"chennai" poems
Brown sugar sapotas
Blending with custard alfonso mangos
And bold sweet lime juice
Georgette saris
Pairing with uncut diamond necklaces
Mixed with peals and rubies
Gently sloping palm trees
Swaying in balmy sultry air
And hazy golden sunsets
Frenetic yellow autos
Competing with dusty zipping mopeds
Mixed with ambulating pedestrians
Aromas of cumin
Blending with the sewage
Other times with incense
Glows of brass oil lamps
Singing in hums of prayer
Added with turmeric's incantations
Brightly-patterned salwars
Accentuating gemstone bindis
Comfy fitted leggings
Savory masala dosas
Coupling coconut chutney
Meter-high filter coffee
Apr 23, 2012
Apr 23, 2012 at 8:17 AM UTC
Cricket is the only game which lures me so much;
And then engrosses me so much.
That craze would never drive out of me…
My inspiration was ‘Yuvraj Singh’,
Only then I arose to identify that King.
Once Yuvi’s record of six sixes in six *****
The firmament was incredible for certain minutes:
That was the first time I witnessed cricket,
And India’s triumph provided me a mind-blowing buzz to watch cricket,
Nevertheless continuing with ***** and wickets.
I would turn crazy when Indian cricketers approach the ground,
And that would certainly not halt lest they are made proud.
This T20 shadowed by IPL,
Made me to by stand that awe-inspiring sport.
Chennai Super Kings-my favorite,
Followed by Royal Challenges Bangalore …
And lots more hilarious teams and cricketers.
When Chris Gayle approaches…
Tsunami warning must be lifted and “Gayle” (gale) warning must be given!
That’s how cricket relocates…
Most matches concluding in the closing over
And some others in the finishing ball…
The most exhilarating sport
Read more →and the format-
IPL is all fun for me…
With cheer leaders and the draped studio;
With cameras and videos
And at last the much awaited IPL trophy-
Cricket is all that it needs!!!
Jan 6, 2013
Jan 6, 2013 at 12:43 AM UTC
A sea of gratitude splashes
onto the inner walls
of this humbled heart
within me.
Seasons, poets, places, people,
singing, devotion, faith, trust...
Years have rained down like
petals from a flowering tree.
Abundance blesses me
in true simplicity.
As my soul enters the womb
of renewal, unexpected blessings
wing across the world to say hello
from where our sun already shines.
Manila, New Zealand, Delhi, Chennai,
where you are it is already morning,
and the warm sunlight of your day
shines in your greetings and wishes.
May the bliss that you bring me,
dear world family, splash all over
your own dear hearts, and may
peace and harmony be ours
on this beautiful blue planet!
Feb 5, 2016
Feb 5, 2016 at 8:30 PM UTC
and just like that we have
packed our bags
cleared up the house
thrown out the rags
walking away at a speed
so fast that we
wish we could undo
wish we could flee
the damage is huge but
this is home
that we built but now
on streets we roam
tears make up the flood
in roads that are dry
no solace in relief when
our only roof is the sky
washed away are homes
and all our lives
washed away is the makeup
that you hide behind
now that it is bare let's
fight an equal war
you've swindled lives
what more do you ask for?
leave us our dignity, even
when you eat our lives
you can feed on our money
but you still won't survive!
Dec 14, 2015
Dec 14, 2015 at 2:54 AM UTC
Stuck
in a ***** two-room apartment
almost out of cigarettes ,
at one in the middle
of a sweaty Chennai night,
sobering up after two days,
famished
and restless
dreaming of mid-night
cigarette shops that never were,
dreaming of alcohol
(just enough to pass out),
checking and rechecking
the spent bottles
and giving up in the end
and settling to tolerate a night
with myself,
walking and babbling
and writing and thinking
and floating up on a great idea
and circling back to the floor
looking for cigarettes,
just waiting for the shutters to lift,
just waiting for this to end,
just waiting.
It was the best metaphor for life
that I've ever known.
Aug 26, 2014
Aug 26, 2014 at 5:10 PM UTC
To quote Athos from "The Three Musketeers"
"You are not a woman
You are a demon escaped from Hell"
When I first met you as a colleague
I made the mistake
Of getting friendly with you
When I should have ensured
That our relationship was going to be strictly professional
Of course, you had your own ways
Of charming those whom you came in contact with
That is something for which I have to give you credit
Albeit grudgingly
And you were an expert
At playing the victim card
Nevertheless, after I changed jobs
I thought I had seen the last of you
However, you came back into my life
As unexpectedly as the recent rains in Chennai
Initially, it seemed kind of sweet
However, I should have realised sooner
That you had certain ulterior motives
Unfortunately, I got fooled by your sweet talk
And started helping you financially
Because you looked up to me as a brother
I never doubted you in the slightest
Which was probably the biggest mistake of my life
You took advantage of me
In the worst way possible
And kept draining my bank account
Your lies kept getting taller and taller
And I kept believing them
Because, you had me well and truly under your thumb
However, even the most credulous person in the world
Can develop suspicions at some stage
Thus, after years of being in a psychological coma
I finally managed to wake up to the harsh reality
And told my family everything
Of course, with the help of a dear family friend
After we finally confronted you
You signed a written agreement
Promising to return all my money
Within a certain deadline
That deadline has long since passed
And you have not paid even ten percent of your dues
What is worse
Is the fact that you are absconding
And giving absolutely nonsensical reasons
Which even an utter fool would find it difficult to believe
You ruined my life
Destroyed my happiness
And shattered my self-confidence
Is this the way you treat a person
Whom you have addressed as "brother"
Not once, not twice, but several times?
I am giving you one last chance
Not for your sake
But for the sake of humanity
You had better take it
Because, if not
Then you will soon find yourself in prison
Again, to quote Athos
"You are not a woman
You are a demon escaped from Hell"
May 8, 2023
May 8, 2023 at 10:45 AM UTC
It was June and not summer,
Splashy, muddy, slimy,
wind-kissing roads of Chennai in sight,
I hear, "Jennifer, Jennifer."
Aloysius' wife answers in.
Break - in the movie, I sip my coffee.
Water was rising in the southernmost state of India,
Destruction or development,
Recovery or renovation,
Right words struggled to meet right arms,
Jennifer and Aloysius buffered in the background,
House I was not in was sinking.
I stopped watching snowflakes in the Americas,
Wished for a sun-feast in Kerala,
I lapsed to places sitting at the window pane,
Netflix didn't help the cultural fix.
here, thoughts succumbed, coffee mug dried up.
While uninvited ants,
swept my coffee off the sugarcoat...
May 14, 2019
May 14, 2019 at 12:42 PM UTC
Chennai has seen another flood
After much rain overfilled lakes
Many swim on flooded roads
As if in a lake to get to destination
Houses are flooded with things
All drenched in flood water
How many lives and livestock
All drowned in the torrent
Yet to be seen when water recedes
Dec 5, 2015
Dec 5, 2015 at 10:19 AM UTC
Missing in words
Due to floods in chennai India
I do thank God that we are safe
This disaster did thought me a valuable lesson
Money is not everything
Words and action of words
Counts
Dec 10, 2015
Dec 10, 2015 at 4:16 AM UTC
Direction can bamboozle me
An autist mind thinks different
As if in a maze, so divergent
Can his thoughts be
Getting lost so often
Every new place seems alien
Looking to trap you
Till you lose yourself
From asking for directions
To seeing shakes of heads
Losing hope due to inaction
Not getting any leads
Especially when it's south Mumbai
I hop on to a bus
As it goes on and on, I cuss
Wishing I were back in Chennai
Predictably I get down at the wrong stop
Greeted by a run-down lane
I was early, now late
My panic rises to the top
As taxi-wallahs say no
Even as I give various landmarks
I wonder where shall I go
I am clearly in the dark
I see a gentleman in a car
Probably my last hope
I plead for help
Thus apparently lowering my bar
The gentleman offers a drop
Which I gladly accept
A big relief in this heat
As the ride comes to a stop
He says we will meet later
Since he stays in my locality
In him I saw a lot of humanity
As my day suddenly got better
I had got the inspiration
For writing my next poem
In such an interesting fashion
Sep 17, 2017
Sep 17, 2017 at 4:50 AM UTC
Trying to relax
A Mosquito bites
It's like paying tax
I do have my rights
It's not a mail or fax
I'm trying to read
Like a movie ******
A string of pearl beads
******* my blood
I spotted a Mosquito
Chennai is in flood
Big boss is not a good show
I hit , so quick
like Zapakkk,
My hand is not for picnic
Listen' o Jack.
And all the systems of
Mosquito stopped functioning.
It's confirmed , for Mosquito
No awakening.
Nov 6, 2017
Nov 6, 2017 at 1:38 PM UTC
Dear Patti, we miss you
We miss you so much
That there is a gaping hole
Taller than the Burj Khalifa
Left by your absence
Not a soul can replace you
You were one of a kind
Dear Patti, we miss you
You were always there for us
Whether it be the immediate family
Whether it be close relatives
Whether it be friends
So much so
That your presence was taken for granted
Dear Patti, we miss you
From your words of wisdom
To your unconditional support
From your sheer optimism
To your never-say-die spirit
From your delicious meals
To your spooky tales
From your knowledge of various topics
Whether it be cricket
Whether it be politics
Whether it be trains
To your unwavering enthusiasm
Dear Patti, we miss you
I still remember the day
As though it were only yesterday
When my dear friend
Was hopelessly marooned in her hostel
During the peak of the Chennai floods
Along with her family
It was your unconditional love
That saved the day
And my friend and her family
Can never forget you
Not just because of your timely help
But also because, to you
They were also family
Dear Patti, we miss you
You left us so soon
That we had no time to say goodbye
But you should know this
You will always live in our hearts
As a grandmother
As a mother
As a wife
As a sister
As an aunt
As a dear friend
And finally
As a human being
A very beautiful human being
Nov 5, 2021
Nov 5, 2021 at 9:51 PM UTC
Everyone loves the rains.
Romantic, walk in the wet streets
Getting feet wet, trying to make paper boats sail...the feelings run deep.
But Chennai my favourite city
Came under the deluge of uninterrupted rains.
The city streets became rivers
The homes and everything drowned underwater, people suffered through
A loss of everything that was home to them.
No power, dwindling food supply, the list became endless.
The rains refused to slow down,
It brought about a destruction with it unimaginable in a city where people lived on a day to day basis.
In the midst of this misery and destruction, kind souls helped the less trodden. The volunteers and good Samaritans brought a ray of hope to the devastated population.
The city is limping back to normalcy.
Hope the rains go away so that people can rebuild their life.
Rain rain go away
Come again when we call you.
Dec 8, 2015
Dec 8, 2015 at 3:45 AM UTC
Rest in peace, India
For you are no more
No more a democracy
No more a republic
No more a secular country
What we are seeing instead
Is a fascist, Brahmanical dictatorship
Where Dalits, Bahujans and Muslims
Are treated as second-rate citizens
Where Brahmins rule the roost
And caste is the order of the day
Where the police run riot
At the slightest sign of a protest
Where equality is dead
Rest in peace, India
For you are no more
The Constitution is being wrecked
By the same people
Who swear to protect it
Day in and day out
This is not the country I knew
This is not the country I loved
Since I was a child
This is Pakistan, not India
After all, we are brothers
United by caste and communalism
Divided only by religion
Rest in peace, India
For you are no more
I so wanna escape it all
Thus I turn to cricket
Watching India play West Indies
In my beloved Chennai
But, then again,
As I turn up the volume
I hear chants of 'India! India!'
This is the last straw
That broke the wretched camel's back
Unable to bear it any longer
I yell 'West Indies! West Indies! '
My prayers are answered
As West Indies win the match
That too as if it were child's play
Rest in peace, India
For you are no more
Dec 16, 2019
Dec 16, 2019 at 6:32 AM UTC
Forty five dark days
Forty five desolate days
Forty five depressing days
With every passing hour
I go from depressed to hopeful
From hopeful to furious
And back to depressed
The vicious circle goes on and on
With no end in sight
Forty five dark days
Forty five desolate days
Forty five depressing days
As the first lockdown is extended
The sense of despair grows stronger
My temper grows shorter
My insecurities, buried till then
In the dark recesses of my mind
Suddenly rise like a tsunami
And flood my brain and heart
Leaving a massive trail of dead cells in their wake
Forty five dark days
Forty five desolate days
Forty five depressing days
As the second lockdown is extended
I become increasingly on edge
Every little frustration comes to the fore
Whether it be the delayed salaries
Or being cooped up in a small house
With five family members
And thus having to endure the sheer cacophony
Of the Mahabharat and Ramayan
Blaring on the TV every day
Or simply the torrid climate of Chennai
Forty five dark days
Forty five desolate days
Forty five depressing days
How long will this go on?
I have been patient till now
But at some stage, I am bound to snap
And then you will find
That when the going gets tough
The tough get going
However, I get dangerous
So, think carefully, dear Prime Minister
Before you announce another nationwide lockdown
Unless you want to land yourself in quarantine
May 8, 2020
May 8, 2020 at 10:36 AM UTC
After a rather enjoyable Saturday
Which marked the return
Of my mother and grandfather
After a fortnight's stay in Chennai
I was really looking forward
To some R&R on "precious" Sunday
It started promisingly enough
Getting up as late as nine o'clock
Enjoying a hot cup of filter coffee
Prepared by my dear mother
Solving Wordle in three attempts
Watching photos and videos of trains
Playing my all-time favourite game 'Choices'
Enjoying a rather delicious brunch
Again prepared by Amma
Followed by my customary afternoon siesta
Which lasted more than two hours
Just as I was beginning to think
That I couldn't have asked for a better Sunday
I had to begin the rather tedious process
Of filing my income tax returns
Fortunately, Amma was there to support me
And take me through the entire process
Which involved numerous calculations
Some of which, were more confusing
Than even the questions asked in IIT-JEE!
After nearly two hours of breaking our heads
And cursing the Finance Minister profusely
Which, by the way, was entirely my doing
The returns were finally filed
And the tax duly paid
As I heaved a sigh of relief
Having gotten a huge monkey off my weary back
It dawned on me
That tomorrow is Monday
And I have to go to office as well
Which involves getting up as early as six o'clock
Followed by a commute in the dreaded Mumbai local
With its super dense crush load
And once I reach office
I have to share a tiny cabin
With my boss and his wife
And endure a lecture or two
About my recent lack of success at work
In this rather claustrophobic setting
Oh boy, I'll never get a break, will I?
Jul 31, 2022
Jul 31, 2022 at 10:28 AM UTC
I watch your pulse rhythmically beat against your skin
as you try to sleep
As we press through the bustling traffic
Sing-song horns bleating a cacophony of sound through the saris, and passu, and dogos along this dusty road
I feel at home here finding your stillness in this chaos.
Alive for once in so many years. Among these crumbling buildings and foreign tongues
The call of adventure and intrigue a constant whisper in my ear.
Aug 13, 2018
Aug 13, 2018 at 9:32 AM UTC
Say I love you, Ms. T
Willing am I, to change
And expand my range
But I will change only my behaviour
Not my nature
For you, can I be silent
Become less brutally honest
Speak more softly
Walk more slowly
Keep some distance
Be less tense
Irrespective of the situation
Give you more attention
Even go to jail if required
As long as the cause is good!
Say I love you, Ms. T
With you, will I always be
Loyal to the tee
Through sunny and rainy days
Even if I never get my way
Your secrets, will I keep forever
For you, deeply will I care
However, never will I be overprotective
No matter what, will I do my best to stay positive
After all, are we a team
And you make me beam!!
Say I love you, Ms. T
So much fun, can we have
And so much, can I give
A night out at Elliot's Beach
Swapping tales at lunch
While I savour a Beef Biryani
Writing poems about each other
Listening to Harris Jayaraj songs together
Dissing the central government
Getting into a Harry Potter related argument
Travelling in a "toy train"
Dancing in the Chennai rain
The list will be endless
And will I make sure, nothing you miss!!
Say I love you, Ms. Y
If you love me back
I swear I will always have your back
Because, are you my world
And it is your hand I will forever hold
If not, then thank you for this beautiful opportunity
To write yet another piece of romantic poetry!!
Nov 21, 2024
Nov 21, 2024 at 8:25 AM UTC
Greatly, do I value your friendship
It is a beautiful relationship
You were a very supportive teammate
Ironically though, it was after we fought
That our friendship really began
But of course, you are a gem of a person
Jesus would be proud of you
Because, so true and sincere are you!
Greatly, do I value your friendship
As well as your husband's friendship
Vivek is a really sweet guy
Always, does he keep you happy
And your children are true diamonds
Surely, does the entire family embody happiness and peace!!
Greatly, do I value your friendship
In our communication, seldom is there a gap
Because, you are **** brutally honest
Though of course, at times you can be extremely sweet
That's what makes you such a brilliant wife and mother
Like you, can there be no other!!
Greatly, do I value your friendship
Never will there be an end, to this relationship
Our bond should grow stronger over time
To Chennai, hopefully soon will I come
Take care and keep that lovely smile on your face
May you be blessed with loads of love, success, happiness and peace!!
Apr 10, 2025
Apr 10, 2025 at 7:23 AM UTC
Some eighteen years ago
A kid was born in Chennai
Seven years rolled past
Time to learn games
Papa Rajni opted for Chess
The kid became a chess bee
And by his meteoric rise
Became a whizkid,
Breezily following the
Legacy of the legendary Vishy
Winning tournaments at will
Always going for the ****
Became IM and later, GM
This gem!
The chess lion set his sight
On bigger ****
Played big tournaments , slayed opponents
The lion roared, his rating soared
Through FIDE circuit
The lion jumped into the candidates’ arena
Played uncompromising chess,
Gukesh-the Gladiator!
And won the right to
Challenge Ding, the Chinese lion!
The lions arrived to the lion-land of Singapura
To match their wits in fourteen board games
They ducked, punched, waited, pounced
All over the chess board,
Like heavyweight champs,
Trading blows and drawing more,
The match neared its ******
In the eleventh game,
Caissa smiled at Gukesh
With this win,
he was soaring towards summit
Only to be pulled back by
Some daring play by Ding,
With a win, Ding was on song,
His regaining the grit
In his smile was writ.
With the thirteenth game
Ending in a draw
Increased the tension of chessbuffs
Of the universe,
Especially the Gukesh-guys
Who were rooted for the
Indian victory
Speculations rose over the fate
Of the fourteenth
Guesses and predictions made
On the possible tiebreak games
With advantage for Ding.
No said, Gukesh
Played the endgame,
Ended the game
Dethroned Ding
And became the King!!
Jan 13, 2025
Jan 13, 2025 at 12:19 PM UTC