Voices Within: Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy

Padmaja Iyengar-Paddy is currently the Hon. Literary Advisor of The Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati. She is also on the Advisory Panel of ISISAR, Kolkata. Her maiden poetry collection ‘P-En-Chants’ has been recognized as a Unique Record of Excellence by the India Book of Records for its never-before-attempted movie reviews and management topics presented in rhyming poetry. She has compiled and edited 5 international multilingual poetry anthologies, two of which – Amaravati Poetic Prism 2016 & 2017, have been recognized by the prestigious Limca Book of Records. The latest 2018 edition has 1111 poems in 107 languages by over 630 poets from 76 countries. Paddy is a recipient of SETU-2018 Award for Excellence (Special Mention-Individual), the title of “Distinguished Literary Personality” by Vishwabharati Research Centre / Sahitya Anand, India and Ambassador De Literature from Motivational Strips for her contributions and service to literature.

LOW MOOD - GHAZAL

Gone is the brightness from the inner self aglow

Everything seems so dark when the mood is low

Like the candle on a burn out and a death slow

Life seems to be slipping off when the mood is low

Thoughts caught in constant ebb and irregular flow

Mind unable to think straight when the mood is low

“This too shall pass” adage seems really hollow

Everything seems so shallow when the mood is low

Depression troops in to deal me a solid blow

Ennui and fatigue set in, when the mood is low

Hopelessness follows everywhere like a shadow

Oh ‘Paddy’! Nothing seems right when the mood is low

PRAYER

Can I become good after branding someone bad?

Can I really be happy after making someone sad?

Can I jump in joy after I ensured another’s fall?

Can I ever smile after I ensured another’s troll?

Can I feel liberated after slyly ensnaring another’s freedom?

Can I call myself smart after questioning another’s wisdom?

Can I really become popular by snatching another’s fame?

Can I call myself human after demeaning another’s name?

Oh God! Let these questions be forever my guide,

In the choices I make and path of my life I decide.

BALANCE

Life needs to be led

With a sense of balance

Much like a beautiful,

Perfectly sized valance.

No need to run when

It is enough to walk

No need to splutter when

Needed is a quiet talk.

Likewise, in spending

Needed is prudence

Excessive indulgence

Can lead to repentance

Begin with small investments

With due research and caution

That will enable you

To lay a strong foundation.

Rarely if ever, be a borrower

If one, try to quickly repay

Edifices built on unpaid loans

Often crumble and decay…

One step at a time is a lesson

To be always borne in mind

To remain steady and solid,

And to happiness and peace find

HEY, CHILL!

Some people carry a chip on their shoulder,

As if they are carrying some huge boulder.

Smile away cares and move on,

And ensure all worries are gone.

Hey, chill! Transfer grudges to trash folder.

The more we worry, we are beset by worry;

Issues usually cannot be resolved in a hurry.

So, go relax and take a chill pill,

To let composure your being fill.

Self-pity, hatred, and all hatchets, just bury.

Voices Within - Complete List of Poets :: Setu, January 2019