Everything alright- Kratika Sharma

Everything’s Alright

There are many people in this town,

and even then I’m planning to leave my house

Because I am tired of telling my friend’s that I’m alright yet I’m well aware that they have doubt.

Because I’m acting strange from past two weeks but I just can’t change anything but my personality.

All I need is a fake smile,

some cute lies, some good time, and a lot of strength to say Everything’s Alright.

Actually, I say

probably I am suffering from anxiety

Honestly, I’d say

Obviously I am not doing good from past few weeks

Midnight for me is 4 A.M.

Skipping meals is a new normal to me.

All of my friend’s are saying again that I am acting strange all day

and I can’t change anything but my personality

All I need is a fake smile,

some cute lies, some good time, and a lot of strength to say Everything’s Alright.

I’m not acting strange again because,

All I need was

some great time, A real smile and a lot of strength to mean and say ‘Ya everything’s alright’

और तुम कहते थे बेटी बचाओ -Shruti Dagar

बादलो से भरे शहर में वो धीरे से चलके आई

सामने खडे इंसान को देख वो हल्के से मुस्कुराई

देख बेटी की ये हालत पिता के सीने में चल गए छूरे

पूछा उसने बेटी से तुम यहां क्या कर रही हो छोडकर अपने सपने अधूरे

सुनकर पिता की बात बेटी होश में आई

आपबीती याद कर रोने लगी बताने की हिम्मत ना जुटा पाई

देख बेटी की यह हालत पिता को खुद पर आया तरस

क्यों वो बेटी को बचा ना सका यही सोच वह भगवान पर पडा बरस

क्यों मेरी बेटी इस हालत में मेरे पास आई

क्या किया था हमने कसूर जो इसे ऐसी मौत दिलाई

सुन उस पिता की बात रब वी रो पडा

जो इंसानियत पर था उसे थोडा विश्वास था वह भी खो पडा

हमने तो धरती पर फूल सी बच्ची दी थी

मां का सहारा पिता की लाडली बेटी थी

बडे थे सपने इरादे नेक थे

पर उसके सपने को तोडने के लिए राक्षस भी अनेक थे

सामने खडे भगवान से जब लडकी ने आंख मिलाई

एक ही सवाल मन में आया क्या लडकी होने की मैने इतनी बडी सज़ा चुकाई

क्या था मेरा दोष जो मैं इस तरह तडपाई

जिन लोगो ने ली है मेरी जान क्या चुका पाएंगे वो मेरे दर्द की भरपाई

सुन उस लडकी की बात भगवान हो गए मौन

सोच में पड गए कि इसके गुनहगारो को सज़ा देगा कौन

सुन बेटी की ख़बर मां अंदर से टूट गई

एक बेटी ही थी सहारा आज वो भी छूट गई

खाली था आँगन सूना था चौबारा

यही सोच कर सो गई कि बेटी के कातिलो को सज़ा देने के लिए भगवान जन्म लेंगे दोबारा।

An Arc of Rainbow- Archana Samata

An Arc of Rainbow

I saw a gust of wind winnowed around the leaves,

I gazed at the smoky cloud loomed large at heaven's sleeves,

I smelt the aroma of buttercups, near a turquoise lake amidst grassy hills.

I trembled as I heard the fidgeting bustle of a nestling, underneath the cozy wings.

She is a waddling mother goose, it dawned upon me

She cackled to save her nascent gooselings!

A splash of rain tapped on a wavy brook,

On the verge of a meadow, a yolk-like sun had a placid nook!

Might be the Rain God had slept for a while

Above the peak of an oak tree

Yonder a contingent of seven hues, painted the blue reel.

I was amazed! What an elegant row! A doodle of glistening bow!

I stood aback, 'Who is the painter'? She murmured, 'I am the Mother Universe'

Who paints in cluster 'An Arc of Rainbow'!!

Far away from the modern city- Deveani Suri

On the wheels of pure and aromatic breeze steering me to the world of serenity and divinity,

away from monotonous and exhausting hustle bustle of the city,

disappearing into the magically pious,artless and lush -green place,

away from the artful,deceptive and mechanised world where everyone is on the race,

so as to embrace blissful peace and solace,

the place where the air aromatising of soil and petals is divinely pure and refreshing,

casting a spell to permeate a new zeal and spirit inside the living being,

other than the vitality -sipping ,adulterated and poisoned air of the industrialized region,

immersing into the alluring and enchanting beauty of the crystal pure stream emerging from the source not in vision,

harbouring the heterogeneous life and sustaining the dancing flowers on its banks with vitality and brilliance,

apart from the dead and toxic streams and ponds ;the graveyard of flora and fauna in modern day that represents,

walking on the streets with ingenuous people who are trampling only the fallen leaves ;

and not the people of other color,religion,caste and creed,

the place where the strong become the roots for those stems and branches of the society that don't possess equivalent resources;

but then,I woke up into the reality to see,

bursting of my imaginative bubbles in this retrograde society....

Burnt...- Dr. Manu

A whisper heard- Look at her nose...

Another one- Complexion! what they chose...

One more- The boy is so fair,

she stands nowhere...

It was her first day in the new house...

Was listening everything silently- her spouse...

Nor she said anything- her mother-in-law...

What everyone was doing- just pointing her flaw...

She kept inside everything and the day passed...

Her pain was so deep ,so vast...

In bed, in front of him she cried...

what all they said was just right...

Husband's this response made her shocked...

Her poverty, worth and even life was being mocked...

A new morning. Let's start fresh, she thought...

Unaware... she was not more than a servant brought...

Worked for hours without break but of course with taunts...

A little love, care and respect, that's all she wants...

Within days, for dowry they threatened her to beat...

For days, gave her nothing to eat...

Beaten, tied and they locked her in a dark room...

Husband was ready to become once again, the groom...

Anyhow, she escaped and reached to mandap* so lonely...

Those demons just burned her with that pure vedi** fire only...

One more tale ended so violently...

Why we just spectate such atrocities so silently?

She can be your sister, daughter and even you tomorrow...

If remained mute, soon world will face the inundating sorrow.....

* mandap is the place for gathering during any holy ritual and marriage is considered a holy ritual. (As per Hindu religion)

** vedi means fire altar ( again holy as per Hindu religion)

#stopdowrydeaths

Beti- Niyati Jain Singh

“बेटी”

बेटी बचाओ बेटी पढ़ाओ,

बेटी को बेटा बनाओ,

पर इससे कहां कुछ हल होगा,

अन्नपूर्णा और दुर्गा बनकर भी तो,

नाम और पता उसी का बदल होगा !

फिर भी नई जगह, नए लोगों से खुशी-खुशी एडजस्ट कर जाएगी,

पूरी दुनिया को खुशी-खुशी अपना नया नाम बताएगी,

सुबह उठेगी खाना बनाएगी, सबको खिलाएगी, बच्चों को स्कूल पहुंचाएगी

और इन सब में अपना खाना तो कहां ही याद रख पाएगी,

पर फिर भी जल्दी जल्दी ऑफिस को भाग जाएगी,

क्योंकि बॉस तो वहां भी एक बैठा होगा !

बेटी को बेटा बनाओ,

पर इससे कहां कुछ हल होगा !

शाम को जब निकलेगी ऑफिस से, तो ऑफिस वहीं छोड़ आएगी,

सबसे पहले याद करेगी बच्चों को,

और आते में सब्जी और किराना साथ ले आएगी,

सिर दर्द से फट रहा होगा, पर अपनी चाय खुद ही बनाएगी,

मन करेगा रख लूं कुछ पल सर तकिए पर मैं भी,

पर अन्नपूर्णा तो घर की वही है,कहां किचन छोड़ पाएगी,

बच्चों का होमवर्क और ऑफिस का बचा वर्क भी तो,

आज ही खत्म करना होगा !

बेटी को बेटा बनाओ,

पर इससे कहां कुछ हल होगा !

इतना करके भी शिकायतें कहां कम होगी,

घर परिवार हॉबी कैरियर,

इनके तालमेल मे, आंखे तो सिर्फ उसी की नम होगी,

फिर भी उठ खड़ी होगी बेचारी हर दिन,

सोचकर की शायद कल एक नया कल होगा !

बेटी को बेटा बनाओ,

पर इससे कहां कुछ हल होगा !

अगर चाहते हे सच में हल पाना,

तो सामूहिक यह प्रयत्न करना होगा,

स्लोगन यह अधूरा रह गया है शायद,

बस इसी को तो पूरा करना होगा,

बेटी बचाओ, बेटी पढ़ाओ,

बेटी को बेटा बनाओ,

पर बेटे को भी तो थोड़ा बेटी बनाओ !

और तभी ही तो कुछ हल होगा |

तभी ही तो कुछ हल होगा ||

Aditi Agarwal-अदिति अग्रवाल।

वह आखरी ख्वाइश।

मां की गोद, वह घर का सुकून,

माना मुश्किल से भूल पाऊंगा मैं;

पर आन सदा मेरे देश की,

हद से ज्यादा बढ़ाऊंगा मैं।

यही सोच कई साल पहले,

घर से कफ़न बांधे निकला था मैं;

निकलते हुए मां के आंसू देखे,

फिर भी ना पिघला था मैं।

आज मेरी खाकी पर यह खून,

मेरी सांसो को गिनते जा रहा है;

सुकून की नींद में जाते हुए,

बस एक ही ख़याल आ रहा है।

काश किसी तरह आज यह सैनिक बच जाए,

काश आज ऊपर वाला कोई चमत्कार रच जाए;

ना ना! जिंदगी की मुझे कोई लालसा नहीं,

और फिर ऐसी मौत तो हर सिपाही का गहना है;

पर मैं फिर से जीना चाहता हूं,

क्योंकि मुझे फिर से अपनी धरती के लिए मरना है।

एक बार और, अपने देश के लिए बलिदान देना है,

एक बार और, राष्ट्रगान पर सीना तान लेना है;

एक बार और, मुझे अपने तिरंगे को सलाम करना है,

एक बार और, सीमा पर मुझे हर एक दुश्मन से लड़ना है।

ऐ मां, आज मर जाना क्या मेरे साथ नाइंसाफी नहीं?

तू भी जानती है,

ऐसे गौरव के लिए एक बार मरना काफ़ी नहीं।

यह गोली भी कमबख्त सीने पर ही लगी है,

अब नजर भी धुंधली सी पड़ने लगी है।

दर्द सीने पर इस गोली का,

शायद यूही ना सह पाऊंगा मैं;

पर गर्व है मुझे इस बात का,

अपने तिरंगे में लिपटा जाऊंगा मैं।

उस सूरज के साथ आज मैं भी डूब जाऊंगा,

मेरी मां बेचारी यह सोचती होगी, मैं कल उसके पास लौट आऊंगा।

ओ उसका नाजुक सा दिल,

मेरी खबर से शायद टूट जाएगा,

वह उसके आंसुओं का फव्वारा,

उसकी आंखों से छूट जाएगा।

ऐ प्यारे चांद, बस मेरा एक संदेश ले जा,

वह दूर उन पहाड़ों के पार, एक छोटा गांव है मेरा

एक पीपल के पेड़ के पास,

मेरी मां बैठी होगी लगाए आस।

सुबह होने से पहले कृपया उसे यह बता दे,

कि बिना उसे देखे मुझे जाना पड़ रहा है;

यह मेरा उसके आंचल को धोखा नहीं,

उससे मिलन को मेरा जी भी तड़प रहा है।

एक बार और उस खीर के प्याले पर बहन से मुझे लड़ना था,

एक बार और चैस की चाल पर बाबा के सामने अढ़ना था।

ऐ मां! तू रोना मत, तेरा बेटा मरा नहीं 'शहीद' हुआ है,

दुख के आंसू नहीं, गौरव की मुस्कान के साथ कहना; तूने सच में एक वीर को जन्म दिया है!

बस अब इसी आखरी ख्वाहिश के साथ,

मेरी मिट्टी में मिल जाऊंगा मैं;

कि फिर से इसी पावन धरती की कोख से,

जन्म लेने का सौभाग्य पाऊंगा मैं।

एक बार फिर से यह वतन परस्त सिपाही,

अपनी धरती मां को प्रेम से यह तोहफा देगा;

वादा है, तेरी हिफाजत के लिए मां,

तेरा यह बेटा फिर से यही जन्म लेगा….

तेरा यह बेटा फिर से यही जन्म लेगा….

Rhapsody of Fate- Erika Souza Xavier

In a realm of distance,

with shattered hopes and dead love,

Where fate was meant to be,

where the dream of having a fairy tale entwined with the sweetest surprise.

The moment my eyes dropped on him in awe,

I cared nevertheless,

It was maybe the start of something,

But i cared less about getting to know him.

Amidst the crowd a sudden vision appeared,

Where our eyes glared at each other,

with everything around us still,

With a big smile on his face and a sense of attraction that made my heart skip the beat.

With seconds of catching each other's attention,

two souls entangled into a fleeting chance.

With sparks flying and a connection being felt,

A magical door opened, with a story yet untold.

Perfection is just an Illusion.

He may not be perfect,

but his charming smile, his personality, and his unveiling emotions was the talk of the show.

It felt like a magnet,

a magnet which caught my attention and drew me near him.

When words failed,

our laughter spoke for each other.

A memorable moment which can't be explained but can be understood by its gestures.

Though distance kept us apart,

but uff that moment of meeting him unexpectedly for the very first time,

Where our eyes gazed as we talked for that very few seconds was the first time two souls ignited.

Some things might fade away with time,

but the memory of seeing each other amidst the crowd,

Where our hearts converged and pulses skipped the beat will forever be cherished.

That Afternoon- Anurima Biswas

"Why" she whispered

Her voice barely audible

"You don't even know me"

That afternoon it poured steadily

When I first saw him

So cold and distant

His demeanor

Akin to a chill in the frozen winter

Greedily taking in his every move

Stupid legs already in his direction before any reason could

Taking refuge beside where he stood

Near the boy who got my heartstrings pulled

Gentle breeze now filling my space

The very ones which first kissed his face

My thief eyes stealing glances

Once, twice and all over again

Under the clear sky

Now I stand alone with a sigh

He turned round the corner

In his wake my sanity sober

"You're no stranger to me, my Midnight Rain" his eyes indulging

That afternoon it poured steadily

"For a while more" he felt

As he stood, aeon without regret

Her scent in the air

Her presence in the near square

Flickering with emotions his eyes

The familiar feelings he recognized

Awaiting her jog to him

As the azure casted dreary dim

Her eyes so starry

Her smile beyond mesmerizing

And with the movements of her hair

Why no one was as disturbed as himself there

Why no one went as mad as he had had

And how their hearts didn't go as wild as his smiled

Unbeknownst to my hopes

She stares, with twinkle in her eyes

How was she to ever comprehend

The twinkle reflecting my eyes

"Can you let me be yours, Rain?"

"Rain?" she repeated carefully

Letting it sink

"Why" she whispered

Her voice barely audible

"You don't even know me"

"You're no stranger to me, my Midnight Rain" his eyes indulging

"How?...Why?" her thoughts running miles a minute

Her bosom blooming, growing ecstatic

"Because you make my cold heart feel flowers and warmth"

"Since you, I have someone to wait for, time passed by slowly and a lot less meaninglessly"

"Because..."

"I like twins" she interrupted

A deep chuckle left

From the hollows of his chest

She blushed, a tiny amount flustered

Also giggled, blending with the herd.

The Grand Hike- Aindrila Chakrabarty

Sitting by the window she gazed at the dazzling stars.

And wondered how these little objects could be responsible for someone's scars?

The night was so beautiful with the big round moon...

But inside her she was still fighting to overcome her bleeding heart's gloom.

She couldn't understand the reason for her repetitive mistakes!

There were so many unanswered questions which her mind was frightened to take!

Was this the karmic loop or some other mysterious puzzle she had to solve?

She kept looking for answers among the mutilated pieces of her heart.

But her senses were perhaps too numb to answer for her part...

She did everything to keep them in her life.

But everytime she failed miserably adding more to her disastrous plight.

Each time she begged them to stay back where she was always their cocoon.

But perhaps they were too afraid of love and therefore left her alone labeling her as a 'loon'.

' Why do you let yourself be so vulnerable to everyone'?

Came the question from the one she was waiting for that night!

' Oh Manju! because I have never learnt to love in moderation any time in my life!!!

How do they become so rational when they fall for someone?

Is that the essence of Kalyug from day one'?

' Dear, I wish I could take you to my world of immortal souls..

Where you can see people cry for not living their lives well for some fools they did hold( in their heart and mind).

The Universe is too kind for heartbreaks like yours..

Surrender yourself to it and unveil the magic that happens....

For you deserve peace and freedom over anything and anyone that grapples.'

She listened to her grandma with all her attention

And decided to be the warrior in this life of fraction.

Today she has become the new woman still keeping alive her old soul in her life.

Rightly said someone-

Internal healing is too important for a grand hike!!!!!

Makeup- Saihaj Madan

Well I tried,

I tried to look a little pretty today

To hide my scars

Not in my heart but on my face

But I wish,

I wish we could actually do this to us within

A little concealer on the heart

Colour corrector over the scars

Adding new products each day to the list

It would have been a big shopping cart.

But no,

No there is no foundation made for our flaws

We all need to breathe and take a pause

And think,

Think is this life a stupid play

Us wishing for masks to put on our souls everyday

Or is there a reason behind everything

Which we don’t know about today.

Oh yes,

Yes they say applying primer before makeup is a must

So that the skin underneath remains original and real

It is a symbol of hope I say

A hope which all of us feel

Look a ray,

A ray of hope that again shouts

A layer of primer on your soul is very important

There should be no doubts

Because hopefully we’ll throw the masks away some day

Our soul beautifier wishlist will finally wash away

We will all be comfortable in our own skin

Not just outside, but from the within

So don’t,

Don’t forget to put that primer on your soul

For if you hang in there

Give it some extra care

You could help it shine bright again as a whole

So put,

Put on the sunscreen of self love before stepping out

It’ll take us a long way

There will be no marks of burn

From any kind of self doubt

And that day,

That day we’ll find us pretty as we are

Find strength and learning from each of our scar

No foundation for the flaws we always denied

No more masks to put on, no more reasons to hide

I guess,

I guess a tear of joy fell

That day, I cried.

2nd Of June ( Tracks Of Blood )- Pamela De Souza

Life is too unpredictable,

All I do is just look for answers.

Is life a sweet looking mirage?

And death the unknown truth?

It was a devastating Saturday,

Dated 2nd of June.

Three trains collided,

Leaving many lives and families doomed.

All came alive and happy,

Imagining their trip to be great.

Bitter truth lies where,

Some of them had to go injured and dead.

Luggage scattered including dead bodies around,

Screams and cries of people vanished without much sound.

Dreams and lives shattered apart,

Vibes of sadness ruled the ground.

Wrong signal was deadly killer,

Near Bahanaga bazar railway station.

Lifeless bodies lay on the tracks,

Totally blood stained and silent.

Some people in panic state,

Goods too scattered in a messy way.

Silent cries of people could be felt,

Unheard miseries were buried deep inside the rail.

Though many stories lay unfinished,

Still we move with a hope of revival and new ones to bloom.

...

Three trains of which,

A goods train loaded with iron ore.

12841 Coromandel SF express,

And 12864 SMTV Bengaluru -Howrah express.

Killed two hundred ninety two and 1,175 people.

मोटी किताब छोटे पन्ने- Arsh Gupta

मैं मेरी किताब वो अपनी किताब बेताब हो पढ़ रहे थे |

मेरी थोड़ी ज़्यादा मोटी थी उसकी थोड़ी लंबी थी|

मुझे उससे पहले ख़तम करनी थी|

मै पन्ने गिन रहा था| एक पन्ने से दूसरे पन्ने का मेरा सफ़र काफ़ी छोटा था |

शायद उसका पन्ना शब्दो से भरा था, मेरे थोड़े खाली थे, मेरे पन्ने छोटे थे और उसके लंबे |

वो हर लाइन जी रहा था और मै पन्ने पी रहा था |

मुझे हर पन्ने मे बेचैनी थी| मुझे पन्ने नही किताब पढ़नी थी | उसने जान लिया था हर पन्ना ही किताब है |

मैने किताब ख़त्म करने की जल्दी मे पन्ने फाड़ दिए, वो हर पन्ने में रोज़ किताब ख़त्म कर रहा था |

मुझे हर ख़त्म होता पन्ना सुकून ज़रूर देता था पर हर पन्ना खाली लगने लगा था |

उसके लिए हर पन्ना नया था | मैं खुदको पढ़ने नही दे रहा था | और वो किताब बनता जा रहा था |

मुझे लगा शायद मेरी किताब ही खराब है,

पूछा तो पाया वो भी वही किताब पढ़ रहा था, बस मुझे मोटी और उसे लंबी लग रही थी |

And ,the monsoons have landed...- Deveani Suri

Scolding the prickly summers loud,

the whole sky is annexed by grey-clouds,

horrified with their thundering roar,

the birds also rush to their nest;as they are expecting downpour,

Banging out the doors and windows loudly,

boasting your picturesque beauty proudly,

waiting for your queen rain to come,

the angry clouds;like knights appear handsome,

welcoming the rain with great pomp and show,

the glaring lightning has made Sky to lit and glow,

And,yeah finally you have come O Monsoon!!!

after so many Sun and Moon,

embracing the Earth with your wet and icy winds,

you arise goosebumps as here and there winds swing,

Donning the crystal pure attire,

to every atom of my body;you have lit the fire,

disguising under fantasies and dreams,

to sense the icy-ness of your rain ;desires scream,

And,I am dancing to unravel the Nature's treasure,

viewing splashing of your pearl like chilled drops is of immense pleasure,

And,the Earth is relieved of its burns,

as to the new life drooped flowers and dried rivers return,

it's incredible to lie over the lush green grass,

to which you have imbued a new life and is now glittering like a glass,

Enjoying your beauty and wilderness at the same time,

while I usually dine,

give cuddles ,nostalgia and moments of perk,

which is perfect for a break from a hectic work.....

ನಿಶಾಚರಿ(Nishaachari)- Yashas Nagar

ನಿಶಾಚರಿ

ರಾತ್ರಿಶಿಫ್ಟಿನ ಕಣ್ಣು

ಕೆಂಪುದೀಪದ ಮೇಲೆ

ವಯಸ್ಸು ಮೂವತ್ತು ದಾಟಿಲ್ಲ, ಶುಗರ್ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಬಂದಿಲ್ಲ

ಮಂಡೆಪೂರ ಮಂಡಿನೋವು, ಕನಸಿಗೆ ಬಾವು

ಇವತ್ತಲ್ಲ ನಾಳೆ ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಹಲ್ಲುದುರಿಸುವೆ

ಅಡ್ಡಾಡೋಕೆ ಹತ್ತನೇ ಅಂತಸ್ತೇ ಬೇಕಾ!

ಹಳಸುವಾಸನೆ ಡಬ್ಬಿ, ಅರ್ಧಹೊಟ್ಟೆಯ ಬಾಟಲಿ

ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಬಾರದ ಕಡತ, ಕೈಮುರಿದ ಬೆಂಕಿಕಡ್ಡಿ

ಜೀವ ವಜೆಯಾದವರಿಗೆ ಇದೂ ಮಂದರವೇ, ಏನೀಗ!

21...20...19...

ಕೆಳಗಿಳಿಯುವ ಲಿಫ್ಟಿಗೂ

ಶುಕ್ರಶಿಷ್ಯರ ಕಂಡರೆ ಸಸಾರ

ಏಸಿಯಿದ್ದರೂ ಕಾಯುವಿಕೆಯ ಬಾಣಲೆ

"This is absurd! ಇವತ್ತೇ ಬರತ್ತಾ ಸಾರ್ ಏನ್ ಕತೆ!"

ಕಾಫಿಗೋ, ಡ್ರಿಂಕ್ಸಿಗೋ, ಚಾಟಿಗೋ,

ಇಲ್ಲಾ ಜಾತಕಕ್ಕೆ ಒದಗಬಹುದಾದ

ಹೆಣ್ಣುಮಗಳಾದರೆ ಒಂದು ಲೆಕ್ಕ

ಇವನ್ಯಾರೋ ಐಡಿ ತಿರುಗಿಸುತ್ತ ಗಡ್ಡ ಕೆರೆದವ

ತಲೆಯಲ್ಲಾಡಿಸುವ ಕರ್ಮ ನನಗಿಲ್ಲ

ಕಾಲುನವೆಗಿಂತ ಔಪಚಾರಿಕ ನಗೆ irritation

ಗಾಡ್! ಗಾಡೋ!

ಎಂಟಕ್ಕೇ ನೆಗೆದುಬಿದ್ದ ಹಾಗಿದೆ ನಾರದನ ಅಪರಾವತಾರ

ಸಿಗರೇಟು ಹಚ್ಚುವಂತಿಲ್ಲ(ಏನೋ ಸೆನ್ಸರ್ ಅಂತೆ)

ಬ್ಯಾಗಲ್ಲಿದೆಯೋ ಇಲ್ಲವೋ ನೆನಪಿಲ್ಲ

ಸುಖದ ಯಜ್ಞಕ್ಕೂ ಜೀತದ ಬೇಲಿ

ಮಾಂಸದ ಮುದ್ದೆಗೆ ತುಪ್ಪ ಒರೆಸಿ

ಕೈಲಾದಷ್ಟು ಬಿಸಾಕುವ ಹುಂಬತನ

ತಡೆಯಲು ಕೋದಂಡ ಬಂದರೆ ಬರಲಿ

ಹೆಚ್ಚೆಂದರೆ ಸಮುದ್ರದಾಚೆಗೆ ತಾನೇ

ಹಾರಲಿ, ಮೋಹನನ ಕಲ್ಪನೆಯಿಂದಾಚೆಗೆ

ಬೀಳಲಿ, ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರದ ಗಡಿಯಿಂದಾಚೆಗೆ

ಮಣ್ಣಾಗಲಿ, ಮಲೆಗಳ ಮತ್ತೊಂದಾಚೆಗೆ

18..17..16..

ಫೋನು ತಿವಿದ ಹಾಗಾಯಿತು, ಹಾಳುಭ್ರಮೆ

ಆಫೀಸು ಗ್ರೂಪು ಹೊದ್ದು ಮಲಗಿರಬೇಕು

ನಾಳೆಯಿಂದ ಒಂದುವಾರ ಅಜ್ಞಾತವೆಂದು

ಮೆಸೇಜು ಹಾಕಿಬಿಡಲಾ!

ಬಟ್ಟೆ, ಬಣ್ಣ, ರೂಪ, ಎತ್ತರ ಇದೇ ಸಾಕು

ಸತ್ತಾತ್ಮಕ್ಕೊಂದು ಹೊಸತನದ ಥಳುಕು

ಅಷ್ಟೇ!

ಈ ಪುಣ್ಯಾತ್ಮನ ಗಡ್ಡ ಇನ್ನೂ ಮಾಸಿಲ್ಲ

ಅದೇ ನಗು-ಅದೇ ಸಮಾಧಾನ

Optimism is a pandemic

ಮತ್ತೆ ಕ್ಯಾಬಿನ್ ಒಳಹೋಗಿ ಅಂಡೂರುವೆ ಸಾಯಲಿ

ನಾಳಿನ ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಇವತ್ತೇ ಮುಹೂರ್ತ

ಕತ್ತಿ ಮಸೆದರಷ್ಟೇ ರಕ್ತ

ಬೆರಳು ಸಮೆದರಷ್ಟೇ ಶಕ್ತ

ಮನಸೆಲ್ಲ ಇಲ್ಲೇ ಇದ್ದಮೇಲೆ

ಬೋನಸ್ಸು ಮೈನಸ್ಸು ಹೇಗಾದೀತು!

"ಟಿಣ್! ನಿಮಗೂ ಕೇಳಿಸಿತಾ?"

ಬೇಡಿಕೆ ಕೇಳಿ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನೇ ಇಳಿದಿರಬೇಕು

ಆರು ತಿಂಗಳ ನಿದ್ದೆ, ಆರು ತಿಂಗಳ ಊಟ ಬೇಕೆನ್ನಿಸಿದರೂ

ನಾಲಿಗೆಯ ಮೇಲೊಂದು ಮಲಗಬೇಡ ಸರಸು, ದಮ್ಮಯ್ಯ!

15..14..13...

ಥತ್!

ಸದ್ದುಮಾಡಿದ ಪೊಟ್ಟಣ

ಮೇಲೆಹೋಗುವುದಂತೆ

ಮತ್ತೆ ಗಣಿತದ ಪಾಠ, ಜ್ಯೋತಿಷ್ಯದಾಟ

ಕೆದರಿದ ಕೂದಲ ಸರದಾರ ಸೂತ್ರ ಬರೆವಾಗ

ಇಲ್ಲೇ ಮೊಳೆಹೊಡೆದು ಕೂತ ಗುರುತು

ಮುಳ್ಳು ತಿರುಗುವುದು ಅನುಮಾನ

ಚುಚ್ಚುವುದೊಂದೇ ತೀರ್ಮಾನ

ರುದ್ರಾಕ್ಷಿ ಹಿಡಿದು, ಚಕ್ಕಳ ಬಲಿದು

ಹಿರಣ್ಯನಾಗುವುದೊಂದೇ ದಾರಿ

ಹುತ್ತ ಮೈಬೆಚ್ಚಗಿರಿಸೀತು, ಅಪ್ಸರೆಯ ಗೆಜ್ಜೆ ಮ್ಯೂಟಾದೀತು

ಒಳಗೂ ಅಲ್ಲ-ಹೊರಗೂ ಅಲ್ಲ

ರಾತ್ರಿಯೂ ಅಲ್ಲ-ಬೆಳಗೂ ಅಲ್ಲ

ಅಬ್ಬೇಪಾರಿ ಬದುಕು

ತೀಡೋ ಉಗುರು ಮಾತ್ರ ಹರುಕು-ಮುರುಕು

12..11..10..

ಸಾವಿರ ವರ್ಷದ ತಪಕೆ

ಕೊನೆಗೂ ಬಾಗಿಲು ಸರಿಯಿತಪ್ಪ!

ವಿಶೇಷವೇನಿಲ್ಲ ಬಿಡಿ

ಮೇಲೆ ಹೋದ ಹಾಗೇ ಕೆಳಗೂ ಹಾದಿ

ಕೆಳಬಂದಮೇಲೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ನೆಲವೇ ಆದಿ

ಅದೇ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ,

ಅದೇ ಲೈಟು,

ಗಿಜಿಗುಡುವ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿಗೆಯಲಿ ಅದೇ ಸಗಣಿಸೆಂಟು

ಮೆಸೇಜು ಬಂದಿರಬೇಕು

ಮತ್ತೆ ಮೇಲೇರಬೇಕೇನೋ!

1..2..3..

The Horse and Its Human- Vidushi Bhaskar

Every once in a while

I face this dilemma

Whether to look out

For the human

Or the horse

He seems to own

Both of them

Working all day long

Carrying tourists on the small carriage

In the town

Also owned by humans

Although made on the land of nature

Which was supposed

To be owned by all

I, too, came to this town

From another such town

As a tourist

I, too, wanted to ride that small carriage

When approached by the horse's human

I was waiting

I was looking

Only at that little, fragile horse

One feet red swollen

Veins visible on its forehead

Its eyes half covered

It saw me looking, it looked back

Once or twice

I wonder if it sensed what I felt

As horses are said to feel a human's emotions

I wonder if it knew

How bad I felt

Sharing the species

With its human

I almost made up my mind

I won't participate in this tourist activity

But I saw the human come to the horse

Caressing it, he said something I couldn't hear

It seemed to be words of affection and care

By the look on his face

Not anymore, did they seem like

The slave and its owner

But more like companions

In the journey of life

In need of one another

It clicked me in that moment

It was not as easy as it looked

It was too much blame to put on that human

The blame of caging freedom

Of that horse and that human

Of us all

Lies on all of humankind

Not only on that single poor human

As little and fragile as his horse

Weary and Sweaty

Trapped in poverty

Yet he smiled as he caressed his horse

Gave it some greens to eat

So then I decided

To ride that small carriage

Not because, ten minutes ago, it was a desire of mine

But because, I wanted to give more of that smile and greens

To that human and that horse

I wanted my family to be happy

So we rode and paid

We had our fun and they had their livelihood

But when I look back

I can see

I could've done better

I could've given what little I had

Without riding as I didn't need to

It could've been a break

For that human and his horse

If only I could've been

A little more considerate

If only I could've been

A little more aware

Of my own principles

Now all I can do is wait

For that next little moment

And do better

- V

वो चार दिन- Dheeraj Joshi

ख़ूबसूरत थे

एक अरसे की दौड़ धूप के बाद

फुर्सत की धूप में

वो चार दिन

ख़ूबसूरत थे

ढेरों उतार चढाव के बाद

राहत भरी मुस्कान में

वो चार दिन

ख़ूबसूरत थे

किराये के मकान के बाद

अपने घर के आँगन में

वो चार दिन

ख़ूबसूरत थे

तन्हाई के लम्हों के बाद

परिवार की छाँव में

वो चार दिन

ख़ूबसूरत थे

घर आने की ख़ुशी, और

जाने के गम के बीच में

वो चार दिन

shelling out- Sagarika Rastogi

(I)

shards of glasses lying all around

like a pseudo labyrinth that has wrapped itself

on the dusty walls, creaking floor boards and mouldy cupboards

with it's rough, crassy texture

swallowed this room, this bed and me.

(II)

the medicine cabinet starts overflowing

for the stack of medicines and syrups

and ugly tasting capsules

fill up the space,

the aura/room/my insides

with sickness, scarcity of life

and the absolute need for a bowl of hot soup

like mom used to make.

(III)

scrutinizing myself in a "43×13" mirror

i find myself dressed almost like my

favorite princess, like the one in the story books

with long, chestnut brown hair, big blue eyes and

a dazzling smile that always ends up winning the prince's heart

"almost" because i don't look half as charming and suave as she did, as they all do

everywhere, in all the storybooks, in all the shows

(IV)

i see cellulite dripping from my arms, eye bags falling from my face, almost repulsive tummy rolls, unable to withstand the sight of beauty im so used to not seeing,

my shoulders stiffen, gut tightens

and i can feel squirrels greeting me,

jumping, scraping & scratching my insides

like an old friend, playing between my ribs, crawling up my throat, strumming my fingers

as i struggle to let go of the monster I've just witnessed in the mirror

the shell of a human being, picture of whom deserves to be in a wanted poster

with hideous background and an equally hideous face.

(V)

drenched in the smell of nicotine

with half bitten nails and yellow fingertips

eyes sunken inside the socket, pale blue lines coloring my face and frail bones,

i pick yet another pack of cigarettes,

take a long, comfortable puff

and let the smoke sit on my face for five seconds

before it dissipates into thin air;

the only form of touch I've been allowing myself these days,

and think,

"how could life get any better

than almost drowning in a semi sized bathtub with a glass of róse"

(VI)

half eaten vegetables and shredded paella

is what decorates my plate

the sauce spilled all over and the pizza crust half smashed, half gone;

i sit in the middle of the table, feeling more

like a vessel of a person than a person itself.

Whispers of Destiny: The Night Our Paths Intertwined- Paramvir Singh

In the depths of a Bangalore night,

At 3:30 am, stars shining bright,

A Friday in November, a moment unseen,

Destiny beckoned, weaving a scene.

In my humble abode, I lay awake,

As fate set the stage for a connection to make,

Four friends in nostalgia's embrace,

Seeking solace in a familiar space.

They rang my bell, mischievous delight,

But quickly vanished into the night,

Unaware that my eyes were wide open,

Hopeful for a chance, a word unspoken.

From the balcony, one friend remained,

While the others scampered, playfully unrestrained,

I asked the lingering soul, with a curious plea,

"Who rang the bell?" He pointed upward, you see.

I cast my gaze upon the rooftop high,

Where relief embraced every passerby,

And among them, a girl with a radiant glow,

Assuming my origin, she exclaimed, "Delhi, I know!"

A bottle of rum, a shared camaraderie,

In my humble abode, stories set free,

He spoke of a connection lost, a bittersweet tale,

I urged him to move on, to let his heart prevail.

Two boys, two girls, their spirits bright,

Whispers of "vibe check ticked" in the night,

They reveled in the aura that I emitted,

And I offered a melody, my ukulele fitted.

"Dil Beparwah" echoed amidst the rain,

An enchanting harmony, a bond's refrain,

Seeking shelter from the storm above,

They sought refuge within the chambers of affection and trust.

In my room, the bond grew strong,

Snapchat's memories, moments of song,

Old videos of laughter and cheer,

We shared our pasts, overcoming any fear.

An almost perfect night, etched in time,

As destiny's design began to chime,

A connection forged, a feeling so rare,

A glimpse of a future we would soon share.

As the clock struck six, the moment did wane,

They bid farewell, their departure a pain,

Yet in that parting, hope did ignite,

For they left behind a flickering light.

The girl, with her home so near,

Offered her contact, with a smile so clear,

A promise of walks, companionship anew,

Little knowing the depths of what would ensue.

And so, in the stillness of that morn,

The story unfolded, a bond was born,

A single encounter, a lasting decree,

That led us down a path we were meant to see.

From that first meeting, a tale did start,

In the chambers of my ever-hopeful heart,

For a gentle spark had taken its hold,

In the memories and moments that would forever unfold.

So, cherish that night, that moment so pure,

For it birthed a connection that would endure,

And as time weaves its tapestry grand,

May your bond flourish, hand in hand.

Cry of death- Vyshnavee Diwakar

When pigs fly

when villains cry

cry to be freed

cry for the end of greed

greed binds us all

greed beckons our fall

fall from glory

fall in every story

story of life

story of strife

strife that eats souls

strife that leaves holes

holes of blood and gore

holes on a kid at the store

store that had his favourite toy

store meant joy to that silly boy

boy who died hearing the doorbell chime

boy whose father said “having guns isn’t a crime”

crime committed by another boy of twelve

crime that his mother will forever delve

delve and grieve to find what changed

delve in disgrace for a life deranged

deranged by her own nurturing hands

deranged, he now haughtily stands

stands in front of an eminent jury

stands bursting with people’s fury

fury that could ignite a stray spark

fury fuelled by all things dark

dark is a shade in every living breed

dark like the sensational words we read

read and consume to quench our lust

read only to see who shares it first

first to comment

first to lament

lament for the sake of byte-sized fame

lament just to quickly pass on the blame

blame it on the unsuspecting mothers

blame it on the greed of others

others who passed the safety laws

others who forgot human flaws

flaws that are part of the genetic code

flaws that seep out from bearing all that load

load that seemed deceptively bantam at birth

load weighing us down like gravity on earth

earth where we drew our first shuddering breath

earth covers us all when we are interred in death

death forced is a disease left to spread

death is now a statement to instil dread

dread

spread.

Author's note: This is an attempt at creating a blitz poem. It comprises of fifty lines that begin with a cliched phrase, the last word of the second line becomes the first word of the third and fourth line, the last word of the fourth line becomes the first word of the fifth and sixth line and so on. The last words of line forty eight and forty seven become the forty ninth and fiftieth line respectively. I have infused end rhymes to make it a mellifluous read.