Guilty Coins

Image Source - Google Image Search

A dull afternoon’s wait for the bus
sweating in sweltering heat
sheltered in the scanty shade
I left my mind to wander around!

Out of nowhere, a frail voice
the clanking of coins and
a tug at my clothes shook
me out of my short reveries!

Standing in front, a tiny tot
clad in tatters, hair unkempt
dust and ditch applied all over
prayed for alms with gullible face!

Repelled by the grubby sight
reasoned by my intellectual mind
I drove away the little brat
waving hands, wording nothingness!

As the hapless soul headed away
the bulky wallet inside my pocket -
stuffed with coins and wads of green -
sulked, saddled by saddening guilt!

31st January '12

A poem called ‘Life’

Image Source - annegeddes.com

I set out to write
a poem this morning!
Sitting in the couch
chewing on my pen
scratching the chin
I scribbled a few lines!

Scattered emotions
staggered flow of thoughts
revisions and corrections,
with lot of rereads -
at the end of it all,
came a sense of completion!

I wonder, God!
How tough, it must be
when You shape
the poem called ‘Life’
complex-yet-complete -
bundled as a baby!

19th December '09

Moon in the Pond! (Original)

Image Source - Google Image Search

Cold winter night’s placid pond
A sleepy lotus sways in breeze
Full moon glitters in hoary white
Dangling from the dark blue sky!

Lone moon flaunts her full glory
In the pond’s serene surface
Shaken seldom by tiny ripples
Of the dewdrops, and, leaping frogs
Merging into a soulful oneness
With the dark, deep waters!

Yet there is also splendor in
Smithereens of the single moon
Scattered in the surging sea
Warped by the volatile waves!

One plays the Mother -
Mending my heart with mellowing warmth!
The other, is the Lover -
Tantalizing hearts with titillating charms!

Spangled across the nocturnal sky
Playing are plentiful shiny stars!
From there a full moon smiles at me
With a childlike countenance!

But mind feels a stupefying surge
As I spot a silvery sliver
Of the moon hidden behind
Veil of clouds and wily haze
Winking at me this second,
Seducing by absence, next moment!

One is the Mother -
Appealing to the heart’s innocence!
The other, is the Lover -
Alluring for acts of connivance!

28th December '11

Moon in the Pond! (Mass Version)

Image Source - Google Image Search

On a cold winter night
Dangling from the dark blue sky
Full moon checks her pretty face
In a serene pond’s surface
Touched seldom by tiny ripples
Of the dewdrops and leaping frogs!

Yet there is an equal splendor in
Smithereens of the single moon
Scattered in the surging sea
Warped by the volatile waves!

One plays the Mother -
Mending hearts with mellowing warmth!
The other, is the Lover -
Teasing hearts with tempting charms!

Spangled across nocturnal sky
Sitting are a pack of stars!
From there a full moon smiles at me
With a childlike innocence!

Yet mind feels a lustful surge
As I see a silvery slice
Of the moon hidden behind
Veil of clouds and faint haze -
Seeing me this moment,
Seductively absent, next second!

One plays the Mother -
Appealing to the heart’s innocence!
The other, is the Lover -
Alluring for acts of connivance!

05th January '12

Storming Passion!

Image Source - Google Image Search

Kiss me with your luscious lips
As these whipping waves pounding
Wildly at the vast shore now!

Let your sighs and sweet-nothing mumbles
Drown the wuthering winds’
Helpless howl at the bedside window!

Pour on me your flowing love
Hard as this drenching rain
Pelting my window with glistening pearls!

Let the roaring thunder’s claps
Sound like the distant chimes
Against our reveling hearts’ racing throbs!

Make this swollen sea’s tidal pride
Feel feeble like a placid pond   
Faced with our brimming passions!

Let’s feel the Lust’s lightning streaks
Blind our pairs of closed eyes
As the flashes sneer clouds’ somber emotions!

Rule over me like this ravaging storm
Testing the roots of dancing trees
With the regaling gale’s lustful yearning!

Let me quench, one by one,
this stormy night’s steamy cravings!
Let’s share love, through this storm,
like there is to be no morning!

29th December '11

Prometheus’ Plight!

Image Source - Google Image Search

Fettered by the ferrous chains
Couched clumsily in big boulders
Tearful over the tearing torment
Awaiting was a Prometheus
For the rapacious Eagle’s brutal beak!
Damned for the sin of tricking Gods, and
Siding with the mortal mankind
Feasted was his liver every day
Only to grow back wholesome again
As he was a man immortal -
A blessing turned very baneful!

Fooled by someone’s fickle feelings
Yore, I enslaved my feisty Soul
At the transient boulders
of this bitterly brazen world!
Taunted by torturous loneliness
Saddled with the Sunset sighs
My pitiful Soul is mauled now
By the talons of a morose mindset!
Every day my Soul is gored coarse
And it heals too, all anew, only
To be shred afresh by lonesome pangs!

Slain was, then, that fierce eagle
By the heroics of one Heracles, and
Protected was poor Prometheus!
Unable to withstand the wily world
Yearning to flee from Loneliness’ hold
I once awaited my savior soul!
But, in today’s mundane modernity
and for my self-inflicted slavery
there will never come a Heracles!
I am a modern-day Prometheus, and
I am learning to be my Hercules too!

17th December '11

The Sinful Woman!

Image Source - Google Image Search

An autumn day’s dusky evening
Sunlight fading away for the day
Permitting the stars to flaunt their wares
In the vast canvas of sky!
Head decked out in sweet-smelling jasmines
Lips smeared with gaudy red
Aging body doused in scents
Half-clad in a kitschy attire
I am lying in my crumpled bed
In a darkened, dreary room
Awaiting the evening’s unknown lovers
Another round of accounted love
And, a few administered moans!

I am in my life’s autumn too
But with a spring that is never to return!
Yore an arrogant Aphrodite
Now I am a shadow of that seductive self!
Half-past all my halcyon days
Mind so filled with morbid scars
No more I feel vanity for my ware!
Gone are the reveries, those gleeful dreams
Where I once sketched a world all my own -
A merry homely life with my offspring
A caring husband’s cozy cuddles
A simple supper in togetherness, and
Retiring to the same embrace every other night!

My soul has fought some eternal struggles
Often with the skin, but always with stomach!
Branded and bashed as a body-seller
Brandished as a costly concubine
I have seen the human life’s whole gamut!
All the so-called saints and savants
God’s kin and government’s men
Poets looking for plenitude in me
Painters drawing my voluptuous verves
Intellects in search of inane answers
Adulterers reeking of unbridled lust, and
Disloyal spouses with desperate needs -
I have seen all their other sides too!

In the dead of dark-clad night
Alive with lot of amorous thoughts
They come in search of a satiating vent!
Quenching all the carnal cravings
Soon they wane into the same darkness
Lest their naked ghosts face the sacred Sun!
During my daylight rambles by roadside
Often the same ones stand scorning me
With one eye still ogling my flesh!
I snuff my anger with sardonic smiles -
I cover only my sanguine skin, but they
Sheathe their dark souls’ chinks as well!
While I bare only my bodily clothes
They shed their souls’ hypocritical veil!

28th October '11

A Man’s Motherhood

Image Source - Google Image Search

I am a poet and, I am a mother!
Lusting for Life’s unfelt abundance
Laden with love for Life’s little pleasures
Unbeknown to the outside world
I often conceive a little notion!
Fostered by calm feelings
Unfettered with imagination
I let it germinate deep within me!
Nourished with tender care
Shapes it takes in vibrant words!
Mended, moved by mood-swings
Embellished with ephemeral emotions
Modeled on mindful missives
One fine day, my poetic child
Comes to see the light of the day!

Awaiting with bated breath
I see my emotional child slowly
Through the eyes of the world around!
As they admire my poetic child,
I go blissful, feeling tears of joy
Filled with pride for my bookish brood!
Yet, amidst the contentment
An emptiness sort of gnaws me now
Well deep inside my mind
Where that little poetic child
Was once floating within me!
Just the way a new mother
Feels a vacuum within her womb!
Motherhood isn’t for mothers alone
I am a poet and, hence, I am also a mother!

30th November '11

My Poetic Child

Image Source - Google Image Search

Once in a cold winter night
Amidst the sea of dark clouds in the sky
Stood a lonely slice of Moon
With scattered stars for company!
Inebriated with love for the Moon and
Impregnated with yearning emotions
I slept by the window-side, watching
Dewdrops form tiny rivulets on the windowpane!

Deep into the warm embrace of dreams,
Heard a faint knock at my door!
Half-awake-half-asleep opened the door to see
A splendid, single ray of Moon, drenched in chilly mist
Shivering in the cold yet smiling at me!
Brought the svelte ray inside, and
Wrapping in the warmth of my diary
Let her sleep on the table at my bedside!

Woke up sober only to see, alas,
Gone was the Moon’s slender ray!
Crawling in that place was a charming, subtle Verse
Smiling at me, from my diary!
Feeding on my fantasies, feasting on the passion
Consummated was my love for that slender ray of moon!
Born in my dreams, cradled in my diary
Now in my arms, is my little Poetic Child!


09th July '11

Heart or Mind?!

Image Source - Google Image Search

A full-moon night by the seaside and
Heart remembers our togetherness.
All that the mind can quote is
Your long-lasting absence!

A dusky evening’s lonely stroll,
Heart reveling in the memories of intimate moments.
And, mind reiterates how alone
I am amidst the whole world’s crowd!

Sweet-smelling, pleasant breeze in the park and
Heart recalls your seducing scent.
Mind can feel only the winds of time
That swept you away from me so long ago!

Chilly sea-waves circle my feet and
Heart feels our juxtaposed footprints in the sands of Time.
But, mind does only weep
At my lonely footprints in the seashore’s sands!

Tender, colorful flower petals
And, heart remembers your tender lips.
All that my mind can achieve
Is whining about my parched lips!

Every Sunrise fills the heart with
Hopes of seeing you at least this day!
All mind does is to sigh and say
That the night will end with my Being alone!

All that my active Mind sees in you is
The pain that carves into my Being!
But for my atrophied Heart, you, my Beloved, are
The pain that carves me into a being!

14th September '11

Beloved Dark Angel of Death!

Image Source - Google Image Search

Beloved Dark Angel of Death,
Drape me fast, with your flowing veil!
Touch me with your serrated scythe
when I am wielding my willful guile!

Before my eyes just glaze over
and, the fire in my Soul gets ashes’ cover,
before the crimson in my lips dries,
and the youth in my veins dies,
kiss me with your ashen lips!
Scatter my ashes to the passing winds!

Before my Past ages into its past
before Life becomes but a faded thought,
and the Future means just clinging to the sheath!
When I am brazen to hug you tight,
before I yearn for you as an unrequited heart!
Let me sink my face in your bosom!
Hug me with your far-reaching wings!

Not for me the life of a ruined castle!
Yore a witness to heroics of a brave noble,
seraglio full of charming, seductive women, nubile!
All that stands now is only decrepit walls,
ruefully ruminating the bygone tales,
willing for the winds of Time to wilt them down!

Drink and dry the river of my life
when it is still in abundant flow!
Drink before my hourglass
goes trickling too low!
You’re an unfaithful,
lusting whole of human race!
Yet all I yearn for is
to only sleep in your eternal embrace!

Beloved Dark Angel of Death,
Drape me soon, with your flowing veil!
Touch me with your serrated scythe
when I am wielding my willful guile!

23rd October '11

You, my Sunshine…

Source - Google Image Search

Someone mocks my face
as my smiles bloom when you come!
Someone asks in daze
why I turn glum when you move!
How can’t they understand?!
Vast, wide world is set alight
with the wandering Sun’s advent!
As the Sun moves out of sight
myriad lights can’t make the world bright!

Someone sulks that it’s not them,
but, you that makes my heart warm!
Someone wonders why dear you are,
more than even all of them!
Who will tell them?!
All the summer-nights’ sparkling stars
don’t even tingle the dark ocean’s spray!
But, the wide sea turns ablaze
with the rising Sun’s first ray!

Some do envy how your presence
always holds my tongue in sway!
Some see plainly that I hug reticence
whenever it is that you move away!
How’ll they understand?!
Why for the hot Sun, the lotus blooms,
not for the moon’s cool, misty gaze,
and, never lives long enough to relish
the dark spring night’s pleasant breeze?!

17th October '11

தபால்காரர்!

வண்ணமய செய்தி தரும்
வையக விரிவு வலை!
இமைக்கும்போதே இடம் மாறும்
இலவச மின்னஞ்சல்கள்!
அஞ்சல் தலை தேவையில்லை
ஐந்து பைசா செலவுமில்லை!
குற்றேவல் செய்யும் குறுந்தகவல்கள்
தூரம் தொலைக்கும் தொலைபேசிகள்!

இத்தனையும் இருந்தபோதும்,
மாமா வீட்டு கிரகப்ப்ரவேசம்
பெரியப்பா வீட்டுக் கல்யாணம்
கருப்பு பூசிய காரியக் கடிதம்
கண் தெரியாத பாட்டிக்கு
தாத்தாவின் பென்ஷன் பணம்
தூரம் போன நண்பர்களின் பொங்கல் வாழ்த்து!
விட்டுப் போன காதலியின் கல்யாண அழைப்பு!

இதுபோலெல்லாம் உணர்ச்சிகளை சுமந்து வந்து
தினந்தோறும் காக்க வைத்து
வாரம்தோறும் வந்து போய்
அழ வைத்து சிரிக்க வைத்து
குடும்பத்தில் இல்லா குடும்பத்தவராய்
வருஷமிரு பண்டிகைக்கு
ஐந்து ருபாய் வாங்கிப்போய்
இன்று எங்கோ தொலைந்து போன
ஓட்டை சைக்கிள் காக்கி குல்லா
தபால்கார மாமாவை
எப்போதாவது நினைக்கும்போது
வலிக்கத்தான் செய்கிறது மனசு!

 

You…

Source - Google Image Search

Someone asks me why my smiles bloom
whenever you come!
Someone sulks that it’s not them,
but you that makes me warm!

Someone wonders why I blush more
whenever you come!
Someone flounders why special you are
amidst all them!

Some do envy how your presence
does hold my tongue in sway!
Some see plainly that I hug reticence
whenever it is that you go away!

How’ll they ever know?!

Myriad, sparkling, summer night stars
don’t even tingle the dark sea haze!
But, the arrival of a single Sun
sets the vast sea ablaze!


17th October '11

Want to be a kid again!

Source - Google Image Search

Want to go back to childhood
Want to grow back to childhood!
Now, grown-up mind’s qualms
choke all the fun!

Every toy-train ride in the garden
with trees and posts running behind
mischievously smirking father said
‘It’s you that they are afraid!’
and, I beamed with innocent pride!

Every sinister winter night
rain washing everything in sight
storm and thunder whipping the sky
holding mom’s pallu tight
gods’ names did I cry!

Every other visit to the sea
brought to my mind boundless glee!
Days the waves touched me free
always marring my crab-catching spree!
Now, only fondling couples make me wary!

Every Diwali meant immense fun
months in advance the count-down begun
crackers, dresses and snacks a dozen
sharing with a sibling meant even more fun!
All that I feel now is a dour day of din!

Days when ‘broken’ were just slates and plates
‘torn’ were only pages of books
‘bruises’ found only in knees and elbows
‘losses’ meant only sports and games,
‘scars’ never meant shattered ruins,
and, ‘loneliness’ meant just sitting alone!

Want to go back to childhood
Want to grow back to childhood!
Now, grown-up mind’s qualms
choke all the fun!

26th May 2010

I Promise!

Source - Google Image Search

When you walk
I won’t pave a flowery path, or
hold your feet in my palms.
But I’ll walk by your side
silent as a shadow
holding your hands!

When you smile
I won’t compare a string of pearls, or
chinking of silver coins.
But I’ll be an admirer
a soft, happy reason
behind your smiles!

When you sleep
I won’t always stay awake
to see you sleep and smile at you.
But I’ll be the peace
to bring you sleep
to fill you with dreams!

When you differ
I won’t always be correct
and yet, at times, fight.
But I’ll always
apologize first, and
understand the most!

When you, ever, leave
I won’t always cry
or at once die.
But I will tarry, and with me carry
heaps of hope and lots of love,
awaiting your comeback!

08th July '11

Everyone and Everything…

Source - Google Image Search

Every moonlit night
The dark sea shimmers
Like sheets of milk,
Adding salt to my abundant tears!

Everyone is speaking shrill;
But your silence
Rings in my inner ears!

Every singing cuckoo
Marks melody to the world,
Making more pronounced
My life’s jarring note!

Everyone is caring now;
But it’s your anger that
Soothes my nostalgic heart!

Every blooming Mayflower
Paints the world
In vivid hues,
Taunting my Life’s lifelessness!

Everyone is loving me; yet
Your absence singes
My lovelorn Soul’s sensations!

13th August '11

Years since...

Image Source - Google Image Search

Years since you are
gone from here;
but I remember
this as your street ever!

Time deprived the street
of your footprints,
but my heart retraces
every step of yours
through those years!

Ages since we
shared a kiss;
but my craving soul
has captured the moist!

Forehead is dry, and
lips are withered;
but soul remembers
your tender lips, and
heart, your tender kiss!

Many new moons
since I last saw you;
the waxing moons
also waned!

But you,
my Beloved,
are yet aglow!
And, my Passion,
ever aflame!

02nd August '11

Was It You or The Moon I Saw?!

Image Source - Google Image Search

Longing, lonely autumn nights
Smooth sands of riverbed
Pleasant blanket of darkness
Up above and alone like me
Was it you or the moon I saw?!

Serpentine highways, sultry nights
Summer-wind across my face
Mellifluous music in the ears
Searching through the bus window
Was it you or the moon I saw?!

Dark and dour winter nights
Dew-drops doused blue flowers
Untainted by haughty haze
Shimmering beyond my windowpanes
Was it you or the moon I saw?!

Serene springtime evenings
Lush green grass beneath my feet
Earth exploded in ethereal hues
Sky sprinkled with sparklers
Was it you or the lonely moon I saw?!






18th July 2011
Ashok Krishna

The Last Kiss

Image Source - Internet

Fierce passions
Flowing emotions
Intense kisses
Carnal caresses
Seductive spells
Sizzling moments!

Times of single breath
Shared through the lips
Eternities the souls were entangled
And, the souls' sheaths entwined
Amidst all this
I still yearn more!

Stow aside a little kiss
When I am gone
Seed it on me.

With your wrinkled lips'
Glistening wetness
And your tear-drop
My pyre might turn soothing
And I'll quench my craving!!!

10th July 2011

Ashok Krishna