(a tribute to C.S. Pacat)

on a bed
of white flowers,
etched on my wrist,
I wear it as a vow,
above the place
my pulse
tenderly blooms,
forgetting to lie.

her soft handwriting
is a reminder of a journey
I had once taken
between the lines,
forgiveness forming,
from lashes to petals,
on bruised pages.

I carry her with me,
their story, her essence,
kingdoms folding into skin,
her words marking
not only a change,
but a becoming —
the slow-burn
of identity
I can finally place.

You are my coolest brother
Entertaining to the core
Often, you evoke laughs
An expert in picking unique movies
Hard to imagine having fun
When you are gone
Your presence lights up our day
Very rarely, are you unhappy!

You are my coolest brother
A quirky sense of humour
In Ravenclaw, you belong
Something's always happening
Whenever you're around
You're one of a kind!!

You are my coolest brother
Unlimited fun, have we had together
Especially in recent times
Starting from the pandemic years
The Senji Kottai Fort trek
The tour of Pulicat Lake
Dining at Flower Drum
You and your family are simply awesome!!

You are my coolest brother
Underneath your gung-** exterior
Lies a kind and caring interior
You make everybody feel better
Especially when there's a loss
Your soul, may God bless!!

You are my coolest brother
Be the way you are
Don't change for anyone
Hopefully, see you soon!!

A gem of a sister, you are
Technically though, my aunt you are
But that matters not
Kind to a fault
Sweet as gulab jamun
At times, a strict person
Possessing nerves of steel
Thoroughly trustworthy and dependable
A model wife and mother
On the whole, an extremely lovable character!

A gem of a sister, you are
Anybody and everybody, you care for
Immensely valuable, your counsel
Above all, very cool
Irrespective of the situation
Always thinking "I can!"
A bedrock for the entire family
And finally, rarely unhappy!!

A gem of a sister, you are
So lively, your children are
Of course, mischievous at times
Nevertheless, they bring happiness
Even in times of despair
Hence, bright will be your future!!

A gem of a sister, you are
Dear to me, forever
Well, hope we catch up soon
Do keep that adorable smile on!!

So happy am I, that you came
We had a fantabulous time
Talking for hour after hour
Catching up with each other
Relishing piping hot Vada Pavs
Followed by Tiramisu jars
And last but not the least
The best Hot Chocolate!

So happy am I, that you came
Really made me beam
All sorts of topics, did we discuss
Cricket, tennis, work, politics
Music, food, travel, trains
All in all, had a blast
Half a day free of stress
And full of entertainment!!

So happy am I, that you came
After a long, long time
Well, hope we meet again fast
So I can give the promised treat
Until then, take care, dear brothers
Wish you oodles of love, success, happiness and peace!!

Dear Roshni, many happy returns of the day
Hope you had a fabulous day
So happy to have you as a cousin
On the whole, a beautiful person!

Dear Roshni, many happy returns of the day
By nature, very lively
And blessed with oodles of talent
Your dancing is a sheer delight!!

Dear Roshni, many happy returns of the day
Your smile helps keep anxiety at bay
Playing games with you, loads of fun
Thanks to your sharp brain
You have a lot of potential
Come on, conquer them all!!

Dear Roshni, many happy returns of the day
May everything go your way
May you have a wonderful year ahead
To you, may the Lord always be kind
Hope to see you soon
Be the way you are, you amazing human!!

Dad,

Thank you—for my childhood,

For the safety I never saw, yet always felt.

Thank you for being my teacher through example,

For guiding me not just with words,

But with the quiet strength of your actions.


Thank you for the advice—

Even when I met it with resistance,

Blind to the wisdom time would later reveal.

Thank you for the pain you carried in silence,

For the exhaustion, the tears,

Hidden behind smiles and strength.


Thank you…

For that towel stained with blood from a nose you tried to hide—

A small, unforgettable symbol of all the battles you fought

Without ever letting us feel the weight.

Thank you for being our shield,

Even when your soul was weary.


Now,

Everything is different.

I stumble, I fall, and you’re not here to steady me.

But your voice echoes in my heart,

Your lessons live in my choices,

And your spirit lights my darkest hours.


Now, I face the world alone.

And though I try—each and every day—

This ache, this longing for you,

Is fiercer than any challenge life throws my way.


Sometimes I ask myself…

For how long will this hurt last?

And yet, I hold on—

To your memory,

To your strength,

To the promise I whisper quietly to myself:


Until we meet again.

Thank you for being such a good friend
We have a really beautiful bond
A very supportive colleague, you were
Though sometimes, did you sound like a teacher
Understood me, did you, like almost no other
Hence, to me, are you quite dear!

Thank you for being such a good friend
Seldom, are you not kind
I so love your brutal honesty
In you, is there many a good quality
No wonder, are you such a good wife and mother
Vivek and you are an extremely sweet pair!!

Thank you for being such a good friend
Being at your home pleases me to no end
Truly, do I love your children
I forget all my pain
Whenever I think of them
Sure am I, that they would make you beam
Nearly all the time!!

Thank you for being such a good friend
Even after we both grow old
Will things remain the same
Well, hopefully soon should I visit your home
Have fun, take care and keep smiling
May Jesus bless you with anything and everything!!

You, I think about, every single day
Not only does it make me happy
It provides me hope
Whenever I mope
You are not simply an inspiration
In me, do you ensure perspiration
In order to reach my goals
If I achieve success
I will dedicate it to you, for your writing
Because, you keep me believing
Hence, never do I give up
In fact, the only way for me is up
Drives me, does your radical thought
Which is straight from the heart
About society, you give not a ****
Something that manages to make me beam
Even when I am drowning in a pool of insecurities
You pull me, bit by bit
Towards achieving inner peace
One does not have to be perfect
Thanks chiefly to you, did I realise that
Your fiery passion helps me stay afloat
Even when the ship of my mind is sinking
Due to too much overthinking
You enable me to get rid of the clutter
Thus, does my focus keep getting better and better
A true braveheart, you are
In spite of being a mother
Amongst the loudest, is your voice
Against all sorts of injustice
What better motivation, do I need?
Thank you, Dear Comrade
Jai Bhim! Vaazhga Periyar!!