It's astonishing but also the truth—
Tear drops are like memory cards.
Every drop tells a story.
A story of an untold worry.
Longings flown out from our eyes
I guess they were in a hurry.

I have a story too — the one unpublished.
Yes! the same melancholy —
The one outspoken, out in public
In worldly whispers you will hear our name.
Every street and every corner knows our fame.
I will be your storyteller.
But I won't paint a vivid picture
'Cause I am intrinsically timid—
slyness is my feature.

The imagery, the context
Conjoined on a similar vertex.
Similar to your eyelashes — a horizon
Where sadness meets happiness,
Heart meets longings, and
Dreams meet reality.

You can't stop the burning imagination
Let your spirits explore the moves and the sensations.
Find your true soul by grooving on this sacrament
Build the bridge towards this angelic temperament.
You will find a way to reach your golden dream.

Hope these harmonic beats find you.
May this storm find stillness
Away from this mayhem
Up and above this abyss
Beyond the limit and all the bias.
May the peace find you.

I won even by losing the battle.
Wrestling with my own spirit.
Still I wish it to be.
That in some other world —
In some other multiverse —
I will say, I finally find you.

Even if this world breaks me in a million pieces,
I will stand as one for you.
Any impending doom near us—
Let it be—
I will stand strong for you.
I will be the one for you—

In my dreams,
In my memories,
In my life,
I still witness this splendid scene.
I see a face, indescribable and undefined.
Your face — the mirror image of the moon's reverie.
The curation of world's beauty —
A scenic design;
The one I prayed for, each and every time!
You are a proclaimed soul —
Famed for kindness among all heavenly shrines.

The one who has now become the strength of my spirit,
Strength of my life—

In every poet's poetry,
They define you with a sense of ambiguity,
Losing their senses, their serendipity.
You are that question — unsolved;
The mystery,
Undeciphered by our literature or history.

Even though you are not the one for me,
I will be the one for you —
Who will always stand by your side,
Till the end of infinity,
Till the end of time.

Let us stand a little and see.
Let's do it the way you want it to be,
like you embrace this serenity —

the peaceful fragrances of the flowers,
fumes of sand dunes,
the tunes of love and integrity.
They stand in a singular landscape.

How can I forget?
How can I escape?
I don't do tricks,
I didn't start to play.
It's just what the world wants to relay.

In your silent songs, you say it's over.
It still feels like the beginning.

If your heart turned back, even once,
I will surrender my soul to you —
in a way similar to
dusk and dawn yielding to light.
They form our days,
they form our nights.

Let us take together one more chance.
Let's live the best of our lives.

I know these lines feel a bit gibberish —
your love makes me feverish.
No senses, no logic —
now, I can't stop my feelings.

Scribbling down some unraveled lines,
in hope of that moment,
the moment when I will call you mine.

Traveling in this haunting noon.
Drenched in my own sweat.
I still step forward—
Just to see your face, a glimpse of you.
The distance between us.
Will come closer by each breath.

In my every travel, towards or a drift away for home.
I wait on you.
My chase, my fleeting race
My lifelong craze—
Whether up or down a phase
I long for you.
Now, my soul is for you
Every beat of my heart is for you.

Songs in the cab
Ads featured on my tab .
My every headline is you.

In the waiting hall of this airport
I watched readers, some whistling music listeners.
I heard some gossips — the untold whispers.
Still in every face I see you, I imagine you

For me, the girl listening to music on her pod is you
The guy reading the Alchemist is you.
The ******* the phone is you,
Picture ******* the water bottle is you,
The ******* my heart is you.

I bought a book called Dreamland.
To stay away for a bit from this notion—
From your wonderland.
I gulped a lemon tea like a potion.
But I couldn't stay away,
For in every word I read,
Is a word about you,
The ******* my heart is you.
The ******* my heart is you.

I know I shouldn't do this rhyme
Howsoever, I won't stop my pen this time.
Do you know a girl who knows about both
Fun and duty?

She is the one who mentors beauty.
The one who gives creation - A new aviation.
The one who finds her strength in Innovation.
Is she the one with fierce red hair?
Yes! the one with an antique flair.
The one who is blunt in words but cares with action-
A new definition to the word attraction.

Just a FYI

The day she will read these lines
This world will record my pity, my fate.
A flimsy reaction of which—
IMDb's rating would be above eight.
I know if I dare these lines-
An Angelic face
And a soul divine

The girl I am talking about
Will blast me with a landmine

Still I will do—

Because I witnessed the best.
Oh! I rhymed it long.
My trembled fingers now should rest

The word is in the air
This world now adores
The fierce woman with red hair.

Wavy heatwaves—
Hot yet dry wind touches your face
Chirping birds sitting in their cloudy nest.
Giggles and laughter of the kids.

Under the Beaming Sunglade—
Playing a game, clothes full of dirt
And shouting — peaking loud.
If you imagine this picture
Sitting in your office shade
That's the vision of summer vacation
A memory that never tends to fade.

Wearing chappals bigger than your feet
You felt gigantic,
Like you did a herculean deed.

A time when Imagination was a toy,
We all played with.
Rocketing a pencil with mom's hair band.
Fixed between our tiny fingers.

Having 2 Rupees in our pocket
Oh! That's a fair tip.

And our dad's tummy used to act like an airstrip
Where, us—the idiotic tiny tots— land their paper planes
We cracked jokes with him
Yes! I remember they all were very lame.

How strange it is!!
Today's introverts and extroverts
Back then we were all the same.
Shy, quiet, naughty
And with a little bit of might.

Working under this comforting conditioned air.
Disregarded—
Tell me—
Does it seem fair,
Why I still feel like that summer vacations were cool?
Tiny hands together in that breezy air.

It feels like it's raining.
Since it is now a ritual
That I cried for you.
Perhaps ! you did it for someone else.

I find watershed in my eyes.
Similar to - these leaves of erika,
The way they embrace the rain dew.

Mist on the window's glass.
A symbol of Ardas
That we prayed together.
Blooming petals for this proclaimed beauty—

A flower born in our garden
Futility turned fertile.
A Land— barren
Found its greenish sign.

To gain a smile.
There is always pain—
Unuttered and forbidden—

The pain which has become a perennial suffering.
This seasonal rain can't wash away my thoughts
I wear them in my cufflinks

Imagery imagined from cloudy sun
I see a face vaguely but
Pious and pure like the smell of this brewing tea.

I can write this poem—all day long
About my pain and this engulfing rain.

But I will save it for upcoming season.
I am storing some tears for upcoming rain.

Tuning the forks.
Taping up the notes.
Strumming the rhythm,
Playing the tune of an unknown melody—
All night long,
A simple song.

Raising the pitch in harmony— a humming voice.
Using chords to stay away from my own mental noise.
Ravishing words, heart-wrenching lyrics,
Soothing rhyme.
Not just about the worldly vine, but it is something divine.

A looping symphony that
Binds strangers’ hearts,
Maybe by verses in the middle or the prelude—the start.

It unifies both the weary and the strong,
Something like patriotism—
Everyone feels the same for a song.

Love, quotes, and fables,
Passing through all ears.
Language, art, or magic—
Call it what you will.

Whenever I play my six strings,
I sway, lost in time,
I sway, forever.
passing  through all ears.
Language, art or magic you call it what so ever.
Whenever I play my six strings-
I sway, lost in time
I sway, forever.

If you are afraid to fall for me.
for the reasons and logic
Tragic, it would be.
Because science never explained it more than a hormone release-
But it's beyond that reality.

If you are afraid to fall for me.
Cause there could be disagreement and fights
Didn't they become lovely memories.
After a moonlight dinner—A lover reverie.

PS. Holding hands is forever

If you are afraid to fall for me.
You should have stopped me falling for you.
Why did you show your love to me?
Is that thing utmost practical?


Give me some reliance, I too have a part to play.
We fall together—
Promise, but we won't fall down.
I want to give you my love crown.
Don't be afraid, in this sea of affection.
It is better to swim—
But it is better to drown.


You say love is sham, a scheme.
Maybe! You are true— you are right.
For I bet myself on the table and lost.
Nevertheless, I lost rightfully -
In the love that I have and for the love you have for me

With regards and this poor heart-
I sign off this verse.
Just want you to know
Lover boy still trusts you as his universe.

Some roads are not chosen by us;
they are chosen by fate.
And the one leading to you
is destined for both — my heart and my fate.
After all, you, me, and my fate
are all one.

If you would allow me
I want to make this a reality.
Even though it is beyond practicality.

Perhaps, not new but some symbol of togetherness,
If it could be done in earnest.

To write our names in oneness over that fading sand-
On the beach, we once took our stand.
After all, you, me and our fate— are all one

Every night
It feels like a day
Cause I cannot sleep—
I dream of you with my open eyes.

Every night
That book on my bedside
Reads your name, reads your fame to me.
A timeless story
A classic of all time.

Every night
Earphones that connect my phone to my heart.
Play songs which celebrate you.

Every night
Empty roads in front of my house await you.

Every night
My sleep lingers to come,
Until it’s sure it will dream of you.

Every night...

When I am with you, even hell feels like heaven,
For I have seen God walking beside you.

But how long can fragrances last?
When the scent of you emits all around.
A 'Sampangi' sensation that outlasts.

When the moon touches your cheeks with moonlight,
It whispers about you.
It groovingly descends the light,
Echoing you thrice, like in the love fable - 'White Night.'

Then, like always, it happens in a way
That even poems can't define it by any means.
Anyway—

My face talks more than my tongue.
The pumping muscle has started throbbing outside my lungs.
I am now away from sanity—
Now, delved into the world of chattiest utterance.

One side of me says it's a lovely gesture.
Another says it's not.
Which one to believe ?
My mind is diminishing and it's beginning to rot.
About that gesture of silence.
Don't **** me with stillness
If you still, do want to **** me
you must **** by violence.
Hurricane inside me
About this notion-
Now, I ponder
They are getting strong.
Lasting little longer,
Like an ocean wave, They are getting stronger
I am unable to hold it any longer.
I am a peasant fighting a war.
Aggrieved victim who couldn't score.

It feels like I loop same verse on a repeat-
Is it graceful?
Why do I feel this heat.
It's like an unknown revolt
Why am I resistant?
Just to write about you.
This pen-
I just can't hold.

Whenever I try to craft something new.
My Imagery becomes dull.
And I remember words a few.

And whenever I try to write you.
There, 'you will see
A poet is born -proclaimed'.
A poet of hope
A poet of rue.
Oh! There again!
My mind is askew
Lost its *****.

Walking down a lonely street,
I saw a light-like human—
Felt like a treasured dream,
A shape like a heart.

Chasing me down the lane,
I turned around and asked, shiveringly,
"Who are you?"
Then that creature began to whistle a tune—
In an unusual rhythm,
An unusual rhyme.

He sang—
"I am divine, refined, and the beauty of this time.
You rhyme me with agony and aghast.
You say I’m a reverie, like magic,
A poet’s favorite word from which they start.
I am in flora, I am in fauna.
The Lord’s favorite servant.
I served angels and demons—
Even dinosaurs, to some extent."

Mesmerized by his answer,
I inquired, "But… what is your name?"
He said,
"I am Love.
And now, you are my contender.*
Let’s play this cupid game

You are my reverie,
The unwithered voice of your heart
That calls me—your blooming love.
I am a longed spirit with apologies
For a reticent start.

You are the only one in the billion.
Don’t feel alone—
You are a north star,
A devotion of the affectionate moon.
I hope that I did tell you my words a little soon.

Even if this world perceives me as a clown,
Still, in your love, I am ready to drown.

Standing still with your shadow by my side,
I promise to keep my word.
Even if, by this world’s unruly stride,
I may come back and forth,
Like the tides returning to the seashore—
A conventional but uncontrollable sight.

I won’t fade away.
I, too, don’t want to be a memory.
I yearn to be with you
Till the seizure of my lifeline,
And till the end of time.


Till the seizure of my lifeline
And till the end of time

"Darkness of night had borne new life upon its *****."
A rise anew—
Sitting on a waiting bench.
In front of that gateway, I found the providence of you.

Imagining your image, I still do.
Even if it makes a monkey out of me.
I tried a lowkey job of forgetting you,
Still, I remember you—
I still do.

How to embrace my grievances—
I have no idea about—
Writing good words about you, I still do.

You said books, moon, freedom, and stars
Would bring you back those happy hours.
Yes! They will. They are!
But I still remember you.
I am endlessly drawn-out,
Yet I still remember you.
Looking at my healed scar,
I still remember... you.

I meet beings with twirled tails.
One with fox-like eyes,
Another wiggling his child-like tail.

Without a language—
They conversed with me heart to heart.
I met beings who were really smart.
Strangely, I understand everything,
While they only used the word 'bark'.

Happy and spiritual,
They are closer to God
Without performing any pompous rituals.

They hide themselves under the canopy of a greenish light.
They look different but don't judge—
Not measuring and fixing each other's right.

Unlike humans—the man of science,
Who spend years to create languages,
Still can't express their love or their pain.
How do they do it?
Gasping your temperament,
They read between the lines!

These four-legged, chirping beings,
Waggling their googly eyes.
Wearing an identity collar—
A free breed, indeed.
Joyous always,
Non-believers of caste and creed.

They live life carefree—with or without shelter.
I know it now,
Why people name their dog—Dr. Watson or Walter.

Raindrops in black and white.
A release of radiant bliss,
Captured through silent lenses
Stooped on a stand,
Far in hide.

Watching this scene on my digital screen,
And writing about this notion- unknown.
Sitting still, holding a bedside.
Scratching my head, I peeked out of the window.
The captured visuals felt too real - my comfort outgrown.
Then, I saw you.
Or did I Imagine?

A scene in a cinematograph.
An image of you appeared as a holograph.

Up among the dark clouds
I heard your name thrice.

Scent of the wet soil-
They blew my mind.
Beneath my feet
I felt it warm- A subtle heat
Then, all of a sudden
Strong winds twirled taking their lead
Awakening me, opening my eyes

I smiled, for I know about that notion unknown-
I re-manifested you sitting by my side.

A tale, not very astonishing.
It happens with every forced wanderer.
Just a story — amorphous and absorbing.

To make my living a decent one.
To build a career better —
Yes! The recent one.

I moved from city of hearts to the city known for its royalty,
The city which treated an insolent me like a nawab —
A Loyalty.
From metros — crowded with stories bold and unruly,
I came to the city having boulders depicting nature's beauty.

A blend of love and fury.

A guy who came from administrative forts,
Shocked but humbled by palaces and temples
Infusing in my veins a spiritual-divine force.

This is what happened when a guy from Delhi met Hyderabad.

From stomping streets, busy enough, still meet and greet strangers,
To streets where Bougainvilleas on the roadside make you fall in love with yourself —
Loneliness is now a fallen ranger.

I took my cravings, the longings of chole bhature,
Found one-sided love in Biryani of Paradise.

My heart got smeared
After hearing the mix from Punjabi to Hyderabadi.
My Hindi has now found its real love —
As we called "a real Ishq."

Love is in the air,
Telugu and Urdu whispering poetry
Embracing nature's soul.
Teaching love its new meaning and life — its role.

Believe me,
I have seen two cities fall in love,
Different in every aspect.
One is about passion and aggression,
Another subtle and pure,
Full of warmth and compassion.

Their love made me feel my own self-worth.
From now on, I am a Hyderabadi from heart
And a Delhiite by birth.

I saw angel-like places on this very earth.

I longed within lines of poetry,
Like leaves and twigs long—
For the weather to be.
Singing songs of their beloved tree,
I found a festival, where kids were dancing on the roadside.
Syncing steps with the typical rhythm,
On a mundane day—bullseye.
I won't rhyme it longer.
For now, words aren't able to bear my feelings,
The ones which are growing stronger.
Captivating my mind a bit longer—
Music, dance, and throwing those colours up so high.
Giving happy hues back to the sky.
This affection taught me—
How poetry makes words—
Which never die.

If Shorter messages have deeper meanings
Then silence would be the ocean of reasoning
And ignorance would be a bliss.
I found me in you and you in me.
Avoidance - avoided.
Blessings are becoming mischief.

After a long working sphere,
I went on a walk with my colleague—
Just to breathe some atmosphere.

After walking a few stones—climbing a hill-like road,
We came across a fair, full of stalls:
Stalls selling books of fiction,
Memories-loaded diaries,
And something cute and funny—
Rumoured to be an addiction.

Oh! There was also a stall of sweet gummies,
Clothes and accessories for the ones
Who are necessary—

At one gleaming stall,
Which displayed unnatural jewels
And some items with timeless halt,
I found bangles—an unusual purchase—
For I am a bachelor, after all.

It was like an abrupt, mysterious case.
I don't know why I did that chase.

We looked foolishly over a shop selling light-up bunnies.
Restless, aimless—
We searched and explored every stall.
We went back to have more gummies.

Trying to find something—
Which could be our overpriced treasure,
So we could be appeased by others
In our next breaktime chit-chat.
We took every measure.

Our efforts went in vain
And without any gain.
With a gift without a receiver,
We went to our work—dull and plain.
Yet bangles still clinked in my brain.

I have a news to share —
I know it's not about us.
But it is the one for which we both still prayed.
Languages different —
But similar meaning it depicts.

It happened — unexpected,
Just like a musing gimmick.
I saw a portrait of you holding a first-cry —
You held it softly,
In a way — gracious and mature.
I am at cloud nine — I won't lie.

Togetherness — are both craving for it?
Are we both on the same page?

I will long for you —
No matter the age.

Like me, would you also like to free your heart —
Not keep it in a cage —
Or will you still hold that rage?

I'm still trying to gauge feelings of you,
Unable to determine the stage —
Is there any change of your heart?
It's breaking me, tearing me apart.

Alone, here I stand —
Waiting for your answer.
Waiting for the day we meet.

I found someone to open my joint  account.
Yes! The one in the world famous bank.
To deposit my love and my dreams
To share and withdraw them till eternity
No matter the rank.

I submitted all proofs with my applications
Reviewed and duly signed by co-applicant.
Asked the world to be our grantor.

Promising we will bond together-
With all my interest invested in this life
The one destined to be eminent.

We scrambled back the application of seventy pages.
Now, we will stay together for ages
We signed to build our assets with love
In any weather.

Upgraded to my love joint account-
I found love: profound.

I had a single-sided love account
In a world - famous bank.
where I deposited my loneliness and dreams-

Upgrade! upgrade! Upgrade! to joint account
Depositing love, just one, with someone profound.

The notification messages,  even on call and emails
They used to scream invoking my hope.

One day, just by the fluke, I made an enquiry
Diarizing the requirement in my worn old diary

After watching that long list -
Handed to me by a shrewd representative
My heart shouted, "What's this initative?
,a phony scheme!".

Except for questioning my love and identity

They want proofs of everything I own in brevity.
The culture
The compatible age.
Proofs of income and assets - immaterial
The also asked whether I am on same page
About my plan at the time of retirement age.

List has 70 pages front and back scrambled upon me.
My mind bounced like a ball - up and down.
I abruptly closed my enquiry.
And screamed, "I am ok with my loneliness, What the heck!".
And said "On this downgrade -upgrade, I will circle you back."

After walking down a long lane
I sat on a bench with an umbrella in one hand.
Sitting still,
I don't remember, why my thoughts were numb.
With a straight face, gazing towards that wet grass.
Through my wet  translucent glasses

It was a tired pouring day.
An unusual day - with no reason for a smile to stay.

The winds blew rough-
And froze my hand.
They were hitting my face like a rubber band.

My focus was lost and gone-
All logic and reasoning were worn and torn.

Folklores of the insects felt quieter than silence.
Things that were troubling me
I can't reimagine that violence.

I missed to hear that-
Birds were chirping my song of unfound love.
I just kept rubbing my hands under the glove.

But why still, what was the doubt?
They left me alone so what?
I always walked like that-
The lone one in the crowd.

Maybe this could be the only reason
For what just had happened
I was just a victim of a disease called overthinking
I don't know why I stayed on that bench.
Without blinking.

Tears had flowed over my cheeks, I don't remember
Or they got mixed with the rain drops
I don't remember.
What I remember, it was something about
That I lost someone or I was on a verge to lose someone - who was out and about

I can only remember that I woke up by
A strange talking goose muddling riddles like a muse

What I have expressed
are the words spiralling on this paper
Depicting thoughts of my heart.
I plead guilty for the pain which I caused
While you stayed off-guard.

What I have whispered.
Are rhymes of my clean intentions
A statement that I have respect for you.
Perhaps you perceive me wrong
for the place I belong-
You judge me as a fanatic norm.

Yet to claim otherwise
I proved myself enough-
If you still don't feel that I am a good guy.
And if you feel that I didn't stand true to your high five.

I feel sorry for myself
I shoot an unaimed shot- a futile try.
And yes, it's true.
I longed for your soul.
I have no materialistic goal.

I wrote a few hymns
Maybe a heavenly crime.
Whatever you say
Whatsoever you convey.
I will just say, "it's okay, it's fine."

What is Chaos?

Having a baffling thought
Which leads mind to rot.
An argument with self
To get your best book out of the shelf.

A searing term-
Impatience, indecision, anxiousness are in their  prime.
Even in the situation-sublime
Oh! I feel that pain.
That chemical change in my brain

To come out of this dark den-
You need a strong willed wrench.
To forge nerves for strength.
Strength to endure.
Strength to fight.
Strength to reignite your light.

Is this madness?
If you like the shelf where she once stood.

Is this madness?
If you still adore the tea —
the herbal one you never had.

Is this madness?
If you are tempted to brag
about the qualities that were never yours.

Is this madness?
If you feel a sense of safety
in the mask you never wore.

Is this madness?
When you admire everything of her
but nothing of you.

Is this madness?
That you always dream of her —
whether she yearns for you?
An answer, still unknown.

Going through my old notebook.
Page by page,
Line by line,
I found phrases I wrote for you —
Raw but true.
Some lines, which even today,
Brought me back to my rue.

My book was pointing towards
An unsung outcry,
Asking me questions — unsolved,
Poking me to answer: “The why?
Hey! Give it a try!”

I found some paragraphs — meaningless.
They have just lost their tenderness.
Stories of my loved adversaries,
Poems about my daunting memories.

They say my book is petrifying,
For it has some pages with moments —
Electrifying.
It still has some pages empty,
Yellow and old,
Stating and defining my dreams —
The stories that remained untold.

Everytime you give me a new song.
A tune - unheard
Unwinding my tangled nerves.
Beats conjuring through their magical verse
The music of heavenly earth.
Butterflies singing in chorus.
Styled flowers performing the lead.
Under the canopy of the piano leaves.
Farm animals playing the violin
A Sonata of relief.
Moon is the curator-
And trees are on guitar
Our twinkling star playing mandolin
Birds -singing their tweet from afar.
A moment gloomy or a moment of shine.
You take me back to our best musical time

Who is she?
She is one of a kind.
She dwells on earth, a figure- celestial.
Once you see her, memories keep up the rewind.

Who is she?
A question that I ask when she stands strong-
A warrior that this world has ever known.

Who is she?
She is the one who does creation-Unique.
Art finds its peak
A way so rare, A way - antique
Beauty admires its own revelation.

Who is she?
She is the one who writes in a way
That lyrics find their own rhyme.
Changing and challenging the rhythm divine.

Who is she?
She is a champion of all-
Yet humble and cheerful.
"Don't anger her" that will lead to your fall.

Who is she?
She is the one who questions herself
Asking"who is she?"
While listening to that same old song.

Who is she?
A soul thief, the one who made me feel as a whole.
For I was a scathed scar.
She embraced me like a tattoo from a famous stand.
A guy who was just a  burn on a hand

My friends and I, we rowed a boat.
Over a lake
Brimming with beauty – unnatural.
Floating and paddling over the greenish water.
The smiles and laughter.
The rhetorical jokes we cracked
after and after—

Funnier faces we made
Splashing water on each other like an ace.
What's on earth, was wrong with us?
Like toddlers, we played.
After few moments, we parked the boat.
And sat near a shade.
Four young lads, away from the work.
They took a replenishing break.

Thinking and sharing
About their fantasies and of course about some troubles.
But in each other's company
Fantasies got their grace.
And troubles, they went giggling into rubbles.

The mood and the setting—
When we were deciding what we wanted to eat.
It was similar to how girls buy dresses for a wedding – neat.
It was a different day
Segueing from our daily chores.
What more can I write about this day?
No words to allure this moment
Forever preserved in my core.
Forever preserved in my heart for sure.

I am not a poet.
I cannot dance to the lyrics of the ballad.
I cannot pen a haiku immersive—
I write longings of you,
a passionate cursive.
For I read it somewhere, "For in every universe, there is you for me."
And for me, you are the universe.

I pushed hard to meet you.
Even prayed to the wishing bell,
Just to greet you.
I wrote letters, I wrote poems,
Wrapped in an envelope —
Should I show 'em?

Waiting for you to say, “What’s up?”
Pulled antic actions and strummed some rocking notes.
I still didn’t get your vote.
Peacocking all the time,
For a glimpse, for a smile.
Nevertheless, everything was in vain.
Down from the ceiling,
Laid crashed on the road —
An unwanted disdain.

I thought for long,
And reached this conclusion:
Beauty — yes, I could see it everywhere.
Because for me, beauty is you.
It is not me that brims within me,
But you.
Maybe your heart didn’t find me fit as a pair.
Like always, I was left alone — like a spare,
Without a piece of your heart.
It lies in his only lair.

Talking to my mom.
Over a video call.
Chatting about spices and food.
And my expedition on discovering new food stalls.
At a sudden, in the middle of the call,

We both started dreaming of eating pakoras
In our old home's hall.
We remembered that day — a day of our daily chores —
When we got a visit, sudden, from our relatives loved by all.
We sat in a similar setting,
Like we do on festives —
Some on sofa, some on chairs borrowed from our neighbours who just came from a wedding.
We all greeted each other, embarrassingly happy to receive those gifts.

Anxious but with a speed of light,
Mom went to kitchen and started the festival of a besan's savory delight.
She wrapped all the vegetables she bought for dinner
With the spicy yellow coat.
Fried them in wok where oils danced, praising the deity of fire.
Praising my mom for this ingenious delicacy,
The guests started to pick the pakoras served on their silverware —
Yes, the one — sacred and rare.
All my cousins started devouring pakoras plate on
plate,
Making my mother more anxious — how to cook and serve at this pacing rate.
And her eyes keenly watched the bottle of depleting tomato sauce and a bowl — half-finished, freshly made — pudina chutney.

Suddenly, our Sunday turned back to Monday.
Since,
To her rescue, Dad bought pakoras from our local shop.
Varieties were similar, same as served as early —
Onion, potato, mirchi — served with a differently styled red tamarind chutney.
I am in grave danger adding this line in the end,
For I can be receiving a flying chappal from a distance.
Legends say — always skip saying "they were delicious" in front of Mom if you can (Dad, himself, said it).
A well-fed holiday.
And that's how we celebrated the festival of pakoras
Which our stomach felt reverend.

Sometimes my heart writes.
And yes, sometimes it's my brain.
They both write on a paper—creased and plain.
I have no control
Over the logic I unknowingly challenge,
Or the fleetings that leave me emotionally stained.
Conflicts and peace—
Both try to corner each other
In an effort to weave a lovely piece.

Betting chances—
Will it be might over disdain,
Or will create something so lame,
I'll only die with shame.
My nerves are paining in this wistful fight.
They both pen what they feel is right.
Hands, erasing and rewriting verses all the time.
Will I ever be able to complete this endless rhyme?
Stop scuffling with my thoughts—
Just for one single time.

Holding bags of varied items
I stand in a street—thin.
Flea, but not free,
A place where dreams are sold for a fee.
Watching—negotiations of a lifetime,
Sweat and effort, all in a fading line.
A market where kindness is weighed,
And in return, greed is paid.
Humility and humanity are just low-quality commodities.
I stand in a street—thin.
Love has lost its chances;
It cannot win.
Hatred is the ruler,
Taxing your thick and thin.
It's different from the market of my idealism—
When my finger used to hold a hand,
Without fear and away from this nervous tree.
When letting your heart fly freely
Was an honored deal.
I stand in the market,
As a mannequin—useless,
Bought and sold in ways—pointless.
When will this trade of lives end,
And real shoppers return to sight?
I want to stand in a street—thin,
Flea and free,
Where love and art are traded in a harmonious deal.

Why moon ?
Why you talk to me ?
Is that some fairies' order.
To converse with slave of time.
You play this interlude on the wind chime.
Looting my soul away- the unwarranted crime
Why you make me wander in whims and fancies?
Oh! Now I hear a chorus from that garden of pansies.
Why you make me watch beyond these lenses?

Raising tides! That's the job.
Why you raise my hopes, are you a snob?
These dreams will get shattered by realism's chop.
There comes a cloud vouching your words.
Letting me hear, what's uptil now remained unheard.
Rustling leaves on that tree mock my vision.
My ears blame you.
You penned those lyrics
Unblurring the vision-
Which this canary, now sings along.
My heart knows to play this song
Can't stop my fingers to string along
The whimsical,  legendary
magical moon song.

A deep dive in an ocean alive,
which hugs swimmers sweeping up the waves
— a water tribe.
Fishes, eels, and creatures massive.
Today, ocean is calm and not the usual—aggressive.
Looks like it has found the leisure within.
A real possession, delectable and obsessive.
Today, it reflects the sunglade like a golden rim.
A photograph rare,
capturing pinnacles fair—
translucent and regressive.

Honking house of light,
asking boats to row towards the right.
Did they find something stormy?
Oh! Now, watching this discomfort, my heart felt a bit light.
Strange, isn't it?
Is chaos his new delight?
Not even knowing about the rough,
without gauging his beats on my nerves,
he started pumping the adrenaline rush.

It was a whale—bigger in size.
I said to my heart,
“You are not a character of Moby ****
or Captain Hook.
Nothing would happen, don't try that tiny knife.”
The whale then took a jump high,
diving back from that serene sky—
back to the discomfort, taking a sigh.
Stupid heart, please don't even try.

I asked a golden leaf — a leaf old —
"How did you get this colour?"
Sarcastic leaf said,
"The same way you get your hair grey.
I am also stuck on this Earth like you,
Living a life — bittersweet."

Taking essence of that sarcastic tone,
I murmured to myself,
"Ami, bro!! Better, let's run away.
Let's take a leave."

The moment I put my step away,
Leaf said in a sly manner, "Hey, stay!
If you want to hear my story,
Sit near me on that boulder."
I sat over that stone, shrugging my shoulder.
And he started his story with that ancient line —
"Once upon a time!"
Once upon a time, there was a guy with a book with cover of colour — wine.
With this sentence, I got a frown on my crown.
I interrupted him in between and said, "I found resemblance with that described being."
"It's you," said the leaf.
In a disgusted tone now I said, "Thank you for the brief."
The leaf replied with a grin smile, "I know why you are wasting me-time.
You are waiting, longing for someone from a long time.
I don't know but why?
Oh! That cupid's design.
Adding to this further note."
He blessed that I will meet that someone soon.
I can have his note.
In this conversation, this is the first time we both smiled.
Since then, I visit that leaf and we repeat this nonsense garbage
All the time.

Even when no one on earth
wishes us together—
still, I will stand by you.
Facing the scorching sun,
without the aid of shade—
just a greenish feather.

I adore your might,
your lenses, and your sight.
However—what's on the façade?
Don't bring the cat out of the bag.
There is no need to be shy.
Let the world think they can defy
what we suffice with:
capabilities, resonance, and affection.
Like true pathfinders,
let's take that action.

Perplexed and astonished—
conjuring both of our minds.
Doubts and fears
are there too,
moving us out of the line.
Shed the scare.
Let's brim through the darkness,
out of the lair.

The path forward is something
you’ll never know until you walk on.
With a mightier pen in hand—
and no swords—
we challenge, we fight,
despite the odds.

Brain is not braining
Heart skipping a beat
Remembering the moment.
A time when you used to sit next to my seat.
Remembering the day when you held my hand
And pulled me away,
Took me far from that snobbish gathering.
Away from that chatter.
The monotonous shout.
Together we went to a food stand on a narrow street.
You pulled me hard towards the stall
And made that funny pout.
A flicker, a scene upbeat.
Watching you gulp those savory snacks,
I made a face in annoyance – fake.
Unknowingly I kept my heart on the table.
A table of love-gamble.
Since then, higher are the stakes.
Skipping the world in that moment – temporary,
I found another world,
Yes, the one so exemplary.
A world of you and me - a treasured reverie.
I just feel my heart turns heavy.
Reimagining this in my dreams.
My dearest everlasting memory.

I tried writing about different things,
Of different kinds,
But nothing helps me let her go
Out of my mind.

The enthusiasm and gist fade, losing their core.
Whatever I write without the essence of her,
Even the audience doesn't give a heed
That's for sure.
Oh ! This yielding rage.
It feels like I am in a cage.
What is this disease?
And at what stage?
Yearnings are now beyond ages
Maybe love is just for the stoic
Just for the sage
What to do?
What to say?
I am crying,
I want my soul to slay,
My soul to slay.

Did you ever look up at the sky?
The silver clouds hold the rain.
They will pour it for a reason
And grace the land,
Washing away every stain.

For a reason above reasoning,
The one seasoned with your name.
So let the rain tell your story—
There is no shame.

The whole of your life, we chase that dime,
And in that chase, indeed, we lose the people—prime.
Are you looking up like me,
Maybe from your balcony?

Oh! You found flowers down on the ground—
Yellow petals of some fallen flower.
The rain brings a message of this time
And asks me not to lose you,
Affirmed by the legion of the wine.

When I hear you weep
It takes away my peace, my sleep.
How to maneuver on the turns so steep?
Zoned out—wandering about the pain,
The one that was hurtful and deep.

Rain poured, giving birth to this WordPress,
Your tears hold priceless value.
Can I hold your hand for now?
Time will change its course, I guess.

Aghast I feel, a thing difficult to flex,
The challenge was hard, yet we welcomed the test.
Overcoming the shortcomings,
We did our part—we did our doings.

Later in time, we get a flashback,
Sleeping on your favorite bed.
Like two friends gossiping and giggling on the roadside.
Perhaps, you are right!

It is not the end of the road,
It's all about taking up the flight.
Did we walk up this path only to pass?
Staying apart, though together we did start.

For I just want to walk with you,
Holding your hand,
Away—relieved from this world's errands.
Destiny will find us soon,
Till then, we will gaze at this smiling moon.

What does the bird say?

High, we fly over and above in the sky.
Sometimes alone.
Sometimes in a flock
Roaming the world around the clock
Clouds like dreams, we pass through.
Believe  us - That's the only way to be happy
Away from rue.
Open your wings and just try to fly.
That's the only way to keep your spirits high
Love we spread among all in our every ride.

A flock of seven birds.
Chirping and laughing near a table.
Sometimes you would find them sitting on a cable.
Sounds unavoidable -
Definitely you would have heard.
That little flock of sparrows—such a ravishing breed.
Every summer, they used to fly to this place.
Sky was warm and sweet but not ablazing fire.
Back in the time,
A bird whose presence we have lost in our time.
A sparrow - a symbol of resilience,
A symbol of hope,
A small pookie bird.
Have you seen them fly?
If not, then there is a reason naive.
For we, the admirers, were the ones who destroyed their houses,
And treated them as mere slaves.
On top of that, we increased the heat wave.
Making their survival tough
In the region which was once full of love.
Philosophers lost the art of philosophy
Watching this apocalypse - A catastrophe.
Helpless breeders finding it hard
To make the breed survive.
Meanwhile, I am just wandering.
When will I open my own shut eye?