Night at Nine

As I walk down winding dark lanes
The time is night –the hour is nine
My vision seemed to blur and fade
The muscles of my back groan and ache

The shadows seem long and feary
Every nook & corner dark and eerie
I walk quickly past cars parked
On a Sunday night…only dogs barked.

Was it tears that pricked my eyes I wonder?
How silly of me.. to sorrow surrender.
At worser times I have never bucked under
Yet in silence and loneliness, emotions do blunder..

No hand to hold, this careworn should’”
No words to ease the pain unfold..
No friend to offer a lift back home.
As I wait for an auto, all on my own..

Is it respite I want? I ask my soul..
..an ease from my burdens that has taken its toll?
Can momentary gloom be allowed to bloom?
Can petty sorrows block the joys of the ‘morrow?

Can pride & prejudice together rule you?
Can passion and possession take hold of you?
Can workplace tension dissolve your spirit?
Can commonplace humans run down your merit?

Can a lack of resources come in the way …
..of savouring the simple sweet joys of everyday?
Oh tiredness and fatigue..do run away..!!
One night’s rest…and I should be ready to play!

For muscles though they ache..my backbone its very straight
And heart though it yearns..the spirit ..it strongly governs..
An irrepressible humour..a strong independent streak..
A compassion for fellow beings –helps me at times like these..

As 2004 ends in a deluge

As 2004 ends in a deluge..
losses have been huge..
and scores have no refuge.
Many a world has been shattered..
Some have lost all that mattered.

But beyond the darkness of pain
and beyond the wails of sorrow
You see the rays of a new ‘morrow
Pray, follow that ray..
It is here to stay.

You see arms extended in sharing
You see eyes filled with caring
Your faith revives
Your feelings thrive
And once againThere’s reason to smile

A Father's Daughter

A Daughter to love and to cherish
A daughter to adore and to protect
A daughter to educate and to struggle for
A daughter to give away in marriage

Then a daughter you cannot see when her husband forbids
A daughter you can talk to only if her time permits
A daughter who’s no longer his to adore ,
Only memories to possess and to store..

I’ve got my own family to care for she says..
What’s an own family, I . a daughter, dare you to state..
And if ownership of the fathers genes is of any merit..
Let it be known that the chromosomes are not your own..

My dad’s got sons..you say..and daughters in law
So is it the father’s fate to talk only to them all ?
whether liked, understood or cherished ?
What of the bond he shared with his daughter?
Does it have no consequence or bearing on the matter?

And what if it’s daughters are all he has
His life forlorn after the spouse he’s lost?
What of the wisdom and generosity he’s shown to them
His own little pleasures he’s given up for them?

After an entire lifetime of giving and struggling..
Is he to be cast off from his dearly loved moorings?
Just coz you are his daughter – and what the hell does it matter ?
Are you not going to accommodate him in your life?

If no son he has..and no interest in a new spouse..
Isn’t it the done thing to keep him close?
So what if in-laws be and gnash their teeth..
A woman has a right to be free and speak the truth
When to the hearth she gives love, food , hope and money..
Can she not have the pleasure of giving her dad harmony?

Why ..oh why are we so horrendously cruel ?
Are dads to be forgotten in the new life we’ve woven?
Isn’t a girl’s dad also her son’s grandfather ?
With so much wisdom to share and so much love to bare?

Speak up all daughters..speak up in one voice
That dads the world over can always rejoice
In the fact that his sweet little daughter is also for him’
And her family, her friends, her kids, her spouse, all love him.

CROSS ROADS...

She knelt alone at the crossroads
The wind tossing her hither and thither
Her slim body torn with dread and desire
Her mind dumb and her body numb
Numb with pain and sorrow
Of the bleakness of tomorrow
When her loved one will no longer be
Hers to cherish and hers to adore

She shakes her head like an animal in pain
Shaken deeply to the depths of her core
Seeking to release the grief that consumes her
For the loss of a great friendship and love

She did not know which way to turn
And yet turn she must if she has to pass the crossroads
She asked Soul “Can’t I stay here a little while longer?”
“You cannot lest you be tossed into darkness yonder”

“I don’t mind” she came back strongly and surely
“The straight road awaits you” said Soul just as clearly
“I know not why I hesitate” she tried once more meekly
“Trust me –your destiny is already in place” said Soul promptly.


“What of my wishes? “she tried Soul again..
“They might be fulfilled” was the short refrain...
“Should I go alone?” she asked in desperation
“Alone you came and alone you shall go”

“Must I go at all?” she asked one last time
“Go you must- if peace better than pain..”
She took the path alone and the wind slowed down
Her back erect and her head no longer bowed down..

WALLS OF VIRTUE..

The Walls of virtue..they have closed on you
Years of conditioning makes it seem true..
When you want to experiment with your sex and senses..
These walls raise up; mockingly in offence.


At times these fences you project as your defence
To hide what are sensual stirrings – in essence.
These feelings you cloak under acceptable “bro” or “sis”
Yet, flirt capriciously and enjoy its bliss!

This virtuous image help you dish out righteous statements
In smug confidence..uncaring of others’feelings and emotions..
What right have you to comment on love and its pain..
I ask you ..have you atleast loved the spouse in whose arms you have lain?

You talk of poaching on marital territory
And hurting the wife and shoving her in jeopardy
In reality pure love will never contemplate
Hurting, indifference, ego or hate.

Whether you be the “wife” or the “other”
If the foundations be strong love can never wither.
You will understand and accept and never be in torments.
‘Coz you’ve shared and cared and created beautiful moments.