TEA SHOP

In my space

built with care

i dream that you will heed my ad

and walk in

bring in your uniqueness

to my green space

the color of tea leaves

sit around the circular tables

chairs pulled in

some chilled water, tissues and a single rose in scented water

white table cloth

propound your theories

place plans boldly on the table

arguments, advices and free flowing small talk

the loner sits with his laptop

his phone on charger

and i flit around with 

my trays and plates, serving

a song in my heart

that i have realized my dream.

THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

You are beautiful.

And you know it.

And I, my shapeless body

Clad in a loose-fitting

Faded nightie

With an apron thrown over it -

A ladle in my hand

Watch.

As you walk down the ramp

In your swimsuit

Your hour-glass figure

And bare legs

Toned to perfection.

The sheen in your hair

Reflects the care 

Your laughing eyes

And cheery smile

Make me forget

That the milk is boiling over........

And then you open your mouth to speak....

And that's when

I reach for my cell phone

My SMS

To decide your fate.

BATCHES OF DREAMS

I dream in batches now
there's a batch of dreams
about the day we ran into each other
remember?
hoping not to be seen..
Pretending to be surprised.



Just so 
the batches continue
into another stream of sublime disbliss
there's someone else in your life now
you're married 
but I 
What of I?
the batches have no answer
they streamline instead to a boat
down a river to Nowhere

I've seen this Sun set before
Yes, there were crimsons and yellows
Not reds, no...
Reds came with your marriage
That left the bleeding scar

Rains turned to icicles.

In batch dreams you can get pierced
till you bleed through the other side
Death then becomes deathlessness -
A prolonged writhing.

I ran in my batches of dreams
chasing my mirage
Of cool waters and green meadows -
Your promises
They now stream
As tears down my face
In batches of despair.

AFTERMATH

Aftermath

Of living on the high lane -

In my pajamas

A cup of strong coffee

And aspirin.

Staring blankly

As I click channels.

Somewhere at the back of my mind

Is a hazy recollection

Of a commitment not met.

 I cannot care less.

My body aches.

I need...respite.

Shades drawn close

Silhouettes 

Books, movies and music

Musings and my muse

Relaxed, I shut my eyes

And curl up

In an aftermath.

DEATH CERTIFICATE

What does it matter

What he thought

wore

spoke

thought

ate

liked

loved

dreamt

wrote

read

enjoyed

studied

worked at?

What does it mattter 

what he endorses -

when he is now

a grave

a fir 

a post mortem report

a policy

some benefits

a savings

a death certificate

a pension

a will?

An attested true copy of white paper -

A colorless passport to someone's life?

TO MY DAUGHTER

how often will you travel the world?
hills and plains and cities unfurl
praying plans don't go awry
your mind on high
while i...

you save for your trip
on your days get a grip
book tickets to fly
your mind on high
while i...

the day has arrived!
things in order contrived
settle in seat with happy sigh
your mind on high
while i...

and for days you're gone
in groups and alone
through the world you will fly
your mind on high
while i...

while i here will wait
my eyes down the road by the gate
to you, your world
to me, mine...
yes, you'll travel the world
while i...

WHERE LEAD THESE PATHS?

Where lead these paths?

dumpy, lumpy, ditchy

narrow, narrower, broad

Winding, unwinding

neverending

Is there a destination

Or do I determine one?

Follow the Universe

Or tell it where to go?

Lead or be led?

Am I guided or thwarted?

Accidental or planned?

Where lead these paths?

dumpy, lumpy and ditchy

Winding, unwinding

neverending....