Wednesday 29 June 2016

THE SIDE GLANCE



Behind curly locks




She blushes!




Hiding her smile




She walks away!




Glancing over her shoulder!




MARINA CAFE


On the antique shelf over the counter

The old radio crackles

Polished with time

Its wooden knobs shine

The sound of the veena is muffled

As the daily bhajan plays in the back ground

Voices are heard

Of old men chatting

As they gather outside

The fragrance of freshly roasted coffee

Fills the morning air

Above, in the hallway, and old fan creeks

As it churns the roof to bring air to the life below

On the walls beside, frills of gold foil sways and hums

As it lies garlanded on a photograph of a turbaned old man

In a dingy corner! White and hissing!

The boiler lets out steam!

The vested master, moth-eaten and off white

 Brews and mixes cheerfully

Raising his hands effortlessly

As he fills the brass cups and tumblers

With fresh milk, coffee and foam!

Midst the aroma of these myriad experiences

As I stand here and sip into the sparkling foam


Ah! What more can I say of this perfect South Indian coffee!  


ONE WAY



Steps taken!



Words spoken!



Entropy



Time



Life



Only One way!




Alas! 

FINAL SUMMIT


The rock stands black and  tall

White clouds float by beside me

In the distant forest below

The trees take a  faint  shade of green

As the  winds brush over my face

And I step on to the final summit !

A thought in me dawns

This climb is over now !


Alas! Only The descent remains! 


GULMOHAR



 Filling my window




With bright crimson joy





The Gulmohar tree ! 

BUTCHER’S KNIFE


Stainless steel I once was !

Alas!

Shaped by fate

Sharpened by circumstance

Now!

Stained with  blood

Rusting with guilt

Waiting to be thrown away


The miserable butchers knife !  


SPLASHING INNOCENCE



Puddles formed of sudden rain! 



Wet shoes !



 Little hearts! 




splashing with innocent joy! 



WEAVER BY THE RIVERSIDE


Weaver by the riverside 


Now washing dirty linen! 


Oh! What has become of you! 


Pleased with filth and Dirt 


As it emanates from another mans loin cloth 


What kind of rancid solace is this? 


Colorful yarns! You once wove 


Of emerald green and purple! 


Shiny silk and soft white cotton 


Where has all your fine cloth gone? 


Wasting away your skillful hands 


To Washing by riverside


Oh lonesome weaver! 


Your loom beckons thee!



POINT BLANK

Cold morning! 



The smell of blood



Trying to think




I drop down dead ! 

ANGER

Consumed by  crackling fire

Dry twig!



Now only ash!

MUTTON SHOP


Shivers down the spine


Cold feet !


Bare ribs and guts! 





All hung up !



The mutton shop!