Black & White

Somewhere between biting winters and blazing summers is a spring to delight

Somewhere between bright days and dark nights is the warm colour of twilight

Somewhere between a parched land and unsettled floods are drizzles by the window side

But where is your betwixt and between in

Trust and doubt, 

Hope and despair, 

Integrity and deceit

How conveniently you sneak

Between those 1s and 0s, a million numbers;

Between a yes and no, a cowardly dodge and a hopeless silence;

You plead for a half-way and a middle ground

When all you do is straddle the fence?

Fiction often has a bit of reality,

But never enough to change the genre

A chain of lies and a bit of truth, doesn't alter the extent of certitude 

For those that are extremes, they have no in-betweens.

Mornings

There is something strange about mornings-
How is that the most gentle breeze
And a subconscious breath
Can prepare you for the toughest day

One Less

Judgment, speculation, and perspective-
Take none to heart
Until they who say
Have walked every path with you
Have crossed every hurdle with you

"You are not enough"
When they say
Park those empty words in the sideline
Until they who say
Know your every thought entangled
In every unimaginable way

"Look at her"
They will say
And when they do
Have both ears wide open
For you know,
Amongst a billion people with billion opinions
You can live with ONE LESS

Undercover, conveniently

It's been almost 6 months since I last visited this tiny world of mine!

Sudden surprises can often lift the lowest spirit; just like today's summer showers, a well-rested weekend and a beautiful evening weather. It was then that I realized I was running out of excuses to get back to writing. What better to write than about what had put a brief pause to my writing

Over the past of years, my circle of acquaintances grew broader, over the past few months I've been following many many Instagram accounts and Facebook pages of amazing  poets, writers, and artists. Each one of them has been wonderful beyond words. Every time I came across such posts I started to believe in the power of words before than ever before. In less than a few lines, their words pierced through the skin- so strong and so very deep that they will never be forgotten.

When I was reflecting on this thought, it dawned on me that the feeling of being judged and the feeling of 'maybe I'm not enough' has engulfed me so tight that it's kept me away from what I've always loved; from what had been my comfort vent. I questioned myself a little more- am I truly not enough?

What a funny thing called life? We preach so much about following dreams, pursuing a passion. We tell every known fellow being and every unknown stranger to kill the fear of judgment, to shove opinions like they don't matter, to live life like we truly belong and what more! Big words and big advice! Nice to say, ain't it?

I've been no different, I realized. Right at that moment, I made a promise to myself and to the quenching rain that I'll put away all the excuses that I told myself when no one was watching, all the apprehension of not being enough and try just a little harder to be true to self!

Here's to the power of writing and power of emotions that once again showed me the dark harsh called reality. Yet, being the support system for trying better once again.

Captivate

Beside the limitless ocean;

Beneath the wild blue canvas

A bliss so right to stroll along the shore

Just a moment, a pleasure

And a wonder to befriend

Beside the limitless ocean;

Beneath the wild blue canvas

Was a time when

Horizons weren't illusions;

Oceans weren't mysterious

Even after a zillion occurrence

Fascination never ends

To watch each wave break at sight-

Often a gentle kiss

Occasionally a grave misfortune

Beside the limitless ocean;

Beneath the wild blue canvas

A bliss so right to stroll along the shore

With every step, a trail left behind

And with every trail- a memory, a misery,

Tender grace of bygone days!

With its roar, expanse and abyss

With its might and majesty

You just can't stop loving the ocean, can you?

Be My Sunshine, Will You?

Remember the summers stolen a glance,

I would toddle holding your gentle hands.

And the winters washed in a tide,

I would cuddle by your side.

Stories of childhood left to cherish-

princess, bears, lions, fairies and like.

Why couldn’t the heavens wait,

Just a little longer?

Just so I could listen to those stories one more time;

Just so you could feed me one more bite;

Just a day, for your little prayer to lighten my way;

Just a graceful smile, to brighten my day!

What should I give in return?

To have you with me for one more dawn

To hug you tight; to say, ‘Be my sunshine’

To kiss your soft wrinkled cheeks,

To see tears of joy shine in your eyes,

To truly feel complete with you in sight.

Nevertheless, yours has been a long journey

Filled with patience, perseverance and faith

Bless the places where you spread warmth and care

Now, rest in peace and be proud of the legacy left to share

I might not BE like you

But I hope, you will love me too.

Thank you for being reason

I still hope for life after death

Just so I could say, ‘Be my sunshine’- one more time!

Pandora's box is real

Every principle, rule and norm

Was forced down my throat;

Before my mind learnt its form.

Every what-if and every why

was silenced before learnt to talk!

Every discipline, tradition and law 

Is settled;

Leaving nothing to debate.

Everything respectful and reverent

was meant to be obeyed!

 

Everything absurd and unknown 

Should remain so;

Probably a curse to explore more.

The myth of Pandora's box is true

was believed with unflinching faith

Pandora's box is real 

I still believe!

Unraveling the darkest mystery 

Will throw away everything;

the good, bad and ugly

While HOPE will still remain