notes to Aarav


will you trust
that every evening
i asked Kaali
how did your day go today
i am aware
the echoes of my prayers will reach
the steps of the temple
where you pray
we pray
she prays

whispers in the air


i heard some whispers
last night
the drops of intermittent rain
seemed a bit unsettled
the queue was long
at your altar, O Kaali
but i waited
till
whispers in the air
told me your wish
and i turned back
i had to meditate more

those words, just words

did i ask
even if you did not tell
the long shadows
short changed memories
the crawling insects
on the fissured barks
of a lone tree
in a moonlit night
did not eat all that they could
they were persuaded
that some had to be left
for burning the funeral pyre of
those words
just words
i had heard on that night
when creative urges
and boundless energy
were strewn all around

Let white ants fertilise the roots of that tree

why do i remember you so much
O kaali

why are clouds feeling so compelled to rain
only in a garden too far from here
why are winds so anxious to sway all the dried leaves
away from my garden
why can not white ants fertilize roots of the tree
under which i prayed for your coming back
what has happened to the curtains in my window
they dont even make a pretense of covering my tears
will you still come back O Kaali