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About the author Nirmaldasan is the pen name of N. Watson Solomon, Head —
Department of Media Studies, Hindustan College of Arts and Science, Padur. His first volume of verse titled An Eaglet In The
Skies appeared in 1996. He collaborated with Dr. Nirmal
Selvamony and brought out the tinai series, in which some of his best poems are
featured. He has co-authored with Dr. I Arul Aram Understanding
News Media (2006). Active on the Internet, he
has been editing the monthly Journalism Online
newsletter since March 2000. His
online publications include Rocking
Pegasus (2002) and Literary Trivia
& Curiosities (2004). Visit the nirmaldasan
home page at http://www.angelfire.com/nd/nirmaldasan to keep in touch with
his literary and journalistic forays. 1. Ages Ago What is thought today Will be
thought tomorrow, For what is
thought today Was thought ages ago. What is done today Will be
done tomorrow, For what is
done today Was done ages ago. What is sung today Will be
sung tomorrow, For what is
sung today Was sung ages ago. 2. The Clock Hangs on the wall the big
round clock, Sleeping no wink, falling not
sick; First it counts a second with a tick, Then it counts a second with
a tock. Tick tock, tick tock Counts the
old clock. Flies each week with seven
days in it, Steals each hours four and twenty; Sixty minutes fill the hour
to be, Sixty
seconds the dying minute. Tick tock, tick tock Counts the
old clock. Four winged weeks form a
month of glee And twelve long months a lively year; Lively years shape an age of
cheer, And ages march to eternity. Tick tock, tick tock Counts the
old clock. 3. ABC Counsels Arise with
the sun Breathe a
simple prayer Cheer each and every one Do a kindly
deed Eat a
wholesome fare Follow a
humble creed Grasp
Nature’s truth and scheme Hark to the
voice of truth Invoke a
cherished dream Join hands
with zealous youth Kindle the
flame of thought Let thy mind
be taught Meditate for
a while Nurse a just
desire Overwhelm
with a smile Pursue a
worthy task Quell the
mood of ire Rip
hypocrisy’s mask Seek thy
self to know Trumpet a
song of praise Unveil
wisdom’s hallowed face Vow to keep
each vow Watch the
starry skies eXalt the deathless soul Yearn for
paradise Zero in on
the goal. 4. Royal We The king into the wild woods
led His courtiers on a hunting
spree; Astride on nimble steeds they
sped With
seeming cheer and chivalry. “We’ll hunting go,” the king
had said, But none did dare to hunt save he. When his sporting days had been spent, With feeble voice the king
said clear, “We’ll build a lasting
monument.” And all obeyed with cheer and
fear Whilst the king through
casement Glanced at
them with a bottle of beer. Those were the days of
monarchy Spent by kings in frolic and
ease; From their lips, with voice
so loud and free, Sprung
scores and scores of Royal We’s. “We build, we hunt,” runs the
decree, Meaning “yourself toil, myself please.” But gone the days of
monarchy, So list to what the country
needs. Hunt down vices till they cease to be, Build virtue’s fane, sow
fruitful seeds Of Truth; and pledging
loyalty Do thy country proud with
glorious deeds. 5. There is thunder and
lightning and rain and a stormy
gale. Said, there is thunder and
lightning and rain and a stormy
gale. Many are killed by the storm
and a few survivors
weep and wail! The earth shakes and the
quake registers a seven
on the Richter scale. Said, the earth shakes and
the quake registers a seven
on the Richter scale. Many are killed by the quake
and a few survivors
weep and wail! A bomb is dropped and a cloud
of smoke hangs over Said, a bomb is dropped and a
cloud of smoke hangs over Many are killed by the bomb
and dying survivors
weep and wail! 6. The Three Monkeys But speak no evil Though devil’s words be
tongue in cheek; But speak no evil Though tongue may wag for lack of will. May lips and tongue always seek Simple words of Truth, wise
and meek, And speak no evil. But hear no evil Though devil’s voice be loud and clear; But hear no evil Though slander and gossip
your ears may thrill. May tidings glad bring you
cheer; For feeble Truth just cock an
ear, And hear no evil. But see no evil Though devil’s deeds spectacular be; But see no evil, Just shut your eyes and remain still. From uncouth sights may eyes
be free. Watch Truth’s sapling become
a tree, And see no evil. 7. Triolets a. The Tractor Hail the tractor that ploughs
the field Though it smokes and pollutes the air. Sweet tapioca shall be the
yield; Hail the tractor that ploughs
the field. “ And beasts now roam without a care. Hail the tractor that ploughs
the field Though it smokes and pollutes the air. b. The Abacus Take this harp-like abacus
please And number the stars in the skies Or the falling sands of Time with ease. Take this harp-like abacus
please And hark to beaded melodies While each
star fades and old Time dies. Take this harp-like abacus
please And number the stars in the skies. c. Over Sixty I wish I were over sixty So that I can from work
retire And just relax for ever free. I wish I were over sixty And have thoughts of immortality Being close
to the funeral pyre. I wish I were over sixty So that I can from work
retire. 8. Nursery Rhymes I The trees never walk away, The rivers never stay. We need the tree for fruit
and air; For water
we need the river. Twinkling stars never sway, Flowers never twinkle away. We need the stars for light
at night, We need the flowers for
delight. Some may be good in this or
that And live in a bungalow or hut. Some may be good in that or
this, But all deserve a mother’s kiss! II My sister may pester me, My brother may bother me. But a sister is a sister And a brother is a brother. I bring roses for my sister And toys for my brother. And we love one another For ever and for ever. Every boy I meet is my
brother, Every girl I meet is my
sister. Let us play with one another For ever and for ever. III We take milk from the cow, We take honey from the hive. We always take and take and
take. But have we nothing to give? The cloud gives us rain, The earth gives us grain. They always give and give and
give For us to
live and live and live! The poor in the world are
many, And they most need our money. We must learn to smile and
give So others can smile and live! 9. Epigrams I Only fools think that they Have something new to say . The wise know ‘what is new Is but an
ancient view’. II Those who call themselves
wise Are but fools in disguise. And those who call themselves fools, Pretend to be otherwise. III Women may come and go Talking of
Michelangelo. Surely men come and go Talking of
Marilyn Monroe. IV Pygmalion was not unwise In loving a
statue nice. But when it rose to life, Why take her for a wife? V He who steals a slice of
bread Will find himself
behind bars. He who steals a thought or
two Will himself
among stars. 10. Balding Blues In the spring of youth I was the boldest of
the bold. Said, in the spring of youth
I was the boldest of
the bold. So I went a-hunting in search of the Spanish gold. All these years I have hunted
for a piece of gold. Said, all these years I have
hunted for a piece of gold. My hairs fall like autumn
leaves and I am suddenly old. My balding pate glistens like
a plate of gold. Said, my balding pate
glistens like a plate of gold. And soon will winter find my ivory bones
a-cold. 11. Clerihews A To Z Abigail Agatha Is in a
dilemma. Will she choose the handsome lad who’s poor, Or wed the old fellow who’s rich for sure? Bartholomew Beecher Is a
poacher-turned-preacher. The devotees find it mighty odd That only
beasts should be saved by God. Charles Clint, A guest who
never took a hint. So his hosts bluntly tell him That if he stays they’ll kill him. Desdemona Daisy, She looks lovely and pretty. Hope she believes what we
tell her And looks not into the mirror. Emily Emerald Fell in love with Gerald. There was nothing, except the
rhyme, Between them that was worth a
dime. Fitzgerald Flintstone Thinks he is
very well known. The people say, “Yes, we
know, we know, He is only a foolish fellow.” Gregory Grimm, No girl would marry him. Though he waited long to be
mated, He died single and was cremated. Hermon Hay Believes
that life is play. Small wonder that his favourite game Is
cavorting with a beautiful dame. Ivy Irvin Will
nevermore sin. That is what she always says On all the
fifty-two Sundays. James Jack Is a
notorious hack. May not merciful God speed him, Else proofreaders will have to read him. Kenneth Kelvin Knew
nothing about sin. But when he became a dean, Exposed he was to things
obscene. Lovell Lovelock Has entered
holy wedlock. He is the happiest man today; And soon, the happiest man yesterday. Melinda Mary, Poets called her a fairy. Thank God
her name rhymes not with witch, Else they would have called her a bitch. Nestor Noah Had a very
strong jaw. He could talk sense for an hour
or two And nonsense for hours twenty two. Oberman Omar Rarely went to the bar. And though he drank only beer, The world hardly found him
sober. Peter Patrick Performed a
magic trick. He disappeared and all were
glad; He reappeared … his wife was
sad. Always asks for a fiver. Till he gets it, he would plead and beg; And when he does, he downs a peg. Robert Ramsey Enjoys
every holiday. What he does is only his
business, And perhaps that of his mistress. Stephen Smart Perfected
gossiping to an art. Even those he gossiped about Trusted his
tales without a doubt. Tracy Tate Lost a lot
of weight. She’s happy now and gobbles Beef cutlet
and Chinese noodles. Ullal Underman Plays chess
to a plan. But when he plays soccer, He’s off his rocker. Valerie Valentina Paid a
visit to They had to put her in the
dock, For she
gave them a culture shock. William Woolfe Loves
himself and pelf. But when he drinks to a lady’s health, He forgets himself and all
his wealth. Xanthippe Xiang Tells all to
go hang. But in the end this
misanthrope Was found hanging by the rope. Yousuf Yao Was a follower of Tao. But he was slow and would ev’n
stop When there was business in
his shop. Zechariah Zeno Was a scoundrel with a halo. He always chose to be civil Though he belonged to the devil. 12. The Printer's Devil The printer's devil is on the
rampage. He should be in hell but is
out on bail And cocks a snook at both
sinner and sage. Though you put your choicest words in a cage He frights them to parrot a diff'rent tale. The printer's devil is on the
rampage. He springs from the blue and
lands on the page With a cocktail brew of
whisky and ale And cocks a snook at both
sinner and sage. His pranks on a page as
though on a stage Can have you in splits or
extremely pale. The printer's devil is on the
rampage. He plays the villain in every
age, Minces well-cooked words and
serves them stale And cocks a snook at both
sinner and sage. 'Give the devil his due' runs
the adage, For who dare take him by the
horn or tail? The printer's devil is on the
rampage And cocks a snook at both
sinner and sage. 13. Synaesthesia I hear, I hear each tinkling
star And the music of the spheres; I taste, I taste the sweet nectar Dropping
into mine ears. I see,
I see the hues of breeze As well
its stormy sighs; And the fragrance sweet of
sandal trees, I smell it with mine eyes. I dream, I dream of
twittering shadows Lengthen from east to west; And keenly feel the rainbow’s arrows Strike my quivering breast. 14. Inscription On A Shell From the depths of the stormy
sea, I have at last my liberty. The saline waters of the
main, That my lips have drunk to
satiety, Now stream through each and every vein. — Ah raise me close to thine own
ear, And through my lips thou shalt
hear The endless
moan of an enslaved sea. 15. The Incredible Dream Teeming thoughts filled his
head As he lay in his bed Musing on a
geometric theme. His eyes were full of sleep And so he slumbered deep And then began to dream a dream. Out of the blue so grand Appeared an orange hand In
Professor Robinson’s dream. Lovely circles it drew And a triangle too To explain
the geometric theme. From his sleep he arose And to his desk he goes To pursue
the geometric theme. ‘Twas
like a magic wand The compass in his hand That mimicked the amazing
dream. We also can (if sane) Trisect the angle plain Like the orange hand in his
dream That came out
of the blue And lovely circles drew To explain
the geometric theme. 16. Epistle To Daniel Premkumar Long time no see, Danny my
pal, Come on tell me when meet we
shall; Thrice came I to your home, But you’d gone out to roam. Hey, art thou some fair maid wooing, Or what the hell are you doing? When next we meet — you bet!
— A kick is what you’ll get. Here, like a clock that is
ticking, Still alive am I and kicking And acting funny too As I am
wont to do. Fatso! a lanky chap as I Though has a lot of things to ply, In my room I abide As ‘tis
raining outside. On a chair am I seated still With my legs on the window sill. In candle light pen I As there’s
no power supply. Having nothing better to do I gave myself to write to you An epistle in verse That’s sweet, crisp and terse. Let’s not indulge in idle prate, Postpone that to some later
date. A pep talk, thou and I Shalt have and breathe a sigh. But since ‘tis I who write,
you see, You needs
must the listener be; Yet count not
this unfair, Write you may if you care. A book there is which all men
know; Some browse through it and
away throw! But I scan every page And may become a sage. Danny boy, ‘tis the Book of
Life Which cuts
like a double-edged knife. Read it well and wisely And a scholar you’ll be. And if you attend Nature’s
school, Just remember this vintage
fool. Learn what you think is best, Forget and damn the rest! 17. Changeless Love Come my love, Turn me on with all your
charms. Fly my dove, Fly into my loving arms. Smile my love To vie with
your twinkling eyes. Sing my dove, Let me hear your golden
voice. Changeless love Is like a flag unfurled Which proclaims
to all the world Our love is deep and pure And shall ever endure. You and I Do not have a jot of care; We have only love to share In this world so strange Which
changes from change to change. Kiss my lips And I’ll blow kiss for kiss. I’ll touch your hips And swim in a sea of bliss. Come my love, Turn me on with all your
charms. Fly my dove, Fly into my loving arms. 18. But Draw The Line Let us play dice, Life is full of chance. Let us drink wine, Sing songs and dance. But draw the line. Be awake at night And paint the town red; And when you are tight, Take your love to bed. But draw the line. At break of day What are we to do? Time does swiftly fly, We have choices few. But draw the line. Do what you will, All that pleases you; Do what you will, Things you will not rue; And draw the line. 19. Every Paisa Counts Don’t toss a coin to a beggar in the street, He should learn to earn a
living as you do. You get only bread but the
beggar gets meat For he makes a lot more than
you do. Don’t toss a coin to a beggar in the street; Even if he be
crippled, he is well-to-do. Though he be
lame, he’ll learn to get upon his feet; If he be
blind or deaf, he still has work to do. Don’t toss a coin to a beggar in the street Because Every paisa counts Every paisa counts Every paisa counts. Don’t toss a coin to a beggar in the street, Let him not beg but earn his
bread with a song. If he sings well, the beggar
deserves a treat; Else let him ply some other trade before long. Don’t toss a coin to a beggar in the street; Even if he be
crippled, he is well-to-do. Though he be
lame, he’ll learn to get upon his feet; If he be
blind or deaf, he still has work to do. Don’t toss a coin to a beggar in the street Or I’ll Come with a begging bowl Come with a begging bowl Come with a begging bowl. 20. The Matador This bull Is full Of ire And fire. Its horn Are thorns Which may Dismay The brave Who crave For name And fame. Some bells And shells Bedeck Its neck. It could Ad would Beg peace On knees. But starts And snorts At red Instead. You can, O man, Seek right To fight Your kind Unkind. The beast At least Should be Set free. And hear With fear The bells. Or else My rhyme Will chime Your knell From hell. 21. Crow’s Droppings No trees are in the city But only
hoardings tall. “That stupid crow on the
hoarding Has let its droppings fall!” No lakes are in the city But only cesspool rings. “O get
out of the manhole And remove the crow’s
droppings!” 22. Truth-Beauty Terzanelle If truth be
plain, do make it beautiful With the primitive art of
simplicity; And pretty falsehood shall ever be dull. No long to lies can beauty
captive be; And truth and beauty shall walk hand in hand With the
primitive art of simplicity. The voice of truth the world
shall understand; There shall be none to look
at falsehood’s
charms When truth and beauty shall
walk hand in hand. Beauty soft has run into
truth’s firm arms. If beauty and truth may
forever embrace, There shall be none to look
at falsehood’s charms. But falsehood is mighty strong as always To deceive the artist and
smash his hope That beauty and truth may
forever embrace. Beware! Falsehood hangs the
length of a rope To deceive
the artist and hang his hope. If truth be
plain, do make it beautiful; And pretty falsehood shall ever be dull. 23. Salman Rushdie Salman Rushdie, Salman Rushdie, Incurred a thousand curses When an unpleasant book he
writ — Called The Satanic Verses. They say the book is satanic, And on it they placed a ban; They say the book is un-islamic, Whose leaves — unworthy to
scan! Alas! that
book I have not read, For ‘tis banned in I know not how it offended The
head-of-state of The head-of-state was full of
wrath, Though the book he had not read; The head-of-state was full of
wrath, And he wanted Rushdie’s head. Salman Rushdie, Salman Rushdie, Lost all his smiles, all his
smiles; So frighted
by this threat that he Hid himself
in the O do
we not our own faiths nurse As a mother
would her child? O then ‘tis best our lips to
purse, And not make the mother wild! — More there is to be said in rhyme, To add to
my mockic strains! When Book of Fate is oped by Time, I’ll surely sing what remains! 24. Bhairavi As from Lord Shiva’s head The lordly So from Bhairavi’s
head Thoughts of
sweet repose. As from Lord Shiva’s eye Springs a volley of fire, So from Bhairavi’s
eye Shafts of
flaming desire. As from Lord Shiva’s drum Rise sounds of peace and
strife, So from Bhairavi’s
heart Thrills the
pulse of life.
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