Category: thoughts

Concerned with the happenings
being of recent, I take refuge
in solitude.

For a while I remain confused.
The events turn incongruous.
Much away from reality,

At least to me it appears.
I deliberate, check and cross check,
finally I realize.

It being a deception magnified
by talks. Misleads and proves
wrong. Mischievous.

it is a result of ignorance
clubbed with deceit
Creates unwanted tension.

The word superstructure
means that which stands
on the plot or area.

Denotes the whole structure
neither a part nor an addition
A demolition comprises the entire.

The fun begins at this moment.
Typical of him, Mona shouts
He has his way. It is a win.

The recent addition will be
brought down, he speaks with
great pride.

The order gets enforced
The big building is brought
down with a crash.

I search for Mona.
Find him at arm’s length.
Face buried deep.

Bemused, I go with an enthusiasm.
an interruption as always
a phone call disturbs.

Laying the papers aside
I answer and get engrossed
in the conversation.

It is gossip in a way
talking of a cousin,
a very distant one.

The caller, I know
brags and drags
spites and curses.

The call goes on
for hours, I listen
with little interest.

For the first half an hour
I say yes or no, to keep
the exchange alive.

I am wrong, so to say,
affirmations outnumber
denials.

Half way through
I lose track, as I bury
myself in the documents.

Those being the wills
and probates drawn
by the forefathers.

The inheritance, I track
goes down with ease
to generations.

I decipher division of properties
could not detect even
a single digit multiplication.

The caller has hung up
long time ago. My phone
is on remains silent.

It is visual,
the floral floors,,
the colour choice,
yellow and brilliant,
mild red and modest,
the intricate pillars,
the wooden embellishments.
keep us in a trance.

The temple breathes life,
chants resonate,divinity
permeates, discover
an oneness, an impressive
musical concert follows
espy no flamboyance,
lead us to an excitement.

Spared of an indulgence
the prayer takes us
to another level
the spirit traverses
rises, flies high
descends fairly slow
leave us secure,

Back in the soil
the heart feels light
peace encircles,
the mind throws out
fear and malaise
in one stroke,
an acquisition of grace.

One of an urgency
that of an imminence
provokes me.

The spirit is at the ebb.
ready to overflow.
contained by restrictions.

Being self imposed ones
that of ethics, customs
and etiquette intersect.

Turning find to dismay
people with conceit
places with chaos.

The emergency to resolve
causes a panic, reveals
an anguish beyond.

One of being sure
a wish to conclude
has gained prominence.

Like to track peace
and detect tranquility
soon, as much as I can

That being of an earthly
renunciation and a seamless
merge with eternity.

Paucity of space
where I can store
gifts and presentations,
make my house unkempt.

The racks overwhelm.
Vessels,boxes and baskets
of all sizes and materials
might crash any moment.

I chalk out an anteroom
near my parlour. Must have
racks partitions to arrange,
along with nice ventilation.

Adding a room is not cheap
I find, The cost exceeds
the value of gifts by thousands.
Not wisdom, I understand.

It is quits for now,
I will revive, perhaps,
when the receivables
surpass the expenditure.

It is business you discern.

My travel bag stares at me
I turn away.

It is been lying for
a while, 20 days.

I move around with ease
Journey is not in my mind.

The day before my eyes
fall on the bag.

I pluck my vision
with a pull.

Fear slowly mounts.
I sigh.

Has the time come
for another sojourn?

Exasperated I recline.
I expect a call any moment.

A week long work
can’t say much more.

A simple schedule gets
complicated for nothing.

Endurance heads to nothing
new. Back to the old.

I hear a shout,
see a celebration.

A misunderstanding
prompts such a mood.

The nuances of the language
is least understood, I note.

Not only the intricacies
the bare facts are misconstrued.

words compromise and consent
take colours. Considered as a win.

might be the reason
for unwanted rejoice.

I do not know
what to do?

either to smile
seems to be too little.

or that of a laugh
fits in with ease.

I stand bewildered
for a while.

Then break into laughter.
Hear a loud guffaw.

I hear bleat,
laden with fear,
from a temple
not very far off.

It is not in chorus
a single sound
that rips the heart
as pity surrounds.

An experience of sorrow
perceiving the ritual
I stay where I am
with a heart pounding.

The goat bathed
walks to the altar
with a garland of rose
jumping with joy.

The priest of Kali temple
performs the puja, lights
the camphor, the poor animal
wriggles with fear and wets.

It bleats hoarse. None care
The slaughterer walks
with a shining sickle .
People become ecstatic.

The goat trembles
he axle comes down.
The garland hangs, part on
the body and the rest on the head.

The goat’s eyes flicker
and finally close.
The devotees hail Kali.
A sacrifice unholy.
Hail To Kali

A partial sign out
can be a surrender,
could be a blunder,
which one could be
rarely do we know.

I do this often,
get caught in between,
unable to find the way
entangled I stay
how long I do not know.

That be the status
I stay helpless
allegations confront
remain muted
why so? I do not know.

This has been the way of life.
left in solitude I deliberate
for a while, outgrow
these shortfalls in a time
Is it right? I wonder/
God only knows!

Clang go the temple bells,
set an alert to the devotees,
while the music flows
to the drumbeats
define the start is immediate
there come the palanquins,
the carriers lift forward,
the silver chariot appears
with a glitter, red, green and blue
bulbs coordinate with the oil lamps
the crowd grows ecstatic,
as the Lord takes the chaise
draped in gold. Eyes rest not
on the diamonds nor on the rubies
and emeralds but on the charm
of the deity and its omnipresence.

At the most two feet in height
elegant and slim, nose long and sharp,
lips thin and red,with a sparkle in the eyes
the Lord presides. Procession begins.
Moves inch by inch. It is exalting to
watch and exciting to participate.
Ragas “Kalyani, Ananda bhairavi and
kambothi” reverberate. A light drizzle
joins being nature’s indulgence.
In between the melody,
push and pull cause chaos,
one fall on another in the milieu,
do not subdue the passion. Coconuts
in hundreds and thousands are broken
find a central place, being both
an honour and a sacrifice.

The bulls pull the chariot.
Trot with dignity. Happy
to carry the Lord. Not once
they struggle. it is facile.
One can detect an imperiousness
in their posture. Red Persian shawls
cover their body. Horns glow
in pink and blue. The shapely
projected humps render a grandeur.
Bathed and polished the white bulls
match the glory. The man at the helm
professes a big black moustache
a red bhindi on his forehead
marks victory. The head gear,
a pink sash stitched with gold
sequins, flutters. To his
“hey, hey” the bullocks set foot.

The people stand lost.