What's Army Life

*****
They asked me for my views
on what's Army Life ?!
well here's from the perspective
of an Army brat n Army wife.

Oh Yes, I've seen it all
from the day I was born,
amidst all the gallantry and chaos
when the country was battle torn.

My first glimpse of Army were of
glittering medals on dad's chest,
Mom's card table, chiffons and perfumes
glamor at its very best.

Lush green were the cantonments
Just as green was dad's uniform,
Lush green was the grass on which
they played golf every Sunday morn.

But best were the times
with dads away on long exercise,
moms busy with her kitty party
And we kids left to our own device.

Many a hours did spend we
just hanging in clean green glades,
and on cantonment road culverts
laughing and musing on our silly escapades.

Shifting was a way life
forcing to leave all things dear,
but the novelty of the transfer
was enough to wipe away the tear.

Oh how I waited to grow up
and have the time of my life,
when I finally would manage
to be, like my mom, an Army wife !

Many a prospective match
were considered and proposed,
And finally of course
An Army officer won unopposed.

Was I lucky ! Boy !!
I'd take to it like fish to water,
and so we happily shifted
into our Army Quarter.

But, It's not as rosy as I thought
Hey ! Where's the glamor,
I can see chinks......!
in the Army's shining armor.

Lady as for the talents, you better have em all
from house keeping to socializing,
and even specialize in....
buttering and artfully criticizing.

And if you take up a job
better not prioritize it, they say,
cause after all, "you are not
giving us, your pay" !!

Lonely nights, when he's out
on exercise are many,
and getting posted out just when
you get settled, aint funny.

I could go on and on
about things that are wrong,
But am here by choice
so I'll change the tune of my song.

Army life oh it kills !!
but am addicted to its thrills
cause it blends a unique concoction,
that ultimately guarantees satisfaction.

So no sitting around and feeling sad
cause life in the Army aint all that bad,
Life away from its protection
is quite beyond my conception.

So what if 'am asked to fix
a dinner for ten in a jiffy,
or drag my aching feet
to this all formal party.

I get to hold my head high
and gracefully acknowledge,
the chivalry that our Men in brass
bestow on us as privilege.

So onwards we march
He with his armory of weapons
me with my armory of refined discretion
together in perfect synchronization !

.

Lost Sheep

,
Good Shepherd
call me not
as I graze content
in sunny lush open fields

Call me not to hill tops
to those cliffs yonder
where I stumble while
you sing and slumber

Call me not to whence
they fleece my wool
steal the little lambs
and my heart slaughter

Call me when
dark clouds gather
and shadows grin
from strange corners

I strain to hear your flute as darkness falls
I now quietly wait but hear nothing at all !!

The Tree outside my window

,
Over the years of relocation
the house and the tree outside
my window has changed
every time a new tree grows on me

In my youth it was the small Jasmin tree
petite pretty and poised were we with
dainty white blossoms set in
well cared for strict parental lawn

We were soon tall and proud
choosy cheeky Cherry tree
bold, brash branching out blooming
blooming with gay abandon in the hills

Then we were the Bottle brush
softer subdued tentatively blooming
with sweet fuzzy little crimson flowers
swaying singing sweet lullaby

Next we had the Eucalyptus
oh so tall in our branches
we frame a temple yonder
no fancy flowers have we

Time rolled on to a Palm tree
always laden with fruit our glorious
leaves sway high above the ground
we don't need to prove anything

Now I have this Neem tree with
medicinal leaves, little frail white
flower that turn bitter yellowed fruits
followed by spells of bare leafless branches!!

Strung Words

,
Words strung in thoughts
thoughts chained by care
Love strung in feelings
feelings chained by ego snare

Players in the mind
Care and Ego decide
the depth, meaning and value
of words strung, of feelings to abide

Some strung words
for decades are kept
some in matter of days
in winds of change swept

Some words too strong
to be said, nay, only felt
and some words are just said
without really being meant !!

Some silent words spoken by eyes,
eyes that search or accuse,love or hide,
meaning and stringing along
some unforgettable lines !

Thousands of little words strung in song
somewhere among them a heart strung along!!

Polite and Cryptic

,
'am polite 'am cryptic
waiting for the conversation
to be over and done with

You cant blame me
the cares of the world
Are just too many

Making me run against
time, the whole world
seems to depend on me

Who has the time to sing
chat and reminiscence
or laugh at sweet nothings

But the table turns
now its too much, this worthless
work, I want to just talk

I call my husband
he is playing golf
snaps, Yah! whats it ?

I call an old flame
wife's close by, he's
polite and cryptic !

I call my bro, who cribs
about work, yells at his
mutt, and says he'll call back

I call a couple, both are good
old friends, one would surely -Talk
They toss the phone to each-other

And say, how come you always
call, only when things are in
such a mad sway !!!

Ok, fine,
So be it, 'am going back too
being Polite and Cryptic

The Waiting

.
They are always around

the Sun and the Moon

the Warmth and the Chill

the Real and the Magical

the Joy and the Melancholy

the Allure and the Threat

But oh! how I wait
like dry bamboo leaves

for those sudden unexpected 'Showers'

to revive, replenish and rejuvenate.

My Time

,
Suddenly you are
all around me
Why, all these years
where did you flee

Back then, I ruled
It was all my play
never knew you
you had no say

Then we met, you
quietly held my hand
Smiled and did a waltz
of catch me if you can

Fleetingly I thought
You were for my sake
all was figured out and
world was mine to take

Then life took over
I lost you somewhere
You quietly rolled on
and I thought I didn't care

Life was set in
an automated pace
you ticked in just when
it was too much to take

let me this once
decide the line
Let me this once
manage you, Time

Your Knight in Shining Armor

,
Dear Ladies of twenty to
Sixties, are you still waiting
to be swept off thy feet
by a knight in Armour shining

Has he not arrived yet, or
has he already passed you by
or have many Knights come and gone
not measuring up to your dream guy

Some with two left feet
some with sealed gobs
some with rusty joints
some with an empty armor !
some with well, no honor !!
somehow none though that rises
to be your knight in shining armor

Pray, what is it that you Say?
He did come your way !
swept you in one mighty handsome sweep
Just to fall with a thud himself along the way

For those who say, Nay..
the knight and armor bit
is just a myth
the happiest among all
dear lady, are you today