If you started a sports team, what would the colors and mascot be?
It has to be blue. The blue of the sky, the dark blue of the night sky, the shades of blue of the clouds, there’s something so calming, yet so uplifting about the blue as a color.
Blue to me is vastness
a certain depth
a lightness too
a messenger of the universe
a beauty beyond words
blue it is!!!
Soar dear dreams
scale the horizon
with your span of wings
carrying a traveler soul
that seeks, asks and never stops trying
against walls of indifference
against the tide of time
crushing self doubt
fear of judgements ill
smile being its only weapon
desire being its only fuel
and a faith springing from within
‘we are time-travelers’, she said
I looked at her deep eyes
raging with fire
yes, I said, we must be so
sailors of the self
seeking new goals
finding love in letters
and hoping fervently for more
the universe being a constant
nods his head
and his broad back reflect
a nonchalant faith in our audacity
that is all there is
that is all there ever will be
Satyam!
Ps: To Rosewine Joy, for daring to dream
‘How often’, cried the universe
should I tell you my child
that you are special
that your tears are mine
and your joys too
for in you I thrive
in you I live
grin it and bear it
it will only make you stronger
coz what are your dreams
if you donot chase them
what are your hopes
if you don’t hold them close
come to my safe arms when tired
know that the flowers that bloom
the breeze that sings
the sky that brightens
is all for you, just for you
go embrace yourself
coz you are just so special to me and to you!
PS: To Janvi , in moments of sorrow remember that we are all but children of the universe!
It’s sometime since we sat together
said Sky, brooding over a dark blue cloud
yes, I smiled a little lost in thoughts
it’s been sometime since I have been with myself
a sigh escaped me
we looked at each other, Sky and I
in our individual journeys we have often lost each other
and in moments of quiet reflection, we always found ourselves side by side
a promise loomed large in the background
a mountain stood tall, some hills, some valleys and some plains
like a lost balloon danced a name in the winds
I looked up to see that by which I am called
a voice said, ‘I am there, just hereabouts, a hand’s reach away
Look at goals of the pen and the foot
stay quiet, stay humble and listen with heart
you shall not rest nor rust
focus forward and forge ahead
and I shall bend down to kiss thee
for know that the fallen riseth
the meek shall rule’
A faint breeze blew
a faint fragrance rose
and I am hooked to Sky forevermore
Amen!
What is the promise of the pen
for a heart worn and sometimes broken
to hold the pains or to let them go
and find their homes in hearts that cry
or to let go of smiles that shine
and wane of a face that knew brightness
what paeans will you write
what prose or poetry
whither the course of the pen
the words that walk in line
or emotions that rise and fall
and sometimes fail having blossomed too early
or suffered a false alarm
the promise and pain of the pen
and the hearts that wring in pain
that’s another story, another day
till then, ciao’
Love, find me now
in the throes of living
not when I am in the pyre burning
nor when I am snoring senile
find me now when I am breathing
thirsting too for life and love
asking the universe of goodness
‘where do you hide it, I see it not’
find me singing songs delirious
find me chasing pebbles down
a rainy street among the street dogs
smiling at a random flower blooming
or a hope that is awakening
a dream that will take shape maybe
love, reach me in time
in times when countries and continents are shrinking
when hopes and dreams are struggling to stay alive
love, said she, cheerfully giggling
join me in finding small little joys of living
watching the sky blue and shining
the clouds fluffy and floating
the crickets singing nay chanting
sacred mantras of the night
for lonely hearts to fall asleep in good company
and the twittering birds calling out
weary eyes to a bright happy morning
saying perhaps this is too is love, know it, live it, now and evermore.
PS: To friends, Padma and others!
Why does the hope not die
I wonder
Why does the heart not heed
I ask
Why do dreams dance
I don’t know
What paths, what travails, sweet life
What friendships new, what companionship too
Would I be asking for more
If I were to say that eyes still sparkle
Songs still kindle dreams
Smiles still turn into giggles
So, maybe, just maybe!
The southern breeze is still blowing by.
PS: and the universe chuckled!
So, you watch movies, then you witness something historical, something you will recall and shudder at the intensity, that is what Malayan Kunju does to you!!!
So, my daughter said, let’s watch something together in our separate laptops, staying put in our separate faraway cities, yet, we could not stop sharing our excitement.
We are in the golden era of Malayalam cinema, she said proudly. I could not but agree, considering how I am asked for recommendations almost on a daily basis by those who perhaps never looked beyond their mother tongue.
What an incredible country we live in, what cultural variety, what linguistic plurality, India truly is a mosaic of many colors and many emotions, I realize again why I chose to stay on, despite being told on and off about chances of a decent living standard abroad.
Well! I like it here!
You have come far
from ignominy, from fear, from shame
you have walked ahead
reached a place of inner peace
an island of happiness
that thrives in your head
grows in your heart
feeds on your thoughts
and comes out in your words
you have learnt to forgive and let go
hold on to what is yours truly
to process pain into poetry
shame into stories
songs, tit bits of hearsays
passing on joys, smiles and pats
of encouragements
knowing if you can, anyone can
if anyone can, you too can
meeting souls of beauty
of deep thoughts and wild smiles
of sheer power and grand ambitions
of smiles springing out of sorrow
ambitions letting go of fear
a twinkle toe seeks a dance floor
a story-teller looks for someone to hear
a mighty man looks to rule
a wizened soul that hopes to chant
a mother prays to feed
you know for sure, then
just about anything is possible
hold on to dear belief, just hold on!!!
Hopes rush
dreams dance
smiles shudder in ecstasy
coz its always bottom to the top
and good times like thunder gather
the skies redden bringing out the best
lover dear, giver so long
sit back and receive love in good measures
pouring in from every corner
touching your heart in every which way
in life’s journey, you got a friend and more
to stand by and cheer, lend a shoulder
in shared dreams and life projects of joy
it is time and it is now, so rejoice
throw your head back and go with the muse
as the universe unwinds her gallery of gifts
just for you, just for you
receiver of gallant chivalry
smile graciously and with open arms receive
what comes to you, is yours to cherish
Adhyapika 