My Hopes

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?

Sonabai

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

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

Anida

The river flowed  with yogic calmness. The moon was swimming elegantly in the river with its star maids. The entire terrain was enough to exhilarate the senses.

He walked with long strides. She tried hard to catch up his pace. The weather was chill and stars twinkled merrily. She peeped at him through her unruly hair. His eyes expressed the annoyance of her presence. He stopped his walk and automatically she too.

" Who are you " the words were very rough

* "I am what you seek

And what you find

I am what you scattered

And the pieces you now gather up "

*(Lines from Paulo choelo's 11 minutes)

With her both hands stretched she started singing , her naughty eyes made him angry.

" stop it , will you?" he shouted at her

"O.k Stopped" she replied

" Why do you follow me", there was arrogance in his sound

" Because I love you" , she said looking in to his eyes

" But I don't  love you", he find it difficult to control his temper

"Don't love me", she said with child like gesture

He lost all his control. He almost shouted at her

" Will you stop following me"

"No" , a beautiful smile cracked at the corner of her rosy lips.

He throw his bag on the silver sands on the river bank and stared at her. She mimicked him with the same style resembling a cowboy with her head turned side ways . He couldn't help laughing.

" Look baby you are very young and its not safe for you to walk around in the night"

"But am not alone na ? am with you", she sounded so childish

"What is your Name?" he was serious in his query

"Anida"

"Why you are here at this time?"

"To see you", she replied casually while playing with the pebbles  in her hand.

"But I don't know you", he was curious

"But I know you", she replied with a naughty smile

"How?" his eagerness increased

She started laughing and tears started rolling down. It was so embarrassing for him. The girl looked so childish in her teens. He felt as if he is in a dream land.

"Shall I drop you at your house " He was so polite

"Home ?" she continued laughing .Moon light reflected on her beautiful young face. Her eyes showed the mischief of a teenager.

" Ok am leaving don't follow me any more " there was determination in his words.

He watched her ex-pression changing, there was no trace of the earlier laughter or child like innocence, it was firm and stubborn. He saw her walking toward the river and was progressed more deeper.

His heart started pounding. He ran behind her to stop her.

" Anida stop, don't go further , stop there" He shouted in haste.

But she didn't stop, and he noticed that she is walking over the river , he stood there unable to believe his eyes, and slowly she disappeared from his vision. He was speechless as a spouting statue .He felt the ground shifting beneath him and stood in the seemingly vacuous space horrified.

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

The state of Trans

   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 transfi