Because anything is possible

The sky is not the limit

If you put your mind to it

Once there, it’s just land beneath your feet. 

Look yonder, there are galaxies beyond.

To be explored and conquered 

Anything is possible

Reach above and touch the stars 

Aim high and decide your own fate

Aspire, struggle and endeavour 

Take your destiny in your own hands

Belief is all that’s wanted. 

An attempt is all that’s required

Because anything is possible!

A poem dedicated to children of war hit zones in this world

Image credit: Pixabay.com

The orphan sits on the pavement 

His heart full of fear and woe 

His parents were killed in the bombardment, 

The bombardment of the bloody war.

The orphan sits on the pavement, 

A locket hangs round his neck. 

On the back is an inscription__ 

‘With Love from Mum and Dad’.

The orphan sits on the pavement, 

A beautiful picture in his mind. 

The picture of his parents,

 A likeness no one can find.

As the blue dome darkens 

The street lights come to life. 

He has no friends to go to 

He knows not even strangers in his life.

The orphan sits on the pavement. 

Happiness unknown to his heart. 

His parents were killed in the bombardment. 

The bombardment of that bloody war.

The Treasure Chest

Deep beneath the blue waters

Dwells an old sunken ship

In it lies a treasure chest

Greed and avarice at its best

Glinting silver coins aplenty,

Gold bars and a necklace pearly

Some diamond pins and a ruby ring

And a glittering crown fit for a king

An ivory fan and sapphire bracelets

Jeweled cups and emerald anklets

Heap upon heap, mound upon mound

There it lies, waiting to be found

The chest took lives of men depraved

And the treasure lies in a wet, muddy grave

An Ode to Socks

My mum bought me a pair of socks

With tiny circles and mighty blocks

Pink and purple, blue and white

They were quite a pretty sight

My feet were cold, my toes were numb

Not wearing socks sure was dumb.

I put them on and they were snug

I gave my mum a very big hug.

And on my feet, they were kept

I wore them even while I slept

They are brown, once they were pink.

They were clean but now they stink.

Now all I need is a new pair of socks.

With tiny circles and mighty blocks

Pink and purple, blue and white

Won’t they be a pretty sight?

Taste of Hunger: A Poem

Have you ever tasted hunger?

Have you ever been its prey?

Do you know what it means

When hunger comes to stay?

A little loan from a shark

Brought misery upon us all

Every day he would come

Push a little and watch us fall

“The money you pay is not enough!

Your farm and crops, goats and cattle

All mine as your debt remains.”

In silence, the village saw the losing battle

One day he took it all and threw us out

As our village watched behind curtains tattered

Evil triumphed when compassion failed

Cruelty laughed as humanity shattered

We have been hungry for many a days.

Or weeks or months or perhaps some years

Can no one heed our pleas for help?

Does no one care, does no one hear?

Stars Beyond Number

Just using your eyes

On a clear, dark night

Look up at the skies

To find a wondrous sight

Stars beyond number,

Making patterns gay

Helping weary travellers,

Go along their way

Their black, velvety cushion

Stretched across the horizon

Like little drops of diamonds

They glitter and glisten

Pegasus and Perseus,

North Star and Leo

Libra and Aquarius,

Hydra and Scorpio

All major constellations

Moving across the sky

Looking at the stargazers

As they play I Spy.

Hello Spring

The sky becomes blue

As winter days bid adieu

The birds gets chirping

Ah! Spring is coming

No more sleet, no heavy rains

Farmers get busy to grow their grains

Trees get ready to dress in green

Oh! How cold the winter had been

Roses bloom and so do blue bells

Baby chicks peek out of their egg shells

Lakes and streams sparkle, dewdrops glitter

Colorful flowers sprout as butterflies flitter

The weather becomes perfect, sunny and clear

Oh how wonderful! Spring is finally here.

Plastic bags

Plastic bags, plastic bags, they are everywhere.

We throw them, we burn them and they pollute the air.

From rivers and oceans, they come ashore.

They kill aquatic life and yet we ask for more.

Plastic bags, plastic bags, they are a disaster

Using them is destroying our environment a lot faster.

They clog the pipes and choke the drains.

They contain lead that damages our brains.

Plastic bags, plastic bags, oh what a mess has been made

Getting rid of them is a problem; they neither rot nor biodegrade

Choking our earth and causing many diseases

It is time that this madness ceases.

Plastic bags, plastic bags, what a source of pollution.

Let us stop for a moment and think of a solution

We have to stop spoiling our nature’s beauty.

Because saving the Earth is everyone’s duty.

(Written for my son's grade 2 science project)

Most people think that a plastic bag is just a small thing that cannot have a big impact. In many third world countries, use of plastic bags is one of the major reasons why sewage system gets blocked and stagnant water remains on streets and roads giving rise to diseases and sanitation problems. We need to lessen our use of plastic bags and use cloth bags while shopping.

Farmer Ted's Farm

Farmer Ted bought a new bull

And tied it in the shed.

A little mouse squeaked at it

And the bull saw red!

The bull bucked and roared

And frightened the dainty little ducks.

They fled down the road

And so collided the trucks.

The dogs barked, the donkeys brayed

The geese cackled, the horses neighed.

The noise alarmed the farmer’s wife

And she got up on a chair.

She clung to it for dear life

And screamed for hubby dear.

The chair tripped and fell over

And she broke her right arm.

Oh, what a terrible day it was

For Farmer Ted’s farm!

Splashing in Puddles

There was once a naughty little lad

His tricks and jokes drove people mad

When it rained, he’d jump in puddles

And splash water all over Mr. Cuddles.

More water over the neighbor’s cat

And all over Mr. Hodge’s tall hat.

Murky water all over his sister’s toy.

Oh, isn't he a naughty little boy?

He’d splash water over anyone who came near

Got them all wet but he just didn't care.

“I won’t play with you”, said his friend.

“You got me wet, your ways must mend.”

Little Tommy laughed and jumped from the wall

Into muddy puddles, some big, others small

A big shiny red truck speedily roared by

Making Tommy jump up with a loud cry

Its wheels churned up the puddle water

Over Tommy, it all spluttered and spattered

Drenched and cold, dirty and draggled

Poor Tommy went home, sad and straggled

An ode to pizza

A pizza for breakfast, a pizza for lunch

A pizza for dinner, I would love to munch

Let it be round, let it be square 

If it’s a pizza, I really don’t care

Pizza with pepperoni, pizza with cheese

I’ll have another and more of these.

My pizza is hot, my pizza is yummy 

Hear that growl? That’s my tummy.

Thin crust or deep pan, vegetable or meat 

Roasted or grilled, melting in the heat

Olives and tomatoes, onions and bell pepper 

On Parmesan or ricotta, mozzarella or cheddar

Top it with cheese, herbs and spices 

I’ll eat it whole, no need for slices.

Crispy and zesty, tasty and crunchy 

All these have made me a big pizza junky

Take my burger, have my sandwich 

Stare if you want, beg if you wish.

Smell the aroma, just don’t come near. 

That’s my pizza and I’ll never share.

My Purse

I looked and I searched, I moved my things around.
The keys did not materialize; They were nowhere to be found

“How shall we enter? The door is locked.
“We need a thief,” he gently mocked.

Tissues and cards, money and bills,
A paper and a pencil, a bottle of pills.

A packet of chips, a forgotten grocery list
A family photograph, a bracelet for my wrist.

A tiny sewing kit, some crayons and a band-aid
A receipt, lip-gloss and a bill that had not been paid.

Two lipsticks, some coins, a comb, a spray
Some toffees and Oreo cookies joined the fray.

As the pile grew, my husband looked inflamed.
“Goodness gracious!” he finally exclaimed.

“Is it a purse or do you carry a trunk?
How can you tolerate so much junk?”

“Just a few more things;” I barely mumbled.
I searched some more and more things tumbled.

My purse nearly empty, I felt no better
My fingers found something; it was a letter.

I opened it slowly; what joy it brought
Two sheets of love and a dreamy thought

Written by the man who stood by my side
Many years ago he had made me his bride.

The man who stood by my side!

“Didn’t I give the keys to you? I remembered with a shout.
He put his hands in the pocket and slowly pulled them out.

Tables turned, now he placated while I fumed
A stormy night ahead, he correctly assumed

“I’ll buy you a new purse with much more space”
He promised as I stood there with a grim, stony face.

He gathered my stuff and made a neat stack
Slowly he stood up and straightened his back.

“Just one question whose answer I lack.
Do you want a purse or would you like a sack?”

Laughter bubbled and everything was right
We went inside with a future bright.

My purse once more full of my cherished treasure
Priceless stuff, their value no one can measure.

Lala musings: What Inspires Me

Lala musings: What Inspires Me:

I would like to say I am inspired
By the glistening morning dew,
Chirping birds, rainbows,
And skies of brilliant blue.
Snowcapped...

Building Peace in Troubled Communities with Sports..A Poem

Battered, bullied and abused, I existed in shadows

Until the sensation called hope was no more

I grew up among the worst of neighborhoods.

Living dangerously on the wrong side of the law

Drugs were my only haven; my gang, my oasis and my sanctuary

I knew not right from wrong, nor good from bad, nor friend from foe

No light shone at the end of my dark tunnel, as misery abounded

Guns, gangs and petty crimes filled my days, tormented my nights.

Police chased us across filthy streets with their guns, cars, and batons

Escape attempts were futile, often we were caught like rats in a maze

And gunshots put an end to many a life; cheap, wretched, unworthy lives

Crime does not pay, unless it is payment in blood, our young blood

Ending many dreams, before they had a chance to be fulfilled

In such a hell, we lived, nay barely existed. 

No end in sight, with our fates twisted. 

Then one day a miracle happened

Right here, in the center of our community

Outside an old dilapidated building 

Under the tree that had witnessed many a stabbings

Beckoned a man, dressed in white.

Listen to me, my friends, he said. Come together and play some sports

Everyone has some talent, I know, come show yours to the world.

Drop your knives, your guns, your masks.

Come together and reclaim your innocence 

Out of trouble, I offer you a way, if only you heed my words

Make most of it, you have a chance, prove yourselves to the world

Many a days have been wasted, now it’s time to reclaim your soul

Unbelievable though it sounded, my heart yearned to hope 

New opportunities awaited me, when guns, knives, masks were gone.  

I have not stolen anything in a while

To keep my slate clean, my soul cleaner

I have imbibed nothing harmful, nor smoked poison

Eyes now shine with hope and wonder, 

See, there’s light at the end of my dark tunnel

With sports please build peace in troubled communities

Inspire us to become better human beings, not fiends

Teach us to value ethics, discipline and hard work

Help others, just as I have been helped.

So that we can set goals, aim, achieve and aspire

Prepare a plan to succeed and reach higher

Or find a way to escape these hellish flames of fire

Re-write our fate equipped with motivation and desire

Train us to defeat violence, our anger and senseless hatred

Search for new horizons and consider our lives sacred.

Peace can be built in troubled communities through sports.

"Build sports facilities, not juvenile detention centers, to keep young people from committing crimes."