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

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                    

Starting Point

 

         

1                       Even after so many years we are far away

To reach our goal; no progress at all

Still, we rise and fall and often we fall

We have not started, we have not found our way

We felt puzzled and do not know where we stand

Years slid away fast like fine grains of sand

Our world-obsessed mind with stress and strain

Our worthless worries, our stamina drain.

 

2                      We are moving in circles; we come back

To the point from where our journey began;

We struggle here and there and lack vision and plan

Though we spent many years, initiative we lack

Our words are high; our minds, too weak to ransack

And choose the proper means to track our progress

No change in our attitude; we transgress

The bounds of conscience; but like beasts we stray

Roaming aimlessly around against what we say.

3                      What our destiny will be, we do not know

Let us not fret about what we will get

Though slow our progress, let us not get upset

Though we may not rise high, we get what we sow

Like glowworms flicker in night with feeble glow

God guides our ways; let us believe in His grace

He who leads millions of stars in limitless space;

One step forward, God will give you a gigantic leap

Worry not about future, too obscure and deep.

 

4                       Though our ways differ, our destination same

From different points our journey we start

With different attitudes and thoughts

In this vast creation we are like toys in a game

Life’s sudden turns and twists we should not blame

Vex not about our far away uncertain ends

On earnest will and steps, our future depends

If you falter and too many mistakes you make

To set right them, too many lives you have to take.

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

   7th December 2025            Somaseshu Gutala 

 

 

 

To my Relative

                                                         

                 

              

            Ever active and dynamic you are

            Wherever you go, you spread joy like a star;

            Never you feel tired endowed with skills

            You move gracefully like mountain rill;

            Despite hard work you enjoy and make others too

            Happy; you show keen interest in whatever you do;

            You decorate your home with skills supreme

            So beautiful like a fairy’s enchanting dream;

            Even with antique objects that found your favor

            To give an antique touch to your home décor;

            You love to travel with friends to scenic spots

            To view and come out with new thoughts.

            Your presence itself creates a festive charm

            Even pets you love a lot and do them no harm.

            A synthesis of tradition and modern trends

            In you I find an artistic, harmonious blend;

            Always willing to help others with a generous heart

            Always ready to share with others whatever you got;

            You stand firm on your morals and will not permit

            Others to intrude but keep them within their limits.

            Not like gentle spring cool and climate calm

            But you rush like a mighty turbulent storm

            With thunderous joy and lightning surprise

            Laughing and talking loud, everyone you mesmerize.

           With scintillating mirth and sparkling wit, you win

           The hearts of all; none can surpass you in

           Being generous, helpful, happy and kind.

           These are some of my thoughts that came to my mind

           About you; I conclude my commendatory lines

           Wishing you a happy life and a bright future fine.

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

                       

     30-11-2025                             Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                

OLD IS GOLD ?

 

                                                       

1.    All their responsibilities over; now they are old

So many years went fast with so many events

Of shocking surprises and smashing blows they spent;

Now they are idle, all their acts remain as memories dim

A rich tapestry of experiences manifold

Reveals their dark shades as well as their decisions bold;

Lingering dreams both hilarious and grim

Each thing, a rich mine of their feelings unfolds

Closely linked to their things though worn and old.

 

2.    Though of no use they tend to store articles old

Safely hidden in the lumber room or in the loft

To let them go rusting or gathering dust a lot

Their minds swell with pride whenever they behold

The relics of their past which they feel as precious as gold

Each item and article, a rich heritage reveals

Going back to many generations they feel

Their eyes become dim with tears when they recall

Their ancestors, their hard toil, uprise and their downfall.

 

3.    The tiled tiny houses old wherein they dwell

Were built in old fashion with tiny windows and doors

With tiled sloping roofs and rugged stone-floors

With spacious backyards and gloomy cells;

Appear morose, lonely with lost glory casting a tragic spell

Yet still survive weather-beaten with corridors long

They seem to resist decay and survive still strong

Though for others out of date, worthless and not so cute

Like ruined temples with broken sculptures mute.

 

4.    They stack their old books in cupboards in rows neat

Which they esteem as a valuable treasure

To them a source of knowledge and immense pleasure

But now gathered dust and verily a sumptuous feast

To silver fish; a rich heritage which they can not to forfeit;

The present generation finds no time or patience to read

Those bulky volumes, repositories of wisdom indeed

The present digital age people cannot not spare

So much space for these leather-bound collections rare.

 

5.    Their world seems out of date with articles old

Yet the elders would not like suddenly to part;

They are part of their lives very near to their hearts

They touch them as if they are worth precious gold

And praise them as strong, durable and not to be sold

The old T.V. fridge, brass vessels and pots

All obsolete things bought once at throw away cost

Each thing has a history and feelings of its own

They don’t like their old things as junk to be thrown.

 

6.    They may seem, like cobwebs in gloomy nooks cold

Or like bats hanging upside down from trees

Not daring enough to be flexible and free

Averse to change still clinging to customs old

Tied to their sentiments they are not bold;

Yet we should not brush aside their feelings and thoughts

If these things are lost, can we capture the spirit of past?

No chance to retrieve their glory lost at any cost.

We should respect and imbibe their values, a lot.

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

 18th November 2025           Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KITCHEN IS HER HEAVEN

 

             

                                          

 1.   Throughout all her life kitchen is her main domain

       She has no retirement and is ever busy with her task

       No leave, no vacation did she ask

       She found joy in her profession and felt no strain

       As homemaker, she expected no bonus or gain

       A selfless dedicated housewife in true sense

       In serving food she found delight immense.

 

2.    Kitchen is her heaven though she never reveals

       She will not tolerate others her duty to take

       She is ever vigilant and won’t avail break

       From her duty; her culinary skills and vibrant zeal

       Even if go unrecognized, she never feels

       A perpetual innovator in her kitchen indeed

       Trying new recipes to satisfy others’ needs.  

3.  Ever busy she is right from morn to night

     Cutting vegetables and cooking food

     In preparing dishes, she feels herself in good mood

     She plans her menu in advance with her foresight

     With her magical touch, she adds taste to her diet;

     The whole family suffers if she stops even one day

     A selfless ritual and she likes to have her own way.

    

4.   Even if she goes to heaven, she surely says

    “Where is the kitchen?” as she likes with joy to fill

     And tickle the tastebuds of gods with her skills

     To make them happy with her dishes without delay

     Without cooking even for a moment, she will not stay

     Even in heaven she is ever bound to kitchen

     To advice of others, she never likes to listen. 

 

5.   With clockwork precision she works, never late;

      She blends various items to spring surprise

      She feels elated as if she won the Nobel prize

      When her friends admire her sense of taste;

      She never tolerates if her food goes waste;

      The kitchen is her favored place, idle she never sits

      Interference with her work she never permits.

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

        5th November 2025                Somaseshu Gutala

    

 

    

     

    

 

    

 

     

     

      

      

      

 

The Saint of Shirdi

 

                  

                    

                                         

                                                     

1.          He viewed Masjid and Mandir as one

      He treated all religions and creeds as same     

      He lived as a mendicant and craved not fame

      He is above all desires, meditating on Brahman

      To bring unity among all religions, his life’s mission;  

      His equanimity wiped out all distinctions

      He cared not divisions and shallow proscriptions.

      Ever absorbed in penance under the neem tree

      He experienced supreme bliss unattached and free.    

            

2.             No costly possessions and jewels he had

         Except a begging bowl, a clay pipe and a staff

    Though branding as a mad fakir, people laugh

    He wandered in the jungle in torn clothes clad

    Unaffected by people’s views, he seemed ever glad.

    But some devotees noticed his divine glow

    Detached from worldly things, on his radiant brow

    A young lad of sixteen ever engaged in penance

    They asked him his name and came from whence.

 

3.       A mysterious smile they got in response and none

   Knew about his parents and his native place

   He came with a bridal group after a few days

   The temple priest welcomed him as “Sai” and everyone

   Called him by same name; to stay in the mosque, none

   Objected; he lived in the mosque, though too old

   He stayed there unmoved by rain or winter cold.

   With his presence, became holy, his dwelling place

   On all people who came, he showered his grace.

 

4.      He lit lamps which glowed throughout the night

  He cured people with the ash of sacred fire

  With his holy chants, devotion he did inspire

  Among saints, he was praised as a rare diamond bright;

  Though he seemed simple, he meditated on divine light;

  He renovated surrounding shrines at his own expense;

  He cooked food and himself served with love intense.

  He gave sage advice to help people in need

  To their prayers he responded with speed. 

 

5.     He called himself as a humble servant of the Lord;

 Though people gave him precious things with respect

 He gave away all to his devotees and nothing he kept;   

 As mighty God, devotees treated him with regard

 He deemed himself as a servant of God;

 By his holy touch all maladies he did cure

 He showed no distinction between the rich and the poor

 When devotees fed animals and birds, happy he felt

 To share his food from his vessel, even animals he let. 

 

6.     He treated all creatures alike with loving care

He made people give up their vices and lead

A virtuous life, and he fulfilled their needs;

He took care of his devotees everywhere.

The ailments of his devotees he gladly did bear

He drew his devotees even from seven seas

He blessed and gave them blessings and peace.

His miracles supreme never did he reveal

But to help his devotees and their sufferings heal.

 

7.    As omniscient Brahman he knew everyone’s thoughts

Their past, present and future, even of birds and beasts

The sick, suffering, restless tiger looked at his feet

And got quick Liberation too; so many people sought

His grace to get relief from their troubles; he taught

Religious tolerance, fortitude and trust

He stressed total surrender to Guru, a must.

He fostered devotion and true spirit of service

He preached peaceful co-existence without malice.

 

8.    God Himself came down to uplift people in deed 

A true incarnation of Dutta, the mystic recluse;

Shirdi, a tiny village, God Himself did choose

To help and guide devotees from selfish greed

And save them from adversity whenever they need.

All forms of God manifested in him, they found

Despite all powers, he begged food from houses around.

As a crest jewel among saints, acknowledged by all

Transcending all bounds he responded to people’s call.

 

9.    Irrespective of religion, caste and creed

     He assured protection that he would save

    And shower his blessings even from his grave;

    Constant remembrance of Sai, enough to lead

    People to get guidance and help with speed;

    No complicated rituals and chants with costly things 

    Remembrance of his name enough-his mercy brings.  

    He himself served his guru with steadfast care

    For twelve years-- of his surroundings unaware.

 

10.  His advice when followed gave people fruitful gain

       His words and stories with meaning profound

       Right proper solutions in them, people found

       Though some tested his worth with false pride vain

       They were humbled by him and never defied again

       His grace is enough their doubts and fears to dispel

       Though he left his body, still in immortal form Sai dwells

       And responds to devotees if they sincerely pray

       Sai, the greatest form of God helps them in every way.

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

      (Dedicated to the lotus-feet of Sri Shirdi Sai Baba)

     31st October 2025                          Somaseshu Gutala

      

Note: Shirdi Sai Baba is a familiar name to all people. None knew about his native place and his parents. He was seen first in Shirdi (a village in Rahata Taluka in Ahmednagar District in Maharashtra) as a lad of sixteen years meditating under a neem tree. After staying there for a few years, he left that place. He appeared again along with a bridal party in 1858. Priest Mahalsapati addressed him as Sai which means holy father. He was dressed in a kafni (long robe) typical of Sufi sect. He was persuaded to live in an old mosque named as Dwaraka Mai. He used to beg alms from nearby houses. He maintained Dhuni (a fireplace) and he used to give sacred ash from Dhuni to cure his devotees. He followed both Hindu and Muslim traditions and preached about religious harmony and importance of love to every creature in the world. People wondered at his profound knowledge and his curing powers. He saved lives of many people by timely warning and guidance.

His miraculous touch cured many diseases. He used to cook food and distribute it as prasad every day. He planted a garden called Lendi Baugh. After his demise on 15th October 1918 (Vijaya Dashami), his body was interred in Buti Wada (Now called “Samadhi Mandir) in Shirdi. Even after his demise many devotees got help and relief from their sufferings by praying to him. Sai Samsthan trust undertook many spiritual and charity institutions. Many saintly persons like Madhav Rao (Shama), Abdul Baba, Nanasaheb Chandorkar, G.S.Khaparde, Bayajabai, Tatya Kote Patil, Laxmibai Shinde, Sriman Bapusaheb Buti, Hemad pant, Das Ganu Maharaj, Radha Krishna Mai, Appa Jogle, Bhagoji Shinde and Kakasaheb Dixit are some of his closest disciples. Hemad Pant (Anna Saheb Govind Raghunath Dabholkar) composed “Sri Sai Satcharita” (1930) describing the life of Sai baba, his miracles and his preachings.  

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