Time

I sit at my Ammi’s(mother’s) knee
As she winds her fingers through my hair
Encasing it in fragrant oil
An old radio, then new
Thrums out age old movie songs
So well-known that
My lips move in tune
And my fingers drum the beat
On the cold cement floor
Watching Achchi (grandma) cook
In the then stove less kitchen
Spices waft through the air
Out the doorway
A man is breaking coconuts
As Seeya (grandpa) supervises
And baby squirrels play tag
On the branches of mango trees
Whose leaves float to the ground 
On the wings of the evening breeze
And in the distance I hear
The sound of the metal gate
Unhinged, then close again
Thathi’s (Dad) come home, I smile
Getting up on my small feet, ready to run
Ammi tries to hold me back, my hair’s undone
 But the anticipation of the sweets
In his pockets too great to resist
And I break free and fly to his arms

Time moves……………. Too fast

Now I sit within my room
Penning these words
As tears threaten to fall
Through heated eyes
That still gazes through 
The windows of the past
I hear my mom cooking
In a kitchen full of appliances 
She hums a lone to music
She loves from the days of old
As I gaze outside the door 
To see, trees no more
But walls so high to hide from neighbors' sight
Dad’s paper floats down to the ground 
On the breeze created by mechanical wings
As he rests - I earn my own sweets now
Each of us trapped in thoughts of our own
We become civilized they say
So refined that we built boxes to trap our minds in
But the spirit remembers
What the souls yearn for 
A vibrant, loving and carefree past

Oh time! You simply moved too fast.

My Country, My home

Misty mountains and bone-chilled roads

Tropical beaches and salty seas

A mere hours ride apart

Makes up this place called home to me

On one hand an ancient building

That survived the ravages of war

On the other stands another temple

Like a beacon of hope for peace for all

To the north, ragged lands that no more thrives

Only palm trees riddled in bullet holes survives

Grand homes lie vacant covered in shrubbery

Even ghosts refuse to haunt, too many memories

To the east, the sun smiles down on

White sandy beaches that stretch endlessly

A man may walk in peace, among dunes

Decorated by the shells of the Indian sea

To the south, spreads shades of color

Emerald paddy fields and blue lakes meet

Where chanting monks in golden robes

Walk feet uncovered in the heat

To the west, stand towers tall

Endless traffic, mechanical voices roar

Life moves faster, growing harder 

People running back and forth

Cultures here are vibrant

In color and in speech

Food is made of spices

Desserts from honey trees

I turn down one road, a church I see

Down another a mosque stands free

Another turn confronts a Kovil you see

One more turn, a temple with a bo tree

Now I stand in the middle and breathe

The scents of spices and salty seas

Carried ironically on mountain breeze

For this is my country, my home you see

Dance

Dance

By the streetlight

Dance

In the shadowed night

Dance

To the heart's beat

Dance

In the moments heat

Dance

To the piper's tune

Dance

Among the sandy dunes

Dance

Before the sun does dawn

Dance

Till the time is born

For then comes calling

Truth's sweet song

For those who dance

from night to morn

 

Reflections

I stare at the mirror 
Watching reflections of me
From the old I recognize
The child that was to be
In secret hopes and dreams
A super hero flying free

Next reflection
A youth confident
Strong and persistent
In thoughts and ideals
Yet still a teen 
Searching for freedom
Chafing at chains
Only to dream free

Time passes 
Reflection changes
A woman now perceives
In child, teen, woman
The changes and the similarities
How years have changed thee 
So many reflections
of achievements and disappointments
Ideals changed and perceived
That I will always be Me

A Poem is a -

Beat of a heart

Enclosed in crystal thought

Born in a moment

Enhanced emotion

Deep within a

Passionate heart

My Love

This was done for a poetry writing prompt and I can't take all the credit as the main words come from the song :) Please do listen to the song however as it is truly inspiring :)

Inspired and crafted out of the the original song "Mi Morena" by Josh Groban in his album "Closer"

My love

I can see

Your vision

So beautiful

When the music plays

Your body

Is a bird of grace

Mi Morena

I watched

You dance

In rain like holy water

You Shined

A silver flame

A ghost

You danced alone

You are my soul

My love

I watched you dance

Fluid is your dress 

Silk and lace

A nylon guitar 

Notes lift to slip away

Mi morena

You are my cross 

Of feathers and bone

My heart 

I carved of stone

As I whisper your name

The sun bows to the moon

And I watch once more

For you

Only you

Mi morena

Hold out your hand

In this night

Be my lover

Let me fall 

Into your eyes

My fire of love

I would steal the stars

For I adore you

Mi morena

Bold Ballet

This is a poem that inspired me once while watching a unique dance portrayed by a handicapped lady and a gentleman. It is a Chinese ballet and I have tried to capture its essence and my emotions at the moment that I first viewed this. I have named it as Bold Ballet and would appreciate your comments to find if I have been successful in capturing its essence.

He flitted

She glided

Across the stage

Towards the other

To entwine

And embrace

Beautiful music

Defining

Their souls

As he stretched

His arms

And she soared

In dance

They were whole

He had no leg

She had no arm

But together

They were

More complete

Than any whole

any one

To Write

As the earth stood still
The night wind chilled
A moment frozen in time
A spell was cast
Not a moment past
Over earth and sky
As I sat frozen
I heard the words
That was chosen
To set me right
Words that stung
Like cold wind
On a frozen night
Within mists of disillusion
And thoughts of confusion
One thought alone
Prodded my mind
Through well meant lectures
And tactful conversations
One thought made
That ten pin strike
Intense clarity
Sudden reality
Made me realize
That all I ever wanted to do
Was write!

Taste the Sun

You have not lived

Say I

To any man, woman or child

Who dares to say

They have not tasted the sun

Pull back your head

Release your mind

Feel its heat

With arms open wide

Feel it

Touch you

Embrace you

Caress you

Until your lips do part

To feel the golden rays

Of the glorious sun

Enter your soul 

Taste the sun

Light pulsing with life

For you have not lived

Say I

Not once let your soul fly

Or felt the freedom

That is life

If you have not

Tasted the sun

Betrayed

Tears of shame
Never end
Nor douse the fire
Of heart aflame
Spirals of pain
Driven insane
Shattered truths
Lies blossomed 
To no gain
Only memories
Of blue ringed eyes
Ever betrayed
Reflects forever
The unforgiving pain
That resonates each time
I remember 
How you left me
No chance to say 
I am so sorry
I could not 
Make it in time
To say goodbye 
When I had promised
To stay by your side
Death had called
Your name
To my guilt ridden shame
I can only 
Beg forgiveness
That I do not 
Deserve
And pray 
That my tears
Reflects
My pain
Loosing you
I never meant
To betray you
Daddy
If I could 
Turn back the years
Fight death
I would be there
In time
Never let you go
Or feel
Betrayed
Ever again


(Note:_I_ have always called my grandfather "Daddy")

A Raindrop Speaks

A drop

Of water

Drip

Drop

Resonates energy

Life giver

Thirst quencher

Element of old

Caster of spells

Words appear

In my mind

As you whisper

Drip

Drop

“Listen Closely

To the story I tell

Of the shining sun 

And evolving earth

Of the rain drop 

That answers the call

And gently falls

To the lure of the land

Passing from leaf to rock

And rock to sand”

Drip

Drop

“Come closer

And I will sing 

You a song

Of mighty water falls

And gentle roses

Open your mind

To the mystic wonders

That graces the earth

Places that show

God’s hidden mirth”

Drip 

Drop

“Listen now, draw near

The words I whisper

Holds ancient tales 

Of strive and passion

In woman and man

The first merging of souls

New life to behold

Remember what comes

Fall after Spring”

Drip

Drop

“Step even closer

Look now through me

Reflections you see

Trees and rivers 

Mountains and steams

In time grown and slain

Give them respect

Their fair due

For they

The ancient 

Through eyes of

Nature’s seer

Have watched

Through you

Me

And through me

You”

Drip

Drop

Frustration

Beaten wings

Against bars of gold

Despair

Over hopes of old

Swirling, Revolving

Circling never ends

Expectations

Turn to frustrations

As the heart’s denied

Everyone understands

Than those 

To whose ears I cry

Once more, I try

To take flight

Spirals twisting

Can’t stop the speed

HELP!

I cry out

But who can hear

Everyone

Other than those

I hold dear….

I Am a Molotov cocktail !

I was

Afraid to cry

I might start hurting

Afraid to hurt

I might start hating

But I could not stop

My soul from weeping

Tears that would not fall

Buried deep

Fear held 

Too strong

For too long

Afraid to speak

What voice, have I

Never asked for pain

What did you hope to gain

With pointed fingers 

And hushed whispers

Judging, condemning

A ragged wretch

You made me

Beware

A danger to all

A Molotov cocktail

Is me

Am I 

Drenched in misery

Set aflame by rage

Let me

Engulf you in 

Hot wild flames

Make you burn 

Feel my pain

In your cruel words

You taunted me

That I would not dare

To strike back

But be warned

Beware

I am a Molotov cocktail

And yes I would 

Dare !

It is not what you think.........

It is not what you think

Really, it is not

There is a good reason

That I am in your pajamas

Snuggled in your bed

When you have never laid eyes upon me

My dear neighbor Ned

It is not what you think

Really, it is not

There is a good reason

Caught by a raging storm

I was only cold, tired and wet

Locked out by my cat

I saw your door open and

Your huge double bed 

Invitingly said

“Come let me warm you

Poor dear, you need only rest”

It is not what you think

Really, it is not

There is a good reason

But I forgot the rest 

As to why your puppy 

Is now painted in red

Thoughts in the Wind

Thoughts in the Wind

As I wrote

Within the shade

Of an old Dutch church

Against the pews of the rich

I felt cold, sad and lonely

And strange enough, envy

As dark shadows overcame me

Strange thoughts became me

And a voice not my own

Whispered above me

"Look at that, wretched woman

Oh common class!

How could she smile

What right has she

Her hat so drab,

her old clothes so sappy

Yet her eyes twinkle

says that she is happy

How could she be?

That child !

Look at her

On the cold hard floor

Seated beside

The grand wooden door

Don't they know how to behave

In this Grand Church 

That we built !

They should be sad

miserable and cold

Why weren't they?

Oh I must look away

But look that child

How she smiles

Why does she smile?

Her dark matted hair

Could never match 

Mine tresses gold

Yet those eyes

Those same sparkles

Hush ! now we rise

To praise the Risen Lord

Tap Tap, Tap Tap

What is that dratted noise

That old man, 

Another commoner

Toothless as it is

Tapping with his rotten stick

To the rhythm of God's Music

Dear Lord, even he smiles

with dark twinkling eyes

As I stand here,

Among the betters

Are we?

Cold and silent

Mouthing silent words

Of the gilded book

Our clothes speak of quality

Our status Lord and Lady

By all rights it is I that should

Smile and laugh

But why then 

Are my

Eyes

So bleak