Krishnaa !
You are not just within the heart
but the very pulse of its every beat
Not only for those who gather around you
at Gurupavanpuri, but for those far away—
yet still drawn near to your eternal shrine!!

Young, beautiful, pretty girls
adorned in ethnic vibrant attire
try alluring you, fasting in your name
seeking you as their chosen one
or one like you as their destined better half!!

Eyes filled with hope and prayers on their lips
married women send their whispers
right from their soul to touch yours’
to cradle you as their child
And for a child of their longing!!

And then generations of grandmothers
Weaving your tales of mischief and play
lovingly preserving memories of you,
cherishing all their faith in gratitude
Hoping for peaceful fade!!
Krishnaa....
How do you see them all?
How do you hear them all?
In the ocean of voices calling out to you
Do you even hear my voice?
My whispers, my prayers and my yearnings?
And when will you answer to it? Krishnaa…..!!

Some sort of ache
like a silent storm
strikes me deep within
defying words to depict!!

It clouds my mind,
and stings my core
And, if you ask what it is
I have no words to say!!

You may call it “nothing”
but it’s far from there
It’s everything and more
A burden that’s hard to share!!

The heaviness unseen
pushes me to darkness
quietly sweating the eyes
and like a shadow it grows
feeding on my fears!!

"No pain, no gain" – they say
but for me, it’s only pain
with no gain to count or claim
The truth I quietly bear
Mirroring who I am!!

Road that leads as way to destination
For the happy and content
And to nowhere, for restless wanderer
Is seen adorned by trees on either side!
The Trees dance in breeze
While leaves rustle to tune of wind
Seemingly sharing their joy and sorrow,
Unheard and unseen by the outer world!

What secrets do they share
Is it of hurrying travelers who
Seldom enjoy their beauty
Or of the weary who rest at their feet?
Is it the laughter that lingers in their path?
Or the silence that stays through!!
Is it of the changing seasons
Or of the marvels they witness?

Hard to voice and harder to understand
But still in their long silent standing
lies their umpteen untold stories
hidden to the depth of their roots
That make them stand firm and straight
across all changing seasons!!

Sailing hopelessly
On silent stagnant sea
Dark clouds stretch wide
Within and beyond
the limits of my view.
yet, the sail persists
parallel to the endless sky...!!

At times, tiny clouds burst
Couple of it clearing away
And there is sudden brightness
Eyes widening in the glow
As along with stars high above
You arrive, igniting darkness
With a touch of fireworks...!!

Though, brightness wane
after a fleeting moment
the echo of light paves my way
With glimmers of hope
To sail and chase
the endless Horizon
And beyond!!

Sometimes, it cuts too deep
A wound beyond time’s heal
What hurts more is realizing
Who hurt, and who is hurt —
Both adored by me…!!

The pain of being wronged,
When there’s no fault to justify
Leaves an endless echo of sorrow.
And enduring each moment,
through toughest of trials,
As the pain refuses to ease !!

Every glance at the one in pain
Still inflicts much more in me - pain
When the eyes shine with care
Towards the hurter,
though shadowed by hurt..

And as a silent witness,
So helpless
Every ounce of pain I see
Drowns me down
to Bottom of Earth!!

Fear of Tomorrow
A feeling utterly insane— memorize
yesterdays were tomorrows too,  
that crossed on easily
though feared baselessly,
So why cling to this little anxiety?  

Anxiety! Does it suit you,  
like an appealing garment?
or warms you,  
like a mother’s embrace?  
does it bring delight,  
Of relishing a delicious dinner?  

If mind affirms the negative
Then why hold it close
as if woven into your very soul?  
Why not - Release its grip, let it go,  
And embrace a new, easy you
that accepts the unexpected  
And dances joyfully, as if,
the expected just signed in..
And spring has arrived!!

Her crown shone like fire
Unbowed and unyielding
sturdy, steadily embracing
strength in a shower of rain
utterly in the shower of pain.

Foot grounded amply-
facing storms and thunder
Amid threatening lightning
And drops of rain chilling  
from crown to feet and core .
she stood strong and certain.

Rain recedes, lightning ceases
the storm  and thunder choose peace
She stands  there to a way clearer
like a nourished plant –
basked in brilliance of life.

Trust, hardships and pain
Often head us to spot
where , we  truly ought to be
And, where we need to be
If faced firmly,
With hope for a dawn and light
than drown to depths of dark!!