The life was secular but,

There were hopes you presented,

I believed in them than the dreams

For a day when you will be back.

I let the parrot out from the cage,

Since I realized what freedom means,

Still it circled around me,

Assuring I am not alone.

Why you left with out a word?

Question still remain unanswered.

Consciousness compelled forget it,

But how can I do that?

The days we laughed more,

The rhythm in our steps,

The moments of togetherness,

Still alive and close to heart.

Now I quest for your presence,

And the absurdity increasing,

My thoughts traveled faster,

Will there be a reunion.

Logics failed and superstitions surfaced,

Stories many were knitted ,

Nights made their retreat,

Leaving space for dawn ,

The question still remains unanswered ,

Where on the earth I can search for you?

I am Sonabai a girl of ten year from Ranpur village, of Rajasthan. I am the eldest daughter of my parents who has got four more daughters younger to me. Being a girl the duty assigned to me is to help my mother and bring water from the public well way away in the desert encircled by rising dunes of golden sands and chocolate mountains. I was a happy child in the whirl wind of dust.

Yesterday I saw my mother engaged in heated conversation with my drunken father and finally got beaten down. I was not much bothered since it is one of their daily ordeals. He always cursed mother for giving birth to only girls.

My house was crowded today and mother dressed me up in the new hand worked dress. A plate of home made sweets was placed before me. First time I was seeing such mouth watering stuffs together. I grabbed them one bye one with greed and started eating. I don't know why the ladies around me laughed. Almost all my neighbors were present there.

My father took me on his shoulders and placed me in the lap of the strange old man and I didn't like the odor of his body. Then I was asked to keep a garland on his neck and he placed another one on my neck too. The priest chanted few mantras and after a lavish lunch, I was forced to go along with the old man and his troop. I cried a lot and ran back to my mother's hands. She was also crying, but my father took me forcefully from her side and handed over to the old man.

I sat on the camel back watching the clouds turning from pink to mauve grey.After a long exhausting travel through the desert we reached at his house, little bit larger than my own house. I was received by few ladies with oil lamp and they applied colored powder on my forehead.

The sun was going down into torpid slumber..I missed my little sisters and mother very much. Felt totally isolated and horrified in the new surrounding. The drab colourless landscape made me more miserable Some how I slipped into deep sleep after the tiring journey in the scorching sun, and was awakened by the pressure of a body over me. I saw the old man squeezing his weight over me. I started screaming. He was so brutal that he closed my mouth and did things that I was never known before .Everything was like a nightmare. I was really afraid of that man and used to hide beneath the coat when he comes. But unfortunately every day the torture continued till I bleed.

Life in the new house was horrible for me day after day. There were many kids of my age in that house . But I was not allowed to go out and play with them . I used to envy the freedom they were enjoying.

One day I was watching the children paying out side. The sunlight regulated through the small huts. The wind blown with unabated fury .I heard a huge cry from inside. I peeped through the door. The old man was lying down in the floor and heard people whispering that he is dead, and I did'nt understand the meaning of the word.

Few old ladies took me near to the well and poured water over my head. They had broken all my bangles and removed the colored powder from my forehead. I was wondering what is happening. Then one of the lady started cutting my long hair. I screamed and ran away but the other ladies caught me and forcefully removed all my luxuriant hair and made me to wear white dress. Why?

Year passed. Now the rear views are clearer to me. Each incident marched in my mind unwinding the memory. My white attire was a grim reminder of my past. Swirling hot air was the only companion I had. I lived isolated, cursing the nights that never dazzled in light .Dreamless days passed identically waiting only for the final departure. If ever there is a rebirth let it be never that of a girl, I prayed.

******************************************************

The Rhythm of Rain

Oh! At last the rain has arrived,

On the mighty wings of wind,

Painting smeary black on the sky,

Lashing silky white hair,

On the strong concrete pediments,

Down comes the rain

Forcing the metro to chill.

Oh !the mighty drops are here again,

Spilling cool spray on the sky scrappers

Drenching the ground still parched and thirsty

Slowing down the motors to creep a while

The pied crested cuckoo in panic far away,

Down pours the rain with

Bleakly white drops.

The bountiful Rain ravished

On the metro life

Roaring as a lion a while

And shimmering as a sword

Played with the naughty boy,

Stretching hands in the balcony,

The drenching lovebirds moved

Closer sharing the warmth,

Charming bride's dimples

Glittered in the neon,

With crystal clear droplets.

The rain in the metro drizzled,

As a sweet melody of first love,

The green started spouting,

And the tiny tot giggled,

The handsome guy whistled

Why the girl next door blushed ?

Through the misty curtained window.

Down comes the drop tick ..tick ..tick

Is that the rhythm ,of my own heart?

The rain in the metro gushes and gushes

Bringing life and hope once again

And for ever

****************************************

She was standing marooned in the,

Seemingly endless desert,

An abundant of untouched nature.

The hot wind blown past her,

Making her wilt and withered,

Yet she was watching eagerly,

With her ears sharpen,

For the magical rendering of flute.

But heard nothing but howl of heated wind,

Making tantrums on the silky sand domes,

She stood there washed with serenity.

Years passed but routine repeated,

Never tired but with more hope,

She was there every day waiting,

With wicks of hope burning eagerly,

Sun decended once again,

Making the shadows to lengthen,

Golden moon swam in the small pool,

Mirrored her elegant face in the opaque,

Gleaming and immaculate!

And the lone vulture patrolled far high in the zenith!

With week steps she returned ,

Fading hopes puddling up,

Sleep conqured her clumsy eyes,

Presenting strange dreams ,

Paradisically beautiful.,

Pigeons in frenzy of spray bathing,

The magical rendering of flute,

And the sun simmering in the gold dust,

She whispered his name,

Her sound was feeble and faint,

Her breath tucked in her throat,

She experienced the trance,

There was no fear in her eye,

But a strange defiant glint,

The pecock danced with ,

The glossy colorful feathers spread,

Immortal notes filling her ears,

She realized her inner light,

Far above the vulture still patrolled!

***************************************

We keralites are exprencing an unexpected Summer showers these days. Though i experience the splendour of nature by feeling each mighty little drops that fall on my face , Iam aware of the damages it causes to the underpreviliged ones. So friends enjoy this song along with me to share coooooooool and warmth of the natures genours gift.

Clik on link to watch the wonderful song on rain!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bekegc55kFA

Freeze those moments!

With out you my days just dragged,

Seasons changed and nature too,

Autumn came and winter gone,

Spring never visited and rain drizzled,

No wing beats of Cuckoo to slice the silence ,

Natures wondrous sway was invisible to me

My nights never dazzled in light and colors,

But the wind howled making me restless.

With out you every thing looked alike.

I looked at the lone star in the sky,

You passed filigree magic through twinkle,

I could feel you encircling me with,

Your warm breath near my ears,

I looked back but seen none ,

Realized your absence with pain.

But I don't weep in my agony,

It was my promise to you,

There was smile on my lips,

As once you described "enigmatic ".

My thoughts wandered aimlessly,

Finally studded on our happier days,

Were there was only you and me,

And our passionate love ebbing high,

The splendors of sun rise and sunsets,

I witnessed leaning on your shoulders,

Within me I longed desperately dear,

If those moments could freeze!

My mind traveled the paths we covered,

I could feel your arms around me,

Remembered the sweet nothings

You fondly whispered in my ears,

I followed you along the gurgling river,

Matching its pace we walked with,

Our hearts full of sweetest notes,

Within me I longed desperately

If those moments could freeze!

Memories lingered reminding me,

The beautiful dreams once we weaved

The promises you give, Conquering my heart

The smile on your lips transfixing me,

That matchless time of boundless joy,

Once again I longed desperately,

If those moments could freeze!

Finally the moments of your departure,

Alive torturing me with angst and sorrow,

Among enormous flowers I saw you motionless,

Your lips still eager to share the warm kisses for me,

Your heart still holding me within closer and unshared ,

Your hands urging to rub away the traces of tears,

They closed your eyes but within, they searched me,

Your ears I know desperate to hear my voice to sooth you,

At last, they took you away leaving me alone to suffer,

On your way you shred a beautiful red rose,

For me and only for me my dear I know ,

I walked towards it with unsteady steps,

Took the last gift you left for your beloved ,

I could feel your fragrance in it captivating,

A priceless gift of your everlasting love for me!

A fragrance that will cling to me till the end!

I still remember the day I saw you,

Years passed but that face is vivid,

Still coloring my mind's canvas,

As a gentle breeze you came to my life,

Encircled me with its abysmal coolness,

But went past leaving no traces,

I still remember you dear as ,

A spirit of the pure grace.

I saw you among enormous oil lamps,

Your face gleaming in its fade light,

You were lighting temple lamps and ,

Lighted the fire of my heart too ,

Melting my body in love for you,

But your face hidden in the rush,

I tried hard to quest in the crowd,

The air was pure with Sopana geetham,

You stood there as another full moon,

I still remember you dear as ,

An angel send by the god himself.

You were at my arms length,

But I couldn't touch you,

In silence my sunken heart breathed ,

The distance between us , unbridged,

I watched you, fluttering the curly eyelashes,

Swaying seeds of poignant romance in me,

Making my nights sunny dawns.

Within me I wished desperately beloved,

If you were mine and only mine,

And I still remember you dear as

A girl with unblemished purity.

Your sound wafted languidly in the air,

Sprinkling sweetness in to my ears,

You stood there in the velvety darkness,

As a statue of marble so elegant and gracious ,

Making vibes in my flesh and blood and,

Conquering me with your inimitable beauty,

But you failed me again and vanished,

Leaving me to burn in pain of loss,

And still I remember you dear as,

A wildflower with tempting fragrance.

I traced your steps every where

Hoping you will turn back dear ,

But drifted away challenging me,

Making me hopeless and rejected,

Your curly mane moved unruly,

On your delicate face playfully,

I stretched my arms to stroke them,

But kept the urge tied within me,

I longed for you within me secretly,

And I still remember you dear as ,

An inspiration to pull ahead.

Your smile is still alive in me dear,

Its gentleness I treasure still ,

And your grace I realized beloved ,

Gleamed like the heavens far above,

Every night your thoughts distured me,

I could feel you touching me fervently,

Not with your hands but with emotion and,

Witnessed scattering of my delightful dream,

Pinning me down with twinge but loved it,

And I still remember you dear as,

A treasure fate had denied me for ever!

Home ....Sweet ....Home

End of yet another day. I leaned on the sofa and closed my eyes and tried to trace the road through which I traveled today. Same routine things yet so charming. Hussy fuszzy morning hours flies away within no time. A hubby trying to silence the Alarm in the morning and two angels ,all fighting to win the title for who sleeps long. A yelling mom complaints

"Get up Will u"

Blankets removed and my crazy girls jumps to floor, their papa still safe inside the blanket winks at them. My butterflies flies around me .

"On ..ur... mark ....Get... Set..Go... ."

Here goes my power puff girls, both in two direction .

"Mom did u see my tie, seen my Id ?"quires goes endless and from kitchen my sound echoes making my third kid also to get up.

"Nithu my bed coffee" an uncompromising Papa demands with sleepy eyes.

Cooking ,packing ,dressing up , the usual merry-go- round cycles again. Little complaints and laughter in the breakefast table made the day memorable.

" Neethu still u don't know how to make chatney?" ,He sounded annoyed

I tried to suppress all my anger.He read my mind so easily.

" May I tell you what you are thinking now?"

"Yes, come on tell me?"

"You idiot ,if you are hungry eat it otherwise get lost, isn't it?"

" Exactly right , how well you read my mind", me too didn't give up

"You know girls your mom is a better cook of a particular dish?"

"What?" both my crickets chirped simultaneously.

" Boiled eggs, ha.. ha.. ha" he started pulling by leg and my giddy daughters joined him .I sensed that things are going out of control and declared 144!

"Chalo, chalo its time up , get ready fast" ,I commanded

and within minutes all are ready for the short prayer before leaving home.Some how all are pushed out of the door, an always forgetful Papa shouts

"Nithu don't close the door my watch is inside"