Prabha Raj

New York, New York

My parents and teachers instilled in me a love for poetry. I draw inspiration from nature, everyday life and world events. I experiment with Haiku also. I am a distinguished member of the ISP. In 1994 my poem "Life" was a 3rd prize winner in the North American Open Poetry Contest! In 1995 I was honored as an International Poet of Merit. My poems have been published in the NLP anthologies. I have also contributed a poem to the world's largest poem for peace. I'm a graduate of the Delhi University and had been a school teacher for some years. I believe that the warp of life is nature and humanity twined together. I dedicate my poems to my parents, teachers and all near and dear.

Mother

Watch her, as she
Sits and knits.

As pair of needles
Criss cross,
I see her thoughts
Setting her wrinkles
To play.

The moment she completes
The picking of stitches,
Her wrinkles
Erase out.

I call it
The juxtaposition of
Mind and sentiment.

View From My Window

A spirit stirred within me,
A serene mood prevailed,
I opened my window and found
Sunshine splashed all the way.

My eyes rested on the mosaic
That nature had painted for me;
The verdant greens, the blue skies,
The chirpy birds and busy bees.

I stood rooted to the spot,
Watching, a horse and a foal,
When I felt something miraculous
Elevate my feelings, mind and soul.

Whenever I want to plus my joy,
Or watch a galloping doe;
I just come and stand where
I can have a view from my window.

Ode to Suu Kyi

Salute to thee! Daughter of Aung San.
Suu Kyi the indomitable spirit;
An awakened soul, dedicated to play
The role of a pathfinder for
The beleaguered people of Myamar.

Your silence rends the air.
The rumblings of your mind
Shake and rattle us, making
The world more aware
Of Sun Kyi, who dares to fight
In silence, the slurs and violence.

You're not alone in your fight,
The world brethren backs you with might
You authored Freedom from fear,
Robed in valour had sown
The seed for a new dawn.
With victory near,
At the threshold of a new epoch
You are emerging as a
Maha - Atma.