Saturday, 5 August 2017

Moss


















Mine is the oldest room of the house,
It has come to smell of an age now.
In the back wall, years of seepage
Seems to have been arrested in time;
Covered with season upon season of moss.
Blue green patches here and there
Give way to slivers of faded beige paint.

For the past few minutes, off my work
My eyes have been held by these
Seemingly formless stains.
A bounding rabbit here,
Breezy boughs of the banyan there.
A corner appears to be a green Kashmir
While a camel trudged tired along the floor.
As if that verdant moss had painted
Her entire imagination on that old back wall.
It’s unlikely that the moss is aware of this,
Perhaps she did it all instinctively.
It’s in her nature after all, to trail moisture
And keep growing with it.

For a moment though, imagine
What if she too is aware, sentient
Breathes like we do, wonders like we do,
Emotes just like us, imagines just like us.
Perhaps like a little child- innocent, unbridled,
Speaking her mind, doing as she feels.
Such fun it must be to shape one’s fantasies
Just as pleased, sans any inhibitions,
Unhesitant, express one’s inner being
For everyone to see;
No shame, no restrictions nor any fear;
Living life only on one’s own terms.
As if all world’s a stage, and one’s playing
One’s best part, with such passion and immersion,
Unaware of everything but that moment with the self,
Beyond any applause or critique.

How I wish
To be just like that moss,
With a back wall of my own,
Splashed with the soaring hues of
My unshackled spirits.


---------------------------------------------



Friday, 23 June 2017

Rascal!!















She hasn’t yet arrived
And already speaks of leaving.
All I could do was
To just sit on that high wall
Reading her text after text.

‘It’s been quite late, isn’t it?’

‘Been waiting since long?’

‘Am just on my way!’

‘I couldn’t help it...
Was confused about which saree should I wear!’

‘It’s the chrome, green bordered one...you’d like that won’t you?

‘I got to be back home by 6; Ma’s home today.
Any later, she’ll be suspicious.’

‘We made chikki* today!!!!!’ Will bring you some tomorrow. 
You’ve never tasted my cooking after all!’

‘Sitting on a wall today, you Rascal!
How am I to climb it up in my saree?!’

I jumped down smiling to myself.
The watch was merely 5 minutes away
Before it had to reach 6.
She appeared elegantly mature in saree,
Till the moment her smile broke out,
Eclipsing her maturity
With a priceless naughty blush.

She sat down on the lawn just there,
I walked towards her.
Amidst the fresh green grass
A bright sunny blossom in full bloom.
She held my hand firmly in hers
Soon as I sat down next to her.
Trailing her dainty fingers tenderly
Across my tremulous fingertips, she said-

“Rascal!! Now come on, drop me back home!”


Saturday, 27 May 2017

A Muse, if ever...





Deep
    Black lake,
    Inky night,

    Your eyes.

Steady
    Warm sigh,
    Deep light,

    Your gaze.

Bloom
    Spirit touch,
    Tender red,

    Your lips.

Caressing
    Warm moon,
    Tender rain,

    Your smile.

Stealing
    Coy dawn,
    Hued thrill,

    Your blush.

Sweet
    Chaste dew,
    Honey gold,

    Your voice.

Listening
    Steady wisdom,
    Eloquent whims,

    Your speaking.

Shy
    Tremulous lips,
    Halting breath,

    Your whispers.

Enchanting
    Nectar notes,
    Fragrant stay,

    Your singing.

Reveals
    Silk wave,
    Ink locks,

    Your hair.

Porcelain
    Cloud step,
    Dainty fair,

    Your feet.

Hold
    Sure warmth,
    Soft promise,

    Your hands.

Sure
    Pure belief,
    Waiting fire,

    Your touch.

Primal
    Pacific expanse,
    Rhythmic vigour,

    Your heartbeats.

Unhesitant
    Heady light,
    Tender true,

    Your kisses.

Flaming
    Giving desire,
    Willing dive,

    Your passion.