INSOMNIAC @ ISB

(A re-rendition of INSOMNIAC)

I look out the rooftop, much like an HBS protagonist,

to view a chequered board of black and white.

A disarrayed bunch of knights and pawns, pausing their 'game'

for a convivial evening together in the moonlight.

I see majestic structures of sandstone all around,

dotted with guiding lights and welcoming doors. 

Separated by elegant green-yellow tree canopies,

which shadow cohabitant peacocks, snakes and boars.

I hear the faint strumming of an acoustic guitar,

punctuated with the sound of laughter and applause.

And the gentle whisper of the wind singing along,

as it slips through the atrium's deftly pillared jaws.

I smell the scent of tulips in the cool midnight breeze
transmitting the energy of a hundred high-spirited friends.
The aroma of chocolate and vanilla adorning birthday cakes
crafted beautifully to celebrate prevailing campus trends.

I have indeed been robbed this time, for I now have no sleep.
Even as this last fateful night draws to a hurried close.
As the robbers flee from sight, I realize - they are none other
than the crimson sky, the flowing lawns and the lovely ISB folk.

~Arnav

CHEERIO'ZS' !

It was the summer of 2011,
when I was still a young engineer
who dreamt of changing the world
by starting with an interesting career.

I joined ZS as an analytics associate
with unkempt hair and shoes devoid of shine.
To fight the monotony of SAS and VBA,
I doodled in the NEO to pass my time.

The doodles couldn't stay for long;
my first project was quite intense.
It took a lot of midnight coffee shots
until things finally started to 'make sense'.

Thus began my stint with forecasting,
as a cog in a small and specialized pod.
Over time the cogs grew in number,
and my role progressed to more than I'd thought.

It was fun to meet and know so many people
spread across the US, Asia and Europe.
While India was a stage for PD and fun,
Frankfurt gave me presents beyond hope.

The years have hurried past on time entry sheets
teaching me different things along the way.
From the pyramid principle to the concepts of business,
from teaching at Neev to being Toastmaster of the day.

It's the spring of 2015, when I look into the mirror;
my hair is in place and my shoes have their shine.
While training an audience on Excel and VBA,
I no longer doodle to pass my time.

I thank you all for bringing in me this change
as managers, mentors, peers and friends.
For helping me through 'urgent' deliverables,
for your company in the office and in various events.

The dream of changing the world still stands,
but now waits patiently at the end of b-school.
Hence I shall now take my leave of you all,
hoping we meet again when I'm a little more cool. :P

Ciao,
Arnav.

INSOMNIAC

I see a crescent of white shining in the heavens,

engulfed in an embroidered black blanket of stars.
Watching over the land as a silent guardian,
frowning at humankind's never-ending wars.

I see giants of concrete staring at me from everywhere;

their empty eyes glinting with tiny little lights of hope.
Standing still and solemn on deserted boulevards,
unaware of the shadows that move within their folds.

I hear the cricket chirping persistently in the silence;

hidden in the darkness that cradles fragile homes.

And the sound of wind rustling through mahogany leaves,

gently whistling a lullaby as the wearied city snores.

I inhale the scent of flowers in the midnight air,
laced with broken whiffs of steel and dust.
I smell the despair of a prolonged summer
praying for rain to heal earth's barren crust.

I can feel the night robbing me of slumber
like an evil sorceress relishing sadistic thrill.
Do what it may, I'm going to dream
as soon as I close my eyes against its will.

~ Arnav