English

English Poems

‘Tis is the season of love, my dear

An epistolary poem

Oh Dear,
‘Tis is the season of love, my dear!
Do you feel it in the fragrance of flowers
or when dainty butterfly dances or hovers?
Magic is abound, I truly believe. 
Why not step outside into an open space
where the sun-kissed sky
wraps you in its warm embrace,
so you know—even from miles apart—I stand beneath
the same sky—thinking of you,
whispering wishes into the echoing world
letting you know we are wrapped
in a blanket of love,
threaded with energies
of endless affection,
where you & I bear witness to its abundance.
Did you know, love doesn’t need a rhyme?
‘Tis is the season of love, my dear, it’s truly sublime!

How to thrift like a boss

A poem on thrifting

How to thrift like a boss- A poem on thrifting
Designed by the Author on Canva

By definition, thrifting is the careful use of money, especially by avoiding waste and thrift stores are the ones that sell used things like clothes, books, and furniture at throwaway prices. Being born in a typical middle-class, Indian family, thrifting had always been a part of our life. Just that, we didn’t know it was called so. Also, growing up we (my sibling and I) didn’t have any regrets. We eagerly fought for the hand-me-downs and also shared things happily. It has now become part of our fond memories and we have passed on the tradition to our kids.

Thrifting is not just about cost cutting but it’s about valuing what we receive and the emotions behind it. Thrifting has been cool since ages. Here’s a poetic rendition for the Blogchatter campaign #ThriftingIsCool. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Time to get nostalgic with this sweet dedication to my sista!

How to thrift like a boss

1.	Start early. Learn the art 
early on. Steal
    from your sibling’s closet
                and call it thrifting-
even better- call it savings!
Your parents will be proud
whilst your sibling may frown.

2.	I bet, your sibling’s stares help
you grow a thick skin, over the years
     prepping to perfect the art 
          of thrifting. Cajole them. 
Pay them in praise. Tell them 
their taste is better
      than yours. I do. It works. 
Soften their frowns with flattery. Earn 
     the key to their heart closet. 

3.	Now that your foundations 
are laid strong, get out 
of your comfort zone. Go 
       thrifting in your local shops.
(Mind you, no stealing; 
shop owners are no siblings!)
Wear something between cheap
     and chic. Don’t let your class seep
through your clothes; it helps 
to sieve through all price ranges. 

4.	Walk in like the owner but befriend
    the staff with a fond grin. Take your
sibling along if need be to remind 
yourself of your confidence. Patience
      is a virtue- practise it!


5.	Scan through the shelves as if 
they were your lover’s heart. Seek 
       their secrets. Do they speak to you 
           in silence, profound? Seek! Know!

6.	Pick the piece that speaks from 
its seams. Feel it. Do they invoke
the tenderness of your lover’s foreplay
or prick like their pretentious phiz?

Rub it gently across your soulful skin. 
Does it smell of an exotic fragrance
    foreign to you or a rustic smell, familiar? 
Does it make you feel alien or give you 
          the comfort of home?

7.	Forget there’s anyone around. Forget 
the tags of trends or class upon you 
     or the clothes. Forget you are you. 
Listen to your soul’s singing. Has it made
friends with the seams or its seamless fabric?
Make your choice. 

If confusion prevails, eye on
        the piece that your sibling might have
picked without much thought. After all, 
you know what makes you feel at home!

How To Dissolve Yourself as a Poet- A Poem

A poem on how to be the voice of others by dissolving yourself

Note: This poem was first published here: <link rel=“canonical” href=“https://medium.com/gentleness-ambassadors/how-to-dissolve-yourself-as-a-poet-50c017d30bfc” />

Designed by the Author, using Canva

How to dissolve yourself as a poet

Do not think. Do not
write. Not even
attempt. Just be
unarmed. Your naked
self-open
to stories
and scars alike but
remember
not to use them
as protective clothing.

Stay naked.

Your vulnerability
is the fabric.

~

Breathe
through the fabric.
It’s hard. Yet
doable.

Breathe.

Even as you be
and breathe-
jump, sway, dance
cry, punch,
or itch as
the scar
or story may
want you to.

Blend with the story.
Bleed with the scar.
Be.

~

Let it all
soak up
through
the fabric.

Your vulnerability.

Let it
suck it up
till saturated.
Stretch it
not.
Shrink it
not.
Carefully lift
the fabric. Spread
it away from
your naked self.

~

The scars that
you allowed
to seep into
your skin
can wait.
Attend
to the fabric
first. Remember
you are a poet.
That fabric-
your canvas
and composition.

~

Now
like the lover’s
caressing
let your soul
gently tend to
the fabric.

Lift it up
letting light
find its way
highlighting
parts of it
naturally.
In the clothesline
of creative force
pin it carefully
with pegs
of purpose
so life breathes
through its pores.

Let it be.
Let it dry.
Let it dance.
Let it drench.
Let it delve.
Let it dry.
Let it be.

~

Remember
you are a poet.
That fabric-
your canvas
and composition
It’s not
you.
Gently move away.
It’s now
for the world
to witness.

You may now
tend to
the scars or
stories
that you
let seep
through your
skin.

You can be
you.

How I Fell in Love With Her

Love: as I oft reminisce
Of our primordial tryst
Ecstatic words gush out
In this form that it flows...

There at the threshold
Serenity in thy soul,
Warmth in thy heart,
Had me to stand astound...

Flashes when drops of tears
Rolled through my cheeks,
Thou dews of transparency- shared,
Kept me light at heart...

Even through euphoric days,
Joys of mine doubled,
With thine rustle, in harmony
With my whistle...

As we wander side by side,
With surety, I closed my eyes,
Perceiving thy glimmer,
To guide me through life...

Bliss is thou idyllic presence,
Whilst others leave me alone,
Thee Nature! Your eternal love-
Shall flow through my life...

Seeping through my soul:
Gushing through words of cheer,
Spreading thine exuberance,
MCC, you become my lone solace!

PS: Written in the year 2010, this poem is a dedication to my alma mater, the prestigious Madras Christian College(MCC).


      

Swatantra- A Poem on Independence

The Song of Swatantra

Swatantra is not just about the title of the poem. It’s not just another Independence poem. It’s about the motherland, the land, the mother, you and me, and us all together. Hope you find yourself in Swatantra, become one and feel free from all boundaries and conditioning.

This poem is an attempt for you to seek Independence from within. To ask yourself every now and then if you are really free? What binds you? What makes you feel Independent?

Do you feel swatantra at the soul level? If yes, then don’t shy away from singing this Song of Swatantra, happy & high! If not, just ask why?

Let’s own & celebrate Independence every day, consciously 🙂

Happy Independence Day 🙂

I can be the barren land-isolated
or a fertile field-decorated
deep inside lies my untouched soul
the essence of being immortal

From dust I become-to end
into the dust, a cycle of pretend
in ‘tween, a soul-free, identity independent
singing the song of freedom, eternally coherent

The shackles of your conditioning
never do they define my being
I stretch, I flow, I change yet forever glow
in the gentle breeze, even in a stormy blow

In lying bare or in clothing finery
naked truth being my only accessory,
I pride myself on telling my history 
for in the roots of this land lies my glory

I might be your survival food or savouring feast
Yet don’t you dare label me beauty or beast
Neither food nor feast, neither beauty nor beast
I’m the solitary soul you know the least

I’m the universe I’m the atom
My spirit undivided in a stratum
It’s not in you to bind me 
For I’m free, I’m free, I’m free

From dust I become-to end
into the dust, a cycle of pretend
in ‘tween, a soul-free, identity independent
singing the song of freedom, eternally coherent

I’m the universe I’m the atom
My spirit undivided in a stratum
It’s not in you to bind me 
For I’m free, I’m free, I’m free

I’m free
I’m free
I’m free

For the spoken word version of the poem, click below:



This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.

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Every Storm Brings Along a Calm, Thereafter

A cento poem

While poetry in itself can have undertones, giving us various perspectives, a cento poem goes further ahead to bring on an entirely new dimension.

A cento poem is nothing but a collage poem with lines picked up from other sources of poetry/prose to combine and come up with patched-up poetry. It is total fun and also challenging.

To come up with a cento poem, one must read many other poems/prose pieces and come up with an idea or central theme that can hold the lines from various sources under one theme.

Here’s a cento poem that I came up with during an advanced poetry writing workshop. Hope you enjoy it. Also, I have mentioned the sources from which these lines are taken, at the end. To make the flow seamless, I have also added few lines from my side 🙂

Every Storm Brings Along a Calm, Thereafter

My desires are many and my cry is pitiful,  
My body's wisdom tells and tells again  
A voice inside, briefly, soothing the pain-
“These men bearing flags were thirsty for love.”

There was never a consent, nothing of me
They grow on me like leaves on a tree.

“That virus is not for you 
They decayed before they were born”
nothing can mend, I’m already torn.

They never seem to stop their coming,
They grow on me like leaves on a tree,
There was never a consent, nothing of me
That I shall find my rest, my sleep, my peace
the voice fountains, thrusting brevity at ease...

“The infinite knows what you hunger for
Ask Him to carry you across”
My conflicting mind dives into a pause
From a silence, somewhere deep within.

Strength surmounts, knowing whom to let in
saving me from perils of weak, uncertain desire.

“Day by day thou art making me worthy
 of thy full acceptance”- I surrender
For men may come and men may go, 
but I go on forever…


List of poems the verses are taken from; numbered per the flow of poem:

  1. “Strong Mercy”, from Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.
  2. “Relationship” by Kamala Das.
  3. Self
  4. “Thirsty for love” by Pragya Bhagat
  5. Self
  6. “Words” by Kamala Das
  7. Taken from the book of Bhakti Poetry Eating God, edited by Arundhathi Subramaniam. This particular verse is taken from Lal Ded’s poetry and translated by Ranjit Hokote.
  8. “Thirsty for love” by Pragya Bhagat
  9. Self
  10. “Words” by Kamala Das
  11.  “Words” by Kamala Das
  12. Self
  13. “Relationship” by Kamala Das.
  14. Self
  15. Taken from the book of Bhakti Poetry Eating God, edited by Arundhathi Subramaniam. This particular verse is taken from Lal Ded’s poetry and translated by Ranjit Hokote.
  16. Taken from the book of Bhakti Poetry Eating God, edited by Arundhathi Subramaniam. This particular verse is taken from Lal Ded’s poetry and translated by Ranjit Hokote.
  17. Self
  18. “Words” by Kamala Das
  19. Self
  20. “Strong Mercy”, from Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.
  21. “Strong Mercy”, from Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.
  22. “Strong Mercy”, from Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.
  23. “The Brook” by Alfred Lord Tennyson
  24. “The Brook” by Alfred Lord Tennyson

Let me know how you liked the poem and what perspectives you drew out of it.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.


She Spread Her Smile…(in a Jiffy)

A poetry from a page of life

Line sketch of a dad and daughter in a motorcycle ride
Source: Vecteezy
A blend of emotions,
flashing randomly in mind,
with deeply set eyes,
gazing past every speck,
sitting behind the bars,
analyzing and introspecting,
whilst the physique bouncing-
with the pace of tallyho
my eyes still wandering,
out of the window-
 yet another bus ride!

Yet another bus ride...
with monotonous gazes
irritating stares
formal smiles and whatsoever...
with my reluctant self
pondering profound on things -
that never change,
my eyes still gazing out and...
VOILA!

I stopped to blink-
to capture the flash of smile...
Yes...
A red giant pulsar,
speeding through its way,
accelerated by pot-bellied man
and that's not all...

It's she who sat behind
spread the cheer...

Her dress patterned with mud,
shirt-half tucked 
her hair-braided & tied up
with ribbons partially open..

She sat with bulgy bag on shoulder
claiming her to be a school girl...
her hands-
soft & tiny 
stretching out to maxim
to grasp her dad's stomach
that tummied out
beyond her tiny hands...
But still
she tried hugging tight,
with her face resting on him,
and her eyes glimmering-
out of pride and joy
with her ride with dad...

He now grasps her hands
with utmost care and love
from his front
to bring her more closer
and as her presses her palms
with his affirming touch, 
SHE SMILES...

she smiles with joy,
she smiles with love,
she smiles with trust,
she smiles with pride...
and they fade through their way
leaving behind a trace of smile
as oft I reminisce this flash...




This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.

Words of Wisdom From the Wandering Jew

A poem in rhyme on ‘calling names’, playful and conversational

Picture of the plant, wandering jew
Photo by Christian Petzold on Unsplash
Heads up, Heads up, my crew of crop!
With snug fit white polka dot crop top
& frilled, solid mustard, skirt in sway
Little Miss.Amaira comes our way
Heads up, Heads up, my crew of crop!

Oh! Her dark sulking eyes,
Unkempt hair with loose ties
A walk dead slow, looking lost
Sans a whistle, cold like a frost
Look at her, it’s a rather unusual sight—
Flora fellas, time to cheer her up bright!

                                  One day I’m Miss.Fat, the other day a spoilt brat
                                  Understanding me is never in their aims
                                  What pleasure does it give in calling names?
                                  Is my worth just that of a dusty doormat?

Listen, do you remember calling me "wandering jew"
And my tender friend beside, as "adamant creeper"
In an effort to help your friend identify who’s who?
Not to blame, not to shame, learn your lesson, however!

                                  Ignorance I may say, forgiveness I plead
                                  Let me know how ye greet me with smile
                                  Let me know how ye greet me with smile
                                  & gift me blooms whilst hurt’s what I seed?

Miss.Amaira, imagine name calling as a branch 
Just a part of life tree, why struggle & stay hung?
Tell me, if you were to judge from the banch
Is the mother-in-law’s tongue 
Any less calm than the peace lily
just ’cos they call it thus, all so friendly?

Let go, LET GO, there’s shade neath the tree
To sit & behold of blooms as you look up to see	
Let go, LET GO, there’s shade neath the tree
To sit & behold of blooms as you look up to see	


                                    I get, I get it! Yet after a while
                                   As I flail through misery’s trail
                                   I fear, fail & forget to smile
                                   When the dreams get shattered
                                   Where life ain’t anymore roses in bed
                                   I fear, fail & forget to smile

Oh dear, look at me, 
Today I talk with thee
& tomorrow I may die with a sigh
A weed like me, mushrooming in every pot
Is never given a place any high
I may wither or be weeded if they like me not
I still smile & talk to thee
Life is all about in the now — to be

Now come, let’s do our little dance
Sing and smile at every chance
Life is short, worth not to fear nor fret
Living in the moment is our only best bet

Now come, let’s do our little dance
Sing and smile at every chance

		
                  a twist and a turn
               watch the setting sun
         raising the arms up and high
     waving the sun, a see-you-soon-bye
                  a twist and a turn
               watch the setting sun
                        a whistle
                         a rustle
                 a spin and a wave
              together, our Miss.Fave
                    a twist and turn
               watch the setting sun
          rasing the arms up and high
    waving the sun, a see-you-soon-bye...

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.

Who am I?

I thought poetry was complex until I started to try understanding and identifying myself. Who am I? Do I know myself completely? I don’t think so but I’m sure I’m at least at it, trying to know. And I understand it’s ever-evolving. So here is my reflection poetry on my identity.

My first try with oil painting!

I was born in Chennai. Spent the first 6 years in Orissa. Shifted to Chennai again-childhood, teenage & higher education happened here. Marriage happened & moved to Pune. Life happened. The change took over. Here in Bangalore for the past 3 years. Am I a wanderlust? I says, neti neti.

I nest in numbers. Topology interests me. Taylor’s series terrifies me and yet I teach both. Math amuses me. Fractals find my friendship. Am I a mathematician? I says, neti neti.

I cook meals. Budget buys. Parlour papaya-peels pack. Dust doors. Scrub sinks. Wash whites & clothes colored. Am I a homemaker? I says, neti neti.

I help with homework. Tailor her timetable. Take to skates. Say stories. Share secrets. Play puddles. Dress dolls. Dream days. Nestle nights. Hug & hear. Kiss & care. Am I a mother? I says, neti neti.

I grow greens. Climbers. Creepers. Cultivate. Prune. Protect. I compost. Maintain maggots & enrich earthworms. Creepy crawlies come and go. I care for caterpillars. Behold butterflies. Water or wait for rain. Weed. Watch wandering jew grow. Am I a gardener? I says, neti neti.

I bleed. Bruises border. Platelets plummet. Purpura paints. Identify ITP. Fight fatigue. Survive steroids. Track tiredness. Deny death. Am I a warrior? I says, neti neti.

I pen poetries. Read rhapsodies. See similes. Mean metaphors. Pursue passion. Reveal reflections. Am I a poet? I says, neti neti.

I weave words. Personalize poetries. Bridge bonding. Exhibit empathy. Engineer expressions. Craft craziness. Customize cards. Sell stanzas. Experiment. Earn. Am I an entrepreneur? I says, neti neti. I says, neti neti.         

I says, neti neti.           

Who is I then?                            

A human being?        

A being?        

being?    

b-e-i-n-g

be-i

i.

P.S. The phrase neti neti (नेति नेति) is a Sanskrit expression which means ‘not this, not that’ and has its roots in the Vedic Upanishads.

                                                                                                                                                                

Promising Poetry

What if promising poetry had a voice and spoke to you?

Have you ever wondered what does poetry mean? What makes for promising poetry? Does poetry have a song of its own to sing? A story of its own to stay?

Well, we have all grown up reciting rhymes, chanting shlokas, singing prayers, listening to songs and experimenting with our own verses, and maybe part of education or as part of our faith or simply to have fun. But least did we know that we were all experiencing, appreciating and learning poetry in its various forms since our formative years. Poetry has been a part of our lives in some way or the other though it might be only a few who consciously seek solace in poetry and appreciate it. So, what makes a piece of writing poetry? Is it the rhyme or rhythm? The brevity or the allegory? Is it music or mysticism? What makes a piece of writing poetry? Can poetry even be defined precisely?

Fluidity of poetry

Well, poetry is the fluidity with solid substance to it. Honest poetry flows even while its essence stays forever. Poetry can mean protest and peace at the same time. Like energy, poetry can neither be created nor destroyed. Poetry just happens. The truth that it carries, the emotions it holds happen as revelations in every poet’s first drafts. The poet is just a medium, a mere tool allowing the revelation to see the light of this world. And that first draft, with all its nakedness and vulnerability, is the essence of the poem. THAT IS POETRY. The rest of the editing and polishing is mere crafting.

Crafting Poetry?

I’m sure the poet in you will agree to call the first draft sacred and hold close the time and moment the revelations happen. But does that mean editing will make the piece any less of poetry? Definitely not. It just makes the truth more presentable, even if it’s as hard as hitting a nail on the head. In fact, poetry is a beautiful way of holding the truth in its various manifestations from time to time, be it in its allegories or metaphors. This mysticism and revelations that poetry has always had made me seek poetry in the first place.

A seeking, a solace

Promising Poetry is an attempt at appreciating various aspects of poetry and a place to let my poetic expressions live and thrive. Poetry for me is a seeking and solace. Here is one such poem, ‘The Song of a Promising Poetry’, that happened as a revelation and comes here with the least editing. What if poetry has a voice? What is it that it wants to tell you? I hope this poem talks to you as much as it spoke to me. Maybe it gets to say a totally different story when you read and it’s ok too, for that is what poetry is meant to be. Feel free to interpret in your own way. I hope you enjoy reading it and hearing what it has to say to you, secretly.

The Song Of A Promising Poetry

 i’m the mistaken music
 of your first cry—
 miracle they say
 but i am the sleep
 that you just woke up from
 with a cry—
  an interlude 
 echoing cacophony
  
 i'm the silence of the soul
 the melody 
 the melancholy
 the mysticism 
 the marvel
  
 i’m no miracle
 my Master is.
  
 i’m the sleep
 that you lost
 in the clamor of conviction
 ugly glamour 
 that can’t conceal
 dark circles of ignorance
  
 i’m the voice of voiceless
 parched throat 
 draining dilemma
 drowning dream
 deserted death
 i’m the harbinger of hope
  
 i’m the symphony of syllables
 stringed in silence—
 a gut’s guide
 a survivor’s scream
 the triumphant truth—
 a spandex stitched
 of spontaneity
 taking the shape of your soul
 like amoeba—
 a single entity
  
   i’m my Master’s make
 His ego & slave
 symbol of surrender
 i’m the source & sink
 of fountaining freedom
 fierce
 faceless
 frameless
  unfathomable faith
 faint hearted—
 fade away
  
   

P.S. Meanwhile, I can help you in communicating your emotions in poetic expressions, effortlessly. Just in case if you want your expressions to find a poetic reveal, be it as a gift for yourself or your loved ones, do check out here for customised poetry gifting options.