Before I sleep-
I whisper prayers into pillows,
that you only be as essential
as I make you.
And every night my own sheets
become less foreign
and the memory
of your warmth every morning
becomes distant enough
to be forgotten.

Even the brightest of birds
Get used to their cage

The water was quiet and unruffled:
Though intemperate winds blew on it
Ne’er once did it ever really stir
And we got so used to its pervasive presence

In line with global trends everywhere
We took notice only when loud waters bubbled
       Like wayward children we scoffed
       When delectable words of wisdom
Wafted like therapeutic mist out of Wisdom Well

But now that the well is empty and dry
Our deprivation begins in earnest
And soon, very soon, nostalgia will whip us
One and all till we learn the bitter lesson:

That second chances belong to storybooks only;
Now that this veritable repository of true wisdom
Is in other dimensions our dilemma cries out
Who amongst us shall quench our thirst
Now that the water in the well has dried

No escape was offered
Stream of river, so bold
hue and cry in air
ancient story, as was told

that night was a bit too long
stars twinkling light in gold

bright moon was full & round
wolves were making howling sound

And then,
Rain turned in to a monster
fields gushing with water
panic started to swirl
and streets started to whirl

old & young many died
flooding the town, when she cried

x

Manisha