--There was a fragrance in the air.
Always - when you were there.
Now I breathe  and seek  to find
A whiff recessed deep in my mind.

You're gone- the darkness spills
And shadows clamber over the sills
As I strain and strain your face to see
Amidst jumbled memories  left for me

I'm aging but still try to walk
Wobbly  feet and knees that knock
They no longer heed my will
Command me ‘sit’ and just be still

The  shadows say touching my cheek
You no longer see nor do you speak
They say that soon it will all be gone
The despair, lost hope, the daily dawn

My heart beats; its still quite strong
Awaiting the lilt of another song
That'll lighten the temper of my room
Rid of the shadows and the gloom

But sure it's told me, old man
The time's near; I'll do all I can
But it's  getting somewhat rough
Keeping you alive is getting tough

And then one night I hear a sound
That I sense  within me resound
A quiet sigh— then all is still
Life's gone; like a shadow on the sill.

A new morn and the sun's alight
Children play, charming and bright
They dance on a flat piece of ground
I lie inert with nary a sound

There's company here of others too
Who lived lives- like me and you
We often talk of days long gone
In comfort— ‘cause we're not alone

I keep asking myself-was it real
The Time that you and I were together

Or was it merely a quirky gambit of  Fate
Whose cup, tho' full, needed a drop.

Lord just take my memories away

They wont let me sleep – they ruin my day

Let me be blessed with a baby’s mind-

Gazing only ahead —with nothing behind

Sometime, with a thoughtless flick of the hand
You plant a seed in the soil--and it grows
Like the huge mango tree in my back yard.

Over decades it blooms, bears fruit,
And grows tall and sturdy
A resplendent umbrella

Beneath which to rest a tired soul
With a sigh of joy-and wonder
At the experience that permeates your being.

But the God's are envious that
A Creature fashioned by them
Can sigh in joy-More than once

A bolt of lightening incinerates
What you worshipped
And as you watch the scorched roots, burnt leaves and ashes
You find yourself wondering--

"was it  ever worth the value you placed
on the result of a thoughtless moment
-that fashioned times of intense beliefs
and emotions blessed by  nature

Yet left you alone with the carcass of your dreams

NOTHINGNESS

I look often at tomorrow
Sensing a deep darkness
In the heavens and below

I search through my past
For that one little light
Just a moments soft glow


To end this nothingness
I wish time would hurry
But it too moves slow

The wounds are still open
And the blood still pools
At my feet-Defiant and aglow

Soundless stirs the morn, in deep slumber fed
And nudges awake the frost that clothes the night
Anxious, the drowsy bird tests its wings
Lest the night's torpor's robbed it of flight.

The first radiant sunbeam launches the day
Proudly gloating, thrusts aside a stubborn star
The mellow chirping notes of the Morning song
Penetrate the consciousness-tinkling afar.

Dreams with clutching fingers strain to hold
Dissolving colours before the unseeing eye
Yet softly, like melting snows touched by Spring
Leave blurred images no reality can defy.

Curtains flutter, flustered ghosts flee the room
To distant lands, in exile for the day
There to sulk in gloom 'till twilight's kiss
Heralds the hour is come their games to play.

A touseled head lifts, a tentative hand emerges
Groping directionless rubs an eye in peeking wonder
An uncoordinated foot for a slipper searches
(Eggs and bacon wafting) –  
and Night's Kingdom's rent asunder.

Todays bleak, the morrows unknown
Increasingly I dwell  on the past alone
Memories now shape a comforting space
And give me strength each day to face

Mirrors mock lost dreams of a distant night
Deepening frost tempers the haughty brow
Quiet patience befriends Time's eternal chain
A darkening vigil guards the morrows now.

Silence endures an agonised moment's cry
Barbed memory stings, still drawing blood
Anxious lids in vain, despairing try
From prying eyes to shield the surging flood.

Sorrow exploits dumb Silence's willing trust
As faltering smiles attempt the world to cheat
Trampled emotion now seeks a healing touch
Despair and Hope in equal measure meet.

In passing, callous Time looks back
An indifferent glance, yet something holds it still
Perhaps it hears the anguished call
Of a Dawn searching a Night to ****.

A remembered grace tortured limbs embrace
Fatigue a moment steps aside
Listless fingers the worn fabric caress
Another smile gestures to stem the tide.

Turn away from me if you so wish
I’ll hold on to an  empty space
Togetherness is strictly time defined
My solitude’s cloaked in  eternal grace

It’s many years since last I saw
Another’s smile light up my room
It’s many years since last I walked
Paths where wild flowers bloom.

It’s many years since last I reached
And felt the grasp of a friendly hand
It’s many years since last I wept
Watching a garden turn to sand.

It’s many years since last I raised
My voice against what bigots preach
It’s may years since last I searched
For a Truth that I too could reach.

And as I mulled over my life
Nature watched then quietly said
There’s much still to be done
Use your heart- since reason’s dead

Rise and stretch those tired limbs
And let your voice roar loud again
For those whose lives are shackled still
For those whose days are full of pain

Though life be short, the soul persists
Dwell not on years that are gone
One day the heavens’ll  sigh- relieved
That through you a new hope was born.

Within I hear a myriad sounds,
I forget—
It’s loneliness  that resounds

The day will come-I know well it will
When dark shadows crowd your way
And you in vain will try and  fight
To glimpse again the light of day.

Distressed you’ll question “Lord why me?”
The Heavens are silent- and no answer give
For they know you had made a choice
Of the kind of world where you would live.

From within a silent voice demands
Look o’er your life- each year, each day
And balance the little good you did
Against the evil that marked your way

There was a time when pure of heart
You reached for those who’d fallen down
But then the shadows that crowd your way
Of greed and lust, within you were born.

And sudden an array of faces swirls
Of those whose lives were drenched in pain
By you and those whom you corrupted
In a sordid quest for personal gain.

A haughty head with falsehoods crowned
Today disheveled lies in the dust
Time moves on with no patience left
For your repentance, though repent you must

And those whom you called your friends
Stun you with silence -not a word they say
As you wait for their hands to reach
And lift you to live for another day.

The judgement’s passed, you are done
Just a body and a guilt filled soul
That’s lost its chance to repent
And can only hide in a lightless hole

There is a lesson from your life
For those whose lives are yet to start
Choose well the path that you will walk
And never from that path depart.

Dusty spring days when blue skies are veile'd,
And life's songs on falling notes are scaled,
Seeking refuge then from lost desires,
A man into a silent world  retires.
Closed in by thoughts on rocking chairs,  
His aloneness with a glass of beer he shares,
And  drifts into silence no sound can rent,  
Of memories, to gone days, erects monuments.
And the froth bubbling incessantly,
Creates images and all he’s lost he sees,
He walks beer soaked stumbling still
Rests himself on the window sill
Gazes at flowers smiling bright
In the raindrops glistening light

Soft words tumble from his mouth,  
In bleary stupor  he looks up and shouts –
"That laughing rain  kisses flowers
(Reminds me of tears and lonely hours)
And that bird singing in the trees,
Reflects its own beauty in all that it sees.  
While I, seeking solace in golden beer,
See this, yet my eyes still shed their tear."  
Just one thought now plagues his mind
Why could I true love not find
People came  then left my life
Burdened with more emotional strife

In anger then his bleary eyes are clear,
Glass shatters and spills all the beer.
He walks *****,  his feet are stumbling still,  
But visions from his window a hope instill  
From his window he  gazes at skies above,
Trembling fingers light another smoke.
That rising leads him by the hand,
Guides him, stumbling to another land.

Where spring skies of dusty clouds are rid,
And budding dreams in smiling flowers are hid,
Bright birds in open splendour sing,
Crystal raindrops new songs of joy bring.  
Where peace in gentle silence abounds,
And despair its knell no longer sounds.

In rapture shouts to heavens blue and clear –
"At last my freedom here is near,
for I have lost – there's nothing left to lose,
And the crossroads are here for me to choose.
To build monuments that perforce must crumble,
Walk roads where I perforce must stumble.
Or caress flowers that dreams untold,
In vivid colours for me unfold.

My peace is here, where human sounds
Are silenced  – just loneliness resounds.

Estranged from midnight
The hour tolls.
Amidst broken thoughts
Scurry soft patters of sleep
Persecuted by demons
Of orphaned moments unlived
Deserted in their nascent innocence
And the hour tolls.
Night measures its stride
While the mind charts terrains
To extend its journey
And accommodate the tortured paths of elusive rest.
And the hour tolls.
Shadows deepen
In imagined frenzy that dusky night
Will divorce their fading charms for a fairer escort.
And the hour tolls.
Dawn's altar solemnizes the union of Night.
A ceremony drowned in deafness
Of grieving shrouds against the Day,
Nursing me to a restless rest
Till, finally, the hour tolls.

Just a hint of clouds clothes the icy summits
As they send down a cool breeze
To proclaim the Spring.
And trees and grass that heavy hearts Behind Winter's doors had sheltered
With flowery smiles bend each way
And greet their mates.
And bow down to me bemused,
As I wend my way among them
Drawing deep breaths of Spring's messenger.

The sound of laughter fills the air
As roadside waterways in merry cadence roll away
Having fed at leisure on the melting snows.
And a sudden flash of white arrests my eye
As a paper boat dances on the water's crest
And sinking in a trough vanishes from sight
And is gone an unknown way.
And looking up I espy its elfin creator
Whose sparkling eyes today cannot perceive
How much his life is to be like that boat's journey.
Riding each crest before a trough its presence reveals.
And at the end no crests, no troughs Just Eternal Peace.

And now the night quietly creeps up upon the world,
And I sit here musing
As the sun in a blaze of glory is going away
But yet, with a golden finger stretched across the skies
Beckons the wayward moon to share the day.
And like a bridal ****** from behind her veil
Casts her lover a fleeting glance,
The heavens with cloudy cover shield the Moon
While I sit here longing for a glimpse of her radiant face.

Go on, my moon, play your games with me,
I shall wait patient till your longing is as great as mine,
And you, blind behind heavy veil, not knowing if your lover is gone or waiting,
Cast aside all pretence and reach out your hand to mine.

There are many who sleep tonight with thoughts of tomorrow
I'll savour again the scent of today.
How we humans in vain endeavour seek our Morrows,
When the Presents are still here to stay.
And how soon we forget that Yesterday was once Tomorrow,
We were looking ahead, it became the Present,
And ere we realized – It quietly slipped away.

Perhaps the morrow at last shall bring
A dream, a hope, a lightened way
And old songs, tone weary, again shall string
The broken chords of another day.

When dark despair, the morning's light eludes,
Days, dusk to dusk, the dawn's betray;
Then illusion's green the winter's blight deludes,
And beholds a Spring's flowering spray.

Muted lips that stifled, soundless stayed
In whispered breaths mouth tomorrow's prayer
And lost Hope that once had endless strayed
Rests at last in eyes that sightless stare.

Heart's heavy, forlorn burdens done
Light airy moods again grace the day
Yester nights foreboding shadows shun
Walk by my side – walk along my way.

I hung that one last moment
Low down that lethal rope
As the noose squeezed away
My last and fleeting hope

I wondered what had happened
Had Blind Justice lost its way
Could not that  gentle Mercy
Stop the dawning of this day

Last night was never ending
Lying numb in darkened space
I heard my daughter's prayer
For the dawn to hide its face

They said that I was guilty
I know I was guilty too
Could  they not see I tried
My wrongdoings to undo

I returned from where I'd fled
Back to the home I'd known
-that home that I had wounded-
For my actions to atone

They say that time is fleeting
One's life with dangers fraught
I cursed the steps I'd taken
That turned my life to naught

I told them what I knew
Of the actions that were taken
By others of faith and family
That left my spirit shaken.

Was I just one of them
Or was I of different mould
Could  not they tell the difference
From all that I had told.

A father and a husband
Counting seconds of his life
Now asks for peace and honor
For his daughter and his wife.

Peaceful slumber closed lids
Shield Dreams.
Jumbled memories, flashes of the future
Create a bewildering kaleidoscope
Of colour in my mind's eye.
And I see myself stark naked
Amidst swirling mists,
Each particle a symbol of past events, of future happenings.
Uncomprehending, incomprehensible.
Unknowing, perturbed by what may be,
Outwardly I sleep,
The epitome of serenity.

I remember now when you and I,
Would try to study through the night,
And of the chocolates I would buy
To bring you a moment's sweet delight.

We'd laugh and talk of everything,
Except what we were there to learn,
And I'd try into that room to bring,
The fires that within me burn.

I'd transform that little room of ours,
To show what we from life could take,
And clothe us in dream laden flowers,
To bring back to you what you'd forsaked.

In lonely moments when I said,
Your love with me will stay forever,
I knew not envious fate's decide,
When and where Love's bonds to sever.

Yet no sadness mars my moments now,
What we have shared will ours remain,
You spoke of parting – in your eyes I saw,
The fires within us burn the same.

Love's gentle embers that once had flared,
I'll let passions breezes fan anew,
While you with Logic's dust have dared,
To colour your morrows in a darker hue.

Grieve not that this world has tried,
To make what you weren't meant to be,
Tho' smiling lips your dreams belied,
The pain was there for me to see.

I think not ever love let me down,
For we dreamers must change each day to night,
Else how can we our Times transform,
Into a moment's fond delight.

I often try someway to find
To tame the rioting in my mind
They’re all gone -those dear to me
None left to listen-none to see

So who’s to know what lies beneath
Unseen where anguished torrents writhe
Born of a choice I made one day
That’s left me alone along my way.

There was a time when I was free
And smiled at whatever I could see
Waiting  for that moment’s call
When deep in love I would fall.

I turned and sudden she was there
The vision that left  me unaware
Of everything and everyone
Radiant as the smiling sun

I lived  each day and each night
Waiting only for her sight
Till the day she took my hand
Said she was going to a distant land

I tried but could not make her stay
She said she had to find her way
It had been nice, the time with me
But now she needed more to see.

Its decades now- but  still I wait
My gaze fixed upon my gate
With a hope that I will see
Her smiling -coming back to me.

I kneel on sultry nights to pray
Lost songs to lead my mind astray  
Reason resides in a distant land
Emotion's realm is close at hand

Sensuous thoughts on their own
In quiet tones the darkened room adorn
Bright sparkling eyes, sudden muted feel
Entrapped, transformed, haunted, still

Tumultuous silence frames a lingering touch
Shy fingers tremulous fleeting brush
Smiling lips sudden are gravely etched
Restraint, by unshackled senses stretched

Perchance a truant spoken word
Repentant flees, unheeded and unheard
The gossamer touch of drifting fingers felt
On naked arms and legs, a straining breast

Unguided, instinctive, their path is marked
Awakened feelings by feeling touch are sparked
Rapturous eternity knows no tide or ebb
Ensnared in a magical passions web  

No music, yet lilting notes entreat
Joy's songs this languorous spell to greet
A distant flute the silence softly graces
An emboldened tongue a lover's lips embraces

And hands that ere could scarce believe
Their power – in caress now relieve
Yester fears – Tomorrow's hopes are born
The heart of its fading memories shorn

No earthly thought dares be so rude
On such sacred moments to intrude
Just Silence in Silence's womb is born
Night's fabric by no morn is torn

I've oft in lonely moment sought
Such nights to hold, and felt distraught
As morn's light the lingering star chases
In sad retreat the unearthly spell erases.

Lazy   mists   o'er   mountain   peaks   are   raised
Nature's   touch   a   rejoicing   world   has   graced
Kissed   by   the   pallid   lips   of   regret
Tomorrow's   dreams   on   yester   grave   are   placed.

Wet   eyes   a   million   lights   reflect
Where   a   few   have   shone- so   does   past   regret
Pain's   moment   to   everlasting   pain   transform
And   joy's   songs   to   dirges   turn   through   neglect.

I   raised   my   eyes   and   the   Heavens   in   crescents   ­shone
Like   Halo'ed   flowers   ******   brides   adorn
Angels   chorused-   my   mortals   ears   had   heard
With   Autumn's   breeze,   my   Spring   blooms    have   blown.

Passing   fancies   by   friendship's   name   are   known
And,   in   passing,   past   ties   disown
Love's   words,   though,   in   soft   memory'll   linger
Come   night   –   each   alone   the  day   shall   mourn.

The raindrop's ******, ever so light,
The dancing moonbeam, playing at night.
The gentle caress, not the tightened hold,
The fleeting glance, not the staring bold.

Not the blinding sun, but the candle's glow,
Not stormy seas, but the river's flow,
Not rushing waters, but the gentle shine,
Of unshed tears, yours and mine.

Not the spoken word but the parted lips,
Not the reaching out, but the elusive slips,
Not heavy perfume, but the fragrant whiff
Not stormy quarrels, but the lover's tiff.

Early Dawns in the hues of East,
They stir me most, that stir me least.

Love's ways are strange, I know not how
But parting's sweet – And the pain is now
That we're together.

And when you are long gone it’s not the days
We were together – But when we parted ways
That I'll remember.

Song's for the asking, Music's dear,
Tattered notes in the discerning ear
Spill'd colours across the canvas spread
Undaunted the artist looks ahead.

Clumsy feeling stumbles across the page
Spidery lines are traced as if in rage
At mocking crowds that anticipate
His failure at the hands of a laughing Fate.

Anger spills from a slashing stroke of red
Anguish from the easel rears its head
In green, the world, his fancies capture
Dull moves the brush, in reluctant rapture.

Hollow songs by struggling fingers born
Orchestrated by a soul that's torn
'Twixt turning in Logic and Reason's dance
Or twirling in a graceful dream filled trance.

His eyes are open, he seems to gaze
Sightless, staring as in a daze
Hearing songs that alone he can hear
Strangers to the mortal ear.

And visions of elfin beauty spring
That to the canvas his brushes bring
Of golden sun, rustling trees and mirth
Frolicking clouds between sky and earth.

Once reluctant fingers dazzling play
Joy's songs to lighten a gloomy day
And those who watched a canvas bare
Now stop in wonder to turn and stare.

“There's magic in that artist's hand”
They say as wonderstruck they stand
Fame's halo rings a bowed head
His dread is gone and in its stead  

Recognition sounds its clamourous gong
Shatter'd peace, and shattered song
Inspiration got lost along the way
Mediocrity now holds its sway.

He longs again for the mocking stare,
The time to stand and not to care
As running colours on the canvas spread
And he, unknown, just looks ahead.

I'm weary now and seek to rest
I need a place to stay
A hand to reach out for
A smile to light my way

A voice to beckon to me
When silences stretch too long
And eyes to hold my tears
Someone to walk along

Prodigal Sorrow wears a new face.
Untended my door welcomes strangers.
Drifting silence resounds Within emptiness.
Constant companion Of the unfulfilled .
Stubborn shadows Defy the day
Amidst their jostling lives toss and turn.
Crippled senses support indiscretions
Hostage to tempestuous moods Reason cries.
Blurred fantasies sound the knell
Of ill-defined purpose -still born.
Stark images of what is
And what could be -endlessly displayed.
Tempests rage Within,
Without the  sea redeems itself.
Benign neglect clothes the tattered form.
Hand outstretched Life implores the living.
Once welcome guest ensconsed,
Litters my home -no longer welcome.
Amid the stars radiant Galaxies
Of uncharted dreams Seek direction.
In the cradle stirs anew
The pulsing rhythm of human *******.
A dawn illuminates
A new way, a new path.
Ajar, the door
Crowned with tentative blossoms
Ushers a smile.
Myriad choruses in tandem
Drive Sorrow out
My home is yet mine.

Dreaming as the sunset kissed the sky
By the lake I heard a lady cry
On my question "Alas" she wept aloud
With each sunset a little of my youth will fly

Oh gentle lady by the lake
Why weep you here for beauty's sake
A lost youth your eyes in the pool can see
From Time's gaze a shelter of dreaming make.

For even as the koyal in the trees shall sing
And blossoming flowers herald the spring
The ale from our barrel will drip away, my love
Fill now your cup- some cheer to bring.

Come, come my love, leave behind
Your whims and fancies, your troubled mind
That youth and beauty that a mockery make
Of life-their crippling chains unbind

In dreams did my mind reveal
Life's truths-and in mute appeal
Beseech me-let youth and beauty by
Her laughter did all that knowledge steal

It didn't begin-it could not end
Just endless hours somehow to spend
-E'en as mornings turned to night-
Telling tales a haunted soul to mend.

Once, just once, upon a Dawn
By my window, a bird forlorn
Sat singing wisdom's song to me
I rose and grasped-and the bird was gone.

So I clung on to what I knew
Must surely die-just like the dew
With morn-Time's callous winds destroyed
My laughter as over my life they blew.

Yet, still, I seek those moonlit pools
And worlds where bold Folly rules
Seeking paths some more to stray
My skies ablaze in radiant hues.

Not   yet   the   tide   of   war   is   spent
Red   stains   the   Tigris's   timeless   flow
Death's   haze   cloaks   my   lovely   skies
Stark   my   temples   smouldering   glow.

My   mothers   carried   in   their   wombs
Old   spirits   of   an   ancient   land
Today   my   children's   pride   is   torn
By   a   cursed   invader's   hand.

Resounding   to   a   stubborn   faith
For   years   I   watched   each   day   behold,
-Tho'   hostage   to   a   callous   world-
My   children's   spirits   strong   and   bold.

There   were   days   when   hunger   struck
And   ills   had   found   no   chance   of   cure
I   saw   my   children   ,    young   and   old
Still   keep   their   faith-   fine   and   pure.

My   name   adorned   so   many   a   verse
And   long   ,    my   gates,    the   traveller's   sought
My   glories   they   could   scarce   divine
Whose   souls   by   dimes   and   cents   are   bought.

I   thought   those   tales   of   ancient   times
The   renown   that   once   I   had   known
Would   stay   marauding   guns   and   tanks
And   let   bloom   the   seeds   that   I   had   sown.

I   thought   there   was   still   the   hope
That   Time   had   taught   most   men   to   feel
The   anguish   of   the   orphaned   child
Watching   Death   its   parents   steal.

They   seek   to   wrest   from   deep   within
The   essence   of   my   children's   life,
Their   falsehoods   born   of   grasping   greed
Condemned   me   to   this   ******   strife.

Now   will   they   strip   this   fallen   prey
Like   vultures   gathered   from   afar
None   sought   to   hear   my   anguished   cry
Or   stem   this   accursed   tide   of   war.

This   ancient   land   will   nurse   its   wounds
In   silence-   nor   lament   the   day,
But   nightly   my   desert   winds   shall   curse
Those   hands   that   dared   upon   me   lay.

Tomorrow,    Tomorrow   -I'll   be   there
When   my   tormentors   long   are   gone
So   Mother   grieve   not   for   your   child
Await   with   me   those   to   be   born.

They'll   nurture   till   the   end   of   time
The   seeds   of   anger   and   of   hate
Raise   to   the   skies   my   hoary   head
And   roar   defiance   at   my   Fate.

Such   thunder   will   the   Heaven's   rent
The   stars   avenging   orbs   of   light
As   ancient   spirits   across   the   land
Chain   foes   to   dungeons   of   the   night.

I'll   rise   again,    tall   and   strong
Eternal   as   my   desert's   sand
Nourished   by   the   coursing   blood
Of   martyrs   of   this   Arab   land.

I'll   tell   my   tale   before   I   leave,
Love   happens   -   that   I   do   believe
To   all   of   us,    when   least   we   dare
The   Fate's   decide   when   and   where..

Words   that   tell   what   I   have   seen
Of   places   where   you   too   have   been.
Were   we   then   wrong   not   to   hold
Dreams   encased   in   clothes   of   gold.

Before   the   sun's   high   on   the   day,
A   thousand   luminous   pearls   display
Spells   that   the   night   had   cast
Radiant   though   the   night   is   past.

Did   you   not   scout   all   around
To   trace   the   faint   bubbling   sound
Of   laughter   born   without   a   cause
Your   breath   enmeshed   in   a   pause

To   taste   the   joys   of   careless   dreams
Like   petals   floating   on   the   streams
Oblivious   where   the   waters   go
Just   knowing   they'll   forever   flow.

Did   you   once   dream,    of   a   night,
Past   the   slowly   fading   light
A   dream   that   just   seemed   to   be
For   your   sleeping   eyes   to   see.

Your   feet   were   meant   just   to   grace
Paths   of   fragrant   gossamer   lace
Cradles   in   bursting   colours   styled
Held   rainbow   dreams   swirling   wild

Proud   hearts   once   taught   not   to   feel
Now   in   your   path   learn   how   to   kneel
And   in   your   dream   you   saw   a   face,
Glimpsed   and   gone   without   a   trace.

Something   made   you   hold   your   glance
Not   beauty,    nor   just   naughty   chance,
You   woke   and   you   knew   the   day
Had   come   to   give   your   heart   away.

Afraid,    you   said   "stay   still   and   cold"
Mere   mortals   can't   such   sights   behold
God's   angels   flit   in   sudden   flight
You   saw   them   in   the   drowsy   light

Smelt   the   flowers   of   sudden   love
Showered   by   the   Gods   above
Restraint   began   to   take   its   leave
As   they   their   spell   began   to   weave

Then   dream   on,    both   day   and   night
Through   the   dark,    into   the   light
For   dreams   are   free,    and   yours   to   keep
No   price   to   pay,    awake   or   asleep

Perhaps   these   words   will   make   y­ou   smile
Perhaps,    just   maybe,    for   a   while
You'll   share   with   me   the   tale   I   told
And   clothe   my   world   in   shades   of   gold.

Twisted   paths   lined   the   woods
Where   I   once   used   to   walk
There   I'd   watch   people   gather
Of   an   eve   just   to   talk

And   sense   just   the   rhythm
Of   the   road   moving   on
Listening   to   the   silences
From   Twilight   to   Dawn

In   the   cradle   of   the   night
I'd   hear   it   resound
The   song   of   the   crickets
Rising   high   from   the   ground

Past   the   woods   one   could   see
From   some   distances   away
The   homes   of   the   people
Who   chose   there   to   stay.

At   the   first   sight   of   dusk
The   lights   from   the   homes
Would   glow   in   the   woods
Like   the   lanterns   of   gnomes

In   the   midst   of   the   woods
They'd   cleared   a   little   space
Laid   the   modest   trappings
For   a   small   eating   place

On   a   simple   wooden   door
There   hung   a   small   gourd
With   a   welcoming   lamp
On   a   hand   painted   board

Four   walls   made   of   stone
In   the   shade   of   a   tree
And   windows   so   tall
From   without   you   could   see

Young   couples   who   came
To   that   place   not   to   eat
Unshackling   their   cares
From   the   day   to   retreat

The   fare,   it   was   modest
And   nothing   was   dear
You   spent   longish   hours
Mulling   over   a   beer.

I   remember   those   times
When   my   pockets   were   bare
And   all   I   could   do
Was   to   try   not   to   stare

At   faces   so   solemn
Yet   somewhat   alight
With   knowing   anticipation
Of   the   treat   of   the   night

I   remember   on   occasion
When   I   was   still   small
Nose   and   face   pressed
To   the   window   in   the   wall

On   feet   lightly   poised
From   the   owner   to   flee
Tasting   in   my   mind
The   food   I   could   see.

The   tastes   they   were   real
I   recall   till   today
Of   the   modest   eating   house
When   he   shooe'd   me   away

The   woods   are   still   there
And   so   is   the   road
Though   battered   by   age
There   hangs   still   the   board

Dimm'd   along   with   old   time
The   owner   and   the   lamp
Still   herald   a   welcome
From   the   cold   and   the   damp

With   the   gift   of   my   sire
I   stand   somewhat   tall
But   I   still   press   my   nose
To   the   window   in   the   wall.

I   see   the   white   vest
Now   quite   faded   with   age
Of   the   owner   in   the   corner
Looking   solemn   and   sage

My   pockets   aren't   bare
But   I   stand   still   a   while
Till   he   shoo'es   me   away
Though   now   with   a   smile

I   return   to   that   place
Travelling   from   afar
Again   and   Again
On   the   twenty   fifth   hour

I   know   it   will   happen
One   day   stripp'd   of   grace
Those   woods   will   be   gone
And   so   will   that   place

In   its   stead   there   will   be
A   place   stark   and   clear
No   songs   of   the   crickets
For   young   couples   to   hear.

Silence mourns alone  
That idyllic retreat
Lamenting man’s passion
Nature’s joys to defeat

I'd   know   then   to   part,
Like   a   man   from   his   lover,
Leaving   twenty   fifth   hours
For   others   to   discover.

A   sight,   a   sound,   an   unheard   voice,
Remembrance's   velvet   claws   unsheath
An   insistent   rapping   on   the
Unsuspecting   mind.

Still'd   echoes   unshackle
The   chains   of   suspended   Time.
In   faint   rumbling   murmurs
Stalk   and   violate   the   consciousness

The   dust   off   lost   days   is   stirred
Like   the   faint   rustlings   of   leaves
Touched   by   the   infant   breeze
Presage   the   storm.

A   first   stray,   drifting   thought
Arrays   the   splendour   of   memories
A   multitude   of   choices   blossom
Like   buds   with   morning   dew.

The   strains   of   lost   songs,
Innocently   echo   from   beneath
The   burden   of   accumulated   years
In   untutored   crescendo.

A   sight,   a   sound,   an   unheard   voice
Transformed the   music   of   forgotten   days,
Lightened   mood;   Time   forsakes   barren   Winter
In   the   embrace   of   an   imagined   Spring.

In   the   lost   stillness   of   night   there   shone
Again   a   glimmer   –   that   to   me   unknown
Was   the   herald   of   a   morn-born   to   the   dark
Of   an   eclipsed   world   –   barren   and   stark.

A   cautious   man   on   wisdom's   crutch   once   leaned
But   tempted   by   illusion   flung   caution   and   seemed
For   a   moment   to   soar   on   graceful   wing
Crowned   with   the   laurels   of   a   glorious   Spring.

A   hand   held   out   a   Hope   to   hold
As   beguiled   eyes   a   dream   behold
But   wing   and   grace   in   a   moment   were   done
Yet   in   the   depths   the   glimmer   still   shone.

Faith   your   name   with   Betrayal   I'll   take
And   Truth   your   wager   on   Deception   I'll   stake
For   the   Day   is   dressed   in   Night's   darkened   gown
And   still'd   is   the   song   of   the   Morn   unknown

In   the   yard   there   is   a   tree
It's   been   there   quite   a   while
I   look   at   it   today
With   a   quiet,   wistful   smile.

From   years   long   gone   a   vision
Of   a   child   looking   around
I   see   –   as   he   surveyed
Brown,   beaten,   barren   ground.

He   knew   without   quite   knowing
That   something   was   not   right
They'd   said   the   earth   should   hold
Full   blooms   and   flowers   bright.

Despondent,   he   saw   no   blade
Of   grass   –   no   copse,   no   bush.
Not   just   a   leaf   to   wipe
The   sudden   tearful   rush.

With   grubby   hand   he   rubbed
Tired   eyes   that   woeful   weep
And   turned   from   whence   he   came
To   the   silent   house   to   sleep.

But   first   upon   the   table
He   saw   what   had   been   left
As   mothers   are   wont   to   do
A   mango   for   him   was   kept.

With   practised   ease   he   clambered
Onto   to   the   nearest   chair
And   the   pensive   fruit   he   ******
Leaving   stains   on   face   and   hair.

Then   something   he'd   heard
Came   to   mind   with   startling   light
He   look'd   through   the   window
His   eyes   were   shining   bright.

He   toddled   back   outside
And   saw   the   distant   wall
His   gaze   fixed   upon   it
Threw   the   kernel   like   a   ball.

Then   came   in   back   to   sleep
From   the   yard   with   barren   earth
And   when   he   woke   he   heard
The   sounds   of   talk   and   mirth.

And   as   is   a   child's   way
He   forgot   what   he   had   cast,
In   the   pleasures   of   today
Past   deeds   are   often   past.

The   seasons   came   and   went
The   child   to   manhood   grown
He'd   left   his   parent's   house
For   a   place   he   called   his   own.

With   the   passing   of   the   years
Memory   too   lost   its   recall
Though   on   chance   he   told   the   tale
Of   the   kernel   by   the   wall

One   day   'cross   oceans   distant
A   man   came   back   to   claim
The   child   of   the   child   returned
To   the   house   that   bore   his   name

And   in   the   yard   he   saw
No   patch   of   empty   ground
But   a   giant   mango   tree
Fruit   flies   flitting   around.

And   in   its   shade   he   stood
Amidst   flowers   of   different   hue
And   tried   in   vain   to   see
The   wall   his   father   knew.

In   the   lush   green   of   the   yard
The   distant   wall   was   hidden
And   with   no   conscious   thought
Came   a   sight   quite   unbidden..

On   the   spot   where   he   stood
He   saw   again   that   child
And   reverent   bent   to   taste
Fruit   lying   in   splendour   wild.

The   grey   upon   his   shoulders
Gnarled   bark   of   the   tree
The   wisdom   of   the   years
Was   there   for   him   to   see.

He   knew   it   was   the   land
And   the   rain   in   season   due
That   gave   the   tree   and   yard
Its   colours   and   its   hue.

But   all   that   he   could   sense
Was   a   child   trying   to   see
Bright   flowers   and   green   grass
Where   they'd   said   they   should   be.

Like   him   perhaps   there'll   be
A   woeful   child   who'll   stand
And   plant   another   tree
With   the   kernel   in   his   hand.

From   simple   deeds   are   born
Life's   flavours   and   its   treats
From   little   children's   longings
Barren   nature   too   retreats

When   he,   his   child,   and   children
Are   gone,   the   tree   will   stand
A   symbol   of   the   miracle
Wrought   by   a   child's   hand.

You   gave   me   a   moment
A   moment   to   savour,
The   truths   I'd   forsaked
Of   life's   hues   and   flavour

A   moment   to   voice
New   thoughts   –   and   some   old,
A   moment   to   wonder
To   fear   or   be   bold

A   moment   to   walk
Those   paths   I   would   tread,
And   clothe   with   new   words
Old   songs   in   my   head

A   moment   to   smile
At   the   first   light   of   Dawn,
And   stroll   with   the   leaves
'Cross   a   dew   dampened   lawn

A   moment   to   ponder
On   walks   by   the   streams,
The   visions   I   had   fashioned
From   the   fabric   of   my   dreams

You   left   me   a   moment
My   spirit   to   hold,
On   lonely   winter   nights
To   keep   out   the   cold

Like   others   I   had   days
And   moments   I   knew,
I   lost   all   those   moments
In   a   moment   with   you.

With   a   whiff   I'll   recall
That   fragrance   anew
Of   a   single,   stray   moment   –
Long   forgotten   by   you.

Of   a   rose   on   a   table
And   a   candle   well   placed
Two   strangers   and   a   song
That   the   moment   had   graced.

You   gave   me   your   Moment.
I   give   you   my   Hours.
I'll   dress   them   in   moonbeams
And   crown   them   with   stars.

Will   you   take   what   I   give
Such   offers   are   few,
Of   hours   made   of   moments
And   each   moment   for   you.

A   quiet   place   nestled   upon   a   hill,
A   garden,    chairs,    moods   soft   and   still,
Sat   musing,    lost,    yet   somewhat   aware,
Of   a   stray,    nagging   care.

I   sensed   the   first   faint   footfall   sound,
I   closed   my   eyes   and   from   around,
Mirth,    naughty,    chuckled   through   the   trees,
Light   footed   rain   danced   on   the   eaves.

O'er   hilltops   delicate   graceful   weave,
The   clouds   in   ritual   begin   to   cleave,
To   trim   her   star   studded   gown
And   daintly   clothe   a   sleepy   town.

Walk   soft   -   Night   now   claims   her   way,
Her   dark   ushers   the   day   away,
Muted   light   silhouettes   the   stately   trees,
I   heard   her   song   upon   the   breeze.

Quilted   shadows,    sleepy   flowers   turn,
Dreamy   eyes   with   strange   passion   burn,
A   sudden   fragrance   lent   it   voice
I   watched   them   with   their   Night   rejoice.

I   held   her   words   before   they   fled,
In   gentle   tones   to   me   she   said
"Others,    today,    in   festive   mood
Celebrate-   Why   alone   do   you   brood? "

"Let's   walk   together   my   secret   way
'Cross   hill   and   vale   where   done   dare   stray"
She   beckoned   -   I   yet   held   my   place
Distrusting   of   her   smiling   face.

"Behind   me,    look,    do   you   hear
The   sounds   of   joy   and   of   cheer"
I   said,    watching   from   afar,
Gaiety   hostage   to   that   hour.

Through   frosted   panes   the   candles   glowed
And   talk   and   laughter   freely   flowed
Then   her   mist   reached   out   to   me
Blurred   my   eyes   I   could   not   see.

Drifting,    gliding   o'er   time   and   space
No   longer   rooted   to   one   place
"Pain,    Sorrow,    revelers   of   the   Day"
She   said   "Here   they   dare   not   stay"

She   said   "   'Tis   time   for   us   to   walk
Across   to   see   and   hear   their   talk
I've   given   you   vision   to   see   and   know
The   passing   comfort   of   the   candle's   glow".

Within   me   a   sudden   joy   was   born
Of   knowledge   that   what   Day   had   torn
Night's   touch   would   mend   and   make   it   whole
Cloister   a   lost,    troubled   soul.

"They   seek   the   false   pallid   light
And   try   and   keep   out   the   Night
With   fading   lives   and   laughter   short
They   live   afraid,    Fear   is   their   lot".

We   strolled   together,    I   and   Night
To   that   door,    well   out   of   sight
A   table   clad   in   rust   and   red
She   chose   -   the   candle   wounded   bled.

One,    protective,    with   his   hand
Shaped   a   vain,    trembling   band
Around   the   flame   -   Night   looked   and   smiled
I   watched,    unseen,    as   he   tried.

To   keep   the   gust   from   wounded   flame
Night   went   on   with   her   game
Her   companion   breeze   raised   the   stake
To   help   her   the   fragile   band   to   break.

To   shock   his   hand   to   chilled   retreat
Abandon   candle   and   his   seat
The   dead   candle   lay   where   once   it   glowed
Talk   and   laughter   no   longer   flowed.

Night   said   "They   are   creatures   of   the   Day
Unworthy   with   dark   Night   to   play
They   shun   my   caress,    they   fear   my   hold
Dulled   senses   and   with   spirits   cold."

"I've   shown   you   what   there   is   to   know
Some   lives,    brief,    like   candles   glow
I've   chosen   you   to   walk   with   me
Awakened   senses   and   with   spirit   free."

A   parting   smile,    she   turns   to   go
Shimmering,    fades   in   a   rustling   flow
I   watch   a   new   dawn   break   the   sky
And   brush   the   dew   drop   from   my   eye.

When,    now,    my   weary   days   are   long,
I   draw   a   chair,    await   her   song,
The   garden's   quiet,    moods   soft   and   light
As   we   embrace,    I   and   my   Night.

THE WANDERER’S SONG


I've   said   goodbyes   often
When   I   could   still   hear,
Faint   echoes   of   their   greetings
Murmur   softly   in   my   ear.

It's   not   I   ever  wanted
The   seasons   should   not   stay,
Some   Springs   I'd   often   wished  
Would   just   last   another   day.

It's   not   I   ever   wanted
The   crown   of   dubious   fame
Just   my   soul   upon   my   shoulder
No   doorstep   to   my   name.

Oft   at   weary   crossings
I'd   wonder   if   at   last,
My   travels   were   now   over
I   could   leave   behind   the   past.

Was   this   the   place   of   comfort
With   stone   and   cement   bound?
Neat   flowers   and   trim   hedges
In   silence   laid   around.

With   none   to   sit   beside   me
The   hearth   would   chill   my   feet
Just   books   to   tell   me   tales
In   silent   closed   retreat.

Then,   one   day,   so   casual
Life   glanced   again   my   way,
The   doors   I'd   closed   –   I   opened,
I   could   no   longer   stay.

I   left   that   prison's   doorstep,
Secure   stone   and   cement   hole,
For   paths   I   knew   not   led   where
Captive   to   my   restless   soul.

My   thoughts   were   ever   constant
My   spirit   too   was   true,
It   left   its   futile   searching
And   fled   to   skies   of   blue.

Amidst   the   clouds   I   sauntered
Along   trails   of   stars   and   dreams
Skipped   pebbles   'cross   the   faces
Of   merry   bubbling   streams.

The   Seasons   they   would   change
And   in   passing   leave   behind
No   furrows   on   my   brow
No   shadows   on   my   mind.

Songs   that   need   no   music
And   words   not   needing   voice
The   sense   of   unknown   feelings
In   these   pleasures   I   rejoice.

I   still   say   my   goodbyes
When   hullos   linger   on
Just   my   soul   'pon   my   shoulder
Just   a   traveller-come   and   gone.

My day’s done;the night begins
With narry a star in my sky
Of dark clouds and memory’s stings
Harkening back to days gone by

There was a time ,still’d by thoughts
When rythmic words did easy flow
Some spoken and some silent kept
The treasured hoards from long ago

No turbulence could hold its sway  
Dawn and dusk both wore a smile
Dark shadows heard a silent prayer
For lingering dreams to last a while

Alas the pen that once could craft
Words that made passions flare
Now lies dry - like an aged man
A withered tube beyond repair

Yet I try with care and skill
Just a drop of ink to find
To write of laughter and of joy
And still the tortures of the mind

As   the   shadows   lengthen   on   the   sleeping   tree
Nor   you   nor   I   know   what   the   morrow'll   be,
Bear   with   me   –   this   verse'll   the   chapter   close
Indulge   one   last   time   a   poet's   fancy.

Sentiments   that   sealed   lips   did   not   betray,
Words   that   I   oft   was   afraid   to   say,
Fearing   Youth's   headiness   would   make   you   scoff,
Storm   past   the   barriers   –   laugh   if   you   may.

When   away   you've   been   in   a   distant   land,
Life's   dusk   is   drawing   near   close   at   hand,
These   words   may   yet   another   Dawn   reveal,
Another   morrow   help   a   night's   gloom   transcend.

You're   young   now,   life's   tide   is   at   the   peak,
Each   prayer   grants   you   just what      you   seek,
One   day   with   effort   will   their   joints   unfold
Fingers   –   that   with   grace   stroke   your   cheek.

If   at times  you're   alone   and   feeling   scared,
Pretences   stripped   and   reality   bared,
No   force   will   then   dare   you   to   touch,
If   you   for   others   too   have   cared.

Remember   when   you   walk   a   lonely   way,
A   helping   hand   on   a   stumbling   traveler   lay,
Pass   not   by   with   disdain   –   In   tolerance   grow,
Nor   let   your   smile   another's   faith   betray.

Look   around   you   –   There's   lots   yet   to   feel,
Bleeding   wounds   that   bleed,   no   balm   can   heal,
Stop   awhile   --   could   not   these   wounds   be   yours?
With   gentle   touch   the   flow   seek   to   seal.

Dead   souls,   spirits   about   to   break
Lost,   groping,   unsure   what   to   make
Of   life- you'll   meet   them   oft   enough
For   the   blind   a   little   sight   forsake.

In   your   journey   will   you   shed   a   tear,
Seeing   old   men   a   youthful   burden   bear   ?
Smile,   waking   to   a   bird's   carefree   “Hullo”
Break   down   the   walls   Nature's   song   to   hear.

Let   your   senses   wake   and   your   heart   be   free,
Smell   the   rose   when   others   the   thorns   can   see,
Seek   not   to   quench   the   passionate   fires   of   life,­
Behind   flashing   flames   though   dying   embers   be.

Perchance   the   day   will   come,   I   do   not   know,
In   casual   encounter   we'll   say   “Hullo”
And   turn   away   our   separate   paths   to   walk,
Estranged   by   Time's   rushing   flow.

I'll   see   you   then   as   when     I   write,
And   wonder   if   what   I   wrote   was   right,
Tho'   poets   are   fools   ,  captives   of   their   senses,
Their   words,   like   stars,   diffuse   the   night.

My   pen   has   writ   what   I   could   not   say,
Cherish   my   words   --   do   what   you   may,
My   solace   is   I claimed the right
To share with you some thoughts tonight.

Would I that time and space would cease
And emotions spent from their bond release
This spirit to roam in realms unknown
Light as a star, soft as the breeze

A TALE OF SEASONS 
New  Delhi  22/4/99


I   saw   the   gray   mists   rising
Cresting   high   o'er   the   tide
The   thunder   of   the   tempest
Lashing   shores   bleak   and   wide

I   watched   the   heaving   breast
Gasping   out   a   tortured   plea
As   the   tempest   shrieking   struck
From   its   home   beneath   the   sea

The   tears   of   headless   trees
In   pools   of   blossoms   lay
Torn   limbs   with   studied   care
Ranged   along   the   traveller's   way

I   heard   the   groans   of   men
In   silent   impotence   caged
Mute   spectators   they   stood
Even   while   the   tempest   raged

But   then   its   ordeal   over
Nature   relented   for   a   while
I   saw   the   first   faint   twitching
Of   the   beginning   of   a   smile

The   pangs   of   birth   were   over
I   watched   sweet   Nature   bring
Midwif'd   by   seasonal   Time
Earth's   golden   child   of   Spring

Soft   fragrance   lined   its   cradle
Of   coyly   blushing   blooms
Woo'ed   by   a   gentle   breeze
It   wafted   through   my   rooms

I   saw   the   Gate's   were   open
In   tranquil   skies   above
The   Heaven's   gift   of   sunshine
Sent   for   the   child   with   love

The   tears   the   trees   had   shed
To   nectar   turned   by   Night
They   nursed   the   smiling   infant
Midst   gurgles   of   delight

Spring   skipped   her   way   to   youth
Light   footed   'cross   my   dreams
Her   songs   of   joy   had   echoed
'Cross   mountains,   vales   and   streams.

While   still   her   locks   shone   gold
Time   led   his   Earth   to   bed
For   Nature's   rules   are   strict
Four   times   the   Earth   must   wed.

Their   union's   long   been   fated
Their   childrens'   names   are   known
Spring,   Summer,   Autumn,   Winter
Each   in   their   image   grown

I   wonder   what   she's   thinking
As   she   looks   upon   each   birth
The   angry   face   of   Summer
Her   soft   Spring's,   lilting   mirth.

Her   Autumn's   clad   in   sunsets
Quiet   Winter   pensive   stares
Earth's   pride   is   shared   equal
By   the   offspring   that   she   bears.

When   Summer's   fiery   temper
Scorched   her   dancing   ground
Then   Spring,   soft,   fragile   creature
Could   no   longer   skip   around.

She   waited   knowing   another
Would   quieten   Summer's   ire
For   Autumn   lowers   the   temper
Stills   Summer's   raging   fire.

Freed   of   the   Summer   sun
Mother   Earth's   in   shadow   ******
Her   Autumn   gives   her   clothes
Of   soft   gold   and   melding   rust.

With   quiet   and   firm   demeanour
He's   dressed   ever   so   neat
Some   hues   of   Spring   he   wears
With   a   mellowed   Summer's   heat

His   time   is   short,   he   knows
Cold   Winter's   in   the   womb
But   Autumn's   ever   cherished
For   his   colours   break   the   gloom

Staid   Winter's   born   in   white
Earth   nurtures   him   in   turn
A   quiet   life   spent   awaiting
For   his   sister   to   return

Of   all   the lovely   siblings
I   do   love   Spring   the   most
Her   laughter   and   her   colours
For   three   Seasons   had   been   lost

I   loiter   across   the   meadows
Spring's   gaiety   by   my   side
Her   locks   of   gold   are   rampant
Like   the   frothing   of   the   tide

Each   year   the   Earth   is   fertile.
Spring,   Summer,   Winter,   Fall
I   envy   her   her   children
And   her   equal   pride   in   all.

ENCOUNTER


Along   rambling   paths
Of   unstructured   conversations
-   Nowhere   to   Nowhere   -
We   met.
Strangers   –   in   step
Till   the   crossroads.

Then   I   spoke
And   watched   my   words
Trudge   again   a   solitary   way
Silent   echoes   in   emptiness
Unheeded   and   unheard.

Soft blows the Heaven's whispering wind Saying nothing yet still something's heard -Like notes of a once -elusive Spring
Warbled by Winter's solitary bird.

And sudden my mind in gay abandon
Trolls the paths of a distant day
When twice five years -not a moment more
Innocent upon these shoulders lay.

There was, then, a summer's place
Daintily nestled upon a hill
Where many an hour of pensive thought
I'd spent in silence warm and still.

And nights hazy mists remember
Dwelt on street lights dim and low
With old men safely picking steps
Along gently sloping roads below .

Silent tiptoed the nightly rain
On sloping roofs and tender eaves
Entranced I'd see the pine trees sway
Sigh to their moist rustling leaves

I was fashioned ,to me unknown
By Grandfather -stern and tall
Whose tales of ghosts and djins that walked
Would hold my nightly hours in thrall..

In a verandah bare of face
That gazed upon a leafy vale
Of bards and poets and heroes brave
He told me many a moving tale.

Shadows danced on mountain paths
That wandered lost into the glade
Where nestling pines defying the sun
Cast a softly scented shade.

We knew along those winding trails
Many spots , most quaint and small
Where from the bustling crowds we'd flee
That thronged the town's central Mall.

The summer days were mostly warm
But sudden the thunder darkly rolled
Shivering along those neon lit streets
Stood silent doorways wet and cold.

And when the summer skies were spent
And lightning's flash no longer flared
Like mushrooms from the forest floor
The windows popped and people stared.

Prudence sought a moment's stay
But with that evening's siren call
None waited for the roads to dry
It brought the crowds onto the Mall.

Many spirits of past generations
Daily meandered thru' the town
And people dressed in Sunday best
Traversed that road up and down.

They came to see and to be seen
Boys and girls- the young and old
The warmth from seeking eyes dispelled
The damp and sometimes chilling cold.

When the shops had shuttered down
The dark bade 'night to man and beast
The music played in private rooms
Of friends gather'd to dance and feast.

Lightheaded from the evening spent
Before the first light of the morn
We'd sing to all those silenced streets
And await the breaking of the dawn.

Dreams oft born of that haze
Left many cheeks a blushing red
Hands were held, some glances shared
Some words were heard without being said.

Oft the highpoint of those months
Came when Auckland's fete was laid
With rosy cheeks in neat discipline
Stood girls in brown and yellow plaid.

Many a smoothened cheek that day
Was with fragrant cologne splashed
Many a heart that day was captured
Many a hope that day was dashed.

Many an hour was later spent
Designing chances again to meet
Many a tongue learned by rote
Words a chosen one to greet.

Another place no less famous
Lay some distance from the Mall
Whose quiet greys with hints of red
Adorned the girls of Tarahall.

Just glimpsed faces ,names unknown
Drove the boys to patient wait
Roads that somehow chanced to pass
By Auckland's or Loretto's gate.

Many a summer there was spent
Away from cares of school and books
Many a moment cherished still-
Stolen touches in secluded nooks.

I grew to manhood in that town
Of carefree summers bright and free
It's many summers since last I went
Its people and its sights to see.

The ghosts I left still roam the hills
Some wizened -others grey but well
They search another lad of ten
Their spells to cast -their tales to tell

TELL THEM



Tell them another morn is here
One of joy and hopes galore
Not now on shadows past to dwell
New life has entered thru’ your door

Tell them no gloom can dull the day
Time's wasted writ is grey'n faded
Tell them of all new senses born
And ****** aside the old and jaded

Tell them you saw a blossom reach
For the sky from barren sand
Tell them you saw a bird in grace
Soar high o’er a desolate land.

Tell them that now no rivers run
So dry--- your tears alone are wet
Tell them now by rolling banks
Life and Laughter again have met.

Tell them among the stars you count
Many who enriched your day
Tell them the memory of those times
Still echoes all along your way.

Tell them from deep within this earth
The voice of countless souls is heard
Tell them to heed with due intent
The wisdom couched in every word

Tell them you seek your rightful place.
Your own amidst the milling crowd
Tell them you chose to walk alone
Fearless, honest, free and proud

Tell them about your journeys stops
Etched in memory -big and small
Each a choice which way to turn
To walk on or stumble and just fall

Tell them the morning's call is clear
And night no longer holds her sway
Tell them you'll never seek the dark
Nor shun the dawning of the day.

When daily Nature's story's told
With chirps that gently nudge your sleep
Remember that this gift of life
Is yours to cherish, yours to keep

Night's shadows on blinding sun rays ride.
White-maned the moon betrays the tide.
The sea in still'd splendour sleeps,
Dry eyed fulfilled emotion weeps

The ghosts of past breathe life anew,
Broken words in thoughts their strength renew
Lips strain to speak, there's nought to say
Dull eyed ache holds the world at bay.

Tormented season storms a changing land
Summer's snows they say are close at hand
O Autumn your bloom in mischief peeks
While Spring forlorn her flowers seeks.

Winter garbs the earth in shimmering heat
And lies the truth disdainful treat,
The dirge its merry note extols
Death roams the land, life fettered crawls.

As frenzied mothers their dryness curse
Young children will their parents nurse
Prison bars are freedom's last refuge
Tyrants weep to hasten the deluge.

Smile then you Gods your game is played
And tomorrow's awakening today delayed
Sober man now to the womb returns
Still-born the Child breath mutely spurns.

Oh Lord, Your Child needs now an heir,
Just one bright  star to guide us where
Wise men gather, not mere fools
Content just being the Devil’s tools.

You’d sent him once this world to mould
Thru’ words of love and tales he told.  
I had no chance his hem to hold,
No time to watch  that  dream unfold.

For I was born a shade too late
Not to his world but one of hate.
Where man with man with violence deals
The poor one starves, the rich one steals.

Truth is crushed and lies are told
The honest cower, the corrupt are bold.
Where ideas born of shameful birth  
Make deadly mayhem a cause for mirth.

Where teachers teach the tomes of hate  
And  men decide  each others Fate.  
Where rapes become a daily game
Played by men in your name.


Where wounded  streets scream in vain
For a  healing touch to dull the pain
Of mans assaults In the name of God-
Where  children play with gun and sword.

Where crystal skies are staunched in grey
From funeral pyres and life’s decay.
Where Earth bereft of flowering seeds
Just holds the graves of man’s misdeeds.

Where widows wail in stark lament,
Their men are dead their lives are spent.  
The mother seeks a long lost child
Amidst a ruined world turned wild.

Tormented, lost her anguished eyes
Gaze in horror as reason dies.
Its place usurped by Hatred’s flame
Lit by men who chant your name.

Scarred by horrors they see and feel  
Those broken souls before you kneel.
The ****** earth with tears they mark
They seek the light caught in the  dark.

Tattered shrouds and silent quest
They call to you for final rest.
Oh Lord let them his face behold
Lend them now his hand to hold.  

RBM

I think it’s time to now sit back
And stop searching for another day
I’ll tell myself the tales I own
Of things that happened along my way

I would say if ever asked
Life’s been a merry ride so far
Marked by treasures found and lost
And visions near and then afar

There were times when I could sense
Things weren’t what they were to be
I’d let some fleeting joy dispel
The fears within that none could see

Countless times I’d ask myself
Is this the path I want to walk
Long silent stretches shorn of sound
A quiet yearning just to talk

We leave so many things unsaid
Using words that should’nt have a voice
We live deluded that we control
Ourselves and our every choice

Nor you and I; the Fate’s decide
What the morrows hold in store
I delude myself; for the heart is young
I won’t sit here anymore

RBM