Bazaar

Pals stride a few miles, she follows them

Through the lanes and by-lanes of bazaar

Spirited shops all at display

Of their finest masks and hoods

They pick a few and wear with aplomb

She gazes at new strangers so close

All smiling cold but sulking deep

Steaming pots curdling simper

Those sans mask wander alone

Through the highways of desert

Spreading affection and silken red strings

Soon to be lost in maze picking up veils

To breathe and live, to walk a few steps

Through the lanes and by-lanes of bazaar

Conversations- 13

“She may say a thousand chapters to the world. But it means nothing if you don’t hear a word. She may paint blue and green oceans. But it means nothing if you don’t add a drop. She may stumble and fall and be picked up a million times. But it means nothing if you don’t lend your hand. She may sing an album. But it means nothing if you don’t contribute your lyrics. She may think a forest of ideas. But it is all worthless if you don’t approve. She may dance a ballad. But it means nothing if you don’t lilt. She may walk a thousand miles. But it means nothing if you are not along. She may hear the cacophony of the concrete. But it means nothing if she can’t decipher your silence.”

The lone Mynah whimpered to the indifferent Moon about the starry-eyed Earth.  

Story

Fast paced road, Frail footsteps

Strong gusts of wind, Withered wings

Imminent darkness, Flickering candle

Devilish whip, Effete flesh

Boiling blood, Wax nerves

Stormy sea, Tattered mast

Tough Almighty, Faltering prayers

Mid Summer

If no grain then why this hunger?

If no drop then why this thirst?

If there is no road then why this journey?

If there is no balm then why this hurt?

If no words then why this conversation?

If no answers then why these questions?

If there is no moon then why this night?

If there is no sky then why these wings?

If there is no rose then why these thorns?

If there is no shoulder then why these tears?

If there is no saviour then why this storm?

If there is no companion then why this loneliness?

Finally

Finally,

Autumn ceased with sprouting leaves

Wet eyes paved inroads for gleaming smiles

Harsh sun ushered in soothing rains

Parched lands renewed with tender harvest

Dark tunnels shimmered with holy light

Finally,

Silence broke with soulful words

Doubts culminated into breathing hope

Stillness rejoiced with frenzied dance

Faulty blindness faded with clear vision

Loneliness blossomed with togetherness

Safari

Lying on languid grass under the tree

Watching the nearby streams hum

Grasshopper hopping over bushes

Cricket singing in lost wilderness

Why the urge to get up and ploy?

Why to lift the bag and hit road?

To head for the ruthless city

To give up peace for deafening life

Counting drops melt from candle

Listening to tangy stories of stars

Breathing scarlet roses in backyard

Rhododendrons swaying with Gulmohar

But far off land sheepishly harks

To return where it all starts

Chase waves again on longish seas

Till ship embarks on placid shores

July Tale

When the petals fell apart

Cusp clenched Rose together        

Shores braced drops warm               

As waves ebbed in reflux

When the dove fumbled                             

Moon succoured with lyrics

Winds wiped them awash

As grass sweated in sun

When clouds floundered in dim

Stars glistened purlieu stark

You wove her tussore texture

As she lost her notched yarn