One day, I opened my window
to see children playing below.
But alas, the showers came
the rain god got the blame.
As the sparrows wet in vain
the waters flooded the lane.
The kids roared like insane
while parents took their canes.
They heard their mothers calling
followed by the lightning falling.
This time they yielded with pain
sadly, I shut my window pane.
I took off fast on my horse
when I saw the forest on fire
You, who had ventured deep
amidst the pines, a while ago
dried as they were in the heat
scorching it was, this summer
a fire had started somewhere
had built itself now into a crown.
The logs of timber reduced to tinder
the horse though nervous did speed
through streaks of fire amid crashing pine
the dense smoke had made us to wheeze
wasn’t getting difficult for us both
could we surrender to the elements?
when you were there somewhere
lost yet near, waiting to be found.
As we gate crashed the rising flames
we did spy a patch of grass where
you were seen lying unable to move
with a heavy branch having fallen
that felled you as it came down
Tying the rope to the half burnt log
I asked my dear steed to back off
And then was, the tinder got moved.
I pulled dear you from underneath
Just as the fire seemed to engulf us all
‘Down you kneel’ I cried out to the horse
Helping you who could not now stand
to mount the stallion who was once
a part of a long forgotten battalion
then I jumped on to the stirrup
And how we sped, only the Lord knows.
With the fire singing on our heels
He stopped only when we were out
of the woods which had caught fire
But it kindled the lost love in us
never any fire can burn it down
nor the earth can engulf us down
partners we were, we will remain
Till these burnt woods remain…
The kid on the balcony was looking out at a bunch of twigs on fire
apart from that, what would enliven her otherwise sultry afternoon?
the cool wind gushed through the trees dousing out the feeble fire
people started hurrying, sun scampering, as the place turned dark.
She looked up wondering what was it that caused it, an eclipse?
her sight met dark clouds now gathering fast from all quarters
full of moisture, laden by weight, not knowing if they could continue
or should they stop awhile and lighten their load of life giving water?
In full array, they came and converged in a circle around the place
it would now rain at any moment, the girl thought, with sheer joy
She ran down the stair rails to enjoy the first rain of the season
the monsoon had arrived with all paraphernalia, ready to deliver.
The streak of lightening greeted her as her feet touched the ground
thunderclaps resonated notifying that the act was about to start
army of clouds now started to pour their oblations upon the place
this ritual always appeared in time to drench her, so she thought…
There never was and never will be
any one dear to me as you were
but it took long years to know it
now that you are no more with me
How will I reciprocate the feeling
that now criss crosses my mind
now that you are not there…
It took years for the love to mature
just as good old wine with sweetness
that fermented and lingered
How can I now raise a toast to you
to commend you on your support
etching those memoirs in my mind
now that you are not there…
When I was born
was it not a day
that all would celebrate
to know it was the day
I was born to live life Carefree.
A few decades passed
then I would celebrate
as we became mature enough
to know it was the day
We were re-born to re-live life.
Another few decades passed
was it not a day to explore
that I would love and yet fear
to know it was the day
that sounded the chime of death…
A group of clouds came from nowhere
filled with water, they turned to a shower
it is rainy days here again, remarked some
kids left their games and did a rain dance
whatever was left to dry now taken inside
whatever needed to be wet was put outside
the rain drenched and washed the stench
bringing its own perfume that was earthen.
The clouds could now be seen fast receding
a child looked up to see them now flying away
what other task you have, to go soon so fast
please stay and pour some more water on us
in our hearts and to fill our pots and wells
No dear, we have other places to water well
and we better not be late, whispered the cloud
as he sped away to catch up with the others…
On World Poetry day, here is my contribution for my readers:
When it simmers in the summer
as it freezes in the winter
when it floods during the rains
as it dislocates during landslides.
When it pours lava from volcanoes
as boats gets capsized in swollen rivers
when the earth shakes during a quake
as an epidemic swallows a community.
When hunger and thirst is rampant
as there is no pay after work
when there is no food to buy
as there is no shop in sight.
When you get ransacked by robbers
and animals take off your dear ones
while there is no water to drink
as the light goes out of your sight.
While the limbs get distraught
as the organs in the body fail you
when fire engulfs homes and dreams
then a disease lays you low.
That is when you think of Him
who though appears nowhere to be seen
still watches over you, to see
how you conduct yourself
when life’s woes befall you …
I grow straight up as years go by
from where I can see you below
while trying to eke out a living
going nuts with pressures in life.
The bark, the fronds, the husk
the nut flesh, the water and oil
do know I got everything to offer
as food or fuel to run your life.
Taste the milk from the nuts
enjoy the pure coconut water
you can eat the sweet ripe flesh
all you need to help preserve yours.
While stranded on a beach
waiting for help to arrive soon
pray to get an instance of me nearby
have the sense to break open the fruit.
To feed your thoughts and good self
do plant my seedlings and see me grow
you won’t be disappointed ever in life
for the Lord did make our lifespans equal.
The Nation of a billion
with cultures a zillion
with millions in bullion
emblem with multi lion
women with vermilion
currencies in trillion
army always in battalion
with many a medallion
scooters rode on a pillion
the nation of many a lion.
I wish all my Indian readers , a Happy Independence Day!
Tinker of the milk man whose tampering
has broken daily, fresh water records.
The chime of the fruit seller cart where
the fruits were painted in the morning.
The gas cylinders unloaded nearby when
you had ordered one, a fortnight ago.
The newspaper thrown at your door by
the boy who vanishes into thin air daily.
The school bus honking, when the lunch
of kids is still made by the half-maid.
The laundry man dropping your clothes
wearing them before he returns to you.
The fish monger who pedals his bicycle
with lot of fresh ice in his long dead fish.
The lime pickle vendor with his jarring
having a mix of all except those lemons.
The mat seller who dusts his rugs for you
claiming the dust was picked in Kashmir.
The fire engine arriving at the front door
to contain raging fires at the back door.
The crows cawing out for their daily food
Voice of a city, a craving now, left in life.
Perceptions 