~~~ Don't Forget to Smell the Mud in the Rain ~~~

…. Ah! The first drops of rain

Washing away this tiny stab of pain,

Bringing back memories of laughter and joy

When I used to play with my little boy

Out would come gumboots and raincoats

Craft paper turning into little boats

Jumping and splashing in the rain

And puddles all over the terrain

The deafening rattle of the thunder

My little boy scampering under

Ears shut and mouth agape 

A blanket over the head, wide-awake

Steaming mugs of hot chocolate and coffee

One for him and one for me,

Our noses flat on the windowpane

Watching … the pouring rain.

My boy’s grown and gone

I am sitting on the steps and all alone,

A smile here and there a frown.

Remembering the days that have flown

Now, living on the edge and a vial of pills

Coping with the heart ache amidst all the ills

Wishing I was young once again

And could smell the mud in the pouring rain.

~~~ Rain ~~~

Rains! They always make you smile. People like me in Delhi are suffering from the super hot weather and it just rained! Ahh- the bliss. It felt so good that I wrote whatever was coming to my mind. On second read I felt like I wrote like a child – but then rains do make you wish to return to childhood and splash around!! Enjoy the rains and leave back your comments and experiences about rains.

Rain Rain…You let go of all pain

You bring me the coolness

From the tiring day and its heat

A gift that makes me joyous and upbeat

I want to get drenched

And let you soak me wet

There is no better feeling

From the cool breeze that you get

You bring back those memories

Of childhood the innocent one

Making boats and splashing water

AAh ! There was nothing better to be done

Here I sit with a wish

That you pour all through the night

The breeze and the rains

Playing the lullaby I so desire!

~~~ Dancing In the Rain ~~~

Dancing in the rain,

my two best friends.

The rain is pouring down,

the sky is crying.

The thunder is crackling,

the sky is screaming.

The lightning is flashing,

the sky is bleeding.

Dancing in the rain,

my two best friends...

And I…?

I conceal a tear...

~~~ The summer lives ~~~

On lonely summer evenings when we used to get off work, going back home was the last thing on my mind. perhaps even yours. Some days I would wait for you to wrap up some things you would for me.

I almost distinctly remember your gaze at my back as you stood staring at me, waiting at me, waiting for me to finish, from my cabin door. As I hammered away at the keyboard, casting furtive glances at the watch on my wrist, I could swear everyone could see the nerves in my neck pricking at my skin, unable to push away the spell you had me under, aching to break free.

After minutes that seemed like ages later, we would leave the building and head to the little service road alongside the park for a small cup of coffee and eternally long conversations. The twilight would seem to have come to a halt, as fireflies scampered about you and I, your words echoing in my head, your fingers entwined to mine and our chortle melting into the idle summer breeze. We made no promise and kept no expectations. Yet, every evening we followed the unspoken ritual, as long as we could. That summer.

And when it would get really late and I would have to head home, I knew you would send me lovingly, poetry and love to me through the divine thing humans call the cell phone. First thing when we parted. our phones and our texts had an affair of their own, didn't they? Ever so charming mine would light up when your text came, as though barely able to restrain her excitement, that it never ceased to make me smile. I know yours would have been doing the same thing too, as I picture you trip and grab him.

That summer lives. That summer when we discovered life the way we probably never will, in the things that we will probably never know again, and found the love we will never find anywhere else. That summer when eternity wrote songs on a moonlit night and there was no one to read but you and me. That summer when promises hid under sepia like words as lilies bloomed. Yes, that summer.

That summer lives.

~~~ Walking all alone…. ~~~

Walking alone

Absolutely alone

With no expectations

From anyone to join me

On this lonely journey

Happy was I

Even though lonely was I

Painless was the journey

Smooth was the road

Unexpectedly,

Strangers started joining me on my way

I see them coming

From Nowhere

Taking no notice

I continued my journey

They enforced themselves

Into my life

Showered their love onto me

My journey from a distance

Seemed beautiful, I guess

Lonely they looked

A hand hence I gave

Walked we together now

Giving shoulder to each other

And suddenly,

The lonely way looked good,

Beautiful!

The dark road

Was full of light

Happy was I

Realized I,

Loneliness was tiresome

As strangers turned into friends

Life looked beautiful now

Loneliness looked scary

And the journey was colorful now

But Unexpectedly,

Friends started leaving

In Silence

No reason I found

Love was all gone now

What went wrong?

‘Questions’ is all I have

‘Answers’ is all I seek

Unfortunately,

There is only silence now

My journey might have lost its beauty, I guess

Happy I want to be

But the journey is lonely once again

Walking alone, once again

Absolutely alone, once again

With no expectations once again

From anyone to join me

On this lonely journey

But,

Happy am I

Even though lonely am I

Painless will be the journey

And smooth will be road…

~~~ A Walk Alone ~~~

And here I am

Walking down the street

Alone...

A chill rushing through my skin

A moment passing by

Fleeting...

And yet

I know...

For no lonely soul

Would ever look for me among their midst

And fear would not know how...

For as I walk this road alone

A mind walks with me

Beside me

With each step I take

Until the end...

~~~ I’m walking ~~~

The excitement of starting something new, and watching it unfold in front of your eyes.

Images that float inside your head, as you stare at tomorrow that does not daunt you, or intimidate.

The place in acceptance.

Having given.

Loving, the having.

Perceiving and knowing,

That whatever it is going to be,

You will fit right in.

The quivering of maybes,

What ifs, how abouts,  probablys, lets sees.

No fear. No confusions.

Just roads, and bends.

Satiation. Tranquility.

Smelling the morning air,

Strolling around your house,

When everybody else is sleeping.

Long hot baths.

And making love.

Stealing a kiss.

All over again.

Watching the sun go down,

Waiting for Saturday to arrive.

Brewing that cup of masaala chai.

And enjoying it in solitude,

In that favorite olive Green Mug.

Taking time, setting a pace.

Not wondering if I will get there,

Or thinking maybe I should run.

But walking. Just walking...

Walking.

Yes, I am walking.