After Sixty Years

 

                  

                                         

                

                            

1.         Some sixty years ago our village we left

By now so many changes happen in every place

We may not trace our home after so many days;

Despite knowing this fact, we got set

To find out the spot where we had stayed

As tenants where, as kids, once we had played;

A hopeless vain adventure, though we knew

We went there though we had very few clues.

 

2.         Just near the village temple we used to reside

But now a plethora of temples set up everywhere

Beside the banks of the river; who will care

About a house so old we thought; still we tried

To pursue our search; to our surprise we got

Support from people who helped a lot to spot;

Beside a hall we saw meant for rituals and rites

A gate with lion figures came before our sight.

 

3.          As we were hesitating to enter the gate

A young lady came out and asked us to come in

The inmates welcomed us with a happy grin;

Recognized us though we are in a confused state

We saw the front yard with a garden and trees

Where once we used to play with kids filled with glee

The house though old as it was, did remain

We recalled our past days of pleasure and pain.

 

4.        We saw the temple where weddings were done

In simple style without much pomp and show;

The temple premises illumined with mercury glow

We recalled how with much festive zeal and fun

Well-known performers acted on the stage

As people in large numbers came to encourage

The actors, shouting and clapping with zeal;

Legends were sung with dramatic gestures and feel.

 

5.         We watched carnivals from home with curious eyes

Folk dancers, stalls, toys, jugglers and magic shows

Vendors selling toys and balloons with colorful glow;

Cute kids used to come in silky dresses nice

We got used to rumbling sounds of trains on track;

Our childhood days, we recalled and flashed back;

Before the goddess with lolling tongue red and bright

People sacrificed goats and birds, a dreadful sight. 

 

6.        The whole family invited us with happy smiles

Recollecting the past events so clear and precise

As if they happened now and called us name-wise;

Though we changed a lot, they recognized us so fast

Each room brought forth before our eyes past events

When we played with joy filled with excitement

We were transported back to our childhood days

We were touched by their intimate, amicable ways.

 

7.        Though they have incurred loss of wealth and state

Their affection and courtesy not yet lost;

Though their own kin swindled their wealth a lot

They lived content; their feelings did not abate

Though they lost their parents many years ago

As childhood friends, same affection they did show

By their hospitality and love, we felt very glad

Looking at their humble state, we felt very sad.

 

8.        Their hospitality and warmth moved us so much

After so many years, so miraculous we thought

Very rarely we find such noble and lovable hearts

What can we give them in return? Not much;

Our childhood friends showed same feelings of love

Remembering so vivid our past years, as if now;

We took our leave as they waved with tearful eyes

With overwhelming surprise and nostalgic sighs.

                  *******************

  8th February 2026                Somaseshu Gutala 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUE FRIEND

 

                    

                             

                                                     

 

True friendship is a precious boon indeed

It is not based on materialistic needs;

It has nothing to do with our state, loss or gain

He gives sage advice and alleviates our pain;

With him we do not hesitate our feelings to share

Status and power, true friendship will not care;

A true friend will not find fault or criticize;

In adverse state he guides us with advice precise;

He gives us solace in challenging times hard

Soothing our perturbed minds in times of discord;

He will not gossip about our failings and flaws

With such noble friends we rarely come across;

Even when out of sight he will; maintain

Cordial contact hoping no benefit or gain

A source of inspiration in deeds and thoughts

Not mere flattery but earnest his heart

He will not blurt our secrets to everyone

And make us an object of laughter and fun;

A true friend will not puff with pride and frown

He will not show off his status and look down

He is not bothered about power and fame

Irrespective of status he remains the same;

His precious company gives us relief

In this selfish world of deceit, and grief;

Many people claim themselves as friends dear

But for their own benefit it is clear;

And once their deeds done, they vanish like mist

Our name is bluntly struck off from their friends’ list;

Rarely we find such true friends who treat

Us with such intimacy and affection sweet;

Blessed are those who have such soulmates

Who keep us happy, their worth beyond estimate.

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

   2nd February 2026                  Somaseshu Gutala 

 

 

 

 

WHO IS SHE?

 

                   

   

             

                                 

1       My random thoughts proper words never found

To paint her picture in a proper way;

An ideal figure of my dream to portray

I gazed at the milky way with stars abound

Searching for proper images, lines and rhyme;

The stars in many groups whispered something prime

To compare her virtues with starry shine

To portray her virtues noble and divine.

 

2       If occasion rises, she defies with dashing spirit

Like Aries, a Red Ram with curled horns strong;

She will fight on whatever issue wrong

Like fierce Mars with unfazed grit;

Or like Tarus with mighty power fine and fit

Quite attractive with big eyes and wit

Her supple body with sympathetic heart

Wins admiration due by others a lot.

 

3       Though sturdy, she possesses a tender heart

Like Cancer she delves deep with concern and care

In having empathy, she is beyond compare;

Her helping protective nature we find

So, caring with a generous, mind.

Like Gemini, with intelligence and feeling

We find fused together in her dealings. 

 

4       With her enchanting words and subtle wit

She impresses everyone and reveals

With mature thoughts make others feel;

Shows her Mercurial presence everywhere

A pretty Virgo with perfection in everything

With a practical outlook she tries to bring;

Though she sometimes she fails, she never withdraws

Perseverance with efforts is her rule and law.

 

5       With her imposing presence she is born to lead

Like royal Leo in the forest dense

With strong will and confidence immense;

Her generous nature to help others indeed

Makes her a friend, a mentor without any greed

A Libran who respects others’ views and needs

With her friendly nature, she brings peace

And harmony and makes others feel at ease.

 

6       Though suspicious, her passions intense

 A Scorpio with observation and commitment

 Adds a sense of mystery to her intent;

 Her words resonate with a sarcastic sting

 Despite her fun-loving nature and conduct;

 She has a sincere and adventurous heart;

 Like Sagittarius, she is ever firm and keen

She likes to live care-free, happy and serene.

 

7       A tough fighter she pursues her own goal

With unflagging zeal and due efforts;

Very much she values freedom and comfort

With confidence and courage, she plays her role;

She is sincere and persistent in her working style

A Capricorn who fights like a crocodile

Like Aquarius in Heaven, she is wise

With new changes, she boldly paves new ways

 

8       She is stable and steadfast in her love always

A Pisces with deep meanings fraught

Filled with mercy and tender thoughts.

She is empathetic and kind always;

Like a golden fish set with diamonds pure

“Who is she? An angel above earthly range

A phantom figure of my fancy strange.

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

24th January 2026            Somaseshu Gutala

Note: In this poem I tried to portray the ideal picture of

a girl in whose character we find some characteristic

features of the twelve zodiac symbols.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ON PLUCKING FLOWERS AT DAWN

 

                    

                                          

                  

                  

 1.        In darkness brisk moving shadows are seen

          Hiding behind and moving with cautious pace

          As if participating in slow-moving race

          Plucking flowers at dawn behind groves green;

          A daily morning ritual for them to get

          As many flowers as they get fresh and dew-wet;

          The more flowers, the more merit they trust

          Worshipping God with flowers is a must.

 

2        Moving from house-to-house flowers they pluck

          Of different fragrance and different hues

          To satisfy gods, who cherish and choose;

          They think of others as rivals who pluck            

          Flowers before them in early morning hours;

          A tough competition among them for flowers

          They assume their stealthy act not as a sin

          But an act of devotion for God’s grace to win.

 

 

3     By offering flowers they please Gods a lot

       By external rituals and rites mere

       For God’s sake what they do, they need not fear

       Not as plunder, but done with a pious thought

       What they do is not a sin as they deem;

       Done with good purpose is not wrong, it seems 

       What will the owners lose, they argue

       By their act of plucking flowers, a few.

 

4    Many think that God’s grace they could win

      By offering gifts, precious gems and gold;

      God likes simple things as in legends told; 

      But they forgot to give the real blossom within

      A thousand-petalled lotus effulgent and bright

     Of pure love, iridescent and shining light;

     God expects selfless, simple devotion in fact

     Not showy gifts but worship with a pure heart.
 

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

    13th January 2026                     Somaseshu Gutala

    

   

 

 

     

 

        

       

         

         

 

      

On my Stay at “Paradigm Sarovar”, Kakinada

                        

                                                                             

Superior Room

 

Sarovar Deluxe Room

                              

Sarovar restaurant "City View"

      

                   

Sarovar banquet hall

        

This hotel is located on the main road near Tirumala Theater in Kakinada. It is a three-Star hotel centrally located (2.5 kms from railway station and 1km from Bus stand.) and is convenient for tourists to go to pilgrimage centers like Pithapuram, Annavaram and Drasksharamam. It has 58 rooms on six floors and on the seventh floor there is a bar “Paradigm Sarovar Portico” which offers a wide range of cocktails, wines, mocktails and snacks to guests.  The hotel has many amenities like free Wi-Fi, multi-cuisine restaurant (“City View”), Coffee shop, room service for 24 hours, laundry service, airport transfer, and  a banquet hall for 150 people. In the restaurant, South Indian, North Indian dishes along with Intercontinental dishes like burghers, sandwiches, wraps, noodles, fruit juices and other beverages are offered with buffet and a la carte options.   There are three types of rooms; Superior, Deluxe and suits. For extra person, they will charge Rs.1000/- per day. Generally, for customers there is complementary breakfast. There is a shuttle service if the customers wish to see local places.  Take away breakfast facility is there for those who wish to check out early from here. The check in and check out timings are from 12.00 p.m. and 12.00 p.m.(noon). The room service is very prompt and neatness is superb. The reception staff are very courteous and helpful. In some of the rooms the regulator switch for ceiling fans is not working. Such minor issues may be resolved as some of the customers may face health issues to sleep with ceiling fan rotating at full speed.  Otherwise, this hotel provides a very comfortable and enjoyable stay. The nearby tourist places and temples are:Kakinada beach (12 kms), Kukkuteswara Swamy temple (19 kms), Coringa Wildlife sanctuary(18kms), Kumararamam(15kms), Kodanda Rama temple in Gollala Mamidala(22kms), and Sarpavaram (8 kms) etc. Other pilgrimage centers are: Pithapuram20kms), Annavaram (48kms), Ainavilli(60 kms) and Drakasharamam(29 kms). The hotel tariff generally ranges from Rs.3400 to 4200/- This hotel is quite convenient and comfortable for tourists with all modern facilities.

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

            7th January 2026                   Somaseshu Gutala

FAILURE IS MY FRIEND

                

                  

                                                (I)      

                 Failure is my friend; she made me mend

My mind and my overweening pride

She set right my lazy habits and set aside

My overconfidence, and her help she did extend

To make me aware of my faults and comprehend

The means to find my goal and pave my way;

With her timely warning she led me not to stray

She has unbuilt my castles in the air

And taught me how to think just and fair.

                          (II)

Though she blasted my foolish hopes unfair

She made me see and earnestly think

In practical ways and bent my ego, and not to sink

She pulled me out of the tidal seas of despair

And vain wandering illusions and affairs

She gave me courage and stand steadfast

Against perils of life without failing myself lost

She strengthened my heart hard and bold

And not to become frustrated and cold.    

                        (III)         

Failures are steppingstones to success

They are a part and parcel of life

They teach us necessary strength and strife.

And how to stay steady in difficult circumstances

And not to lose heart and react in excess;

Know your abilities and try not to fly too high

You get what you deserve; be patient, try and try

Failures and success are speed-breakers, a part

Of our lives; be content with what you have got.

                             (IV)

No use of blaming God and your fate

Control your feelings; think not what you have lost;

In crooked ways and feelings, do not get caught

Do not give scope to hatred, revenge and hate

Without earnest efforts you can’t better your state

Seasons change and Nature looks weird and worn

Will she complain of what she lost and did mourn

Your fate is yourself, your own creation

Of your acts, you can’t prevent or shun.

         xxx******************xxx

 

  30th December 2025          Somaseshu Gutala 

 

 

 

A Funny Tale of a Crazy Couple

                         

                         

                 

1        Jacob worked once as a librarian for forty years

        Full forty years he spent in a dust-ridden cell cold

        Surrounded by so many books and journals old

        He spent his time sitting silently in a nook

        Accustomed to musty smell of old bulky books

        He had not read them nor even had a look

        He dozed off so many years in dismal silence

        Now he is retired, but felt no difference.

 

2       His wife Jane an ambitious woman and wise

Found her husband did nothing but sleep day and night

He is too dull and unresponsive to know about his plight

Whatever he did seemed to her vain and imprecise

She could not bear his lazy and idle presence

He is a good-for-nothing bloke lacking common sense

She scanned his every act with ten thousand eyes

Faulting his every move like a spy in disguise.

 

3       If he stands still and views with vacant looks 

She shouts, “Why do you stand like a stone?

If he sits and looks at stars alone

She shouts, “why do you sit like a duck in the nook;

Whatever he mumbles, she never cares to hear

Too much used to her harsh words, he tried not to clear

Her doubts; his stubborn silence provoked her more

Stone deaf to her abuse he remained as before.

 

4       Very rarely he engaged himself in verbal fight

With his spouse but could not get success;

Before her sharp-piercing volley of curses

Which cut into his heart and made him retreat with fright

But both their lives are welded together and now

They can’t escape whether they hate or love

Fixed like the legs of a measuring compass;

They have to bear with each other, gain or loss.

 

5       Like a panther hiding behind, with stretched claws

Looking for a chance she used to watch and wait;

Or like a fisherman waiting for his catch with his bait

Ever ready to pounce on him to pick out his flaws

He too waited like a confounded hare to escape

With shy smiles, to keep himself in good shape;

As she did not hesitate to dress him down

To save his status he kept mum and did not frown. 

 

6       Others derived delight by their dramatic fight

A merry comic scene for them without expense;

Lack of understanding and mutual trust made them tense

They did not know how they lost their image bright

Lack of communication skills and mutual respect

Made them too critical, fault-finding and suspect

The crazy couple never thought how they lost

Their respect when they cursed without forethought.

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

  17th December 2025                      Somaseshu Gutala