Mediocrity

Small man
Small job in a small town,
Small dreams, small hopes
Big disappointments hidden
Behind a smug exterior.
High point of existence, discussing
The nuances of “God of small things”!
Wallowing like a buffalo
In the mud-pool of complacence
And when the mud dries,
Flakes off under the harsh sun
Of reality, sniff at yourself and
Smile ruefully and
Say, “ I am doing OK, am I not?”
Mediocrity is an opiate,
A tranquilizer that limits dreams,
Throttles needs, stifles aspiration,
Narrows the horizon of thought.
Small man, small job in a small town,
With small hopes, small dreams.

Goodbye, nicotiana tabacum

Friend of frenzied moments
Finale to food, complement to a drink or two

Solace for the blues

From the first puff and paroxysm of cough

From young, untainted lungs screaming in protest

To, million cigarettes later

Paroxysms of cough

From tar sodden lungs of middle age

Each smoke was a response

To neurons clamouring for a connect
And a brief sense of well-being.
Good bye, old friend nicotiana tabacum
I guess this friendship has outlived its life
Goodbye.

Dilemma

Duty says uphold the rules, regulations.
Apply them, punish those who break them.
Reward those who help maintain them.
Circumstances are no ameliorating factor.
Building an organization and path to excellence
Needs discipline and its compliance.
Maitreya says, show compassion
and practice forgiveness.
Question that keeps scrolling back
Punish the person or the act?
How do you separate the two?
How does one ensure adherence,

By compassion alone?
So, what is my dharma?