A New Maxim

Do not tell me
show me,
a new maxim
for poets.

Heard from
fellow poets.
Came across
on occasions.

Tighten the lines,
get rid of a few,
tweak, trim
are suggestions.

I am bewildered.
Sense am a failure
in the wake
of competition.

Leave a Reply

Dumbbell November 24, 2022

I am quiet, like a hummingbird,sing and talk to myself, become quieter in days,exist like a butterfly, minding my portfolio,turn quietest in years, an antithesis of acackling duck. People call me dumbbell. Being singled out by the family,where own blood sucks like a parasitewho behave like a sly fox– treacherousengaging in conflicts creating rancourforces me […]

meenas17

Homecoming November 23, 2022

Back home after a jaunt.a fortnight of being awaysets in a longing, in spiteof the other being my own. The second, a recent additionconspicuous for its grandeurbeautifully styled, a fusion of traditionand modern architecture gives me a sense of pridenot one of belonging.Alighting at the porch, of the oldI experience a sensation, nostalgic. As I […]

meenas17

Satyagraha November 22, 2022

Soon after his return from South Africa Mahatma Gandhi participates in the Indianfreedom struggle. Shunning violence he takes the cudgelsof Satvika. He practises with faith India is freed decades later. Without weapons, without bloodshed,hitherto unknown to the world. Gandhirecovers the country from the British.

meenas17

My Dad on Wheels November 18, 2022

Cycling in the eveningsoon after I come from schoolis my play.. Counting 1, 2, 3, I flylike a whirlwind, Zoom, zoom, the bicycle runskeeping pace with my anxiety.“Hai, Hai”, I wave to my cook who brings in a glass of milk. My enthusiasm grows. as my bicycletakes off like an airplane, whir, whir, I speed. lose […]

meenas17

Eyeing November 17, 2022

My mother’s eyes stay behind follow me where I go. Overtake and come in front when I talk to strangers. The eyes give instructions,twinkle when I speak right, stare when I go wrong.cast down when I fail, caution when I am aboutto pronounce something important. They retreat when I am finished, walkwith me till I reach the […]

meenas17

I Turn a Gardener November 16, 2022

The garden looks uncouth ups and downs in the driveway, thud, thud go the vehicles. intermittent patches of grass high and low, a semblance of a beard with tuft and stubble, stones and pebbles strewn around deliver it unholy. To work affordable, I design a lengthy lawn, measuring 100 feet by 5 feet, royal palms […]

meenas17

Status Quo Continues November 14, 2022

A lifelong wait has ended I sigh with relief. Not too soon it opens and closes like a May flower, shimmers in the sun shuts up at dusk. The carousel is transient hours do not count nor days stand in a row it is years like a long tail nearly a decade, a quarter of […]

meenas17

Rainy Day November 13, 2022

It is rain, rain, all day, like to shout in a cry” Rain, rain go awaycome again another day.” Stubborn she is in her playchildlike in her display.she comes down the whole daycreating an untold dismay. My open courtyard is loggedHelpless I watch the clogged outlets clear the backlogswater escapes like a dissembling fog. Putting my […]

meenas17

Power Failure November 8, 2022

In a place where electricity plays truant. with a few minutes brilliance the next ten minutes dim, the light slowly dies down. Power generation is wherever it be turns fickle and undependable, say for example the political scenario Charges, could be either, price and prize go up calling for an emergency. Mosquitoes pin me to […]

meenas17

Harvard And Oxford -Down My Lane November 6, 2022

Mani cries, guava, papaya, jackfruit, all neatly sliced His dad, sits besides, a heap of tender coconuts lie in front, slashes the coconut with a sizzle, takes out a tiny bark delivers with a sweet talk, a gesture expressing familiarity. Rajamma and her husband kali sweat while preparing fried rice, mutton soup and omelets, masala […]

meenas17