My Heart Speaks

by Tanisha Kothari

  Because you still don’t react after knowing what is true.”

  He was the first person who made me feel so wrong,

  Then he said nothing, just went far very long.

  I kept my hand on my mouth and said, “Oh Lord!”

  I know that person was none other than God.

  I Don’t Want to Grow

  I don’t want to grow, I want to be a child,

  I want to play around and act wild.

  I don’t want to go to work, I’d rather go back to school,

  When life was about more than just acting cool.

  I don’t want any senior, but a teacher to support,

  For all the misbehaviour, a black star and a bad note.

  I don’t want a business partner, but a true friend,

  While playing during class, whose talks would never end.

  I don’t want a boss, but parents everywhere,

  From school to home, always there to care.

  I don’t like hearing the news, but I still want to watch “Tom and Jerry,”

  I still want to play “Hide and Seek” and “Miss Mary.”

  I don’t want to run behind money, I’d rather chase a silly toy,

  Childhood; when there were no differences between a girl and a boy.

  When in a minute you are friends, and in another, you are foes,

  When no hearts would break on disclosing any vows.

  All children have are a few friends, a few teachers, and a toy,

  They love life and have all the reasons to enjoy.

  You won’t see Facebook or Whatsapp when you look back at your past,

  But you’ll see the fun you had, till the last.

  Thief

  What should I write about the poor thieves?

  He tries so hard but never achieves.

  He becomes a beggar on the roads,

  Eating grass or small little toads.

  This leaves him with two options in life,

  One is to quit, and the other is to pick up a knife.

  In that minute, he doesn’t know the difference in right and wrong,

  He just chooses what gives him money that lasts long.

  It is his life that forces him to do this work,

  Because he was never given any luck.

  But he never killed people any,

  He just took from the rich, maybe a penny.

  Even sneaking can be called a talent,

  For slim and long fingers, it is meant.

  They can be considered fingersmiths as well,

  The job of stealing and then to sell.

  We never gave him the chance to prove himself right,

  We never thought how much he had to fight.

  I think we should give them an opportunity and not make a fuss,

  So that the world has majority of people like us.

  Uttarakhand, We Are with You

  Hundreds of relatives cried,

  Thousands of people died.

  It’s time we reunite,

  After the dark loss, we need to create light.

  These people went away and took their dreams which were unfulfilled,

  Who knew, the next minute, they would be killed?

  Reena wanted to become a doctor,

  And Rohit’s dream was to be an actor.

  Anita wanted to become an architect,

  Who knew they would all be dead?

  Who knew a cloud would blast?

  Who knew nobody would last?

  Who knew that people going to worship God will die?

  Who knew there was a curse roaming in the sky?

  Some lost their hands or got a crack on their head,

  Now they are alive, but still half dead.

  This state is now lifeless,

  We all have to give our best.

  When the heart doesn’t work, help is given by the brain,

  Don’t worry Uttarakhand, you are not alone in bearing this pain.

  We are with you, and we’ll always be,

  Now India needs to get on its knee.

  India is dying, this is true,

  But we can save it if you all help,

  Be positive, Uttarakhand, we all are with you.

  Where There Is a Will

  What do you think, only rich people can go to a school or a college?

  Can’t a poor boy or girl have any knowledge?

  Don’t think that the poor don’t have anything,

  From being a slave, Qutub-ud-din Aibak became a king.

  They can’t go to schools, but they still borrow books,

  While the wealthy person is concerned with his looks.

  You think that their lives are easy,

  They have to work even when it’s too breezy.

  Your dad gives you toys, dresses, and a pet cat,

  But you don’t know to value that.

  Even if his poor father can’t provide his son with light,

  He will do his work in the darkest night.

  You all spend money like it grows on wood,

  But he saves his money for a little bit of food.

  I heard the tailor’s daughter coming first on merit,

  She studied even though her dad told her to knit.

  The taxi-driver’s son came first in dance,

  He proved himself with just one chance.

  That’s why it is said, “Where there is a will, there is a way,”

  You will only achieve your goal if you work hard each and every day.

  United Nations

  After the First World War, destruction there was,

  All the people who fought experienced only loss.

  The League of Nations was formed, but it was not well-run,

  The League of Nations could not stop the second one.

  The Second World War harmed more lives,

  They fought with bombs, not swords or knives.

  None saw the deaths; they only saw their nations grow,

  And they could not see the world peace they were about to throw.

  But there were ones who saved the world by saying “Don’t kill,”

  These were ‘Franklin D. Roosevelt’ and ‘Winston Churchill’.

  They established the still working peace foundation,

  And named it the United Nations.

  It led to social and economic progress,

  Their aim was to spread happiness.

  It is still working, and helping countries develop,

  It is preventing the nations from being corrupt.

  It provides help to women and underprivileged children,

  But the fees or money, it takes none.

  So, let’s save the world by saying no to war,

  What do you think we are fighting for?

  We should help the U.N. and do our little thing,

  Maybe to the world, a change it may bring.

  Don’t Give Up

  We all are living only because of hope,

  The hope that no one would fall off the rope.

  The hope of never giving up,

  The wish that someday we will experience luck.

  The faith that one day we will reach our goals,

  And a desire to be good souls.

  To keep hoping means to keep believing in you,

  And saying that “I won’t give up till I do.”

  If there is no hope, the world will never be positive,

  If aspiration disappears, it will take with it the spirit to live.

  Even while losing, we think that we can win,

  Even after committing a big crime, we hope God will forgive the sin.

  Humans are full of jealousy and cursing,

  But the good thing is that we always keep reassuring.

  Everybody has hope, and no one’s desires are less,

  But dreaming won’t do, they’ll have to give their best.

  The singer hopes that he will sing well,

  And the criminal hopes he won’t go to hell.

  The begg
ar hopes that he will win the lottery,

  And I hope that you like my poetry.

  An Orphan’s Voice

  You might have seen the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal or a lion’s cage,

  But have you ever been to an orphanage?

  A boy there said that having parents is good,

  They give you all the joys they should.

  While crossing a road, they hold your hand tight,

  And for everything against you, they fight.

  When you get hurt or if you fall,

  They give you first aid and apply Dettol.

  They sacrifice their big dreams for your small one,

  They sacrifice their own joy for your little fun.

  They teach you which habits to keep and which ones to throw,

  But you forget everything as you grow.

  You say old to the ones who spent their youth raising you,

  You say heartless to the ones who gave all their love to you,

  You say a miser to the ones who spent all their wealth on you,

  You say dumb to the ones who put their knowledge in you.

  You can repay all your debts, but not theirs,

  You can’t give them what they have given you, love and care.

  So apologise and tell them that you won’t abuse them again,

  Because losing parents is the largest pain.

  Food

  Food is really essential to life,

  Whether you use a fork or a knife.

  Everybody likes pizzas, burgers, and cakes,

  I love the muffins that the baker makes.

  Some are veg, while some are not,

  Some like it cold, but some like it hot.

  Some have food problems or are allergic,

  Some don’t eat because they feel sick.

  We don’t really know the value of food,

  Ask the poor, they find it really good.

  They eat the dirty wafers on the road,

  As it is because they can’t afford.

  They even search in the packets that are torn,

  For the food we wasted and have thrown.

  They lie hungry on the road alone,

  Because to live, they don’t have a home.

  Let’s take a small step for them,

  So that they give you blessings then.

  Why don’t we give them the food that we want to throw?

  So that into dustbins and roads, they don’t go.

  Where?

  Where there are animals and birds everywhere,

  Where everyone is loving, and everyone does care.

  Where nature speaks out loud,

  Where there is more happiness and less of a crowd.

  Where you will get warmth for your feet and your toes,

  And a positive odour for your nose.

  Where you will get rest for your sore eyes,

  And joyousness to stop your cries.

  Where there is a small hut made of hearts,

  Where there are no cars, but beautiful animal carts.

  Greenery everywhere in the pretty farm,

  Where there is only love and care, and no harm.

  Where you will learn from the plants and the trees,

  The pride of all countries.

  Where everyone works with courage,

  This place is known as a village.

  I Am Not Alone

  To whom should I show my pains?

  With whom should I share my gains?

  Why is there no one to give me a hand when I fall?

  Why doesn’t anyone listen when I call?

  There’s no one with me in my joy and sorrow,

  There’s no one who cares about my today or tomorrow.

  I have experiences and stories to share,

  But unfortunately, nobody to listen or care.

  To me, even having an enemy would be nice,

  But in my life, there’s no such spice.

  You have so many friends, but you still want more,

  I just need a true one, what is the use of a crore.

  This doesn’t mean that I give up and stop trying,

  I will find someone who cries with me when I’m crying.

  I know someone who’d never leave me,

  Whatever it is, ‘God’ will always be.

  Maybe, to others, I’m a piece of glass to be thrown,

  But if I believe in God, then I’m not alone.

  He doesn’t take away the obstacles, but he gives me the courage to fight,

  He doesn’t take away the darkness but gives me a little light.

  To support, help, and care,

  I am not alone, God is always there.

  Care

  It can’t be defined as it is not a word,

  It can’t be seen, it can’t be heard.

  But from your heart when it is felt,

  When somebody cares, your heart does melt.

  When somebody says he worries for you,

  A caring person will always be true.

  He plays when he has no time,

  For him, you are the only prime.

  Who kisses and even hugs,

  He keeps you away from all the bugs.

  Who will lose but let you win,

  Even on your bad ideas, he will pull your chin.

  He says he misses you when you are not there,

  He sits on the floor and gives you the chair.

  He will show you the right way when you are lost,

  He will never leave you alone at any cost.

  That is called a caring person, and only he can define care,

  Don’t ever let him go away; such people are rare.

  Leader or Boss?

  A boss says, “It’s only me,”

  A leader will say “We.”

  A boss will pick one and say that the others are bad,

  A leader will say all are good, but he’s my favourite lad.

  It’s only the boss who wins the game,

  But even if a leader loses, there’s no one to blame.

  The boss will always be seen on the chair, commanding,

  But a leader, with his team, he will be training.

  A leader will always listen to what you say,

  Before doing a good job, he’ll always tell you to pray.

  He will say ‘Sorry’ if he makes a mistake,

  And ‘Thank You’, for something he would take.

  He will live cheerfully, but sometimes he may frown,

  On his head, he will never wear a crown.

  The choice is yours, what do you want to be?

  A boss or a leader, the difference above is for you to see.

  Child Labour

  Look at the child crying,

  Working below the sun and trying.

  His life is all work and no play,

  And his mouth is zipped, there’s nothing he can say.

  Nobody listens to what he wants,

  Even he likes to play on lawns.

  He has the desire to go to school,

  He wants a pen in his hand, not a farm tool.

  He wants to get an education and wants to learn,

  He wants to stand on his own legs and wants to earn.

  Today they are children but what about tomorrow,

  Then the world will see an illiterate’s sorrow.

  It is our duty to fight,

  For these helpless children’s right.

  Pick up your phone and don’t be late,

  If you see child labour, dial 1098.

  Make Her Smile

  After the pregnancy test, she knew there was a baby inside,

  She felt sick and uncomfortable, but that smile, she couldn’t hide.

  She ate well and more than herself, took care of her tummy,

  She would bear all the pain just for you to call her mummy.

  That night, you were ill, she couldn’t even sleep,

  Before the final result, she was also a bit creeped.

  From taking your childhood p
ictures to advising you in teenage,

  Making you laugh at her silly jokes, taking away the rage.

  Asking permission on your behalf, and making coffee for your headache,

  Ever wondered despite how much she works, she never takes a break?

  Maybe she colours her hair, and you don’t see that she’s growing old,

  Maybe she takes the thin blanket so that you don’t feel cold.

  She sacrifices everything for you, but you don’t even give her your time,

  She might not look attractive, but the inner beauty she carries is sublime.

  Maybe she doesn’t speak, but her heart craves for love too,

  Fill her days with joy, and you’ll be delighted when she smiles because of you.

  Time

  The most important thing in your life is time,

  If you value it, your life will be fine.

  You should value it by not doing waste,

  And don’t ever act in haste.

  You should know the cost of every moment,

  You should know the cost of the time you spent.

  Do whatever you want to,

  Because time never comes back to you.

  Spend most of it with the people who are close to your heart,

  Because one day the clock will take them apart.

  Give them all your time, and listen to what they say,

  Because they are the special ones who make your day.

  Be happy and make others happy in life,

  Take care of your friends, relatives, and your wife.

  Don’t ever break a relationship by saying things that are wrong,

  Because to repair the bond, it takes really long.

  If you value each minute and do things which are good,

  Life will always give you what it should.

  So be kind to people and be punctual,

  So the world is nice, and no one will be cruel.

  Losing

  I love it when I win, but I don’t like to lose,

  Then all the hard-work and patience is of no use.

  I love it when I have the trophy, but not when I sit with a dull face,

  I don’t like being last in a race.

  I love it when people say ‘congratulations’, and my parents are proud,

  But I don’t like it when I hear ‘it’s okay’ from the crowd.

  I love to take a step forward,

  I don’t want to go back like a coward.