Interception

Messenger contemplated
and then concluded
all the messages had been intercepted.
Thereafter, the happiness of painting
the canvas with "blue"
would need great courage to pursue.
Understanding the graveness of the incident
Messenger sent a piece of advice:
--Keep the canvas "white"
as white secretly hides primary "blue."


Lucknow, India

Father

She asked: How did your father die?
--I don't know. I was in abroad.
I knew what happened.
But I didn't want to respond.

When he exhaled for the last time
I was not by his side.
So, I don't have any memory--which is blissful.
He continues to live on.

He picked a broom often
and cleaned the floor.
He removed weeds from the courtyard.
He had tears in his eyes
when the daughter got married.
The daughter was happy to leave the house. 

My mother's eyes were dry.
And I, received all the emotions from him
cried in secret.
I never showed it to him.

Lucknow, India

Conversation VI

I have decided not to take it.
--Take what?
Take the money you gave.

I would wait for the day
when you will earn
your true freedom and finance;
That day I will not have any shame
to beg it from you.

Lucknow, India. 

Rebirth

Probably in '78 or '79
My soul departed from here
to find a place where it could feel the liberation.
So, it traveled to Bengal
where women are highly valued as individuals.

Lucknow, India 

Banishment

In history
and mythology
the rightful one
always received banishment.

Lucknow, India

Continuity

Whatever happens
Whatever unfolds
We will be there
Holding hands from miles apart.
There is no force on this planet
who can separate our minds to be together. 
Our love is eternal
and it will remain so.
Through our words
some said and some unsaid
Our love will continue to live on.

Lucknow, India

Reward

The reward has been offered
To save or to destroy
The arrow is pointed towards me.
This is the last thing I needed
for all the things
I have done
to keep you safe.

Revealing my emotions to somebody else--
Even though you knew
I wouldn't be here...
The reward has been offered.

Lucknow, India 

More than 24

Sometimes it takes more than 24 hours
To settle all the agitations...
All the waves which come to the surface
of my mind.

Yes, it takes more than a day
to find my peace.
At the end, the waves settle--
they dive deep into the water
They hide their faces from where they came
And the surface eventually becomes calm.

Deep into the water
My souls knows
It will find a way to meet yours.
If not, both have to depart
Until they are drawn back again
To this Earth by some unknown
force of the universe.


Lucknow, India.