The Sweeper

I love watching the sweeper at his work, especially at railway stations. Earlier today, while I was waiting for the Up train to Sealdah, I had the good fortune to observe a sweeper at work on the platform on the other side. It was a pleasure watching him clean up the platform with brisk strokes of his broom. Collecting stray pieces of paper, toffee wrappers, cigarette butts, etc. with each sweep of his broom and bringing them to the front of him in an orderly fashion. Another long sweep of his broom for the more distant neighbors of the rubbish. He was very precise and orderly at his work. I love watching how each small segment of the platform is freed of dirt and filth, and then the next until the sweeper has done his job. No more filth anywhere to be seen, or almost anywhere. One of the reasons I love watching this is maybe because the results of his labor are there to be seen before my very eyes. The efforts he puts in and the results they bring are very apparent. With each sweep of his broom decongesting a small portion of the platform, and the repetitive nature of the job, until the whole platform is freed of filth.........I can't really go on about this because I don't have the analytical prowess required to really say why I love watching a sweeper at work.......but why count the seed when you are enjoying the mango??

To Die in Joy

I had written this poem years ago when I was still doing my graduation.....

Take one step, then take the other
Place your feet one after another,
Stop not till u reach the place,
No matter where u stand in the race

Reaching last is not the concern,
Efforts u put in and the calories u burn,
What gives u peace at the end of the day,
Is the thought that u have spent it the right way.

Look to the left, and look to the right,
Look everywhere, but don't lose sight,
Train ur sight to be on ur mission,
Keep moving, no matter how far the destination.

You reach there or maybe u don't,
But don't count ur bruises, don't count ur wounds,
In the core of ur heart, u know very well,
You have been on the path and worked out like hell.

There's all there is to it my Boy,
To live in peace and die in joy!!!

Today I had the misfortune to be privy to the very unfortunate news of my friend's death. Raju died in an accident last Sunday when he was travelling home from a marriage party. He was the pillion rider.

He was a very gregarious and friendly human being. Although he wasn't very close to me, he was a friend nonetheless. I have spent time with him eating, drinking, and having general good times. It is unfortunate that he is no more among us.

May u rest in peace wherever u r Raju.......God bless u.