The Sleep

With heavier steps and heart

he walked around in his house.

Not believing she would part-

his will to live was soon doused.

Awake at nights with her thoughts

in hope that she rose one time.

Everywhere her picture sought,

unfolding days of their prime.

And one dawn he woke no more-

head on hands slept on the floor.

Hunger

Two small stones clattered for beat,

deep nasal voice sang for food.

Little girl scampered bare feet,

arms for alms her mother stood.

Often a smile filled these souls-

not enough for their bellies.

Sometimes few coins clinked their bowl,

and the lives got a new lease.

Short and light is their slumber-

long is the song of hunger.

Amma

Unknown to different culture,

stranger to other language.

Yet determined to nurture

her babies of varied age.

She would pamper us with food

and barrels of coffee strong.

She revived the motherhood-

where she had always belonged.

Short feels her stay so priceless-

her image stamped is timeless.

Romantics

The colourful buds nestled each other-

their love blossomed for it sought no season.

The pleasures of vibes and eyes that muttered,

the mischievous veins heeded no reason.

Her gaze would kindle his poetic soul,

and wrinkles of her smile glowed with his verse.

The drops of emotions glistened and rolled,

blended with aroma of two lovers.

Sweet were the voices to ears so eager,

and gossips played a different melody.

And in absence their presence would linger-

the whispers imprinted on memory.

The wind would carry their scents to announce-

the fifty five summers of pure romance.

Raaha

As cotton weaves its magic,

a smile is stitched with each thread.

And the borders are all lit-

colours of traditions spread.

How graceful she is when draped,

and flows like musical notes.

Her designs don soulful shapes

of passion and fashion coats.

She is Raaha for all age-

emblazons our heritage.

My Little Thinker Twenty Two

How fast these years have sailed

waltzing and riding each wave-

from the time when she first wailed-

unaware what joy that gave.

Now, she speaks with twinkling eyes

which are ever so agile.

Gobbles up chocolates and ice,

and hides the mischievous smile.

She has a soul pure and true-

little thinker twenty two.

Pappaji (1938-2018)

These last years that he lived
just to see her walk around.
Her word was all he believed-
which to him was love abound.
He often called out her name
with such mischievous romance.
Wish were their memories framed
to watch them flicker and dance

And now they both smile from miles-              

living in their world erstwhile.