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.

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 torments of the mind

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.

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.

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 kneel on sultry nights to pray
Lost songs to lead my mind astray
Doom Reason to walk a distant land
Emotion’s realm I sense is close at hand.

Sensuous thoughts in language of 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
Aroused feelings just by touch are sparked
Rapturous Eternity knows no tide or ebb
Ensnared in a magical passion’s 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.

I’m sleeping but the night’ s awake
With sounds the days never make
Hear Sighs and rustles I can’t define
Born of thoughts -I think just mine.


My body sleeps ;the soul delights
Sensing a world out of sight
Seen in a misty cheery glow
Gently staged at the noon of night.

Many figures adorn the night
Laughing in a carefree way
Some seen-some out of sight
I long to wake and to say.


You morph- one to the other
A private self and a public face
I want so much to be like you.
A different Me for every place.

--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

Gentle blows the wind and ruffles my hair
As from my perch on the hillside
Back to a solitary tree I gaze
Across roof tops and open plains
Blissfully Listless.

There is calm and gentle musical magic
In faint rustlings of green leaves
And the soundless songs of butterflies on roses. Nothing stirs at noontime
When the world is drugged by the Summer sun.

On a remote hillside
A solitary tree casts its shade
Tailor made for my dreaming body
Shadows move and lengthen
And ever so seldom I shift a toe, a finger,
Cool in the shade.

In an azure sky
Faint specks of clouds the sun defy
Effortlessly I train my ears
To trace the flight of a bumble bee
Flitting among the flowers by the pond below me.

Even the waters are asleep and only faintly disturbed
By the wind from the bee's wings.

Far away the faint sounds of traffic
Futilely seek to intrude upon Serenity.
Mirrors of my soul,
Still waters among turbulent times.

Ever so silent the shadows lengthen
And the clouds defiant cluster
Like a child traces patterns
On a wall with a flickering candle
Expressions are traced on the green grass.

Patterns of the clouds' jesting
In shapes of cats and dogs and serpents.
Child and cloud are one – Nature's pervasive spirit

On a Summer's day-
Cloud, I, still waters, and still bodies
Gently ruffled leaves and gently ruffled feelings
Each touched by its own breeze
In Harmony
Different – yet manifestations of the same whole.
Nature.

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

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 the blossom reach
Towards the sky from barren sand
Tell them you saw the 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

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.

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 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.

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.

I’m  sleepy but the night’ s awake
With sounds the days just  never make
Hear Sighs and rustles I can't define
Born of   thoughts -I think just mine.


My body sleeps, the soul delights
Sensing   a world out of sight
Seen through a cheery misty glow
Gently at the noon of night.

Many  figures around me lie
Enjoying  carefree the starry sky
They spot me and just  crowd around
Whisper soon the night will die.

Their faces morph one becomes the other
One starts to speak as if am the other
And easily having still'd all noise
Leans to embrace  my silent voice

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.

I look at you and I wonder
Do you see what I see?
Do the echoes of my thoughts
Resound in your consciousness?

Do the hues of life burst forth in splendour
Disdaining dark shadows of the mind,
Is reality real -or merely a transgression
Upon the promise of tomorrow.

Do you look ahead and cast not a glance
At paths traversed to reach today.
For they are just memories –some cherished, some best forgotten.
Of what you were - not what you are.

Does solitude's shield of isolated dreams
Guard against the meaningless clamour of mendacity
That arises from the multitude of nameless faces
Seen through your window.

Despair and hope dance endlessly
Clinging to the rhythm of our moods
Does Winter give way to Summer
Or is there a Spring somewhere ?

The rustling of gentle leaves
Portends calamitous storms?
Is it but the fleeting brush of fingers
Reliving more intimate moments.

Doors open and they shut
Those ajar are left untended
Those locked -knocked upon
With unrelenting intent.

The circle of life
Daily completes itself
Day and night-neither
Is shortened nor lengthened by wishes.

In the dark lurk glowworms
Left unseen by the day.
So are we-between our dreams
And waking hours.

Do you steal moments just to be.
Or does the forced rush of life
Leave no space nor time
For such luxuries.

Spoken words bridge distances-
Creating a union of questing souls
Seeking fulfillment and understanding
In a shared moment.

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.

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.

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

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

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

And still turning away I cannot stem memory’s tide.
I sleep fitfully, seeking escape not rest.
But sleep too has failed to blot out
The haunting image of your face.
And unconscious too I seek your closeness,
Like a moth seeking certain pain kisses the flame.
And like a picture aglow in bright colour is etched that night
Like a prisoner's scar thrusts angrily against all covering,
And ceaselessly he relives the moment of branding and smells again The abuse of his flesh.
I too am prisoner to the thought of you,
Waking, sleeping and ever.
It was a dark night I recall,
A dark night by the river as clouds sought to veil the moon's beauty,
Yet could not stop the crest reaching up for another kiss of moonbeam.
We sat holding hands, lovers, seeking bliss.
More words were heard than were spoken,
And the heart learnt the language of the eyes and bared itself.
Soft weeping wind in rainy droplets washed away all pretence
And I, ever voluble, was struck mute
By the words I heard unspoken by your eyes.
Do you recall?