Poet

1978 (May)

Mt Nanda Devi Base Camp

Garhwal Himalayas, 

India.

Do you believe in myth of paradise

in lores of fairies dwelling in skies

Behold your soul in solitude’s grasp

watch the mountain in dawn’s clasp

hear the brook on meadow's breast

nourish your sense in heaven’s rest

Behold the sight and stop the time

watch the eagle soaring high in sky

listen to the bird’s entrancing tune

on lofty ledge under harvest moon

Witness the ibex running on ridge

follow the sheep crossing the bridge

mark the changing colours of sky

vivid hues through clouded highs

Behold the time let your soul admire

let bliss arrive let the Earth inspire

let the myth leave your wondering eye

your heaven lies here beneath the sky

- Neel

1979 (Sep)

Mt Panwali Dwar Base Camp

Kumaon Himalayas, 

India.

Over six hours I am still climbing

slowly dragging my rope behind

struggling over the craggy slopes

blistered ankles and frozen toes

Tearing winds and endless snows

all is white and nothing more

cloud of snow and a loud thunder

it's an avalanche and I am under

I dig my ice-axe into freshly snow

I made a blunder I did not know

wrapped in snow I tumbled down

in tons of snow I began to drown

End was near I gasped for breath

buried in snow I was facing death

I smashed on rock and broke a rib

tossed by avalanche I lost my grip

Flung like a stone at mountain’s will

I lay there helpless shocked and still

hurt and rattled and brave no more

my body shattered and tears poured

I tried to stand but fell down again

losing hope I felt disabled and lame

a voice whispered, "Neel rest a bit,

wait for rescue, let hope beguile”

Through the night of ghostly winds

I faced the dark while yetis grinned

morning came but no one arrived

I thanked the creator that I survived

I had no excuse to give up and yield

regaining my courage I took to field

despite of my pain I stood up strong

grateful for lessons mountain taught

- Neel

2009 (Apr)

Air-Flash Club Hanger

Aéroport Amiens Glisy,

France.

Ease back the throttle now let her go

let her engine hum in soothing flow

cruising up in sky she is 1800 ft high

check the instruments and let her fly

Gaze from cockpit on the land below

matchbox hamlets with houses few

tighten your belt reset her trimmer

hold 70 knots and savour your view

Bank her ailerons and take one turn

press the pedal hold her rudder firm

reverse the ailerons she banks again

touch of elevator she levels again

Headphones crackle a voice I hear

“Neel come in to land, runway clear“

long and straight the airstrip appears

realign her now let the strip come near

Hold her rudder with touchy strokes

cut back on throttle and hold her yoke

feel her descend with graceful charm

align over runway with steady calm

Let her sink let the strip get closer

flare her elevator let her touch down

flight circuit complete back on ground

taxi her to hanger and return to town

- Neel

1993 (Oct)

Laussane,

Rue Saint-Roch,

Switzerland

Off Lac Léman’s scenic shore,
I saw a girl called Jade
Tall and fair with an Alpine flair,
I watched her riding the waves.

Sunlight clung to her shapely figure,
her blond hair tossed like strings 

She leaned back daring the gravity,
her white sail speeding through wind.

She tore the air with a hissing sound,
her mastfoot holding the sail tight
I sat there watching stunned and still,
but soon she vanished from my sight.

Sky was blue and the sun was bright, 

it was hard to spot her in the glare

then I saw ‘Jade’ written across a sail

and suddenly I knew she was there.

An unruly seagull landed next to me,
I offered it a chunk of Gouda cheese

but my hungry mind was struck on her,
it kept imagining her gorgeous appeal.

Blonde and bold a seductive girl,

my heart and soul both admired

but I lost sight of her on Lac Léman,

while my heart kept nursing her desire.

Seagull returned to its flock on lake,

but that girl did not leave my mind

the sun went down and it got dark,

but the sailing girl I could not find.

I strolled back to Rue Saint-Roch,

where I had booked my Hôtel

I went to my room but could not sleep,

so I wrote her the poem as farewell.

- Neel

2007 (Oct)

Infinity Hill (Home)

DLF City III, Gurugram.

India

Ray of sun on a dew drop

gleaming sparks abound

divine’s magic unfolding

painting zion on ground

Ladybird takes off again

spreading wings in ecstasy

butterfly dancing in gusto

halting the flow of time

Two creatures hover on grass

seeking to land on lavender

dew drop in the morning still

making our spirit surrender

Ray of sun on a dew drop

filling my soul with wonder

a radiant marvel of divine

glitters below the lavender

- Neel