Outside my window…

A hint of the moon

Peeks from behind itself

On a clear

Cloudless blue sky

Outside my window

Snow-capped mountains peek

From behind their own shadows

Atop the clear

Waveless blue waters

Outside my window

Sheets of azure glass

Interspersed with graffiti

Birds, boats

The occasional kayak

Outside my window

Sounds of laughter

Traffic, trains

Even the occasional plane

A sweet, chattering twitter

Outside my window

Bright, cheerful sunshine

Dappled shadows 

Chattering, dancing, cavorting

A soft breeze springing

Outside my window

Blossoms on every tree

Blossom hope in every heart

Out of the stillness of winter

A new world springs forth

Takes a new birth

Outside my window

-          Seattle, March 31, 2013

2013 Holi Celebrations

...with a heartfelt thanks to CRY Seattle

होली के रंग 

कहीं नीला, तो कहीं है पीला 

लाल, गुलाबी, हरा, जमुनी 

आज दिखाई देता यहाँ 

है हर तरह का रंग 

छाई है मस्ती, मचा हुडदंग 

बरसीं अचानक रंगीली बौछारें 

सावन ले आया इक नयी उमंग 

कल रात मनाई थी  

होलिका की विदा 

मिल के जलाई थी 

अहंकार की चिता

आज चारों ओर 

नए रंग हैं खिले 

दूर दराज़ से यार-दोस्त 

सब यहीं हैं, आ मिले  

उड़ चला है हवाओं में 

इन्द्र धनुषी सा गुलाल 

उठ गया मन के कोनों  से 

छुपा बैठा कोई मलाल 

हर रंग लाया है संग 

अनोखी कोई भावना 

सिखलाये निभानी है मुझे 

नित नयी भूमिका 

आज के इस उत्सव पर 

इन रंगों में खो जाने दो 

इच्छाओं-आकांक्षाओं को त्याग 

इनसे भी परे हो जाने दो 

इन रंगों को जल तरंगों में 

जल्द ही बह जाने दो 

सफेदी की सादी सरलता को 

इस रूह में समा जाने दो 

फिर हर क्षण होगा यहाँ 

अदभुत अनन्य अनन्त

जीवन के इस खेल-चित्र में 

खिल उठेगा हर रंग 

-    Seattle, March 30, 2013

To Seattle with Love...

So many shades of grey

Never cease to amaze

Bringing softened views

That black and white hues

Can never replace

Grey skies, Grey water

Grey showers, bringing succour

From the heat

A gentle grey calm

For me to greet

Forming the ideal foil

For a lush landscape

Different shades of grey

Complement the greens that toil

To bring

Myriad spring blossoms

When the horizon

Draws near

In an endearing grey embrace

I marvel anew

At the sheer

Beauty and grace

Cool mist

Soothing my soul

Pure black and white

Have never held that space

Its mesmerizing how

Shades of grey

Simply showcase

Your emerald beauty

Oh Seattle

How I adore you for

Teaching me to appreciate

These myriad shades of grey

For bringing me stillness

Helping me to create

Being my witness

Bringing a new me

To myself

- June 29, 2011

"One-Part-Artist"

Somebody asked me today... Why is your blog called "One Part Artist"?
These pictures* tell the story...

Stories of
pure delight...

Of 

putting up a fight

Stories of

collaboration

Of 

unbridled celebration

Stories of
opportunities

Embracing 

ALL 

possibilities

Stories of 

beating the odds                                     

Without expecting applause

Of following your own dear heart

Of expressing your personal art

Whether you're wordy, even if nerdy

Modernist, impressionist or cubist

I hope you'll share the Story

Of uncovering your OWN

One-Part-Artist!

These pictures convey one such story. I've come across several more and hope to cover them in future posts. In fact, they are ALL around us.
Stories that bring us closer to our true 'Self', in a space of joy and love.
Stories of Art!

_________________________________________________________________________

*These pictures shared with permission from an incredible program by Provail called "Art is NOT an Option" where 'artists' of all abilities get together to enhance their methods of self expression while having loads of fun!
You can support this initiative in many ways - check out https://www.facebook.com/artisnotanoption.

Get involved... one way or another...
And you just might find that "One-Part-Artist" lurking somewhere inside you!

Reflections: Sunshine

धूप  कभी घनी रातों से गुज़रते  कभी अँधेरे तूफानों से जूझते  अक्सर ये भूल हैं जाते  कहीं ना कहीं तो धूप खिली है  कहीं ना कहीं  कोई यादें हैं छिपी  कहीं ना कहीं  हैं कई उम्मीदें भरी  कहीं ना कहीं  सपनो का बसेरा है  कहीं ना कहीं  ख्वाहिशों का डेरा है  कहीं ना कहीं  इक नया सवेरा है  बारिशें क्यों आती हैं आखिर?  घटाएँ क्यों छा जाती हैं?  इन सवालों से परे भी  कई जवाब हैं मुमकिन  बादलों के ऊपर उठिए तो  हर ओर मिलती है सूरज की किरण रात की सुरंग से निकल  सूरज अपना रास्ता चुन लेता है  कभी फीकी सी  तो कभी तेज़ सुनहरी धूप के  उपहार रोज़ दे जाता है  चाहे कितना लम्बा हो ये सफ़र  कितनी ही लम्बी रात हो बाकी  कितने ही हों उसके पहर  मिल जाते हैं साहिल कहीं ना कहीं  खिल जाती है धूप, यहाँ भी, कभी ना कभी  Enroute – Seattle-San Jose,  December 25, 2011

Sunshine  Traveling through a dense, dark night Navigating tumultuous storms So easy to forget Somewhere, sunshine transforms Somewhere exist Memories tucked away Somewhere blossom New hopes, making  their way Somewhere New dreams do thrive Somewhere  New wishes can survive Somewhere A new dawn is alive Why do the rains pour down? What makes the clouds dark? Moving beyond questions Reveals beautiful possibility  Soaring high above the curtains Shines the light in all its beauty Emerging from the dark tunnel The sun picks his path Some days, bringing such a personal Present of languid warmth And on others, scorching heat that shrivels No matter how tiring the journey Or how long the dark night The tranquil shore embraces the sea The lover and beloved do unite Opening the eyes helps to see A glorious burst of sunlight Translated, April 2012