March 31, 2016 – Meenas Poems

It is burning

a scorch with a swelter

thirst, thirst, thirst.

Blessed Me! April 17, 2021

Busy transacting online paying bills, tax, premiums, transferring money. I do a remittance to my overseer who we call R My mobile rings, R’s name flashes on the screen. He says he has not received. I scream ” Damn sure, I have done it” Some eight hours away he tells me the same, For the first time, I feel unsure. Verifying the remittance, Oh! […] […]

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Reflection April 16, 2021

Almost at home all through the year I pay least attention to my dress. I drape a bottle green sari wear a bright red blousemy hair is peppery, tied tight,the only one that is in order is my bindhi, round and red in the middle of the forehead.a streak of sindhoor smeared carelessly where the line parts the hair. Noted for my sense of […] […]

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Confined April 15, 2021

I stay home watching the world from within the house. My rooms gain status,the patio gently hosts me in mornings and evenings, The kitchen, feverishly drags me and locks me up mercilesslyas I cook four times a day,. The dining hall is gracious as I sit dining lazily,reading and chatting. Unable to reject my bed’s solicitations. I go to her. She rocks [ […]

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Puthandu April 14, 2021

Welcoming the new Year those of us who live in the Southern states of India turn ecstatic on April 14 Telugus hail the new Year as Ugadi, while Vishu is celebrated in Kerala and Karnataka with enthusiasm. Tamils call it Puthandu.Gudi Padawa to the Marathis.A worship with different namesenacted with similar customs. Prayers to the Gods with offerings of fru […]

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Durga Puja April 13, 2021

Bright yellow lemons are cut into two, the juice extracted and the seeds removed , the pods take the shape of round diyas. Oil is poured, thread wicks are placed. lighted at the shrine of Durgalakshmi,Goddess of Victorysynonymous of Kali,on Tuesdays. Women light the diyasat Rahukala 3 pm -4.30 pmrecite the powerful mantra Sarva mangala mangalye sive […]

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Sweet Sixteen April 12, 2021

“It is unusual”, so saying I walk towards the door to find rains pouring heavily. The mat in my porch lies drenched , the cane chairs turn wet, the footwear are no exception. Tucking my saree high I roll the mat, pull the chairs,place the shoes on the steps, go about as if I am sixteen. ” Well done”. I applaud and walk […]

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Oldie April 11, 2021

Lush black hairsilky and soft.dangles so prettyon my shoulders,enhance the skin colourgranting a charm,I look fair and young. Losing little of the dark huethe hair lacks luster,still holds an intensitytied up like a bunrests quiet on the lower neckproducing a maturity,I turn responsible, Black and grey mixgrow dense in no time,My crown takes the cuefrom […] […]

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There I Go April 10, 2021

I sleep every other day,in the afternoons. In a way it is innate coming from my mother. Summer has set in early,mercury rises unceremoniously,unmindful of the heat, I rest on the plain floor. Milkman motors through the garden, Hoots without a stop. Cursing himI try to rise. Lo! my head revolves eyes rotate ,the ceiling comes down, floor goes up. I lie, still […]

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A Liar And A Shrew April 5, 2021

A squabblebetween a wifeand her husbandone abusing the otherverbally and physically.is the recent talk of the town, She drives the man outof his own house, hides his mobile,behaves atrorcious, starves hi,spats and screams, engagesin sly innuendos, makinglife horrible. To escape her brutalityhe boozes, lies in geometricalprogressions, enters intoillicit relat […]

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Mystica April 4, 2021

As a toddler I hang around in the garden. with my siblings. The garden abounds with roses and lilies.Gorgeous I feelto be one among them. Growing up we argue, fight, hug and kiss stop talking, scream slap. i being the most docile. Like a hurricane we behave mad. The branches snap so do we, break the ties. Adulthood brings both responsibilities and maturi […]

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