cloudy vision and clear fractures

why do i see clear fractures
despite cloudy vision
today
why can not i have patience
why should molten lawa
be cast in the hopes of my dreams
now, here
why
cant it just flow and acquire its own shape
some how, some time,
let me let all loose
except reins on my
own dreams

dont squat in my way

dont squat in my way
said the pilgrim
but she did not listen
so he tried to pass her over
and then a dilemma arose
will his prayers be accepted in the temple
to where he was headed,
if he did not listen to every devotee on the way
but if he listens,
will he be able to walk,

completed rituals are forgotten

so many remembrances of injustice,
so many homages
will one more prayer flag
please you
o Ma Kaali
i can install it here
just now
but i will not do
that will complete the ritual

and that is the problem
completed rituals are forgotten
till its anniversary
i want you to remember it
and suffer every day
will you?

seeing through scattered fragments of a broken glass

broken glass
of a window
through which a shared vision
no more stands united
fragments have been scattered
by your insistence on
having them obey
your command
of falling all on my side
now that when i walk on them
and my feet bleed
dont offer solace
punishment is due
and will be undergone,
depressive melodies
silent sparkles
few words unconnected
to meanings
that lie wrapped
in the blood
that has oozed from the soles of my feet
dont trace these steps
the way may beguile you
into believing that this journey
has an end in sight
but it has not
and you are not responsible
no body is

sublime surprise

when you got up
from a deep slumber
the other day
you did not rub your eyes
it seemed as if you were awake inside
even if your body slept
and the curtains also
did not indicate
any sign of light creeping into your room
but you still had enough light
may be the crystals in your earrings were sparkling
may be the glow of your spirit was illuminating the room
may be
but why had the darkness in my heart not disappeared still
why did i lack faith
in the invincible light
and lingering aroma
of an extinguished lamp
in which burnt the oil of flowers
growing in your garden,
which used to be mine too
once

black cat, crossing the way

dont feel tired, said the black cat to the squirrel
you have to go far
very far
so far that i may not even be recognisable
if ever i cross your way
remember to ignore
that
unlike many superstitious people
i know
you will rather wish
that i cross your path time and again
so that all the bad omens come your way
and you can stay where you are
but that is not what i wish
so walk on,
walk on

when the whistles of wind are not heard

there was a time
when we heard the whistles
even before the wind blew them
while passing by our door
but now, the echo has been silenced
and that seems to
settle
the old row
over whose door
was visited by the whistling wind
more irresistingly
by the wind untamed

dissipated clouds

filtered smiles
dissipated clouds
dont try to be nice
the truth must be spoken
the torn corners of a book
are still there,
with all the pages intact
some pages have no more
the text i wrote,
ink has faded
but has it meant
the meanings have also evaporated,
dont know
the fissures in faint smiles
are unable to confess
what is writ so large
on the sky
in which we flew
like unhinged birds
that day

released but

Release
Asked the germ,
Coats loosened their embrace
And let the germ go
Till it grew enough to bear more seeds
Every time
Hopes are sown
The dust gathers imprints
Of decay and despair
Of the envelops in which
Moist eyes of a tall tree
Wraps memories
Of its promises of nurturing
All its seeds with the same love
Even if some never germinated
Now you declare release
Of course you must grow beyond
The confines of coats of seeds
Shawls of serenity
That can only give warmth when tied closely
But release you must have
Else elephants will not cross
Through the narrow corridor
That’s left in the denuded forest
To escape from the
Fire
That has been raging
Ever since you sought release
From the confines of confidence
That dreams mattered
Long term dreams of making a difference
Mattered
But they still mean a lot to me
And will always do
SO what if few wrinkles
Adorn the scarf
That I had offered to maa kaali
Who has for some time
Not spoken to me
But dares me
All the time
To renounce and release
All the desires
And bonds of expectations
I had somehow begun to have
From myself
But no more
No more
All the smoke
Of unburnt desires
Will vanish
Tears from our eyes will wash
All stains of smog
That covered our eyes
So long
No more
No more
Go away
O warmth of the fire
In the cold night
I don’t need you
Because I have no more seeds left to
Germinate
And be released from
The expectations
Of boundless space
Left uncovered now
Between your sky
And my deeply dug resting place