PAIN

Not around the periphery of my womb

nor around the circumference of my heart - 

fusing the hemispheres of my brain

so they function as on

with only one thought.

Across the skies and oceans and streams and mountains and deserts and the Universe...and beyond

even permeating the sanctum sanctorum of my innermost self

I never drew boundaries that would not let you in,

and yet

Today I stand

holding on to a tiny straw

with fear lest even that tiny little window of hope 

that you have left me holding on to so tight

be taken away.

 

My soul has a hearing

I deny all the time

but I can’t explain

away the pain

when you shout

for no reason or rhyme

My soul has a sight

I deny all the time

but I can’t explain

away the pain

when you slap

for no reason or rhyme

My soul has a voice

I deny all the time

and it tells me again

and again

walk away when you’re made to cry

for no reason or rhyme.

 

As I grow older

I am more empathetic

towards my own soul

for years I have let her bear

the brunt of my living

bearing her down and demanding

she put up with vile and disrespect

be taken for granted

trampled upon

and passed over

But now, as I grow older

she is all that matters

ensconced within me my soul

childlike, pure and sacred

do not fly away yet

Life is not done.

 

UPHEAVAL

 

Foam in every wave

so measured...rising high

Aiming for the shore

in smooth descent

Everlasting music of the waves

reaching my feet

as I wait with bated breath

welcoming the touch of cool water

Waves, take away my miseries with you

when you recede to the horizon, and leave

my Spirit renewed.

BLUE GIRL PINK BOY

 

It's a stereotype

that I sit under blue 

and you under pink

would you like to switch?

'cause sometimes,

I like me some pink twilight.

The stereotype is broken

when you defined it so

and now, I'm okay with pink

so long as it's just that

and not my gender

'cause sometimes

I like me some blue sky.

ONE DAY AT A TIME

A few chance words thrown up in the air

and daggers out

clashing, dashing, smashing!

Then

deafening silence

What now?

How?

Invisible line grows bright 

filled with light

and might

Dare step over me? It challenges.

There is no need to cross

and yet, the line holds power

'cause on the other side

are loved ones lost

forever in a criss-cross

of you-first and 

if-you-can't-then-I-can'ts.

Heart and soul

do not dare

or care 

to step across  in forgiveness

Even tears stay this side

willing and living and taking

one day at a time.

 

GIFT OF TIME

Dear Project

I've given you my precious time

Time that was my own secret garden

Where my thoughts flourished

Random thoughts like the runners that run helter-skelter

blooming at will

Beautiful thoughts that bloomed like the rose and took centerstage

Some thoughts of others, their lives, their ways

Like chrysanthemums multi-colored and bright

Some just pale and fading away

I lay on the grass sometimes

And looked up at the beautiful blue sky

Watching as seasons turned

Clouds white, grey -

Sometimes just blue...and cloudless

I relished the rain the bore down on me with a smile

pressed to the ground, close to Mother Earth

Still among my own flowers

In my own garden.

But Dear Project, now, I have lent you my time

Treat it well, take care of it; make good use of it;

Maybe you too know

how to make a garden flourish?