Leisure

I do believe most of us would remember these lines:

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

It's titled 'Leisure' by W. H. Davies. This poem is generally included in Fifth-Standard textbooks, i guess for its simplicity, but the simple and effective truth it holds, we fail to comprehend at that level. After all, what use is a path lined by flowers, if we can't stop to smell their fragrance? And in that case, what right do we have, to complain if the path is rough or rocky? From the time we get up, it's running to work, then running around on work, and finally running home, eating, sleeping. Of what use is a fat paycheck when we earn so much, that we have forgotten how to live? Of what use is indulging in social service, in serving the society, when we fail to be at hand, to our own members of family? Charity after all, begins at home. Unknowingly or otherwise, we get so busy with the world outside, that they finally end up managing without us; and then frustration sets in, stirs up the insides, leaves the same way it came in, and things resume the same routine from the next day. The same running to work/college, running around on work, and running back home. Maybe work is a necessity.. and we need to work in order to survive.. but then, its not about survival, life is about living. Money, people, circles and society come and go, but what about those who stand by us throughout our lifetime? We snap and snarl at them in our everyday pre-occupations, and forget seemingly insignificant things, which might, in fact, mean a lot to them. Of what use is saying, "Oh, sh*t!", when the damage is already done?Work is an excuse, but we, at this age, don't have one. With phone in one hand, eyes glued to the comp, or just acting as Mr. Responsible-For-The Entire-College, what happened to appreciation of the small joys of life? Obviously, we tend to cut down on patience levels, what with the frustration of doing something when we know we want to do something else, and be someplace else. How long has it been, since we indulged in some serious gossip, laughed till we cried, called each other names, slept in our grandmothers lap, had a long talk with that someone, kept up our promise of always being there to share joy or sorrow, or just making that special someone feel special. Maybe after ten years, when we look back at college days, and try to remember all the fun things we did, in 'the wildness of youth', we'd just be left groping in our heads, for a memory. Maybe even now, all we are left with, are memories, when now is the time we really get to make them. For once we divorce into our respective fields, and step into offices, these days would never come back. So take a breath of the fresh air, before stepping into college, or pause to admire the full moon smiling down, for,life does not give everyone a second chance. Don't emulate the ants instead of the butterflies, for life is a journey that you embark on, whose paths are more enjoyable than the destination itself. No one really makes you do something until you're a little inclined to do it, so don't complain about what you did, and what you didn't have time for. Learn to live, and then to let live.

Love :)

Ever felt you've had the best conversation in years, though you haven't spoken a word? I know we've read this line a lot of times in quotes or forwards to our mailbox. But experiencing it is a different feeling. An absolutely wonderful feeling. A feeling which rushes through your veins, when a simple nod, or a touch of the hand speaks a thousand reassuring words, gives you a heart-warming hug, or simply says, I Love You. Love, Love, Love. Love makes the world go round. Makes the sun rise. And makes you wake up every morning to a beautiful day, ready to face with head held high, the menagerie of life. Manifests itself in your mother's touch when she shakes u awake, in your fathers voice when he gives u a piece of his mind about your marks, in friendship, over a cup of coffee with your best friend or even discussing the last movie seen, and of course, in the eyes of that special someone, for whom you would go to the ends of the world, who just has to ask, and you would cross the seven seas, or even, scale the sky and count the stars. Who makes u say to yourself, everytime you look out the balcony, what a beautiful world it is. Who makes a solar eclipse seem like a bright sunny day. Who makes even green vegetables taste like a delicacy straight out of an Italian Chef's kitchen. I could go on and on.Ok, now, I'm not getting all mushy :p. In short, who gives u reason to say peremptorily, Life is beautiful.
I don't believe i have exaggerated. Its different, reading these things in a blog, or listening to a dreamy hero pelt out these lines in a flick. Something which can only be felt, in the presence of that person, who fills your world with happiness, no, who is your world. I'm not referring to the boyfriend/girlfriend only.. though, that is the first image which forms in the mind when 'love' is mentioned. Everyone has a boyfriend/girlfriend now. Our society has broadened its horizons, and its no taboo anymore, the concept of dating, or associationg with memebers of the opposite sex with a motive other than just friendship. Relationships, just like the fashions and trends which come and go. How many can one pin-point to, and say with conviction, that these two really love each other, and would stand by each other through their lives? One? or maybe two. Either by one's will, or by mutual consent, heart broken, depressed, they drift apart, only to pick up the broken pieces and stick them together with the glue offered by the next. Its an endless cycle. Somewhere, in the midst of all this, the true beauty of love, is lost. These species of thought circulated through my brain endlessly for about 6 and a half months of 2006. Because, everything i had believed in, i had been made to swallow whole, and wear dark shades, looking at a world cloured in black, white, and grey.
And thats when he came, with his bottle of glue :), hand-picking every bit chipped off with so much care, andso much love, that, slowly, the cocoon I'd built around myself, began to dissolve, and my eyes began to see colour again. Never knew a simple nod of acceptance could conceive so much exaltation, put a skip in your every step, make you sing to yourself, write his name on imaginary hoardings :p, and say the three precious words over and over again! And one-year-and-four-months later, the green-and-hazel trust, acceptance, and love i see, if it is really possible, is always a shade deeper than the last time they looked into mine, (If i had a better voice, and if circumstances would permit, i'd sing to him Ronan Keating's 'When you say nothing at all" over the radio) telling me, that they'd lend a hand when i stumble, lift me up when i fall, and stand by me, no matter what. Miles of distance wouldn't be too far away. And neither would the six years and a half.. for, even in times of loneliness, every moment which passes, passes with the assurance, that you're not alone, someone misses you too. Do you know how much difference that makes? I do.. and it makes as much difference as rain to a farmer, or the rising sun to human kind. It fills every hole left, fills the absence of a sister, to share your emotions with, the longing for a friend to just pour your heart out, fills every oubliette(think i spelled that right) with so much love and contentment.
Love is such a beautiful thing. It makes the deaf hear, and blind see. And it makes you want to live to a hundred, with him by your side. Life, is so beautiful.