflow;

  These roads, a source of gain to greedy minds who use

  Spurious stuff and thin-layered topping loose;

  So many innocent people slip and sustain

  Fatal injuries and suffer from fractured pain;

  The newly laid roads turn worn and chipped soon

  With pits and trenches-- a recurring boon

  For builders to fill their pockets again;

  Though people brand them as cheats with disdain;

  How many tender youths lost their lives indeed

  Exploited by corrupt officials’ vicious deeds?

  None cares to keep these highways neat and clean

  Flanked by avenues of flowering plants green;

  All garbage and refuse recklessly thrown

  These roads we treat as if our property own;

  If one complains we treat him as our deadly foe

  Our civic sense and duties we hardly follow;

  As in medieval times when people used to throw

  Everything as about hygiene they did not know;

  Even learned people never use their sense

  Flip plastic covers and cigars with indifference.

  Our careless ways backfire on us someday

  With dreadful diseases, a heavy price we have to pay;

  Roads have turned dangerous death-traps, beware!

  Let us maintain our roads with utmost care.

                  *****************

   9th October,2024                              Somaseshu Gutala

 Note: This poem deals with a realistic portrayal of roads in small towns and cities in India. Such conditions are seen even in some parts of big cities also. Lack of awareness, carless and indifferent attitude of citizens and civic authorities, lack of proper maintenance, and rampant corruption are main reasons for making these important means of transport very shabby and dangerous. 

                         ** -------------------------------------**

Blooming Buds

 

             

            

                                  

                              

1.     Childhood, a vital phase in life

 Untouched by passions and strife

 Let us make it a delicious one

 Filled with love, freedom and fun.

 

2.     Habits impact their health and mind

 In creative arts and let them find

 Truths and morals through fancy strange

 For tales and myths expand their range.

 

3.     Pollute not minds with false status and show

 Character, precious gem, they have to know

 Let them value money and time

 Their prime duties and morals sublime.

 

4.     Let them not be ducks glued to mobiles and books

 Let them watch Nature with keener looks

 Not just pleasures enough to provide

 Help them extend their vision wide.

 

5.     Spend some time with them and enquire

 Their thoughts and tastes to inspire

  Use not brute force but win their hearts

  With gentle words and convincing tact. 

 

6.      Mother’s love and mother tongue precious things

  Immeasurable joy it brings;

  With electronic tools we kill

  Their searching skills and thrill.

7.       No springs of love from near and dear

   No time to watch their hopes and fear

   Can a vast store of toys make them glad?

   A status symbol, a mere modern fad.

 

8.       Far away from their local roots

   They may appear exotic and cute

   The bonds of kinship they have lost

   They are ignorant of their past.

 

9.       Caught in the web of internet

   Like insects trapped in spider’s net

   Exposed to more evil than good

   They stray away in a pathless wood.

 

       10      Let them not watch tales of horror and crime

                 Let them enjoy legends in prose and rhyme;

                 More than books and movies, your words and acts

                 Impress your minds and watch how you react.

 

      11      When parents addicted to media tools

                 How can they dictate children rules?

                 Whom can they blame or control ?

                 By their example they play a vital role.

 

      12      Children’s perceptions fresh and strong

                 One should not induce notions wrong;

                 Like plants exposed to foul weather

                 Their minds too wilt and wither.

 

     13       No songs, no dance, no play

                Childhood, no more, a golden day;

                A rigid schedule their minds to mold

                No time to dream in realms of gold.

 

    14.     Quarrels between couples upset their minds

               Be patient; let them domestic peace find;

               Fights and strife make them rough and hard

               Their minds filled with hate and discord. 

 

  15.       Give them freedom, be not too kind

               Too much pampering misleads their minds;

               Set your ways and acts on right track

               No use if you teach what you lack.

                         ********************

   30th september, 2024                      Somaseshu Gutala