Sitting on a cozy couch in a coffee house.
Yes, the same reckless bachelor,
But this time alone.
Saw an elderly couple sitting beside him,
Sharing an ice cream cone.

A gentle lady with a bindi on her head.
A gentleman with a ring on his wrinkled hand.
Again, the same notion popped into my mind,
Asking the same question.
My heart said, "Let's observe them this time."

They seemed happier and content.
They have seen the struggle together,
Fighting both good and bad intent.
They both acted like angels to each other—
Even death can't send them apart,
Since the physical presence is just for the world—
The material part.

From their weary eyes, it was evident that love is divine.
What does it help your soul to refine?
You were never born alone.
You were born with the hope of finding your heart.
You will never die alone,
For you have their longings and memories till reunion.
And that would be the real start.

We are born alone,
We will die alone.
So why bind us together with another soul?
What's the meaning of this bond?
Isn't it better to be alone?

These were the questions we pondered together,
My friend and I, walking on a lonely road.
We both were of the same gender,
With similar reckless thoughts,
Insensitive to anything tender.

Why do we need this journey?
Why do you need a ring on your finger?
And why must your forehead bear a bindi?
When, in the final moments, you will be set apart.

Unable to answer our own cynical question,
We took a bite from our packet of half-eaten chips
And decided to stop thinking about this notion.

Beans which bring your tongue to linger,
Dishes that compel you to lick your fingers.
A kidney-shaped pulse,
One cooked by your mom,
You won't be able to control your impulse.

Beans grown in a climate—warm.
If you have it with rice, oh! What a charm.
If you have too much, believe me, it will harm.
Kidney beans will touch your heart.
Yes! If you overeat them, it will make you ****

Relaxing on my bed,
Listening to the music,
Suddenly, my cheeks felt some tears shed.
A watery shed out from my eyes,
Feeling the moisture and finding themselves red.

My cheeks asked my eyes, "What's the matter?
Why the mess?"

Then eyes said, "Ears are the culprit, they keep listening to something gloomy on repeat, that's why the shed."

Then ears replied in annoyance,
Stating its innocence, "It's the brain which is the problem."

Brain interrupted the ears' say and said, "It's not me, it's the heart which is on the loose.
For he is deep in grief, for he misses someone close. he is out of control and confused.
It is his longings which are causing you trouble.
Unapologetic heart keeps up the rubble."

Today, I just thought to sleep and not to write.
But couldn't let my pen down on this sleepless night.

I can't sleep,
For I don't need to see dreams with closed eyes.
I can't sleep,
'Cause the moon rays give my thoughts a rise.
I can't sleep,
The love I have for you makes me stupid, not wise.
I can't sleep,
Because in the day, I had nothing special to give.
I can't sleep,
Thinking how can you look more beautiful than the previous night?
I can't sleep,
I am losing my patience—can I see your face once, then we can stay apart?
I can't sleep,
My insecurities I need to curtail, would like to consider a fresh start.
I can't sleep,
For my lips were sealed, but there was conversation heart to heart.

In the pocket of my old jeans,
I found a paper—not ordinary—
A game, mystical and playful, full of memories.

It was a paper marked with red,
Yellow, orange, and green—
Our childhood's magical screen.

Like a magician’s prodigy, you conjured magical air
That would throw away your despair.
An origami art of fortune-telling—
You wouldn't be able to play without yelling.

This multi-folded paper talked differently than usual.
It spoke about your real present and the future.

With color green and numbers 1 and 5,
It spoke of the importance of growth with balance:
"Develop yourself—live up to the challenge."

On color yellow, numbers were marked as 2 and 6,
Which said, "With optimism and cheer at heart,
You will have your yardstick—just start."

As always, you must paint the city red.
Numbers 3 and 7 depict energy and passion.

At last, if you choose orange,
Yes, now you are in the right range.
Creativity is 4, and joy is 8—
Without these two, life is just an empty race.

Swimming with tides
Shows bravery enough to face any strides.
I refrain from putting others' words in my mouth,
So I put ink to my own words, making a happier pout.

Sorry in advance for my gibberish lines,
And also if I break this hymn.
How hard this life goes or has already gone by,
I am living this life by re-imagining your smile.

I write my story on a small piece of paper,
Where I wrote things only about you—that's all.
For when I try to say them to you,
They usually fumble and fall.

The cards in my pocket, which I dedicate to you,
Are of loyalty and respect.
For my love consists only of these two aspects.

I also imagine a walk with you on a serene path,
Just like the elderly couple who walk this road in solace.
Over the lying bougainvillea, you keep your feet.
Softer and softer, we walk with the fleet.

Would it be dawn or night?
Both seem beautiful in my dreams—you decide.
What I desire
Is just a walk with you,
Doesn’t matter to me—a day or night.
Just want to keep walking with you, from day to night.