Sunday, December 10, 2006

I KNOW NOT TO SWIM

[Flow of concious! Wrote it in an exam hall!]


Chill tides of liquid
sweep through my feet
the cold winds cooling it more
splash mockery at me
stubborn with force
under compulsion
I leap- no
I plunge so deep..
So deep into their hands-
with the gravity pulling me down
And the waters slashing me like swords
I endure-
Into those deep worls unknown-
Bizziare symbols and signs
Walk past my eyes
without entering my mind
The cry of a bell!
Awoke me with with a start!
"Oh no! I got two more pages to fill"!
I scribble a few symbols
On those pages-fresh and white
The colour of peace
Drenched in ink
I finally let it slip
Off my hands
Into those hands unknown-
Peace at last..
I realize; finally-
Oh! I know not to swim!

Saturday, November 18, 2006

A RENDEZVOUS WITH TIME

Piles of books, lay untouched,
yet, time ticking away
closed ears, mouth open
reciting some dull essay!
days of inactivity
shatter my brains
dawns the day before the exams
red eyes, with blackened borders,
I see the clock," stop! oh time"!
"Stop! oh time! From where did you come?
Who called you here?"
I shout-
But i'm so foolish,
for it'd always been there
for everyone to see, but me.
Hills of snow, rivers that flow,
chirping birds and rain...
"NO..NO..NO..No, not now.."
I stop my thoughts, with pain!
The syllabus book mocks at me- and says
"Remember the time.. When u were vain?"
"Lay it off", I shout
But no sound escapes my mouth
And on I read
in that same monolougue,
Only ticks of clock provide pace!
"I won't repeat this", I promise myself,
And it's time, this time, that spoke-
"Remember the time.. When you took this same oath?"
"!" And thus, I made it speak!

Monday, November 6, 2006

THOSE WHO KNOW, DO NOT SPEAK

[The Tao Te Ching, 6th C., B.C- I take this in the sense, "understanding implies non-discussion and discussion implies non-understanding".]


May be there is something out there
wanting to be seen
wanting to be discovered
wanting to be used, wanting to be possessed
why is it not being used?
who can answer this question?
but
Those who know, do not speak!

May be there is something out there
wanting to be changed
wanting to be developed, wanting to be cherished
why is it not being done?
who can answer this question?
but
Those who know, do not speak!

May be there is someone out there
wanting to be noticed
wanting love, wanting affection
why does this happen?
who can answer this question?
but
Those who know, do not speak!

And so I begin my journey,
Searching for answers,
Far and wide,
Deep into the minds, unknown
And high up in those brains, bright-
I find what I wanted to find-
The way, a key-
And now, I know why-
Those who know, do not speak!

Monday, October 30, 2006

A ZULU ENCOUNTER

[this story was wriiten by me in year-2003, with no particular reason at all. it was the first time i tried writing a story. surprisingly, it came out well and was published in a monthly magazine for kids called "GOKULAM"(nov.,2003)].


"I had another dream last night, a bad one," said eleven year old Sathya, who was in a foul mood that morning.
"Don't be silly sathya," rebuked his pragmatic father, Ram.
"Occurence of dreams signifies a good, healthy body. Atleast experts say so!"he said smiling at the sulky Sathya." anyway, what was it today?" he asked. " a cowboy or a cannibal?"
"Zulus!" replied Sathya, cryptically." They were posed to strike me with a spear." He gestured dramatically. " The chif was a huge woman with a cruel look! she was wearing a large piece of uncut diamond over her forehead!"
" YOu know that reading of racy, violent novels always makes you dream like that," his father remarked. " Now get ready and go to school. It's getting late," he said, sending sathya away to his room.

These kind of odd dreams were regular for Sathya. Everyday, he dreamt of cowboys, dacoits or cannibals trying to torture him.
Now, Sathya had a close friend, Sameer, his classmate, who believed totally in Sathya's dreams. During their free time in school, Sathya would narrate his dreams to sameer. Then, both of them would animatedly discuss the dreams!

That day was especially boring, so, Sathya and Sameer were excitedly talking about the Zulu tribes, during their history class.
" what if they burst into this room and point their spears at you," asked Sameer, looking at Sathya fearfully.
" Dont worry, Sameer! I will fight them," said Sathya, bravely!
" I have read all about the zulu tribes. They respect brave men. And we are brave, arent we, Sameer," said Sathya.
" If I die fighting them," continued Sathya, " you will take them up, wont you? You are my second mate, you know!"
" Yes, I will, Sathya!" replied Sameer, putting up a brave face.

"And before you both die, will you be kind enough to submit your history assignment?"

The speaker was Mrs. Bannerjee, their history teacher. Tall, dark and stout, she wore thick glasses, which shone like diamonds and now, she was posturing to strike at Sathya with her cane!

Thursday, October 5, 2006

LET IT BE..

let is be..
we need not bother
of what use is it to us?
let's lie low
let's see it happen
let it be..
we need not bother

dark nights-
pregnant with crimes
red waters flooding the lands
cries of agony
pierce our ears
but
let it be..
we need not bother

terror-
jubiliant and radiant
smiles with glee
rules the world
in a state of euphoria
spreading fires of hatred
moaping- it challenges peace
but
let it be..
we need not bother

cold air sweeps the earth
cries of plea
ringing throughout
falling on ears, deaf-
interogations-
remain unanswered
yet seeking answers..
but
let it be..

let it be..
we need not bother
of what use is it to us?
let's lie low
let's see it happen
as they have seen it happen
and will see it happen
for eons and for eons...
let it be...

Tuesday, October 3, 2006

SOUND OF PEACE

My heart is as white as-
a newly sewn shroud
the setting sun is smiling at me-
my closed eyes remain closed-
it's stories remain untold
the night awaits my return.
the silence if my lips
remain intact
no one to make it talk.
hands folded, legs tied-
not anymore could i walk.
cold air, out there-
awaits my return to the worlds deep-
weightless- i float, i fly;
to that mystic land- on i leap
there.. i see it..over there..
that source of eternal light,
peace..
let me be here forever..or i might..