Sunday, 30 January 2011

Fading Dust

Winter is already receding. The morning greets us flirtatiously with just a hint of a chill. Yet, as the day unravels, the sun roasts us in sweat. There is a particular charm held by winter mornings... when you awaken with utmost reluctance, preferring a warm blanket to anything outside of it, when the water and hygienic habits wake you up even if your alarm clock doesn't, when you feel the season with all of your senses and let it sweep you away!

But alas! The last couple of days have given me reason enough to believe that I am bidding farewell to another winter. It's another year that has gone by — many leaves have fallen to Time and many more are awaiting entrapment.

And so the world completes another cycle, just as it always does. And just as always, people seldom change. Their bare essence remains unmarred although their countenance shows the signs and scars of experience. It makes me wonder, sometimes, if the trouble of feeling time flow through the body is even worth it. But then I remember moments when I was oblivious to Time, instances when Time was my slave instead of the other way around and feel inspired to breathe again! ‘Inspiration’ — what a curious word indeed!

Traversing life is more like a drive through the mountains. There are bends, rocky paths, sharp turns, and always, danger of the steepest descent. The view, however, cinches the deal, both at the top and more importantly, on the way...

Wednesday, 26 January 2011

Memory

And with this rhyme will I but chime
A sweeter memory…
Of painted hills and bright green tills
And sun-struck ivory,
And with this word I do put forth
The pleasures of my sight
’Cross curving courses carved in crumbs
Of ancient earthy might;

And with each drop on every stop
My ink recounts for me,
The clouds that danced, the winds that pranced
On hilltops, proud and free…
And with each treetop crowned in rust
My girlish spirit rose
Past precious peaks perched cheek-by-jowl
Nestled in calm repose;

And as I drove along this grove
The mountains called to me —
A call so wild, my inner child
Burst forth with willing glee!
And with this rush, my soul did gush
And giggle furtively,
Choosing childish charms over chains
Imposed most drearily.

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

In My Sleep...

As I tried, as I tried, in my sleep
As I cried
I blew a whispered withered word
Into the air, for it to glide
And I sighed, as I died, in my dreams
As I cried
Breathing troubled winter winds
Into my lungs, for them to chide
As they gushed, and they rushed, into my body
And I hushed
Them into silence, for they would
Awaken skin already flushed
And I bled, as I fled, in my sleep
Draped with dread
Along the path traced out by moonlight
That only forest dwellers tread
And I flew, as I blew out my candle
And withdrew
Into shadows shunned by starlight
Burned by a bitter baleful brew
And I sighed, as I died, in my dreams
As I cried
While my soul grazed past all sorrow
And was freed from need at last!