No Destination

The curly one is lost
and lacks motivation
Probably, this generation
is more confused
about their destinations than us.

The curly one is lost
But initially had potential!
Either there is too much liberty
Or there is too much conservatism
Which propels her to find loopholes.

The curly one is lost
Or may be way too diplomatic than us
So, whatever is told
---all go in vain.

The curly one is lost
It could be that she is surrounded by an environment
which does not promote women's liberty
or may be an environment which only focuses
on limited empowerment.

The curly one is lost
And if she is lost
Only she has the power to find
her way back home.


Lucknow, India 

Writer's Block

This separation is painful
I don't even understand
If we are okay or not...
Is this a dissociation?
Is there a sense of detachment?
Without you it's easier to hide my face
Without you it's easier to hide my emotions
And keep us safe.

Whenever you came 
There was such an unnecessary commotion
among people--people seeking opportunities
for new things, gains...that I felt overwhelmed

This separation is like
waiting for monsoon rain in Jaisalmer
Or waiting to find an oasis in Sahara
Without you I fear...soon
I am going to have a writer's block.

Lucknow, India

Naive

She was young and naive
So, she was hurt by the older people;
She was young and naive
So, she was hurt by those
who always loved others for something;

She is still naive at heart
She still loves the same way
---the way she did in the past;
The difference is...
She has become a turtle on the coast
who protects herself from bruising.

Lucknow, India

Stunning Man (?)

Could he be called a stunning man?
The answer is "NO"
Let's break this stereotype of
using the word "stunning" only to female.
Can't a man be stunning?
Could he be called a stunning man?
The answer is "NO"
He is a decent guy
with a good heart.

Lucknow, India 

Fleshing Out

Your positive gesture
Your posture of giving water
to the preoccupied lady and
Your slender body...
I haven't forgotten.

If you know me well
by this time you should have known
I don't forget anything!

As my muse
As my soul mate and
As my lover;
Just learn the fact
that poetry doesn't allow
indulgence of any adipose tissue. :)

Lucknow, India

***********************************************************************
Note: On the other hand a poet gaining adipose tissue is acceptable (?)
Could a poet be inspired by a plumpish muse?
Or the conclusion could be ---beauty lies in the eyes of beholder (?)

Our Unique Love

In solitary
when I think of us
I think of our beautiful yet
intense beginning;
I remember your waiting
And your intangible embrace,
I remember your "coming out" to me. 

I know you won't be angry or offended
Even after my harsh criticism
'cause, we have rain in our hearts
that drips, drips, dripping....

I know, it becomes difficult
And it is often painful;
After all, it is not easy to love a feminist!
Or for a feminist it's not easy to love
someone who is culturally conditioned.

Yet, our love survives all odds
And we still hold hand
from miles apart.

Lucknow, India

Critical Note: I am attacked by the "patriarchy" bug. And I need to rectify that. The moment I say it is not easy to love a feminist, then I am considering the whole idea of feminism as an alien thing.Though, in the next line I say it is equally difficult for a feminist to love a person who values social norms and don't want to break traditions as well as don't protest against things that are imposed on them. May be I was trying to say for most men, who follow social norms because they are supposed to follow out of social pressure, loving a feminist is not easy especially in a country like India where patriarchy is still a strong pillar. Also, I do feel there is no such thing like "social pressure" unless you take that pressure on yourself deliberately. However, it does take a lot of courage to ignore such pressure and gain autonomy.