Category: poetry

how do i clarify
why was i sleepy
when you were telling the story
abhimanyu
was listening
in my womb
not knowing that my sleep
delayed for so long, so often
because you know why
will not let him live for long
what could have i done,
i carry the guilt for so many centuries
and every time
i feel sleepy
the face of abhimanyu asks me
to clarify
how do i tell him
i did not know
i still do not know
how do i defy
you
O lord

soak the time, tame the tide

said the happy squirrrel,

without any reservation or pride

i did not know

how do i soak the moments

which are laced with the smiles

of the time that i wish

i had by myself all the while

but alas, i am

not allowed

to seek

the solace that sustains

my quest for peace

i have to run, and run again

so that tide does not carry

the boat anchored in the sea

i am quiet, u too remain quiet

who knows in the silence

will speak

the spirits in balance

you are a big river

wanting to meet only the sea

but have no reservations

on assimilating the small streams

i am a rivulet

just flowing in this season

may dry up tomorrow or next day after

will you let me

be part of you

so that all the vapours in the sky

soak the time

tame the tide

and leave a trail

for some one to follow

who has no faith in future

or past

but has a desire to cast

a shadow of his love

on every step

of this stair

where sages have walked

but afraid of despair

mind is restless
and body is tired
the boat has survived
but the river is in spate
still,
you ask me to forget
and focus only on future
but then there are images
hidden in the clouds in the sky
if i see the sky
i get restless
and when i keep eyes below
i remember
all the stories you narrated
all the songs you sang
all the poories you fried
and all the arguments
you decided not to have
why do not i just rest
less in the shade
and more under the sun

i am the explanation
said the sparrow
and went on with her search
for a nest full of comfort
that can not be guaranteed
but prayed for,
that can be designed but not delivered
after all
rims of an old cart
are rusted
when the cart stays still
make it run
so what if you forget when to stop
where to stop

the  tree has been pruned,
termites are invited to a feast
they can stay as long as they wish
or make me their home
to keep them alive, i will die slowly
and slowly
till they pulverize me
and then will grow some flowers
which you will not have any hesitation
in picking and give to your love
you can wait that long
or help me die sooner and
have your flowers grow faster

whistle slowly, the birds are chirping outside,
do not be so happy, do not laugh loudly
who knows the squirrel
may be in conversations with the ants
who speak so feebly
why is the cat
black one, i mean
scaring the birds
has the space been squeezed
or the winter
has left only a few sunny spots
to be shared among all
in the shade of tall trees

i see you struggling

every day

some time you limp and

some day you fall

but it does not dilute

your resolve to carry on

with

the burden of my inability

to be around every time

you need to pause and wait and see

how the sun has risen today

with hopes and glee

is a pain i lived with

so far
but hope that i will soon be absolved

when you will smile

with a new poise

and i may be around

or no more at all

but you will carry on

with your missions

to serve

all those i wanted to

but could not enough

life has peaks and some expected trough

forgive me o deity of devotion

if only i had served you

a bit more than i could

may be any good deed that i did

will enable you to walk

straight without ever having to skid

but do  listen to the talk

of  sparrows, and mayenas

and squirrels i could feed

thanks to your benevolence

i will always admire

no matter what any one may say

or desire

when friends could not understand

and the foes defied

the boundaries of my affection

no body could hide

i have always shared my

only treasure i had

lots of love without

any expectation of returns

i will go away

and you will have to carry

the legacy of this love

which illuminates the way

of all those who

time did not permit

to rise and be raised

like the priveleged stars in the sky

but you have to burn and dissolve

no matter what is the resolve

of those who will despise you

what will remain

is the light of a small candle

that you light in the darkness

some can live with in their hearts

but some can not handle

kaali:

pl forgive those who suspect your benevolence

i have never held a grudge against any one

who defaced your footprints

burried the memories of your kindness

and erased the mark of vermillion from

the pipal tree,

or an abandoned stone,
a broken boat;

why should i grudge

the debris of demons

you really destroyed

in me and in all those who are unable to

assimilate the essence of your kindness

you have taught me to forgive and

i have forgiven

you told me to bless

and i bless

why do then some have

such hatred in their heart

will not you bless them

and let them be in peace

why should not they be able to grow and greet

all strangers

and the friends

with ever goodness and benign benevolence

your apparent indifference may be a time of trial

for truth and transparency

that only few can admire

i pray like ever before

do not worry, do not budge

just be there for all those who

need you

more than me,

i will suffer and still sustain

devotion to not only those i know

but also towards the perfect strangers

one we do not yet know and

can never know