GAGGED MOUTHS

City remained gagged today

Citizen remained gagged today

it was a deceptive silence

an eery silence enveloped the city………

The hustle and bustle

beat a hasty retreat

shops remained shut

vehicles kept off the roads

offices and temples of learning remained closed.

Commuters got stranded

at the bus stations,

railway stations,

cursing their fate

unexpected it was

everything unexpected

city dwellers dared not

to come out of their shells

fearing the response

of the frightening faces organizers of

the lightning strike.

City was silent today

it was a deceptive silence

an eery silence

a city sitting over a time-bomb

which could explode

anytime, any moment, any second……..

LUDICROUS BUNGLING

Look at the absurdity

of forcing two warring nations  

to the negotiating table

at gun point to find

a durable solution for

the core issues between both since decades.

Look at the absurdity of

the forces of darkness

hunting down hundreds of 

Malala Yousuf Sais to stifle

their cries for enlightenment and freedom…

Look at the absurdity of

a democracy celebrating

the birth of a royal prince

to his Royal parents

in all its pageantry

spending millions and millions of pound sterling

while on another corner of the world

millions are perishing day by day

minutes by minutes, seconds by seconds

for want of food, diseases and deprivation 

with none coming to rescue  them

from the clutches of

hunger, malnutrition and displacement.

HER FIRST LOVE

Endowed with the boon of masculinity and charm

casting an inviting, fascinating smile

he beckoned her.

She held herself for a while

felt like all her confidence oozing out of her .

Her heart-beats like drum-beats

her whole body trembling and perspiring

with beads of sweat trickling down her cheeks and forehead

she moved with cautious, anxious steps in his direction

mustering courage and confidence

like a fire-fly to fire.

With she nearing and nearing him

he could see her glowing eyes

trembling lips

her breasts heaving high.

His elevated exalted feeling

his immense desire to

hold her in his arms

all he craved for

with her approaching him .

His confidence abound

his eyes sparkling

his courage inspiring

he held her close to his chest…….

she wondered with a tinge

of shyness and sadness

her lack of confidence in herself

infront of a man……  

MY PARENTS

‘We fed you with sweet milk and butter

we showered rains of love up on you

we gave you care and protection

we provided you the elixir of education 

we taught you the dos and don’ts

and

we saw you growing taller

and taller like a coconut tree

rather like a full bloom

what all you needed  once

we provided you it

it is time you fend for yourself

otherwise earn to stand on your feet.’

-          One day my parents

called me by their side

and advised me.

They were two calm, serene

lakes speaking out

yet ripples coursed

through my spine in

quick succession

disbelieving my eyes and ears

for a few seconds

for a few seconds only….

Like an obedient child,

I could come to grip

with my parents advice

within minutes

and I started learning to tread

paths to the future alone

with gratitudes galore

towards my parents……

THE BAFFLING FIGURES

In broad daylight

we often see his dark figure.

In thick darkness

we see his luminous figure

who is he actually?

He still remains an enigma to us…..

who is he actually?

We go on asking ourselves

and grope for an answer……

Is he a devil?

Is he god?

Is he both devil and god the same time.

He always evades our

repeated enquires

and remains silent…..

IN COMES CANDIDATE MATHUKKUTTY

Familiarity need not breed contempt

Familiarity need not breed intimacy

Familiarity could co-exist with strangeness.

Otherwise he would

have turned my friend already.

Each morning

on my way to the office

I used to see the man

riding his bike from the

opposite direction.

Serious and stone-faced

he would pass by me each day

without even caring to notice me.

I too didn’t care to think about him

and saw no reason why should I.

On a holiday morning

free from the daily morning chores

while I was deep in slumber

the incessant cries of

the calling-bell woke me up.

With blood rushing to my face

for forcing me out of a

deep, sound sleep,

I rushed to the door

and found the man gifting

me a broad, sweet smile.

Something and embarrassing his

unexpected visit and smile,

I returned him a warm smile  

with curiosity glinting in my eyes.

Forgetting my anger

I extended him an

invitation into the drawing hall

and with a  ‘please be

seated’ gesture I invited him to the visitor’s sofa

close to the wall.

Both shook hands and introduced each other

and a friendship thus born

for the time-being at least,

yes, at least…

‘Dear friend, you might

be knowing this is election time

and pleasure to

let you know that I am

a candidate from this constituency.

‘Please be kind enough to cast

your family’s invaluable votes to myself

and see that I win hands down

from here’.

The reason behind the sudden

melting of the ice of strangeness

and stone-face struck me

and gifted him a broad smile.

‘Sure, my friend, our votes

are for you, for you only’, I assured him.

Within days the D-Day knocked

on our doors and the votes cast.

My friend unfortunately 

came third and that was

the end of our friendship.

Even today morning on my way to office

I saw him riding his bike

from the opposite direction

stone-faced he was

strange looking he was

and I found myself burst out

laughing….

Familiarity need not breed contempt

Familiarity need not breed intimacy

Familiarity could co-exist with strangeness.

A FAIRY TALE

On a starry night

a star

in the guise of a handsome prince

visited her in her dream

and woke her up.

Sharing  nectar-dripping kisses, caresses, embraces

and exchanging sweet whispers

he entered her slowly

bestowing her both pain and ecstasy

simultaneously.

Drowned in the realm of ecstasy

she pleaded with him

to lift her up to his ethereal world

his permanent abode

to be with him always.

Heaving tearful sighs

he pleaded with her to be patient

and that one day

he would come to her from

his ethereal abode

to lift her up one day.

Ever since that day

she awaits for her forlorn  lover to

come to her to take her away with him…..

THE FACADE

Behind the façade of

beaming smiles

she did conceal a nagging pain.

Behind the nagging pain

she did keep a reason

which she cared not to

disclose to anyone.

What all saw was

a young, pretty, vivacious lady

always in smiles

who was eveyone’s envy and pride

who mistook her smiles

for what she was…

Now, what all we know,

behind the façade of smiles

the nagging pain

there was a reason

behind her putting and end to her life-story

by flying out of the 15^th  storey of her flat

like a bird flying effortlessly

on that fateful morning……

SUN OF FREEDOM

Like a bird trying hard

to break open its cage

flapping its wings against

the cage

and trying in vain to

fly away to freedom

Man,

unable to withstand

the dictatorship of darkness

often yearns to seek an asylum

where the Sun of freedom never sets…

Both the man and the bird

continue to struggle their

way to freedom since ages

often ending in finding themselves

where they are….

A SIMPLE TRUTH

Like a variety of flowers

in a sprawling garden

life is a  vast landscape of diversities.

Like relationships change

so do the seasons.

Friends need not be friends always

enemies need not be enemies always.

Friends can turn enemies sometimes.

enemies can turn friends sometimes.

Like morning clears way for dusk

dusk clears way for morning.

In this world of changing relationships

and changing seasons – winter, autumn, summer, spring

nothing remains static

and that is the beauty of life, existence.

ATOP THE WORLD

Heralding a new dawn

a dove

a harbinger of love and peace

with olive leaves between its beaks

flies in from somewhere and perch on the shoulders

of mankind

on your shoulder

on my shoulder

on everyone’s shoulder.

Dreams aside

will it be possible in the

midst of this chaotic world?

I don’t think so….

Still we

continue to hope against hopes

one day surmounting

all obstacles on our way atop

we could hoist the flag of love and peace

atop the world…..

atop the world.

THE PACT

Gods and devils,

it seems,

ever since the,

genesis of Mother Earth,

are on a pact,

to force the living beings,

dance to their tunes or,

make them play around as they wish.

What logic exists,

in enacting these kind of,

theatre of the absurd,

on the surface of the earth right before,

everyone’s eyes?

No amount of clarifications,

would suffice to,

explain the glaring,

blood-chilling, absurd, meaningless,

goings-on happening around us, friends…..

FOSTER MOTHER

Traversing long distances,

you come to me,

once in a while.

Share with me your,

moments of sorrow and pain,

share with me your joys and pleasure,

within a short span,

you spend with me,

unload your mammoth,

collection of memories with,

me here and your, 

city of your birth,

your each visit to me,

adds to my pleasure and joy,

and your each departure,

my moments of agonies and separation,

come to me my child,

into the lap of your,

foster mother,

and spend at least,

a short span,

to recollect the days,

you enjoyed,

my love and care,

bread and milk,

which I gave you,

in abundance.

And provide me the,

opportunity to recount,

with elation and,

exhilaration the,

days I fondled you,

in the cradle of my lap.

THIS STRANGE SPECIES

They roll and roll over the mud,

day-in and daytime,

they love to hurl mud against each other,

day-in and day-out,

they love  muddied waters,

and it is their hobby troubling the waters,

they love fishing in troubled waters,

and wait for a bonanza.

Playing with mud,

day-in and day-out,

they have turned out to be a strange species,

often reluctant to come out of it,

and emerge clean.

Still they forget not to mouth transparency,

in all the dealings as well as others’.

We the citizens always preferring to be

transparent and clear

often look at this strange species,

with embarrassment and hatred.

It is, but our destiny to, 

bear with them and be under,

their control.

The biggest tamasha of the day.

    

A BIG UNCERTAINTY

I recount the days

when my village was a blonde

with lascivious smiles,

raunchy looks

full breasts

smooth plains

attractive curves

thick and dark valleys

and shapely limbs.

And now I compare my

so-called village

which is neither a village

nor a city.

With the fading away of

the last lustre of

her lascivious smiles

gourging out of her raunchy eyes

ruthless incessant, crushing and digging

her smooth plains

and squeezing of the last

trace of strength from her limbs

by the hungry, greedy

sex-starved rapists of

the earth who sneaked

into our village from

outside draining the very

beauty my beloved village

which is no more now….

After additions and subtractions

multiplications and divisions

what is left is a big uncertainty………….

LIKE IT OR NOT

World is an air-conditioned

bar-attached five-star hotel

where the cocktail of

love and hopes

dreams and ambitions

anger and agonies

selfishness and avarice

is being served to the mankind

and getting it inebriated

and drive it to the extremes.

Leaf through the 

endless, voluminous work of life

this cocktail of

love and hopes

dreams and ambitions

anger and agonies

selfishness and avarice

is being printed and reprinted countless times.

Like it or hate it

fact is a fact

and no kind of 

whitewashing can

hide it behind from the

naked eyes of any generation.

HER SUNRISE AND HER SUNSET

Freedom greets her in the night,

rather,

her sunrise comes to her

with the fall of darkness

like a pall of gloom.

In the foaming yellow lemon light of,

sodium-vapour lamps, 

her preying moments start.

She slowly, stealthily,

emerges from the gully,

to the world of ‘her light’.

Her self-imposed slavery,

rather,

her self-imposed isolation,

starts with the moments,

of sunrise, ripping apart,

the fading attire darkness.

Her sunrise is he sunset.

Her sunset her sunrise….

MUMBAI’S MONSOON PHENOMENA

In the heavy downpour

walking down to the railway station

she like a ‘drenched bird’ flew in from nowhere

and took refuge under his umbrella.

Neither did he ask her

whereabouts nor did she

ask him anything.

Under the umbrella

both of them walked along

without each uttering anything to the other.

The city of Mumbai

in the monsoon season

gets drenched and evolves into a sensuous lady

bringing people closer and closer.

In the city of

thefts and heists

violence and murders

accidents and casualties

pick-pockets and under-world

how come two strange people

come together

stick together

under one umbrella

in the monsoon season?

On reaching the station

with no thanks the drenched

lady bird vanished nowhere

and he entered the platform

folding the umbrella.

This closeness is a monsoon

phenomena exclusively for Mumbai……

WE DO WONDER……

Rulers,

roaming in the corridors of power

and safety ensconced in your cosy seats

you look down on us

with concealed mock and scorn in your eyes

we do wonder what you are.

Rulers,

offering sweet talks

bountiful promises

platitudes abound

but nothing come come off it

we do wonder what you are.

Rulers,

preaching against corruption

while indulging in it neck deep

like devils preaching scriptures

we do wonder what you are.

Rulers,

all said and done

we do wonder how long

you are poised to

enact this absurd drama

we do wonder what you are….  

SOME DOs AND DON’Ts

Keep not the windows and doors

of your mind shut always

with darkness engulfing the cells of your 

mind round the clock.

Let not weave a dark blanket

out of the engulfing darkness

and wrap it around yourselves

to escape the tsunami of

events past and present.

Keep open the windows and

doors of your mind always

and let thoughts - dark or

bright – rush in and rush out.

Let not offer any resistance

to them whatsoever.

The more the resistance the

more the force from outside.

Offering resistance to the

onslaught of emotions

is set to rebound.

HE REMINISCISES…..

It is pain and pleasure 

for him lying supine on the sandy shore

under a crystal clear

blue sky studded with

pearls of stars and pendant-sized moon

to reminisce his long love-affair

with a girl whose where-abouts

he knows not now.

First through stealthy, eloquent glances

then thru beaming smiles

exchanging bountiful emotions

thru gestures inviting her to a meeting point

regular nocturnal visits

and the inevitable melting into one

which continued on and on until

the fate played its cruel joke

of separating them once and for all.

Lying on his back on the sandy shore

listening to the musical sobs of waves

it has turned out his habit to be there

just to reminisce those days of pleasure and pain….  

IN A FLUX

Digging deeper and deeper

into the minefield of

memories, I lay,

trying to fondle the rejoicing memories

of the past, I lay,

but, my friend

tearful experiences always

overlap my rejoicing memories

wreaking havoc upsetting

the whole pattern,

enlightening me to

the simple truth of

life in all its glory and pains

which always go together.

One gaining upper hand over

the other always is simply not possible.

Since life itself is a

game of glorious uncertainties.

INTER-RELATED

Mind, a tumultuous, turbulent sea,

sleeps, broken mirrors,

dreams, surrealistic,

all, seeming to be unrelated

but interrelated…….     

CALL-SHEET

Walking down the

elongated, tarred road resembling a thick, dark sheet

under the blue starlit moonlit skies

in this misty, festive night of X’mas days

with the stars glittering

on the flats lined upon

both sides of the road.

They

holding each other’s hands

throwing glances at each other with lustful eyes

both wearing cultivated smiles

often marvelling at their immense ability

to conceal their true selves

playing man and wife

thus the residents of this colony think of them

they feel proud of themselves

like two tinsel stars

signed up a call sheet for an upcoming film.

None knows for sure

he is on a contract

hired to play her husband 

and she is on a contract

hired to play his wife

exclusively for this festival season

and with the festival

coming to an end

each of them is set to part ways

with none of them willing to shed a

drop of tear.

Listen to the local trains

speeding along the tracks

hooting sirens

to and fro

they’ve a lot 

to learn from that

to and fro.

IN DISARRAY

In a world

where everything is in disarray

no wonder

this nation is in disarray

like all other nations.

In a nation

where everything is in disarray

no wonder

this city is in disarray

like all other cities.

In a village where everything

is in disarray

no wonder

this village is in disarray

like all other villages.

In a village where everything

is in disarray

no wonder my village is also

in disarray

In a home where everything

is in disarray

like all other homes

no wonder everyone at

home is pulling in

different directions.

MANNEQUINS

Nowadays

on strolling along

the pavements to my office

from home,

and on visiting shopping malls

I often mistake mannequins

for ladies and gents.

In these days of mushrooming

mannequins sometimes

I wonder, often apprehend

whether one day

this city would turn a

city of mannequins outnumbering citizens.

HER SPRING

With the fall of each spring

he came to her

with a treasure trove of love.

With his arrival

her spring time bloomed

her numbing thoughts disappeared

with him sharing stories after stories

all colourful and scented

while walking along

the sprawling garden tending flowers

under the moonlit sky

with his arm around

her waist with one hand.

Both of them

would stand facing each other at times

with emotions surging  would lock in embrace

lips feeling lips.

Their painful thoughts of spring

clearing way for next season

got drowned in their

hilarious days of spring.

On this very earth

where everything remains ephemeral

where time does not have a full stop

both had to come to

terms with the eventual farewell however.

With him leaving him with a heavy heart

with her bidding tearful adieu at the end of

each spring her

her wait for her Spring would begin…..

  

TILTING SCALES

Sometimes I do feel like

I am being driven by an

unknown force to a predetermined destination

which I often call destiny over which I have no control.

Sometimes

I do feel like I am the master of myself

no power on earth whatsoever

has anything to do with

my fortunes or misfortunes

gains or losses.

All said and done

with my circumstances keep on

changing every now and then,

my feelings too undergo

a churning process 

in other words

the scales do keep on

tilting to the left and right

ends either towards fortunes or misfortunes

gains or losses,

what about you?

Could we call it human nature…..?

DESERT FLOWER

Albeit under one roof

where father and mother

are poles apart

rather like two isolated islands

she was like an unwanted flower

left in a desert.

In a residence

where silence reigned supreme

where loneliness ruled the roost

the unwanted bloom which she was

it was natural that

to escape the eerie silence

or the numbing monotony of daily life

one day

when a vendor of flowers

approached her offering

love, care and refuge

without any second thoughts

she accompanied him

unaware of the dangers

lurking behind……….                  

EGYPT CAUGHT IN THE GRIP OF CIVIL WAR – ARMY’S ULTIMATUM TO MORSI GOVERNMENT

On the first anniversary of Mohammed Morsi’s rule, Egypt underwent a historic uprising by millions of protesters demanding nothing other than the ouster of Mr.Morsi from power. It is estimated that 14 million to 20 million protesters poured into the streets, which he county has never ever experienced before in the history of Egypt which has a population of 84 million. It is also reported that approximately 500000 protester gathered at Tahrir Square alone demanding Morsi’s resignation. The Egyptian Army which was watching all developing from the side-lines has been forced to serve an ultimatum to Mr.Morsi, either to mend his ways by  holding discussions with the leaders  of protesters -  here the leaders of National Salvation Front led by Mohammed-Al-Beradai  - who was the former Chief of IAEA (International Atomic Energy Association). Mr.Elberadai is totally against the archytapal lslamic laws being enacted by the incumbent dispensation.

Morsi , a product of Islamic Brotherhood is inclined to Islamic laws which are against bringing in or initiating democratic reforms.

It is to be remembered here that two years before the agitation against the autocratic rule of Hosni Mubarak who ruled Egypt with an iron-fist for more than three decades had to bow out of power after lakhs and lakhs of citizens spilled over to the streets braving guns, tear gas shells, water canons, grenades in the process shedding blood all along. In spite of unleashing massive violence, the mighty Egyptians were unrelenting and they saw to it that Hosni Mubarak was thrown out of power. During this dictatorial rule lasting more than three decades, poverty was rampant, unemployment was mounting, corruption was at its worst, women and children disempowered and repressive measures unleashed by the govt was at its peak. The ‘Jasmine Revolution’ which acted as a catalyst across the entire African continent spread through the media and social-networking sites reached the freedom craving Egyptian too.

Within no time they started feeling, that was the moment to plunge into a revolt if not a revolution against the Mr.Hosni Mubarak who had by that time stashed abroad billions of dollars squeezing his own subjects. He and his family members fearing nobody apprehending nothing were leading a life of pomp and pageantry. At last, history reduced him to be a prisoner of his own citizens putting an end to his royal style of ruling and living.

The ‘Arab Spring’ which the Egyptians and all other Africans christened in the beginning mistaking the change of guard to another spring never in their dreams had any premonition that their nation is going to plunge into the hands of another autocracy this time in the form of a hardened Islamic called Mohammed Morsi, a product of Islamic  Brotherhood.

With him bent upon initiating measures to bring back an Islamic content to his governance, inspite of large-scale anger and discontent of the citizens across the nation they were left with nothing other than repealing Islamic laws started gathering in all squares across the nation demanding his ouster nothing other than that they are not going to be satisfied. What they are badly in need of is a popular democratic govt under the banner of National Salvation Front (NSF). For a generation which underwent dictatorship for a prolonged period sensing the scent of democracy is natural and on that account they were prepared to go to any great lengths. The Army meanwhile witnessing the historic protest rallies have served an ultimatum to Mr.Morsi to mend his ways and announce early elections to the Assembly and Parliament otherwise Army’s intervention seems inevitable. Let better counsels prevail upon Mr.Morsi which are not only good for him but the entire Egyptians.

THE BRIDE

The old lady’s life

was a long wait for her life-partner who

left her one day morning after planting

a warm kiss on her forehead

while they were in their prime.

She, as usual, waited for

his arrival that day evening

believing in his promise of meeting her

at the scheduled time.

He came not and

she spent sleepless

days and nights waiting

for his arrival any time

any moment, to be with her.

Her waits though prolonged upto days, weeks,

months and years, was of no avail.

In the meantime

keeping the memories of spring season close to her chest

TIME,

the greatest magician of all times,

by his sleight of hand

gradually stole her youth first by making her hair

turn silvery and developed wrinkles on her body

with dark circles appearing around her eyes later.

Despite all these

her dreams of a spring season

never made a vanishing appearance

and she never forgot to sport

vermillion on the parting of her fore-head

believing him to be alive somewhere

the very thought of him leaving the earth

for ever was unimaginable to her

and like

a newly-wed lady attired in her bridal costumes

nursing hopes of her husband’s approach

anytime, any moment she always waited in the portico

throwing her glances far far away.

Her mingling with her relatives and friends

too were like a newly-wed bride

waiting for her groom remaining

always happy, pleasant and dreamy.

Even while she fell ill due to old-age-ailment

her eyes shone wide looking around for

the appearance of her

life-partner….who still...remained elusive…..

CAT AND MOUSE

Like in this cat and mouse game called life

where cat always enjoys an upper hand

over its victim

which literally pounces on its prey

and derives a sadistic pleasure

by tossing the prey hither and thither

before piercing its flesh

by its sharpened paws and canine teeth

and making a good, tasty feast

the fat cats in this society

always gain upper hand

over the victims at the lower rung

and virtually squeeze the very essence out of them

thus getting more and more fat 

from which we have no escape

as it is the order of the day

like it or not….