If I am still walking on a thorny path
Bearing the brunt of every one’s wrath
Survived the pain inflicted and scathe
It is your smile …..I draw strength !

Life gives thousand reasons to shed tears
It suffocates you ,till disarmed of every cheer
At breakneck speed ,leaves you out of gear
It is your smile …ups and downs I manoeuvre !

Your dazzling smile brightens up my day
Brilliance of it keeps the lurking ghosts at bay
A lighthouse-a lone boat in storm to see its way
It is your smile ….Life’s turbulent sea I sail thru’ !

Of all the virus smile is most contagious,infectious
To spread as a pandemic wish people are gracious
It carries you miles oozing of energy so boisterous
It is your smile …..to IT heart n soul I surrender !

When-my day is dark and dusty ,there is a flash of light
My night is lonely and rusty ,there is an angel bright
My vision is blurred and welled there is a rainbow in sight
It is your smile ….to the pristine ,celestial blue I soar !
Copyright @Bhargavi Ravindra

World from black n white era has moved to a digital one
Just a finger on the button and the job is over and done
Now memories are digitalised and selfies are a craze
Photographs so painstakingly clicked are no more a rage Stood in melancholy reliving bitter sweet memories of days gone by
Structured in frames were cherished moments freezed
as life passes by !

Photographs of Parents ,grandparents, kids ,friends galore
Each one had in its frame life captured and tales of yore
A euphoric mystery that surrounded those photographs were visible
A Larger than life persona were captured in minuscule.
From positioning to fixing up light to the final click
A delightful squeak that erupts developing as contours pick .

The photograph made its way to the most prominent place
Glorifying every smile, teardrop ,agony, warmth with unmatched grace.
Adorning my wall of fame was a faded photograph of the last day of school
A pair of dark twinkling eyes ,two piggy tails that held  unruly curls
In our school uniform one last time we stood ..eyes wet
Then light flashed -smilingly,holding hands we posed for a picture perfect !

The school girl now with silver streaks,hiding tears adjusts her specs as she laughs
And sheds fifty years of her life as she spots herself in that photograph!
Copyright@Bhargavi Ravindra

World from black n white era has moved to a digital one
Just a finger on the button and the job is over and done
Now memories are digitalised and selfies are a craze
Photographs so painstakingly clicked are no more a rage Stood in melancholy reliving bitter sweet memories of days gone by
Structured in frames were cherished moments freezed
as life passes by !

Photographs of Parents ,grandparents, kids ,friends galore
Each one had in its frame life captured and tales of yore
A euphoric mystery that surrounded those photographs were visible
A Larger than life persona were captured in minuscule.
From positioning to fixing up light to the final click
A delightful squeak that erupts developing as contours pick .

The photograph made its way to the most prominent place
Glorifying every smile, teardrop ,agony, warmth with unmatched grace.
Adorning my wall of fame was a faded photograph of the last day of school
A pair of dark twinkling eyes ,two piggy tails that held  unruly curls
In our school uniform one last time we stood ..eyes wet
Then light flashed -smilingly,holding hands we posed for a picture perfect !

The school girl now with silver streaks,hiding tears adjusts her specs as she laughs
And sheds fifty years of her life as she spots herself in that photograph!
Copyright@Bhargavi Ravindra

As I walk thru the winding corridors of life , I wonder
I hold my breath and pause for a moment to ponder
Marvel at the beauty how life negotiates every turn
Leaving trails of silent echoes enroute…Life moves on!

Amidst the debris of shattered hopes,savaged dreams
Amidst thrills and spills , missing a heart beat it seems
Confounded wilderness ,solitude, efficacy, life is spot on
Pallid or rainbows ; fertility or barrenness…Life goes on!

Pain and misery, laurels and glory, life couldn’t care less
The stream of life thru ups and downs flows, regardless
To fathom mysteries of life…who has the power?……none
Time flies on wings...like sand in your fist …..Life slips on!

Pandemic had society crippled, man crying,mankind bleeding
Yet,Sun shone brighter behind the clouds,every morning
Life in its celestial divinity harvest hopes,dreams to live on
Undaunted,unabashed,undeterred,unflinched ….Life carries on!

Set goals ,spread love,universal brotherhood ..May you preach
Tragedy is not …..in not reaching the goals but no goals to reach
I,You,She,He or they …..may be there or not…Life goes on
Dust thou you rise….thou to dust…cycle of……Life goes on!
Copyright@Bhargavi Ravindra …9th Dec 2021

Muted cries
She sat completely disheveled and shattered
Numb ,withdrawn, pensive , bleak and battered
Her tears now …reminiscent of her aching heart
Dried up in the well of her eyes, unwilling to part.

Her personality now lost in the timeless abyss
Love, she once thought reason of her existence
Bruised and bleeding like a speck of dust,it lies
But Alas! who will ever get to hear its muted cries?

muffled moans of withered petals in night’s silence
She dropped like a dead log on hearing of divorce
She wilted to a heap as she fell on to the floor
“Till death do us part “ kind of love ,not any more!

Separation, left her wounded, body n soul bared
Cruelty of fate drained of the last vestige of blood
The shadows of evening light dimmed her eyes
Yet drooping shoulders, shaky legs she has to carry.

In the retreating shadows of plethora of emotions
Beneath the canopy of starlit nights ruffled moans
She stands alone on the surging waves of despair
Holding her knuckles tight to stifle the muted cries.

At times joyous , happy blissful memories
At times agonisingly hurtful ,painful stories
Folklores of a pristine love of yeasteryears
As drops on withered petals,shines through my tears.

As I flipped through the pages of my old diary
Yellow, wrinkled, faded pages spilled memories
Strange expressions laced with myriad emotions
Bitter sweet saga of life’s unheard commotions !

Rough gurgle of stream gushing along the river side
Tear savaged smile …….grudgingly hovered around
Trees bereft of leaves worn a forlorn look in fading light
On blooms withering petals dust shone thru dark twilight.

On life’s unstitched fabric these withering petals
Come alive as feast to the eyes,poetry to the soul
I stood at the threshold of fulfilling cherished dreams
Alas! our journey together was like moonlight’s gleam .

A whiff of cool breeze caressed my longing heart
Once rejoicing, withered petals today moans their fate
Memories of bygone era will hold me against all odds
Tender love of youthful innocence pays rich dividends!
Original,Copyright @Bhargavi Ravindra

Betrayal
***
She trusted him with her life
She sat dazed and perplexed
Her heart  bleeding blood ,eyes drained of emotions
“Oh , How ! How could he do this to me ?”
She questioned herself again n again
As her dreams lay shattered on the floor
On her face, with a bang happiness shut the door

She had trusted him with her life!
He promised her ...life full of love and happiness
Her life was soon to resurrect from that abyss !
She heard the stars whisper “world is your oyster,
Go....Go....Go for it ; make it yours .”
Thought in her fantasy with a twinkle in her eyes
She has just to raise her hands to cup those stars!
Soon her dreams were to come true
Her world soon to shine bright of myriad hues.
Her heart thudding ,beating like a drum
As she thought ,here ...here he comes
The moon shone with a hallow
Jasmine scented silver night staged a show .

Cocooned in her thoughts ...she forgot
Agonisingly long wait ..tears it brought
The moonlight grew pale and dull
Before the storm ....was the ominous lull
Happiness receding, fear gripped her heart
The dreams slowly readying to depart .

Though the Sun came out of the dark cover
But the morning glory was never ever for her
He had left her high and dry for some gain
Blind to her miseries and gnawing pain .
This betrayal of love was -
Worse than all the pain put together
Alas ! knew her life would never ever be like before!
Copyright(C)Bhargavi Ravindra


.

At the break of the new dawn I stepped  out in open
Was stunned by the echoing sound of silence
Lost in the man made world,sadly, we look for evidence
He hears our silent prayers,yet ,we search for His presence
The blow dealt by sound ,silence ,like poultice -it heals
Always are painfully vocal -the tears shed in silence !

Silence is more powerful than Thousand spoken words
Has a lasting quality and dimensions of its own .
The sound of silence often reflects our thoughts
Leaves behind a trail of our shattered dreams and hopes!

The feel of the wind blowing past you
The dry leaves resting in eerie silence
The calmness surrounding the dipping Sun
The chilled silence of a frozen night
Are music to ears when carefully heard!

The world is growing at frightening rate and so also noise
No body talks ,they scream to be heard
The vehicles to a screeching halt ,music crying hoarsely
In the sea of noise is drowned forever life’s melody
The silence that communicates
The tilt of an eyebrow , the slight curve of the lips,
The clasping-unclamping hands of a bride,ruffle of her veil.
Stop a while and listen to the sound of deafening silence with-in !
   Copyright(C)Bhargavi Ravindra....8/7/2020

Was always fascinated as a child
As I played snake and ladder
A dusty piece of wood ...a ladder ...
Majestically stood there ...supported against the wall in the yard
A place for we kids to hide our loot earned hard
And weave our stories and plan our escapades.
Innocently I thought ,Once I climb the ladder
And be up there ,my hands can reach out to sky
Cup handful of white cloud ,soft like cotton ball
Pluck stars to plant in my yard
Steal myriad hues of colours
From the rainbow to paint my home brighter.
When I finally made it to the top of the ladder
I was petrified...was there all alone ...under the blue canopy
Far away from the earth ...and no way near the sky!
Sky looked ominously black...darker
Earth looked prettier n greener
Felt the earth spin and I tossed up in air !
Still the ladder fascinates me
It takes me up there , yet keeps me firmly grounded.
Every time life threw challenges  ..harder
One  step at a time  I climbed of the ladder.
It  has long outlived its utility
Yet , it is my ladder of hope and aspiration
I look up to the dazzling brilliance of the blue
A peep into the world mysteriously wrapped
My dreams .....neatly strapped !

Somewhere up there ....beyond the blue expanse ,
Beyond the clouds .....I have my hopes tucked in
Often  wondered at their versatility,grace and spender
Utterly beautiful ,soft and tender
Like smoky cotton ball ,blown to smithereens
Beautiful cloud in layers unseen .
Tiny droplets dance and jump in ecstasy ,I watch in awe our galaxy
These round pearls in eagerness ...to spill its bounty
The flowers bloom to the heavenly sprinkle
The cool breeze whizz past me ,I sense a comforting chill !
I see my hope nestled beyond the clouds- cradled in ,
My heart aches to see ...so desolate ..
A lone cloud amidst the myriad hues of evening sky
Lo and behold ! suddenly there is a surge
Thunder and lightening on urge ,carry  the misty cloud in a whiff
Sun rays draw a silver lining ...a master stroke of a maestro
My hopes cascading down spread an alluring aura....
I stand drenched to the core !
In that alluring haze ,my dreams ...through the night veil
Beyond the clouds ....choose to smile .
Copyright(C)Bhargavi Ravindra......18/9/2020

TOPIC: Lighthouse
************
Oh my child ! The night is  dark n bleak
The waves thrashing reaching their peak.
The turbulence in sea is frightening
The nerve racking thunder, chill wind ,sudden lightening ,
The moving shadows casting their spell
What is in store who could tell.
Look at the lighthouse, majestically tall amidst rusty wind and tumultuous night
Beckoning passengers with flickering hope with all its might .
Life is nothing but all sea in its vivid shades
Calm, serene , turbulent, stormy,deep in varying grades.
As waves  rise higher ...accompaniment to sea’s grunted roars
The ship of life steadily ,determinedly moves towards the shore .
My love ! I shall be your lighthouse in the dark stormy voyage of life
Fear not the jittery and unwinding roads of life .
Shining my beacon of light across the rough sea’s steady strifes.
My ray of hope will shine big n bright chasing your fears like a missile .
your penchant for putting your sail in rough weather
And that grin that would last till courage you would muster!
Go my child !have faith in the heavens above ,row your oars
I , your lighthouse will stand alone till the day breaks and shove you to safer shores!
Copyright(C)Bhargavi Ravindra ......7/8/2020

The summer was notoriously cruel and harsh
Parched earth longed for that heavenly splash
Our bodies suffered horrifying burst of rash.

The air was ripe with the pleasant petrichor
The first sign of arrival of season’s first shower
Monsoon in tow with lightening and thunder.

Agonisingly bilious attack of scorching Sun
Breathed life with the arrival of monsoon
Pit-pat drops transpired to torrential rain,soon

The nature in her bridal -radiant and new
In the palanquin of clouds arrived her beau
Their divine embrace was a sight to view!

The tress reached out to sky to carve their niche
The streams roared,gurgled,danced in heavenly bliss
The Sun watched from dark layers - Earth rejoice.

The paper boats, umbrellas joined upbeat mood
Farmers sang in gay abundance nurturing food
Nature swelled with pride with rewards so good.

Yet,song of Monsoon is not always sweet and graceful
Earth’s hidden tears,carries a trail of stories so painful!
Copyright(C)Bhargavi Ravindra ......12/6/2020

I see a shadow huffing n puffing run behind the evening glow
Down memory lane, following my trail of thoughts, hypnotised I go
Those were the fun filled days of Summer ,with its thrills and spills
Happiness overloaded,worries overlooked...laughter loud and shrill.
Exams over,school closed for Summer ...Wow ..what a feel
Sagging shoulders now straight , smiles back with renewed zeal.
Can stay in till summer lasts...books in drawers,uniforms in closets
Out comes ....a riot of colourful dresses,bows,bangles ,bracelets .
Story books,board games,shuttle,bats,*****,kites ...multiple choice
Heated arguments,hugs,hand shakes,summer echoing silence and volcanic noise.
Cool drinks,ice creams,mangoes,parties galore ...lo and behold
Train journey to grand-ma’s village,biggest excitement yet to unfold
Packing,preparing a ‘not to miss list ‘with things a dozen to twenty
Boating in crystal clear water,vibrant paddy fields,tender coconuts-a pristine beauty.
Noons meant card games,Antakshari,juicy gossips -as old folks retire for siesta
On our bikes out to explore ...stretched before us endless vista.
lighting of lamp and recital of shlokas-a ritual must in the evening
Food cooked on  coal fire ..just out of this world, were lip smacking.
Nights brought stories to regale,folklore,music and dreams in tow
Days flew past ...time bang on ...to pack and go.
Jolted out of trance ..sadly I know ,the summers now have lost its shine
The youthful exuberance,fun filled summer will never ever be mine
The golden memories of past summers neatly packed I watch Sun go down in the valley
I get ready to welcome vivid shades of evening Sun ...tiptoe into my life...silently!
Copyright(C)Bhargavi Ravindra......10/5/2020

She yelled”Crush me, will gush out with vengeance more strongly as a stream
My desire to live and conquer will wipe out darkness like Sun beam
******* to smithereens ,but ,me bullied into silence? No ......never
No one ever pities me ,no one has the right to define me ........ever.”

He cried “ Take away my childhood but dare not ****** dreams from my eyes
Today I am victim of circumstances, tomorrow may hold a surprise
Discourage me every step of the way ,but,me stopped ?No ....never
No one ever suppresses my voice ,or strangles  my spirit ........ever.”

Born out of wedlock she is unduly the victim of tarnished identity.
Respect him for- what he is than who he is - don’t deny him dignity.
Let their innocence,youthfulness,exuberance be the essence of beauty.
Usher in a new dawn,sans bleeding hearts,throttled laughters and fractured society !

Girls are born victims of gender biased, so called progressive era
They are trapped in bottomless dark pits,yet,may be called Akira
They are victims of greed,need and misdeed of male chauvinists
Kids,marred,scarred,tarred,dumped for life, them who will uplift?

In our zeal to conquer we have all but landed on Mars and Moon
Progressiveness of civilised world,who decides it is a bane or boon?
A crying shame ,children are deprived of their innocent childhood Women,the torch bearers of society,who cares for the tears THEY shed ?
Copyright(C)Bhargavi Ravindra.........29/5/2020
Akira....A Japanese word means light, bright ,clear..

Beyond the horizon....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the fading shadows of evening
Through the enchanting swirl of night’s garb
Where the crimson of the Sun’s brilliance
Floats on the serene waves of sea
Wings flapping birds fly past across the limitless expanse of blue
The whisper of wind in an upward surge
Sets the tone for the heavenly bliss !
The earth bathed in myriad hues of nature
The mountains and their shining peaks
Planting a kiss on the shadows
As they cast a spell on willows !
Just the two of us- let us walk beyond the horizon.
Insanely ,holding our breath
Hands entwined in a feather like clasp
As the Sun slowly dips into the sea ....against the horizon
The heady intoxicated concoction of sheer joy
Quietly tiptoes into the sanctuary of our hearts
The ultimate, the timeless , the crowning glory ...
The two shadows ...merges as one
The crescent moon shining above..let us walk beyond the horizon!
Copyright(C)Bhargavi Ravindra.......8/5/2020

My enigmatic stranger...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She stood near the sand dunes-distraught,depressed,disheartened
Her golden tresses drenched in rain-sticky and listless tumbled about her face!
Yet ,there was an allusive aura, a divine glow
As the Sun rays were beating retreat in the evening shadow!
Her eyes baring her inner conflict much against her wish
like in deep sea ..turbulent waves waiting to settle.
Her clenched fist had a tale of its own to share
Her fingers were long well kept like an artist’s
She looked unaware of her surroundings .
Do I know her?Have I seen her before?Absolutely sure ...No,Never
Her haunting eyes...an ethereal beauty..forget..how can one ever?
She was no more than a silhouette in the pale light. ...
I had just turn my head ...just a fraction of a second
And I was left dumbstruck...She was not around...
I knew I lost her forever...I will live to regret not reaching out to her
I knew a moment of regret....When her  mesmerising lean silhouette disappeared ...
I knew in my heart ...have fallen head over heals in love with this enigmatic stranger!
Copyright(C)Bhargavi Ravindra.......22/5/2020

The  beautiful night in its starry veil,drenched in petrichor
Strolling amidst unique fragrance galore
The wetness of grass, its tantalisingly intoxicating perfume
The sound of trees and the rustle of dry leaves in the woods
The quite salubrious surroundings
Outpouring of nature -Full of soft tender, alluring blooms
Hills and valleys splashed with shades of green
Unfolding life’s myriad hues,unseen
Crimson sky casts a spell as night soaks in the scented air
Tiny buds of Jasmine amidst vibrant green leaves....marble white
As a beautiful damsel ‘s dreamy almond shaped eyes
The soft tender petals of jasmine open up to the ardent night
One ,two,three...goes magic wand ...the tree full of white blooms
The night sky has tucked stars on the green fabric of earth,it looks!
Jasmine...so tiny ,yet, mesmerisingly beautiful and tender
Cool breeze teasingly ever so gently blew past her
And to the night’s delight ,blooms laid the white carpet on earth
None knows ,if blooms shed tears as they met their creator,
World woke to deafening clamour,to gaze through due drops
Reminiscent of nights glamour!
Copyright(C)Bhargavi Ravindra.....24/4/2020

Mother
***
Finally,the long wait was to get over, she was at the threshold of something divine
Long tiring days , restless ,sleepiness nights ....all fine .
The world would know her as a Mother,her status was to change
To welcome the baby’s first cry ,she had set the stage!
She waited with the bated breath to hear the first cry of the child
Walking towards her hut ,wondering what is in store for the child!
Wreathing in pain next moment she fell unconcious  
A big moment awaited ,she registered in her subconscious.
In between her shooting pain she saw Doctors running in and out
Between  her own screams she heard a sudden shout..
“Get the OT ready ...soon .. “...that  was the last she could hear
Before falling unconscious she smiled ,her eys filled with tears.
None could understand the significance of that blessed smile
She alone knew - she was witness to her baby’s radiant smile.
It took all of 24hrs to come out of her deep slumber
Still under effect of anasthesia saw a small tiny bundle next to her!
Doctor announced -“you just about managed to give birth to your daughter!”
Went on to add “It will be tough on you to raise her,with no income.
Lady who brought you is ready for adoption ,by paying you a big sum.”
She smiled and said “Do you think she has enough money to buy me the world ?
As my daughter ,hence forth is going to be my world !
I may not be rich enough to cover her in silk ,
But I have blood  in my veins  to buy her milk.
I don’t want the world to know I gave birth to a daughter
Would rather proudly announce to the World - she gave birth to a Mother!”
Copyright(C) Bhargavi Ravindra.....25/10/2019

No legacy is as rich as honesty to leave behind
No asset is as great as honesty that enriches mind
No voice is as powerful as honesty,your heart to guide
No word is as meaningful as honesty to swell with pride.

One who adheres to principle and facts , is honest
One who loves for-what-than-who-you are , is honest
One who inspires to be fearless and upfront , is honest
One who dares to raise voice against injustice, is honest

In actions ,words and dealings -be  clear and  transparent
Corruption,bribery,flattery and nepotism-be always against
Greats endure pain to follow righteousness,however difficult
On life’s tight walk ,do not crave to strike rich without sweat.

Win over lies,deceit ,treachery with love,respect and fair play
Honesty is a jewel that shines-shines brighter,rest fades away
Honesty is a bitter pill to gulp,gulp you must to lead the way
Quality than Quantity of life matters most,at the end of the day.

A child should be taught to be honest at a very early age
Set an example by emoting honesty at every step and stage
Honesty instils compassion ,concern,credibility and courage
It is a  virtue that differentiates between a devil and a sage.

Stakes may be high ,don’t ever compromise on values
A Right can never ever be Wrong ,however one views
Forever under HIS scanner,keep hands clean and heart true (HIS ...GOD)
Give best to the humanity the best will come back to you.
(C) Bhargavi Ravindra ...........B’lore
            Dated  : 09/05/2019

My moments .....
*****
Moments of joy,moments of bliss
Moments of love ,moments of Happiness
Moments of share,moments of care
Moments of hope,moments of despair
Moments of tears ,moments of cheer
Moments of mine,moments of yours
Moments of us, moments of ours
I pack these tiny moments
In my heart
The small treasure house !
My whole life is safe n secure
In these tiny moments,
And I pull them out
When I need them most.
When the road is long
And I am not strong.
When my eyes are blurred
Tears are too  tiered to flow!
I am frightened to look at
Those dark shadows
Advancing rapidly
To unsettle me .
Helplessly when
I watch
Like sand  ,life slip thru,
These tiny moments
My precious ,
My cherished moments
Come to my rescue!
Surround me
Hold my hands
And console me
Lift me up from the lowest of lows
Ever so graciously !
Copyright(C) Bhargavi Ravindra....

My moments .....
*****
Moments of joy,moments of bliss
Moments of love ,moments of Happiness
Moments of share,moments of care
Moments of hope,moments of despair
Moments of tears ,moments of cheer
Moments of mine,moments of yours
Moments of us, moments of ours
I pack these tiny moments
In my heart
The small treasure house !
My whole life is safe n secure
In these tiny moments,
And I pull them out
When I need them most.
When the road is long
And I am not strong.
When my eyes are blurred
Tears are too  tiered to flow!
I am frightened to look at
Those dark shadows
Advancing rapidly
To unsettle me .
Helplessly when
I watch
Like sand  ,life slip thru,
These tiny moments
My precious ,
My cherished moments
Come to my rescue!
Surround me
Hold my hands
And console me
Lift me up from the lowest of lows
Ever so graciously !

(C) Bhargavi Ravindra....May 2018 ..