The Good Poetry Project

Hello, Poetry Lovers.
We at ‘The Good Poetry Project’ are celebrating a year of Transcreating and Promoting, meaningful poetry.
Some of these poems; like this one (Fear by Khalil Gibran), are ones we must keep by our side, just in case… which is why we are bringing them back to you in refreshed and renewed ways. We lovingly call them our ‘First Anniversary Issue’.
This is the second one.
‘Darr’, the Hindustani Transcreation I did, is less about fear, and more about defining courage. In our constantly challenging life, it may just be useful to remember what choices a River (Daryaa) has, and how it applies to all of us.
If you missed the first of the ‘First Anniversary Issues’, here it is: https://youtu.be/m7GkurDMrTE (If by Rudyard Kipling | Agar)

As usual, I wish you, Much Sunshine and Laughter, and also, Courage…

Vineet KKN ‘Panchhi’
Curator @ The Good Poetry Project
An Orient Cement ‘Art to Heart’ Initiative

P.S.: To directly receive poetry via WhatsApp please write to Sumedha at +91 73006 45454 | The complete collection is at: www.TheGoodPoetryProject.com

गुज़र गया सो गुज़र गया|© Donna | Hindustani Transcreation|Transcreated by ‘Ambar’ |Read by ‘Panchhi’

Memories are great. They connect us with where we have been. They also connect us to parts of our past that burden us. Everyone has had bad things happen to them in the past. The problem is, some of us also live there. We walk around with our disappointments, our blunders, our setbacks, and our hurts.
To live fully in the present, however, we need to learn what we can from the uncomfortable memories of the past, and then let those recollections go. No one can change the past. What’s done is done and we can’t go back to the past and change the situation. The only thing you can do is to accept it, learn from it and move on and forgive yourself and others.
This week’s poem Changing The Past by Donna and its Hindustani Transcreation by ‘Ambar’ Kharbanda is a great reminder to let the past be, in the past.
Much sunshine and laughter to you,
Team ‘The Good Poetry Project’

P.S.: To see all poems from TGPP, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClxtE3IchYaDcyT2e8ybbgQ

Changing The Past | © Donna | English Original Version | Read by Vineet KKN ‘Panchhi’

Memories are great. They connect us with where we have been. They also connect us to parts of our past that burden us. Everyone has had bad things happen to them in the past. The problem is, some of us also live there. We walk around with our disappointments, our blunders, our setbacks, and our hurts.
To live fully in the present, however, we need to learn what we can from the uncomfortable memories of the past, and then let those recollections go. No one can change the past. What’s done is done and we can’t go back to the past and change the situation. The only thing you can do is to accept it, learn from it and move on and forgive yourself and others.
This week’s poem Changing The Past by Donna and its Hindustani Transcreation by ‘Ambar’ Kharbanda is a great reminder to let the past be, in the past.
Much sunshine and laughter to you,
Team ‘The Good Poetry Project’

P.S.: To see all poems from TGPP, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClxtE3IchYaDcyT2e8ybbgQ

Yesterday was ‘International Women’s Day’. By the time this poem – The Invitation By Oriah Mountain Dreamer, and its Hindustani Transcreation by Niti Gupta, were ready to be shared with you, we realised that our own social media and WhatsApp was full of content that many of our friends had shared.

We decided to wait a day.

“Celebrating women and hoping that someday we will be able to see a just and equal world for them should be a year-round activity”, said Ambar Saab. “Most people do not understand equality…they think it is sameness…we are not similar to men…we are just equal…like the liver and the kidneys…they are both vital to the body.” Added Sumedha.

Atul and Sahil looked on as the discussion became more animated.

Saurabh, who has recently joined us as a camera person then added – “If we treat everyone as human, and consider all humans equal…we will not even need a Women’s day.”

That is then where we left the conversation.

We wish everyone, Women and Men, and all the other sexes, a happy Women’s day again, and hope that within our lifetimes...may we come across a time that we do not ‘need’ a day like this.

Much sunshine and laughter to you,

The Good Poetry Project

#

The Invitation
- Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me
what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for
and if you dare to dream
of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me
how old you are.
I want to know
if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me
what planets are
squaring your moon...
I want to know
if you have touched
the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened
by life's betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know
if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations
of being human.

It doesn't interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes."

It doesn't interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.

बोलो ना!
- Transcreated by Niti Gupta
Read by Vineet KKN ‘Panchhi’

मैं नहीं जानना चाहती कि तुम्हारी रोज़ी-रोटी का क्या ज़रीया है?
मुझे ये बताओ
कि तुम्हारा दिल क्या कहता है!
ख़्वाब देखने की हिम्मत रखते हो?
मन की ख़्वाहिशें पूरी करने का जज़्बा है?

मैं नहीं जानना चाहती कि क्या उम्र है तुम्हारी,
मुझे ये बताओ
दीवाना बनने का जोखिम उठाओगे?
इश्क़ और ख़्वाबों की ख़ातिर
ज़िंदा होने के एहसास की ख़ातिर

मैं क्या करूँगी जान के
तुम्हारे ग्रह और नक्षत्र रुके हैं या चल रहे हैं
ये बताओ
कभी अपने दिल को अंदर से छुआ है

क्या ज़िंदगी की धोखाधड़ी ने
तुम्हें भी घिस-घिस के चमकाया है
या
धीरे चलते हो...किसी दर्द के ख़ौफ़ से
बोलो ज़रा!
आराम से बैठ पाओगे, दर्द के साथ
मेरे या तुम्हारे
बग़ैर छुपाए
बग़ैर भुलाए
बग़ैर सुलझाए
बैठ पाओगे?

अच्छा ये बताओ
ख़ुशी के साथ बैठ सकते हो?
मेरी या तुम्हारी?
क्या नाच सकते हो?
झूम सकते हो?
बग़ैर कल की फ़िक्र के
बग़ैर लोगों के ज़िक्र के
बग़ैर एहतियात के
मामूली होने के एहसास के बावजूद
बोलो ना!
बैठ पाओगे?

मैं नहीं जानना चाहती
कि ये जो कहानी तुम मुझे सुना रहे हो
ये सच्ची है या झूठी
ये बताओ
किसी और को मायूस कर सकते हो
अपने सच की ख़ातिर?

सह लोगे, दूसरों के धोखों के
तुम पर लगाए इल्ज़ामो को?
अपनी रूह से सच्चा रहने की ख़ातिर ?

भूल सकते हो, अपने पुराने वा’दों को
और क़ायदों को ...
नए रिश्तों को निभाने के लिए

बोलो भी...बोलो ना...
क्या तुम्हें ख़ूबसूरती नज़र आती है...
सादेपन में ?
क्या गुज़ार सकते हो ये ज़िंदगी
सादगी से?

बताओ मुझे
जी सकते नाकामियों के साथ?
मेरी या तुम्हारी?
जा पाओगे ...मैदान के दूसरे सिरे तक?
हारने के बावजूद
कर पाओगे नयी शुरुआत?

मैं नहीं जानना चाहती, कहाँ रहते हो
कितना कमाते हो
मुझे ये बताओ
जब ग़म और ना-उम्मीदी की रात गुज़र जाएगी
टूटे बदन और उदास मन के बावजूद
अपने फ़र्ज़ निभा पाओगे?

क्या फ़र्क़ पड़ता है कि तुम कौन हो
और यहाँ तक कैसे आए
मुझे बताओ
आग में, सैलाब में
मेरे साथ खड़े रहोगे ?
बिना डरे
बिना हिले

मैं नहीं जानना चाहती, तुम कितना पढ़े हो,
किसके साथ पढ़े हो
मुझे बताओ, जब सब बिखर-सा जाता है,
तुम्हें क्या-क्या बाँधे रखता है

बोलो ना!
अपने साथ, अकेले रह सकते हो ?
क्या तुम्हें अपनी सोहबत
पसंद है?

बोलो ना! ...

‘It’s too hot.” Said one. “I don’t like the summers…wish it was cooler.” As if our judgement about the weather will make any difference to the temperature outside. We continue complaining about things we do not control. Maybe, it's just ‘venting’. The problem with this kind of thinking is that it solves nothing. What does, however, have influence in our life, is action. Changing the things we control, and accepting things we do not.
‘As You Go Through Life’ by Ella Wheeler Wilcox and its Transcreation by ‘Ambar’ Kharbanda Sa’ab- Jeevan Dhaara, is a gentle reminder for us to adapt.

पानी जिस बर्तन में रख दो वो उसी रूप में ढलता है
बस इसी तरह तुम हो जाओ जीवन की यही सफलता है
It is folly to fight with the Infinite,
And go under at last in the wrestle.
The wiser man shapes into God's plan
As water shapes into a vessel.

Much sunshine and laughter to you.


As You Go Through Life
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Transcreated By- 'Ambar' Kharbanda
Read By- Vineet KKN ''Panchhi'

Don't look for the flaws as you go through life;
And even when you find them,
It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind
And look for the virtue behind them.

For the cloudiest night has a hint of light
Somewhere in its shadows hiding;
It is better by far to hunt for a star,
Than the spots on the sun abiding.

The current of life runs ever away
To the bosom of God's great ocean.
Don't set your force 'gainst the river's course
And think to alter its motion.

Don't waste a curse on the universe--
Remember it lived before you.
Don't butt at the storm with your puny form,
But bend and let it go o'er you.

The world will never adjust itself
To suit your whims to the letter.
Some things must go wrong your whole life long,
And the sooner you know it the better.

It is folly to fight with the Infinite,
And go under at last in the wrestle;
The wiser man shapes into God's plan
As water shapes into a vessel.

जीवन धारा---
जीवन में कमियाँ मत ढूँढो, ये जीवन है अनमोल सुनो
मिल भी जाए यदि कोई कमी तो बेहतर है ख़ामोश रहो

कमियों से ज़ियादा जीवन में जो अच्छा है उसको ढूँढो
कोशिश करके इस जीवन के हर उजले पहलू को देखो

हर काले बादल के पीछे चमकीली रेखा होती है
जो दुःख में भी सुख की आशा के बीज सुनहरे बोती है

सूरज में कितने धब्बे हैं इसकी चिन्ता अब छोड़ो तुम
कुछ नए सितारे भी खोजो, कुछ नए उजाले जोड़ो तुम

जीवन की धारा तो आगे, आगे ही बढ़ती जाती है
इसका प्रवाह कब रुकता है कब रोके से रुक पाती है

तुम इसे रोकना चाहो तो क्या हो पाओगे सफल कहो
बेहतर है इसके साथ चलो, बेहतर है इसके साथ बहो

सृष्टि के अपने नियम हैं ये अपने नियमों से चलती है
तुम चाहो अगर बदलना भी तो भी ये कहाँ बदलती है

तूफ़ानों के आगे ज़िद में अड़ने से आख़िर क्या होगा!
तूफ़ां के आगे झुक जाओ तो फिर सब कुछ अच्छा होगा

पानी जिस बर्तन में रख दो वो उसी रूप में ढलता है
बस इसी तरह तुम हो जाओ जीवन की यही सफलता है

क़ुदरत में दोष ढूँढने के झगड़े-टंटे में मत पड़ना
तुम इससे तालमेल कर लो, आसां होगा आगे बढ़ना

पानी जिस बर्तन में रख दो वो उसी रूप में ढलता है
बस इसी तरह तुम हो जाओ जीवन की यही सफलता है

Why is it so difficult to do what we really love, or love what we do? Why is work so hard for so many people?

The answer, we think, lies squarely in being able to connect ourselves to a ‘purpose’. The big ‘WHY’ in our work. Why do we do what we do… surprisingly it is not always about what our passion is. For example, a parent that looks at work as a way to give her children a better future will find work more meaningful.

In the last few decades, we have, as a culture, started to feel like our work should always represent ‘what we truly love’. That, standalone, can be an extremely risky ideal to meet. It causes more discontentment than happiness. Each of us not doing ‘what we (absolutely) love’ are left to think about what we may be missing.

Hence, purpose! That, all of us can find; and can be spotted in the smiles of those who we care for, and support through our work.

Listen to 'The Streamlet', by James W. Whilt and its Transcreation by ‘Ambar’ Kharbanda (एक छोटी धारा), and tell us how you find purpose in your work.

Like always,

Much Sunshine and Laughter to you.
#

The Streamlet
by James W. Whilt
Read by: Vineet KKN ‘Panchhi’

Tell me little streamlet,
As you onward flow;
Why in such a hurry,
Whither do you go?

The stream slowed up a moment
Within the alder's shade;
"I go to join my brothers,
And of us are rivers made.

We water the hills and meadows,
We turn the mills' great wheel,
We carry logs to the mill-dam,
Where they're cut by teeth of steel.

We furnish power for the motor
That pulls the railroad train;
And after they have used our power,
It is given back again.

So you see we enjoy working,
That's why we laugh all day,
For when one's heart is in one's work,
Why! work is greatest play!
(That's why we laugh all day)

And growing broader and deeper,
We carry ships on our breasts,
'Till at last we reach the ocean,
And there we have time to rest."

एक छोटी धारा
-जेम्स डब्ल्यू व्हिल्ट
Read by: Vineet KKN ‘Panchhi’
Transcreated by: ‘Ambar’ Kharbanda

कहाँ चली! मैंने पूछा नदिया की छोटी धारा से
क्या तेरी मंज़िल है बता, कुछ बोल तुझे जाना है कहाँ
इतनी जल्दी में क्यों है तू, यूँ ही बहती जाती है
जहाँ चली तू, राह तके है तेरा अपना कौन वहाँ
(क्या तेरी मंज़िल है बता, कुछ बोल तुझे जाना है कहाँ)

वो बोली मिलना है मुझे अपनी जैसी धाराओं से
हम सब मिल कर एक नदी के रूप में आगे बढ़ते हैं
दिल में अपने जोश लिए साहस, उमंग से भरे हुए
बिना रुके बढ़ते जाते हम काम निराले करते हैं
(हम सब मिल कर एक नदी के रूप में आगे बढ़ते हैं)

घाटी और पर्वतों को हम पानी जी भर देते हैं
मैदानों की प्यास बुझाने की भी कोशिश करते हैं
हमको देखो हम करते हैं बात तरक़्क़ी की अक्सर
हम लोगों के जीवन को ख़ुशहाली से भर देते हैं

हँसते-गाते मस्ती में हम यूँ ही चलते जाते हैं
अपना काम बख़ूबी कर के सागर में मिल जाते हैं
अगर काम में दिल लग जाए जीवन सफल हुआ समझो
पूरे दिल से काम करें सब, हम सबको समझाते हैं
(अपना काम बख़ूबी कर के सागर में मिल जाते हैं
पूरे दिल से काम करें सब, हम सबको समझाते हैं)