Wednesday, June 25, 2008

BABIES AND MIRRORS

I found my new zen guru,
she is three months old .

She guides and teaches,
‘a crash course on realism’ .

Guru edits all my writings,
checks whether ‘real or not’.

Yesterday I wrote something
and submitted for approval .

“Mirrors and babies are alike
both return ‘smile for a smile’”

She didn’t smile but just yawned,
it was nothing but cold rejection .

Fed up with ‘realism’
I said, “Real is shit”.

Suddenly she smiled ,then giggled
my hands felt the ‘ real zen lesson’.

While washing,
I corrected myself .

Babies and mirrors are alike
both can invert anything!

121 comments:

Shruti said...

it was short, sweet and in a way funny..
loved it.. :-)

Shruti said...

nd yayy...am d first one 2 appreciate!!

man in painting said...

@shruthi..
Thanks a lot..
so happy that you liked it..
will convey your comments to guru...
it just came spontaneously..
without much 'thought'

Anonymous said...

very nice...short n sweet...
i guess the post is dedicated to your baby? i read in ur last post comments u had bcum a dad..congrats... :)
she's lucky to have such a talented dad...

man in painting said...

@thanks vinay..
Not baby...guru..
Everything for her...
happy you liked it..

~nm said...

Nice one! And yes its sweet indeed!

test said...

good to see ur 'new zen guru' featured in a beautiful poem of urs.. well..

well.. babies reflect what we do and its this quality they lose whn we say they have grown up..

found me in ur blogrolling list and felt like i got recognized... thnx a lot....

man in painting said...

@Mano
It is always a great pleasure to read your commenst..Of course she is my new zen "REAL" guru..Zen and the art of babysitting..eh..LOL
I always wanted to add you as you are my best blog buddy...but i just learnt it today...
1975 model brain...!too slow..LOL
Thanks buddy..

Unknown said...

ha ha .. the last line was soo funny.. and lovely comparison.. must say..

guess your crash is still going to continue for a long while..so will keep an eye for more from the "new zen guru"

so what have you named her ?

Usha Pisharody said...

Amazing! Loved this Zen lesson... changing nappies is going to be fun I see:)

Looking back with this one in sheer nostalgia at my two hunks, to their delightful baby days:)

Thank you thank you thank you:)

man in painting said...

@ani
The new zen guru and the two disciples..
each day,each hour each second...
we cannot but remain without awareness...
We love to call her Bhanumathy..
i donno what she likes to call herself...
Thank you..

man in painting said...

@usha pisharody
Thank you..
very happy to know you liked it..
i think these moments are the real zen moments..
great to know about your long journey...
now we too both know how hard and thrilling it is ....

polona said...

ohhhh... this was so lovely...
babies have a wisdom we later forget about, it seems...

man in painting said...

@polona
thank you so much
they are real masters...

aria said...

aww so sweet... this is lovely.. I think we learn most lessons spontaneously in unusual circumtances.. and its even better.. actually divine.. to have a 3 month old guru .. the last stanza is awesome .. :)

Anonymous said...

hmm...seems like i stumbled across a blogger who can turn almost anything into a poem!
having real fun it seems!

man in painting said...

@aria
so happy that such a gifted writer like you liked it..
guru is so cool..lol
thank you

man in painting said...

@ayushi
LOL
poems?
Are you sure?
like our cool guru
they just love to lie naked...
Definitely...great fun..

WritingsForLife said...

very very true... i loved how you twisted it with the baby's laughter being real, which paradoxes your previous statement and makes such an excellent point. Simply loved it :-)

What do you mean by "add you"? as in chat add you? Sure! :-)

gypsy said...

wowie...

i must say u have got the simplest, yet the best guru then..

simply put, i loved it..

(even ur frst line abt how we nvr see our ability to love as a gift)

Tairebabs said...

awwww very sweet. loved it!

deepsat said...

very sweet!! indeed your guru has more wisdom than most learned people in this world.

LOL @ 'real zen lesson'!!!

loved your beautiful words!!!

;-))

Anu said...

that was really sweet.. I could almost see the smile.. Will be back for more of your posts

Alok said...

the last verse is outstanding .... The poem had the right mix ... loved it


Alok

Rajesh said...

wow!!! u seem to b someone who can turn anything into a poem... i really mean wat i say...and the comparison was too good...not many actually think on those lines...

after reading i just pondered over ur poem and said to myself " hmmm...ya...he's right...babies and mirrors"...superb poem... I can say that u stand tall among blog poets.. ( hee...hee...is the usage 'blog poets' right??) .. overall a superb poem and above all short n sweet.....must say

man in painting said...

@nm
Thank you..

man in painting said...

@raaji
LOL..adding you
yes,she guides me..from surreal to real..mystic and cool..
Thank you so much..

man in painting said...

@sinner..
Guru shows how simple life is...
'back to the basics'...
smile for a smile...
Thank you..

man in painting said...

@tairebabs..
Thank you!
Will convey your wishes to guru..LOL

man in painting said...

@satish..
happy you liked it..
LOL..yes..@'REAL'zen lessons..if it is not happening everyday we are all tensed..And when it comes, there is celebration..
Nowadays..To stay happy we need just 'one zen lesson' a day..LOL
Life is so simple..
Thank you buddy..

man in painting said...

@anu
Thank you..
Normally she smiles after each zen lesson..LOL
@alok
happy to know you liked it..thank you..
@rajesh..
Thank you.."blogpoets"..liked it.
will convey your compliments to guru

Anamika said...

proud dad i can see :) loved the last line...

man in painting said...

@vrinda
Proud to be her disciple...
thank you...

Akshay said...

I could never really write like that... My poetry kindda gets depressing..lol..... this one had a "feel good factor"....

Casperbaba said...

Ah! nice thought....
your baby has indeed bestowed her divinity upon you. I bless her with all my heart... i Also pray that this little teacher that you have would always keep teaching you in her own sweet tender genrous ways. I bless your feelings of accepting, unlearning and learning again.

beautifull thought! mirrors and babies can invert all the oomages indeed!

maverick said...

... its true. babies are the real ZEN gurus... didnt Shakspeare say... child is the fater of man... it is a profound feeling to actually accept it and learn. Cheers!!!

man in painting said...

@akshay
thank you.
@casper baba
thanks for the blessings..A smile for a smile..lol
all your wishes will conveyed to guru...

Lakshmi said...

very interesting perspective..and I really liked it

man in painting said...

@maverick
true..each day we expect some new truth to unveil...
will definitely convey your wishes to guru...
Thank you...

Anonymous said...

things that come spontaneous are always better to things that are cooked much. cooking I say, distort thinking delight :)

this is cute, I have a cousin of 4 months and she responds perfectly as if she's understanding all, but then, who knows if she's really understanding it all.

I am glad your baby is growing up :) she'll be walking and running soon and you will be following her. this way or the other way round!

Indrani said...

So she is your new source of inspiration? Great going both dad and daughter.
Beautiful lines!

test said...

hey thnx for the reply to my comment... 'ur best blog buddy'... wow... i feel gr8 to b the friend of a writer like u... i wanted to add u frm the day i read ur poem, "Man in Painting".. but was too lazy to do that though i bookmarked u then... and i did that yesterday...

mystic rose said...

:),

I love it. kisses to the 3 month old.

I was here before, reading.. Im not sure if I left a comment. Thank you for your lovely words. :)

Unknown said...

thats a lovely name.. hope the zen guru is doing good along with her parents :)

Scribblers Inc said...

nice thought dude...
looking beyond the obvious is a talent I envy and try to inculcate.

wishes
Scribblers Inc.

ARUN said...

the metaphor is amusing in a first go. but fades soon. love was yoked to two compass needles (donne): it amused - and stopped at that. a child and a mirror don't share a lot in common.
i just started with your blog.. will take me time to reach you.
wishes
Arun

P said...

:D

Cuuuute!!!

g-man said...

lol really funny :) say hi to guru for me please!

this kinda reminds me of emma and ross singing 'baby got back' in friends :D

Cinderella said...

LOL !! Tis was cute !!

Yeah mirrors and babies are alike, give you one on one and revert it back too....lol !!!

My Unfinished Life said...

nice read....

One more blogger said...

chhoooooo chweet!! loved it! :)

man in painting said...

@.a.
yes..after each milestone,she will learn to forget who she is..She may unlearn it after years..somethimes she will never...
Thank you..
convey my guru's regards and wishes to your cousine guru..
Thank you

man in painting said...

@indrani
true..She is my inspiration...i can see the world through fresh eyes..
thank you..
will convey your wishes to her..

man in painting said...

@mano..
Thanks a lot buddy..
now me too can "walk with my eyes closed"...waiting for your new post..

man in painting said...

@mystic rose..
very very happy you visited this space..Thanks for the fragrance..
guru gifts a smile..
Thanks a lot!

man in painting said...

@ scribblers ink
Life is a great teacher dude..
Thank you..

man in painting said...

@arun
Truth lies naked before me
yet,i run for metaphors..
see the glitter and pick one
to present before my guru
just to get rejected...

what you observed was true..the whole theme of this blog is about real and unreal..about learning and unlearning...

Thanks for the reading...

man in painting said...

@priya
Thanks..
will convey your wishes to guru..
waiting for your new post...
@g-man
Sure..
will convey your love and regards to guru..LOL
guru sends a smile for you..
Thank you..

man in painting said...

@cindrella
Will convey your regards to guru..
Thank you
@Shooting star
Thank you
@geethika
Thank you...

Tara said...

Very cute and sweet poem. The innocence of your Guru just 'reflects' so beautifully!

man in painting said...

@tara
Thank you...
her blessings for you...

Rajesh said...

updated my blog :)...do read it

J' said...

:)
I am sure she is cute too... she sounds like it...

Babies are more observant and intelligent than we give them credit for...

I love the last line...
This was beautiful....

man in painting said...

@j'
she is...all babies are..
will convey your wishes to her..
thank you..

Jo said...

Once again, I'm delighted and intrigued by your work... you inspire me! (and thank you for the uplifting note this morning...)

my inner world said...

that was a lovely one!!!

Nasmira said...

hey
that was sooo sweet...the last line really summed up everything..
and yeah..thx for posting your comment...i've frnds who read nd den post a comment on orkut instead....lol
so it was nice to see that i finally got some kind of recognition..
thx!!!!

Priya said...

Realistic poem which comes from ur heart.

Shruti said...

aing! That's a cool conclusion! :P
By thw way, congratulations! :) u call ur baby Guru? awesome :D

alx said...

wow !!! so so chweeet n cute :)

rauf said...

Hi
A child's smile is the greatest joy on earth. It is quite true that the child becomes our teacher.
And for the child we do our best to become better humans. Please enjoy the company.

Things become absurd when you attach any philosophy. if i am your three month's baby, a zen master, the first thing i would ask you is why did you get married and why did you bring me in to this world. As i grow up i would gather all the junk in my head and will go through the torture of survival. You brought me into this world because you wanted something. you you you.

Its good to talk about zen and pretty absurd to practice it as zen philosophy defeats itself.
The biggest hole in zen philosophy is the 'will to survive'. When you have the will to survive, you me, lallu prasad george bush, we all are back in the rat race. We make our lives less miserable if we enjoy the rat race.

please leave the philosophy alone and enjoy the company of the child.
Its the greatest joy to watch a child grow.
Thank you.

man in painting said...

@jo
thanks..
@ my inner world
Thank you
@clueless
happy to know that you liked it...
you have a wonderful blog..
And thanks for the care..

man in painting said...

@priya
thank you
@sruthi
yes..baby guru..
@alex paul
thank you...
@Rauf
true.
when we start talking about it ,it is not there..
thanks
she gives you 'a smile for a smile'
i am so happy you visited my space...

Ire said...

how quink!

The Sage said...

zen guru is indeed knowledgeable....

vanilla sky said...

Babies and mirrors are alike
both can invert anything!---that was nice :)

Sashu... said...

loved it...! absolutely delightful de zen lesson! :)

RiverSoul said...

Your blog is very original and has in depth views of your subjects.
It would be a great if you give me permission to add your blog to my blogroll.
Hope to hear from you.
Do visit my blog too.
Comments are just as welcome as Rain in the Deserts.:)

Fantasies of a Lifetime said...

awww...thats was a very cute n really sweet post :). .
'Babies and mirrors are alike
both can invert anything!'
lovely line

arunima said...

hey that was a fantastic....
it so cute, funny n thoughtful...
babies really r like mirrors....
beautiful.....

Sushant said...

Liked it..that was amazing to read :)..!!

Reeta Skeeter said...

awww cutes...

Shini said...

must say - nice poetic way of putting things... as they say - "the child is the father of a man"

man in painting said...

@new cynic
Thank you
@marvin
Yes...
thank you
@vanilla sky
happy you liked it...
@Sashu
Thanks a lot..

man in painting said...

@riversoul
sure...and thanx for blogrolling..
your blog is excellent..
@vishnupriya
Thank you..
A smile for a smile..
@arunima
Thank you..
@sushant
happy you liked it..
@reeta
Thank you
@shini
so happy you liked it..
thank you for coming back..
a smile for a smile...

Tara said...

Hey! Found a quote from my quote book. Angela Schwindt says

"While we try to teach children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about"

Mampi said...

So right. They say things and leave us thinking aloud.Yours is not even saying things yet. Expect more soon... :))

The Listener said...

Thts such a lovely post !!
simple and elegant !!

Lena said...

amazing way to see life..
loved the poem :)

man in painting said...

@tara
thanks for the quote
@manpreet
true,i am waiting...
thanks...
@listener
thanks a lot.
@lena
Happy you liked it.
Thanks for coming back...

Aarti said...

Short, sweet and yet so profoiund.. guess we shd all take lessons from the babies and children~~ :)

Amber Light said...

wow! i dont know why I put off coming to visit your blog so much! It is lovely. Beautiful observation - that babies and mirrors invert everything!!!
Thanks for your comments on my blog btw!

the-sagittarian-blogger said...

simply amazing! You've created another masterpiece.

Sweety.

Inside our hands, outside our hearts said...

I think this was very cute, but also a wonderful poem.

It was sweet.

T

man in painting said...

@aarti
they show us what we miss in our lives...
Thank you..
@Amber light
Thanks for the visit...
@sagittarian
Happy you liked it...

Lorraine said...

How special, I enjoyed and chuckled :)

Mampi said...

Tagged You.
Lets see how MIP does it.

man in painting said...

@Lorraine
Thanks a lot...
@mampi
oh!i still have to complete two works..comitted to ani and rajesh...
but still i will do it.
i am sure you will give me more time..LOL

Janice Thomson said...

Loved the humor in your poem Dan. The beautiful innocence of a child not yet tainted by life's hardships is a wonder to behold - and a wisdom to be learned.
Thank you for your wonderful comments.

Anonymous said...

lovely words...you have crafted the moments so beautifully...wonderful!

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

"Babies and mirrors are alike"
-that's a great line!
thank you for visiting my blog - please come back. :)

AshenGlow said...

What a refreshing thought!... yeah.. now thats called going back to the roots... learning from a baby guru.. sure must be a fascinating experience.. Heh.
All ears.. (umm..i mean all eyes)... for more gyan from the zen guru.. :)

The Solitary Writer said...

hey man in painting ...this is really good

btw i liked coming here coz ur blog is awesome.....and i really appreciate the way u manage it

man in painting sees the world....how true is it??
:p

any way i liked this poem and the last two sentences were great



check my blog

http://thesolitarywriter.blogspot.com/

hey if u dont mind .. i am blogrolling you :)

X said...

Short and sweet!
AND 103 COMMENTS?
WHOA!

Sukanya said...

very subtly u've conveyed such a deep meaning.. simply awesome!!

Mute said...

yeah now thats a pack in the puch...nice soft talk to feel better..good work...salute the ZEN!!

Anonymous said...

still waiting for a new post from u :)
i have updated my blog... do visit when u can... also i have changed the blog title... felt old one was a bit too complicated... the url is the same tho...

man in painting said...

@janice thomson
So happy to know that you liked the post..
Thank you...
@Flying stars
Thank you
@andrew
I am so happy that a wonderful writer like you visited my space..
Thanks a lot for your comments...

man in painting said...

@ashenglow
'all eyes'LOL
A smile for a smile..
Thanks
@Solitary writer
Hmm..it can be true..
Truth often lie beyond logic..
Thank you...
@Mihir
'never mind'!
LOL
Thank you..

man in painting said...

@knatchbully hughzscene
Thanks..
@Vinay..
Sure,i will check it..
@Mute
Thanks..
Happy,you liked it.

happyz said...

Nice. hehe thats my new favourite word ..

very well expressed... just like a small baby...

True both can invert anything...

Cheers!!

Rajesh said...

hi...updated my blog...do read it..shud b interesting :)

Sameera Ansari said...

That was sweet! :)

RiverSoul said...

Hey, man in painting,
Would you be so kind as to visit my blog and read my new post?
I have updated it.
Plz be sure to Rate my Posts

GAYATHRI said...

wow!!so cute:)

chitra said...

hi,

Really enjoyed the poem. I am sure your baby is going to have fun listening to your poems!!!

Thanks for visitong my blog and commenting on the same. I truly accept your views , but unfortunately people now a days are stressed and are unable to be creative. Sad plight of society indeed.

Chitra

Sayani said...

thast so beautiful and observative ...babies are bundle of innocence and they teach us to be pure ...
good post !!!

Jo said...

Oh no! Where have you gone to? We miss you!

Jyoti said...

thats cho chweet of new angel

mindbodysoul said...

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Anonymous said...

boss, you're a genius. i'm blogrolling you.