In a tree behind the museum, a little birdie sings.
I am half sure it’s one of those installation things
that crazy artists put up everywhere they please:
mechanical birdsong drifting on artificial breeze.
Invisible little birdie will never be found dead.
Invisible little birdie will not poop on your head.
In the dazzling city of splendour sans reprieve
it’s no surprise I find it difficult to believe
that there’s a live bird in yonder museum tree
and it chooses to sing out of sorrow or glee.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Monday, November 21, 2005
Darkness
On the theatre floor, safe from disgrace,
anonymous vomit flows.
And backstage, Hamlet stares into space
while he picks his nose.
(written in disgust at the state of my community kitchen that students have abused till it smells like a dead dog.)
anonymous vomit flows.
And backstage, Hamlet stares into space
while he picks his nose.
(written in disgust at the state of my community kitchen that students have abused till it smells like a dead dog.)
Sunday, October 30, 2005
On Visiting St Paul’s Cathedral
Heavenly Father, who in Heaven must be:
for in Wren’s cathedral, though I do see
matchless splendour, there’s no divinity.
Those angels hovering in the air
are to my willful eye passing fair.
And it will not shut itself in prayer.
The feast is laid, and the senses will dine
Pardon me, for I must stray awhile
to return that darling cherub’s smile
and to admire old architectural style
At midnight sharp, by St Paul’s clock
I shall sit by the river on the sidewalk
And there, in silence, we shall talk
You in your Heaven, and me in mine
for in Wren’s cathedral, though I do see
matchless splendour, there’s no divinity.
Those angels hovering in the air
are to my willful eye passing fair.
And it will not shut itself in prayer.
The feast is laid, and the senses will dine
Pardon me, for I must stray awhile
to return that darling cherub’s smile
and to admire old architectural style
At midnight sharp, by St Paul’s clock
I shall sit by the river on the sidewalk
And there, in silence, we shall talk
You in your Heaven, and me in mine
Friday, October 28, 2005
making mischief
If no spectre of inspiration is haunting you
You can right a poem just by vaunting too
You can right a poem just by vaunting too
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
:'-( Part II
London by night is very grand;
but you are no longer mine.
So on Blackfriars bridge I stand
turning the Thames to brine.
but you are no longer mine.
So on Blackfriars bridge I stand
turning the Thames to brine.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Saturday, August 27, 2005
The Captive
The chimp ceaselessly beats out its rage
Against the unrelenting bars of the cage
I turn and leave: I think it can see
That I am a prisoner of my apathy
Against the unrelenting bars of the cage
I turn and leave: I think it can see
That I am a prisoner of my apathy
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Departing
"I must get going now, I have a lot to do
How time flies when I am talking to you!
Oh, don't say goodbye! I'm here, my pet
I must go eventually, but not just yet"
And that's how ruthless Love wields power
And causes you to die twice within an hour
How time flies when I am talking to you!
Oh, don't say goodbye! I'm here, my pet
I must go eventually, but not just yet"
And that's how ruthless Love wields power
And causes you to die twice within an hour
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Love Poem
Two dozen red carnations in a faux crystal jug
Cuddly cushions meticulously scattered on the rug
His favorite song playing: "I'm love's biggest fool"
And a bowl of red cherries on a low leather stool
Three little flames in their polished candlesticks
A feast sitting in the oven, slowly cooking till six
And two tiny drops of arsenic in the jasmine tea
For my not-so-true love is coming to dine with me
Cuddly cushions meticulously scattered on the rug
His favorite song playing: "I'm love's biggest fool"
And a bowl of red cherries on a low leather stool
Three little flames in their polished candlesticks
A feast sitting in the oven, slowly cooking till six
And two tiny drops of arsenic in the jasmine tea
For my not-so-true love is coming to dine with me
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Dance
Left together, Whirl together
Step two three, Step two three
Right together, Twirl together
Step two three, Step two three
Honeymoon in France together
Step two three, Step two three
Dreaming in advance together
Step two three, Step two three
Don’t we look so good together
Step two three Step two three
Let us knock on wood together
Step two three Step two three
Each one into the other blends
Step two three
Till the music ends
Monday, July 18, 2005
The NRI Ponders
I believe what the CNN lady says
And I spend my nights and days
In a redblue redblue redblue haze
And I spend my nights and days
In a redblue redblue redblue haze
Thursday, July 07, 2005
The Sapling
I’m sorry sir, but you will just
have to build your skyscraper elsewhere.
You see, one really, really must
plant a sapling here: all this sun and air!
A town needs its share of towers:
I do not doubt that you serve humankind.
But my child will never see flowers
if I don’t leave this little sapling behind.
have to build your skyscraper elsewhere.
You see, one really, really must
plant a sapling here: all this sun and air!
A town needs its share of towers:
I do not doubt that you serve humankind.
But my child will never see flowers
if I don’t leave this little sapling behind.
Monday, July 04, 2005
The Window Cleaner
Soap, a bucket and three kinds of mop
(Plus a spare, in case one’s ill-fated)
And blind zeal that will not let him stop
Till the last black speck is eliminated
He can scrub and scrub without pause
Ignoring the chuckles of all who pass
But the grime will never go, because
He’s cleaning the wrong side of the glass
I shake my head, smile sadly, and walk past him
On my way to change the world to suit my whim
(Plus a spare, in case one’s ill-fated)
And blind zeal that will not let him stop
Till the last black speck is eliminated
He can scrub and scrub without pause
Ignoring the chuckles of all who pass
But the grime will never go, because
He’s cleaning the wrong side of the glass
I shake my head, smile sadly, and walk past him
On my way to change the world to suit my whim
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Insha Allah
With these two words, I hereby
barter my ego and all my fear
for comfort in knowing that I
can only propel; I cannot steer.
Forgive me if I ignore the praises you heap.
I traded them for nights of dreamless sleep.
barter my ego and all my fear
for comfort in knowing that I
can only propel; I cannot steer.
Forgive me if I ignore the praises you heap.
I traded them for nights of dreamless sleep.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Unseen
Well, you couldn’t exactly call me smart:
I believe everything I see, and more.
I am sure there exists, albeit unseen,
A reddish-yellowish shade of green,
a pearl necklace that a mermaid wore
and a poem by someone who broke a heart.
I believe everything I see, and more.
I am sure there exists, albeit unseen,
A reddish-yellowish shade of green,
a pearl necklace that a mermaid wore
and a poem by someone who broke a heart.
Monday, May 30, 2005
The Sunrise Chaser
Sleep comes to me in broken pieces now
I purchase it cheap at the wholesale store
I wake up early mornings: no matter how
much I want, sleep will come no more
So I sit in my window long before dawn
And wait for him to appear out of the night
With the first glitter in the dew on the lawn
The sunrise chaser rushes to welcome the light
He runs around the world following the sun
His face aglow with the joy of a new start
And though today I am too feeble to run
I chase the sunrise with him in my heart
I purchase it cheap at the wholesale store
I wake up early mornings: no matter how
much I want, sleep will come no more
So I sit in my window long before dawn
And wait for him to appear out of the night
With the first glitter in the dew on the lawn
The sunrise chaser rushes to welcome the light
He runs around the world following the sun
His face aglow with the joy of a new start
And though today I am too feeble to run
I chase the sunrise with him in my heart
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Evil Musings
Happiness is inherently perfidious
It brings envious onlookers to doom
Like canned laughter, which is hideous
When the TV is in the other room
It brings envious onlookers to doom
Like canned laughter, which is hideous
When the TV is in the other room
Monday, May 23, 2005
A Phonecall To The Weather Department
“Hello. Is that the weather department?”
“Yes madam. How can I help you?”
“There is something strange happening here
You see, we finally had rain this year
Your scientists said it was long overdue
I was stuck for two days in my apartment!”
“That happens, madam when the rains fall.
What exactly is it that’s bothering you?”
“The smell, Son. That lovely smell. It appeared
just before the rain, and the air was smeared
with sweetness, it was magic all through
And it slowly faded till it wasn’t there at all.”
“Ah madam. That is the smell of the earth
As it receives the first drops of rain
It’s a wonder you never smelled it before.”
“Oh wonderful! I couldn’t thank you more
Ah! I just have to try and I can smell it again:
that musty scent of an impending birth.
Just one more question comes to mind
The raindrops in my desert land are few
But there are places where it rains all year
Does the earth smell sweet perpetually, my dear?”
“It does madam. Each time it rains anew.”
“Ah well, praise the Lord. He is kind!”
“Yes madam. How can I help you?”
“There is something strange happening here
You see, we finally had rain this year
Your scientists said it was long overdue
I was stuck for two days in my apartment!”
“That happens, madam when the rains fall.
What exactly is it that’s bothering you?”
“The smell, Son. That lovely smell. It appeared
just before the rain, and the air was smeared
with sweetness, it was magic all through
And it slowly faded till it wasn’t there at all.”
“Ah madam. That is the smell of the earth
As it receives the first drops of rain
It’s a wonder you never smelled it before.”
“Oh wonderful! I couldn’t thank you more
Ah! I just have to try and I can smell it again:
that musty scent of an impending birth.
Just one more question comes to mind
The raindrops in my desert land are few
But there are places where it rains all year
Does the earth smell sweet perpetually, my dear?”
“It does madam. Each time it rains anew.”
“Ah well, praise the Lord. He is kind!”
Monday, April 11, 2005
The Reporter
We leave the couch and we gargle and rinse
as we return to work we’ve neglected since
we buried the Pope and married the Prince.
More pressing matters await our attention
Like the Cardinals’ holy war of ascension
And the surly Regent’s water retention.
as we return to work we’ve neglected since
we buried the Pope and married the Prince.
More pressing matters await our attention
Like the Cardinals’ holy war of ascension
And the surly Regent’s water retention.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Observation
What would our friend Sisyphus do
if someone stole his precious rock?
My guess is he would continue
his usual uphill and downhill walk.
I see him push back his unruly hair
as I walk endlessly, aimlessly, alone.
I press my palms against invisible air
Sisyphus, at least, has his trusty stone.
if someone stole his precious rock?
My guess is he would continue
his usual uphill and downhill walk.
I see him push back his unruly hair
as I walk endlessly, aimlessly, alone.
I press my palms against invisible air
Sisyphus, at least, has his trusty stone.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
I Want
I am a simple girl, who wants simple things
like the Sun, the Moon, and all the Stars…
No! Do not smile till I have finished!
This is not one of those witty poems where
people say something and mean something else
Talking about the Sun and Moon, I want them
to stay put where they are, and keep doing
what they’ve become so good at over the years.
I quite like they way they divide their work
It’s the only way they could co-exist so long
The orange sun winking through the clouds
to wake me up, and then making the roads so hot
that I am glad to have a place to hide from it.
And then chucking my chin in the evening
to make sure I am not angry at it, and leaving
only when I am smiling at its fading redness.
The moon meanwhile hides somewhere in the sky,
not wanting to steal the Sun’s thunder; for even
on the brightest day there are people who admire
beauty that is subtler. When the Sun gone
the Moon hesitantly steps in, and willingly takes
a backseat if I have a candle or suchlike
You’d think being meek would be easy, but
the Moon tires and wanes, so we also have Stars.
How nice it would be if we could invite the
Sun and Moon and Stars for a conference
and serve them coffee, (iced for the Sun, please).
They would teach us management better than
ponytailed professors ever could. And perhaps
when we have learnt to be beautiful together
and give up dividing the indivisible skies
we would manage to get some work done.
like the Sun, the Moon, and all the Stars…
No! Do not smile till I have finished!
This is not one of those witty poems where
people say something and mean something else
Talking about the Sun and Moon, I want them
to stay put where they are, and keep doing
what they’ve become so good at over the years.
I quite like they way they divide their work
It’s the only way they could co-exist so long
The orange sun winking through the clouds
to wake me up, and then making the roads so hot
that I am glad to have a place to hide from it.
And then chucking my chin in the evening
to make sure I am not angry at it, and leaving
only when I am smiling at its fading redness.
The moon meanwhile hides somewhere in the sky,
not wanting to steal the Sun’s thunder; for even
on the brightest day there are people who admire
beauty that is subtler. When the Sun gone
the Moon hesitantly steps in, and willingly takes
a backseat if I have a candle or suchlike
You’d think being meek would be easy, but
the Moon tires and wanes, so we also have Stars.
How nice it would be if we could invite the
Sun and Moon and Stars for a conference
and serve them coffee, (iced for the Sun, please).
They would teach us management better than
ponytailed professors ever could. And perhaps
when we have learnt to be beautiful together
and give up dividing the indivisible skies
we would manage to get some work done.
Monday, March 14, 2005
Guruprasad Udupi
The comely girl absent-mindedly dips
a chunk of idli in the sambhar bowl,
while the awkward lad silently sips
buttermilk, and swallows a chilli whole.
Two tables away, the parents have begun
talk of what would be a suitable day,
sure their child will approve of this one
and feel glad at having had a say.
On the wall, the management's comments
are lost in the crowd of a dozen signs:
"We make all marriage arrangements."
And so caterers further cosmic designs.
Three years hence, the couple will be back
and order two thalis, and Baby will cry:
passed back and forth in its blanket pack.
And food will get cold while the poppadums fly.
a chunk of idli in the sambhar bowl,
while the awkward lad silently sips
buttermilk, and swallows a chilli whole.
Two tables away, the parents have begun
talk of what would be a suitable day,
sure their child will approve of this one
and feel glad at having had a say.
On the wall, the management's comments
are lost in the crowd of a dozen signs:
"We make all marriage arrangements."
And so caterers further cosmic designs.
Three years hence, the couple will be back
and order two thalis, and Baby will cry:
passed back and forth in its blanket pack.
And food will get cold while the poppadums fly.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Secrets
In Amma’s cupboard behind
the neatly stacked petticoats
your curious fingers will find
a bundle of crinkly notes
Not the currency kinds; she
does not care to stash
money, for in our family
we hide feelings, not cash
Therefore, good sense abiding,
you’ll put them back unread.
For you too have notes hiding
under your unmade bed.
the neatly stacked petticoats
your curious fingers will find
a bundle of crinkly notes
Not the currency kinds; she
does not care to stash
money, for in our family
we hide feelings, not cash
Therefore, good sense abiding,
you’ll put them back unread.
For you too have notes hiding
under your unmade bed.
Monday, February 21, 2005
The Patient
It can be very embarrassing
to sit outside the doctor’s clinic
(between a man with a splinter in his thumb
and a woman with a mote in her eye),
waiting to be treated for a grazed soul
Cupid shoots arrows half-heartedly in all directions these days.
to sit outside the doctor’s clinic
(between a man with a splinter in his thumb
and a woman with a mote in her eye),
waiting to be treated for a grazed soul
Cupid shoots arrows half-heartedly in all directions these days.
Monday, February 14, 2005
AMuseum
I gently walked into the museum hall
Second left, then second right
The dome above made me feel so small
I looked up at its starless night
Another left, and there it stood
The relic they had praised to the skies
One man’s tribute to human-hood
Displayed here for the whole world’s eyes
I stood and gazed, not quite spellbound
Trying to see what made it great
Curious, I ventured next to walk around
I observed, till it grew quite late
A million catalogues had screamed
I “just had to” see this matchless work of art
So many friends had always dreamed
Of a glimpse that would soothe the saddest heart
The sculpture’s upturned eyes were grey
Gazing at the starless night above
I turned my back and gently walked away
From Exhibit 15CFS: Love
Second left, then second right
The dome above made me feel so small
I looked up at its starless night
Another left, and there it stood
The relic they had praised to the skies
One man’s tribute to human-hood
Displayed here for the whole world’s eyes
I stood and gazed, not quite spellbound
Trying to see what made it great
Curious, I ventured next to walk around
I observed, till it grew quite late
A million catalogues had screamed
I “just had to” see this matchless work of art
So many friends had always dreamed
Of a glimpse that would soothe the saddest heart
The sculpture’s upturned eyes were grey
Gazing at the starless night above
I turned my back and gently walked away
From Exhibit 15CFS: Love
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Baby Show
I recently was witness to a Baby Show
With Dads and Moms with kids in tow
Brimming with pride, an eager sire
Held forth his baby for me to admire
“How pretty! How sweet!” he himself said
Me, I found the cherub far too red
“How very angelic!” everyone cried
“Now see mine! Now mine!” they vied
Babies were held forth one by one all morn
As I watched, I wondered how they were born
Some of maidens in towers long locked-up
Some of strumpets accidentally knocked up
Sired by sinners and sired by saints
Some early prayers, some late complaints
Babies of all shapes and almost all sizes
The organizers gave them all lovely prizes
I smiled at the darlings, and pulled a cheek
And turned away from those gruesome and weak
By the time I left, the pain had gone wild
I came home and delivered a stillborn child
With Dads and Moms with kids in tow
Brimming with pride, an eager sire
Held forth his baby for me to admire
“How pretty! How sweet!” he himself said
Me, I found the cherub far too red
“How very angelic!” everyone cried
“Now see mine! Now mine!” they vied
Babies were held forth one by one all morn
As I watched, I wondered how they were born
Some of maidens in towers long locked-up
Some of strumpets accidentally knocked up
Sired by sinners and sired by saints
Some early prayers, some late complaints
Babies of all shapes and almost all sizes
The organizers gave them all lovely prizes
I smiled at the darlings, and pulled a cheek
And turned away from those gruesome and weak
By the time I left, the pain had gone wild
I came home and delivered a stillborn child
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Monday, February 07, 2005
+
She:
When your fingers lock with mine
Five and five make one
Sometimes we must redefine
The rules of addition
He:
You can hold my hand and not let go
But my spirit wanders free
A part of me you’ll never know
Our one and one is three
When your fingers lock with mine
Five and five make one
Sometimes we must redefine
The rules of addition
He:
You can hold my hand and not let go
But my spirit wanders free
A part of me you’ll never know
Our one and one is three
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Bartender
(Inspired by the following lines from the Heretic: Love only lasts for strangers/ who met when the night was younger)
Madam are you expecting a friend?
I’m really getting late
My wife complains it’s become a trend
I’m not up to a debate
But it’s a great job I’ve landed here
Make some good money too
Here’s your…well let’s see…seventh beer
And the last, I must beg you
Arm in arm kids crowd around
I mix each one a drink
The music’s loud, it drowns the sound
Of how young lovers think
Later at night the gentlemen arrive
With the “ladies” around town
Blue Label makes our business thrive
And lets their gelled hair down
The last ones in are the lonely hearts
Trickling in hunched up to mope
Some broken often, in various parts
And shattered past all hope
A gentleman just looked in and left
Was he the one you sought?
Bald? Or should I say hair-bereft
Not him? I should’ve thought
You sure he’s coming? It’s awfully late
And I have to close up soon
They never keep the late night date
With old stars under the new moon
Madam are you expecting a friend?
I’m really getting late
My wife complains it’s become a trend
I’m not up to a debate
But it’s a great job I’ve landed here
Make some good money too
Here’s your…well let’s see…seventh beer
And the last, I must beg you
Arm in arm kids crowd around
I mix each one a drink
The music’s loud, it drowns the sound
Of how young lovers think
Later at night the gentlemen arrive
With the “ladies” around town
Blue Label makes our business thrive
And lets their gelled hair down
The last ones in are the lonely hearts
Trickling in hunched up to mope
Some broken often, in various parts
And shattered past all hope
A gentleman just looked in and left
Was he the one you sought?
Bald? Or should I say hair-bereft
Not him? I should’ve thought
You sure he’s coming? It’s awfully late
And I have to close up soon
They never keep the late night date
With old stars under the new moon
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Business Reopens for the Evening
Makkhan Singh lolled in his chair
A fly buzzed perched on his nose
Heaps of laddoos were everywhere
But the fly cared not for those
With one half open eye our friend
Observed the adventurous fly
One thwack put its adventure to end
And it fell among laddoos to die
‘Flies! What a bother!’ Makkhan cried
‘This time of year when business is good
The management should use pesticide
Instead of burning sandalwood’
At four he rose and sounded the conch
And eager devotees broke the queue
Money was showered on the idol’s paunch
And each devotee got a laddoo
A fly buzzed perched on his nose
Heaps of laddoos were everywhere
But the fly cared not for those
With one half open eye our friend
Observed the adventurous fly
One thwack put its adventure to end
And it fell among laddoos to die
‘Flies! What a bother!’ Makkhan cried
‘This time of year when business is good
The management should use pesticide
Instead of burning sandalwood’
At four he rose and sounded the conch
And eager devotees broke the queue
Money was showered on the idol’s paunch
And each devotee got a laddoo
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Vocation
I love you, my dearest daughter
I moulded you in my own fire
I’ll change wine back to water
If that’s your heart’s desire
Carry the spark far and wide
Take time to return to the fold
I’ll wait up here while you decide
Gods, at least, don’t grow old
Find your lamp and light it
Millions in darkness await you
And if there’s a gale, fight it
I caused it, and not because I hate you
(A vocation in life to all. Amen.)
I moulded you in my own fire
I’ll change wine back to water
If that’s your heart’s desire
Carry the spark far and wide
Take time to return to the fold
I’ll wait up here while you decide
Gods, at least, don’t grow old
Find your lamp and light it
Millions in darkness await you
And if there’s a gale, fight it
I caused it, and not because I hate you
(A vocation in life to all. Amen.)
Monday, January 31, 2005
Palmystery
Holding my hand against the light
I see lines few others would spot
A burnt trail (the saucepan was hot)
An old gash from a childish fight
Bite marks from a stifled scream
Nail semicircles on a nervous palm
Razor marks untreated with balm
Prints from a hand-holding dream
Fortune-tellers will never know
What lines decide how fate must go
I see lines few others would spot
A burnt trail (the saucepan was hot)
An old gash from a childish fight
Bite marks from a stifled scream
Nail semicircles on a nervous palm
Razor marks untreated with balm
Prints from a hand-holding dream
Fortune-tellers will never know
What lines decide how fate must go
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
..
There is an undetected crack
In the construction
Between the first and second floors
Of the universe
The sun does not shine into the crack
On most days
It is a dark space with no reason to exist
I live there
The undetected crack in the construction
Between yesterday
Which I hold responsible for all my mistakes
And tomorrow
Which does not let the sun shine on me
On most days
In the construction
Between the first and second floors
Of the universe
The sun does not shine into the crack
On most days
It is a dark space with no reason to exist
I live there
The undetected crack in the construction
Between yesterday
Which I hold responsible for all my mistakes
And tomorrow
Which does not let the sun shine on me
On most days
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
...
My podgy little index finger
Was still warm
And moist
From being held in your hand
It gripped an iron rail
I felt it grow strong
And cold
The day I learned to stand
Was still warm
And moist
From being held in your hand
It gripped an iron rail
I felt it grow strong
And cold
The day I learned to stand
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Bug
.
Shh!
Don’t Move!
There
Is
A
Bug
On
Your
Collar
THWACK!
Gone.
You are welcome!
So, what were you saying?
You’re through with me?
Shh!
Don’t Move!
There
Is
A
Bug
On
Your
Collar
THWACK!
Gone.
You are welcome!
So, what were you saying?
You’re through with me?
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