~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I was small, for me
     you always stood tall
taught me to look for shadows
     on the dead leaves of fall.

In the illusive bends of the road
     you were always my constant landmark
when misguided by night's cold breeze
     your light guided me in the dark

Now, taller buildings surround the place
   the columns support just a perishable lie
but you remain my perpetual pillar throughout
     holding up my life under this vast clouded sky.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

...
..
Much before the door closed
Can be seen regularly when walking on the road
Though dark, see the mass of trash
But did not hear any noise ever

On the side of the sky touch wall
My constant movement
Though shadow yet trademark cynicism
I can go away even closed eyes

Closed eyes within the dark
Yet unbelievable, but brings a dream
A dream within the dark,
See a diamond crystal
Where only light and light dispersion
From each dimension

Suddenly, in dream
I am in front of the closed door,
See a footprint,
Known voice with tune,
Can hear the illusive song

Now neither there exists any tall wall
Nor any closed door in the mind
...
..

My daddy taught me when I was young
How to be a gentleman son

Open doors for all ladies
Say yes sir, no sir and may I please

Never speak unless spoken to
Keep this advice close to you

It will help where e're you go
And if your mother smells nice then tell her so

If your walking a girl down the street
Walk between her and where the cars do meet

And when going up and down the stairs
He didn't want to leave me unaware

Stay behind when going up
And when heading down stay in front

Because if a lady trips and calls
You'll be there to catch her fall

Never speak when your mouth is full
Cause no one wants to see your food

And elbows belong on your arms
Not propped up on the table son

These are just a few things my daddy taught me
To be a gentleman in the first degree

my father once told me
I am my mothers pawn
I never understood the game of chess
but I’ve always known the pawn
the first line of defense
easily defeated
sacrificed for the safety of the King and Queen
my father once told me
I am my mothers pawn
I stayed as far away as possible from pawn shops
never knowing my worth
such damaged goods
usually its relationships that make people insecure
for myself
it was growing up trying to figure out
if I am really my mothers pawn
what is my worth in the trade?

The reason I don't wear makeup
Is that I don't want there to be
Anything on my face
That distracts you from Me.
And no, I don't look pretty
Buried beneath the layer
Of foundation and gloss.
Because then, I'm barely there.
Only when unadulterated, untouched,
Does my skin look perfect,
Adorned with the best rouge there is-
Which is, my Self.

in the attic on my way to the roof
pick up the two newborn kittens

their frantic mews at this alien invasion
draw the mother who knows me well

in her owl eyes are written
though love smitten
don't cuddle them too much.

past them i move to the roof.

on the mango tree
the crow nest is empty.

was my bonding with the two chicks
for those weeks
a waste?

dusk falls with a sigh
heavy on my chest.