The Story of June

A milestone so significant
At the halfway stage
Of a beautiful beginning
And an eventual end

A notch ahead of
Memories of March
A tad behind
Occurrences of October

Somewhat like
The mid-day Sun
Burning with desire
But living by fire

Those who live
Are mostly burnt
Only a few survive to tell
The Story of June.

All Rights Reserved. Original Image Used by Blogger. Clicked in Diu, India.

On Behalf of Love

Even if it gets a little tough,

Let love breathe.

May be you cannot keep calm,

But, don’t let anger seethe.

Love loved you like no one else,

So, don’t walk away in dismay.

When you can’t decide yourself,

Let love have a little say.

Mostly you don’t get it right,

And blame love for going wrong.

Don’t blame the music,

If you don’t really know the song.

Post a million miles and thousand smiles,

All you remember is that little shove

I am not a lawyer by profession,

But I would plead On Behalf of Love.

Image: fineartamerica.com

Rolling Stone (End of October)

When it's neither warm nor so cold,

And there is a little nip and zing in the air.

You badly wanted the month to arrive,

But you never really got its share.

It turned all bleak way too soon,

There was hardly any good to remember.

As fears crept in and joys walloped out,

You knew it was the start of November.

October dreams never saw daylight,

And August wishes died too soon.

The sun hasn't really shone since then,

And there're tears in eyes of the moon.

Soon, the leaves went dry

And the feet followed suit

The color of the sky had a new tone.

As the days got colder and the nights more dark,

I realized I was nothing but a Rolling Stone.

Courtesy: Google/Deviantart.com

Taking Care (Silence)

All kinds of sound,

A child wailing, a train running

Sound that resides in a guitar

Noise that comes from within and far.

Rain lashing a tin rooftop

A bird's lazy morning chirp

Crickets playing a night-long match

To each soul, a voice you can attach.

The sound and its healing verb

It would all be futile

Without a lasting doze of silence

Peace suffices after gunshots and violence

Silence of the rain, the guitar, the people

Silence of a bird, a friend, a mountain

They may look a little out of place

But if sound is a shoe, silence is the lace.

So sit back, cut off, let go

Everything can wait, or else fall silent

Don't always seek, just be there

Life has a million ways of Taking Care.

An Apple Love Story

We didn't fall in love

Love fell on us

Like how the apple did

On that scientist so famous

We did make faces

But also seemed to like it

Like how you feel

For a deal when you strike it

We didn't realize

How it hurts and gets no better

After the dust settles

On the cherished love letter

We warned, they said

Scoffing at us in disdain

And we thought they were happy

People we cared for in vain

With time we learned

A lesson so true and deep

It's your apple, your love

For you to eat, juice or keep.

If You Think Of Me

If you think of me

As the sunshine

When it rains

And there are dark clouds.

If you think of me

As the rainbow

When the color fades

and there are self-doubts.

If you think of me

As your shadow

When the need comes

And there are no crowds.

If you think of me

In these moments

And not really all the time

We can bond every now & then
Like how sugar mixes with lime.

Image- St. John's Church in the Wilderness. All Rights Reserved

The Stupid Naught

She stood there
Pushing her point like ever before
I looked at her, eyes wide open
She looked at the ceiling and the door

We had been together all along
Like a road is with its traveler
But a road has a few roadblocks
Oh yes, love is a great leveler

Today as the guns blazed
I noticed a bit of a difference
A piece of gem shone in front
Filling me with joy and reverence

I think she smiled from her heart
And it truly reflected on her face
It wasn't the first, but first of its kind
The kind that holds a special place

Don't know if she knows it
But every time we have loved or fought
It's her smile that has made the difference
She goes one up, and I'm stuck at the stupid naught.

Image: Google

ग़म, सुकून, फ़िक्र और तस्सल्ली

ग़म 

ग़म में डूबे कई मर्तबा हमने सोचा

दिल-ए-दरिया में उफान है या हमें तैरना नहीं आता

उम्दा ये जवाब मिला, "ठहरे हुए पानी में बहा करते हैं,

तैराकी की बारीकियां अक्सर उफान ही सिखाता है"

सुकून

निज़ात पाना अगर सुकून होता

तो हर शाम लोग दीये जलाया करते

कोई वजह होगी जो हर रोज़ जंग जीतने वाले भी

दिवाली की  राह देखते हैं। 

फ़िक्र 

थाम कर मेरा हाथ वो मुस्कुराई और बोली 

हमारे प्यार की उम्र बहुत लम्बी है 

हमने कहा ये हुई दिन, साल,  महीनों की बात

अब हाथ के हाथ हमें फिक्र की फ़ेहरिस्त भी बता दीजिए

तस्सल्ली

जान लेकर भी उन्हें नहीं मिलती 

और हम जान देकर भी देख चुके 

ताज़्ज़ुब इस बात  पर है 

आज भी एक नज़र काफी है तस्सली के लिए। 

साभार - Google

Ashes

It fuels the fire,
Fire that burns your inside.
Inside a shop when asked to throw it,
It hurts to dump your favorite cigarette.

She walked far away,
Away when you needed her close by.
By now, when the dust has set over,
Over and over again, you miss her shine.

Love has bitten you more,
More than making you shy.
Shy of the pain it leaves behind,
Behind it all, you still sense some love.

A few things go wrong at times,
Times when you think you are done.
Done with the burning, the snub, the pain
Pain that runs from head to toe via heart.

But your cigarette, your girl, your love,
Love them a little more come what may.
May you learn to relish while you burn,
Burn because you'll shine, unlike the Ashes.
(Ashes that are dead, lusterless and gray.)

Urban Dust

Every morning I wake up early

But fail to witness a beautiful dawn

I can see some pigeons flyin' around

But where have the sparrows gone

I sit in my car and drive around

And feel the city needs a correction

Journey is on, but the end's nowhere

As I fail to find the right direction

I see a million faces around

Grumpy, joyous and even masked

Every one seems busy answering

The question that was never asked

I wish they ban plastic

The bag is not all I mean

All of us are deeply intrigued

But none of us is really keen

Innocence is a mirage they say

But the chase at times is a must

Dirty shoes and blackened hearts

Are all makings of the Urban Dust.

Bioscope

I can see a bit of future

And sip a cup of tea

Low waves and high tides

In that deep blue sea

Glimpses of the world above

And abundance of the earth

They look so perfect and plenty

There is no denial no dearth

I can see myself in mirror

For as long as I want

Shy away in admiration

Or impenitently flaunt

At times I lose my way

Sans all the verve and zeal

Decrepit but turns null and void

Cometh the touch of heal

Like a striking maiden

With a mask on her face

Like moon in a rainy night

And the clouds as its lace

They are epitome of life

Full of splendor and grace

For I can kill and get killed

If that may be the case

My heart resides within

Those starry streaks of hope

Call me a sinner or little insane

But your eyes are my Bioscope

A Doorstep Away

By Soumya Thakur

Since childhood, I have believed in the city of my dreams. My dreamland gave me an inconsiderable amount of joy, pleasure and self-satisfaction. To my surprise, these dreams have been extremely motivational, inspiring and encouraging factors that made me face the challenges of what they call it with straight spine, heavy voice and big eyes-‘Real World’.

I clearly remember my first ever dream was to become a teacher because Mrs. Das was just a perfect and loving lady for me. My fantasies took versatile turns like singing, dancing, fashion designing, astronomy, psychology, interior designing, journalism, event management, law, IAS and advertising & marketing. Amidst all these phenomenal delusions, one dream not only remained constant but also grew stronger in my blood, this was ‘To Be a Bride (of honour, as I would like to say it)’. This might sound weird as we trust in a world of competence, career, money and status. (By no means am I offending the great minds who find pride in this category). I still feel little embarrassed to admit that I actually belong to the land of fairy tales. My imaginary ‘True Love’, ‘Prince Charming’, ‘Beautiful Kids’ & ‘Happy Family’ have been living with me since I got my first Barbie. These never-been-to places, some known & unknown characters, self-created situations and reactions pulled me up when I was down in dumps. I never knew who these characters were till I met my boyfriend. With him came all the faces and filled blanks that were empty.

After being in a committed relationship of over 4 years, I realized that I have built several other unfilled blocks. This excited me as I got to think of even more spell bounding dreams yet felt unhappy because he was not 'settled'. A few days back on 7th March, I received a message “Its a jackpot!! :D :D :D” and I knew I had taken a huge leap towards my dream, escaping and avoiding those puddles and thorns. I stood up in excitement and sheer joy. I didn’t know anything else but to call mom and ask for ‘him’. Later, during our ‘pre-sleep talk’, I was going red and smiling ear to ear. We talked about confusions he had over money vs. passion, worry about his parents and how close we are to ‘Our Marriage’. It was all so fine until I kept the phone. First time ever in my life, I felt somebody has just sucked life out of me and what I had till now is a mere misapprehension and I don’t want to get married to ‘him’ at all.

This very thought made me sleepless, low and aggressive at the same time. What we have is something I cherish and feel genuinely happy about. Post marriage everyday life, taking even more care about certain things & issues and him, fights & big misunderstandings, insecurities about getting old and everything freaked me out. I thought it is better not to get married to the person you love so much, but to someone you do not know at all so that your bond remains intact & special. Next morning, I was so restless that I called him up to talk about the same even after knowing he is busy with his college. My world went back to the square one, the original dreamy self, as I heard his loving and concerned voice. Probably, that was all I needed and I realized it was just a nervous and rush hour state of my mind as I couldn’t handle the very thought that my one & only, the most precious and special dream is just a doorstep away.

************


About the writer- Soumya Thakur is a student of Advertising and Marketing at St. Xavier's Institute of Communications, Mumbai. She is an avid dreamer and an occasional writer. To connect with her on Facebook, click here.

Kites

Kissing the sun in a clear blue sky

Was an experience unmatched, I thought

Riding the wings of a flying bird

And the euphoric sense it brought

High and mighty, I covered miles

Bathing in the scoffing rains

Jittery wind hummed victory songs

As I crisscrossed the celestial lanes

The world below seemed so measly

As I ruffled my feathers of pride

Flying high on the wave of success

Forgot to take the string in stride

A forceful surge is all it took

For the string to tremble and break

Nosediving to kiss the earthen lips

I resembled a shambling wreck

High of highs and thrill of peak

At best last some days and nights

But to sail in air and avoid a fall

We need to learn from Kites

Pen Drive

Perhaps, Your dad made us meet
Taught you to hold me gently
Holding me made you feel important
Glistening in glory, I wrote your fate

Together we made lesser mistakes
As there was no room to erase follies
Thoughts got a mirror to reflect
And we traveled the world on a paper

When love struck you like lightening
I was your hope and yearning
From the pocket to purse
I was with you in good and worse

Whether borrowed or bought
Lying in a corner or a decorated piece
Flamboyant signature, examination curse
I have been your all-weather pal

Now, you have made new friends
Keys are more important than the ink
Yet, when you languish, long and strive
Do not Hesitate to get into a Pen Drive

Just A Morning Wish

I woke up to an unusual morning
There was silence around the ceiling fan
The dim light lamp burnt bright
And there was you, lying by my side

You looked at me through the half-moon
Stocky Soldiers guarding your betel-nut eyes
Your smile lit the room further
My hands moved to touch their fate

How much did I miss you all this while
Coffee tasted bitter, grumpiness was all around
Is that you, I used to wonder on every foot tap
Without you, even melody was ordinary sound

Now that you are here, I can cry
And tell you to be with me forever
Because it is you that all I Want
Nothing Else seems to be as paramount

Seeing you is so pious
Your touch makes me a theist
Reside in my mind or take my heart
You are the deity, I am the priest

I love the way you wake me up
My senses never go numb
The caress and kiss keep me alive
Sleep and night slowly succumb

But as I rise holding you tight in my arms
I find no one around to hug, to kiss
The light is dim, there is a noise in the ceiling fan
Tears Remind me, It was Just A Morning Wish.

The Usual Suspects

No, it can’t be destiny

It was never meant to be with me

No, it can’t be irony

You need a meaning for that to be

I am sixty-year young

And I bleed blue

But all this while

Blood has gained a red hue

Inflicted pain, the recurring remorse

I have taken it all in due course

My modesty is often outraged

And I feel like a bird who is caged

What shames me is not the pain

Nor does anyone’s loss or gain

The fact that we often take it in stride

A feeling that we could have better tried

Pointing fingers is all we do

Some throw a bomb, we flung a shoe

Why we fail to nail the issue

Grope in the dark to find the clue

Blame it on history or someone’s felony

Innocents die, all we express is agony

Malice is stretched out wide with deeper root

Leaves are green, that healthy red shoot

You shroud it with mystery, calls of whodunit

And Find heavy black bag with electric circuit

Wait till dogs bark or intelligence intercepts

Till then we can blame The Usual Suspects

My Life is an Open (Face)book

Life has always taught me to 'Shut Up'. So, I remain mum when I see someone getting ill treated. I do not raise my voice when I am unhappy with what my government is doing. I also remain tight lipped when I am upset with my friends and family. Needless to say, I switch to hibernation mode, when I have a nasty fight with my girlfriend.

But, this is not the case anymore. I am not spineless. Now, I have an opinion, I have an ass and I flaunt it. Shamelessly. You see, this world has two kinds of people. One who die without making any noise. And Others, who die trying to make some noise. I belong to the second category. So, right from shit schedule in the early morning to the late night good bye, everything is there on Facebook. It is a small little world of mine, where I feel happy, where I feel I 'belong'.

You can call me addicted or term me as a wannabe. But I do not have any regrets. I already had my share of regrets. Now, I 'share' my regrets and my friends 'like' it. Each like makes me feel better. A virtual euphoria shoes away the misery, just like wind sweeps dark clouds off the sky.

This world gives you ample reason to rejoice. And also there are occasions when you feel lonely, devastated, filthy and disgusted. One can not expect to have a support or a friend by his/her side on all of these occasions. Life is a long, tumultuous journey, which is often (and perhaps best) traveled alone. It is during those moments of jubilation and disappointment that you require a book, Facebook to be precise, by your side.

You just had an amazing dinner after long, tiring day at office. Put this as your status on Facebook, and you realize that the dinner gets yummier and the tiredness evaporates. You are furious with the way this government functions or a policeman asks you for a bribe. Vent out your anger on Facebook, you never know ripples may reach the echelons of rich and mighty. Remember, Egypt was liberated and Anna was made a hero, right here, on Facebook.

Cut. 

I was talking about my life. My life being an open (face)book.

कुछ समय बाद...

• Just got my 'dream job'. Easily the happiest day of my life :-)
• There is no better feeling than Gifting your parents a new car :-)
• Hmmmphhh. Getting your family's consent for marrying the girl of your choice is a pain in ass. :O
• Finally, Everyone has said 'yes'. :-)
• is married <3
• is soon going to be a Dad :D
• Anxious. In Hospital. Stay tuned for updates :P
• is a proud daddy of a sweet angel. :D
• had a terrible fight with my wife over Angel's nappy changing schedule :X

Its a whole new world out there. You and your dreams. Your happiness, your sorrows. Some Likes, No Dislikes. It doubles your joy and divides your pain. A rare level-ground in this world of glorious contrasts. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is a 'Friend'.

If I had my way, I would call it Sir Facebook, Lord Facebook. Whatever. Call it Loner's Paradise. Social's Bliss. Again Whatever.

'Comment' and 'Share'.

The Sea and the Telephone

Remember, that walk in lush green ground

The moon above and the glittery surround

How every foot-tap made you wonder

Has anyone seen us dancing to tunes of destiny

How easily together we got things done

Sunshine in a rainy night or shade in the scorching sun

Now that you are not here, the sun burns bright

The wind does not blow, sky is torn by strife

Distances can never keep our feelings apart

What if not together, we’ll make a new start

Because love is incomplete without a stringent test

This too shall pass with a bit of agony and some jest

When you are sad, feeling lonely in the big bad city

Go to the sea-shore, find peace and me in the vicinity

Make a palace of sand and decorate it with pebbles

We will be kings and queens of those famed fables

After the sea calms down, drowning the orange sun,

I will wait near that old Beetel telephone.

The tring-tring sounds like a orchestral melody,

And red blinker resembles a star that has always shone.

The days of separation won't last long

Our love would have its final swansong

Whenever your heart beats faster or you are alone

Find me somewhere near the sea and the telephone.

A (Drunk) Man's Best Friend

Alcohol is my way of getting closer to the almighty. I experience orgasmic illusions, divine hallucinations and several other visual/non-visual sensations of this order, every time I am drunk. You may find me weird but try and get into my psyche. You will understand what I mean. That feeling of being ‘free’ and ‘on top of the world’ can only be achieved when a certain amount of alcohol embraces your blood.

*********************

My friend CB is an asshole, a teetotaler to be precise. I never wish CB long life on birthday. What’s the point of living a long life when it’s not sprinkled with colorful, volatile and semi-soluble liquids. You may think that I am very rude, how can I say such things about a person whom I call as a friend. But I don’t mind that you think this way, I am sure CB would not take it otherwise. CB is a sweetheart, like a tiny little bird residing in a cozy nest.

*********************

I have always tried to locate a best friend in my life. You know it's very necessary that you have a best friend in your life. Not only he/she is supposed to help you swim across troubled waters, double your joy when you are happy and provide unconditional support, but also make it to the ‘featured friends’ section of Facebook. A best friend should be like a movie poster, glitzy and glamorous, worth attaching your name with.

Let’s rule out women from contention straightaway. All men suffer from some serious diseases related to adrenalin and libido. How so ever, asexual they might pretend to be, there would be a moment in time, when they will think for her ‘that way’. And needless to say, women as best friends would bring in some unwanted baggage like commitment, truthfulness, decency, secretiveness, loyalty and several other such humongous concepts. And most importantly, she would never ever let a sexy, smoldering-hot girlfriend enter your life. If given a chance, she would hook you up with a cow or a duck for that matter.

Those who say that things like books, music and teddy are their best friends are great losers. They just try and hide the fact that they do not have a best friend in their life. You must have a living thing by your side, when you require. What’s the point in crying while submerging your face inside the teddy, when all it can do is quickly soak the salty liquid.

I also rule out Girlfriend and family members from the list. I will not explain, why I have left them out. I am drunk, you are supposed to be in senses. And if you are in senses, you would know that being a 'man' you would never share all your secrets with your Girlfriend (Until you happen to be a pet dog) or with any of your family members (Until you are straight out of some daily soap).

That leaves me only with the option of men. A man can be a man's best friend. Yes of course, they can share dirty jokes, collaborate in women scanning, sit over for a drink, smoke, the list is endless. But, is that all in a man's life? Perhaps, I am coming back to my senses, so whatever I say now onwards is supposed to be taken seriously.

Why men bond only over women, drinks, cricket and things like that? Why do they talk less and hope to be understood more? What makes them so egoistic, stubborn when it comes to reacting to situations and persons ? No answers. No one has answers.

"For us friendship is like a engine that never runs out of gas. We kick around but leave imprints rather than cracks." I continued with my sermon.

"Please shut up. I have been hearing this all night long" CB finally spoke up.

"Look, I am not drunk. But, I feel like telling it to you. You are my best friend. You are exceptional" I shook vigorously while speaking. CB smiled at me. 

"You also consider me as your best friend. Say, yes." I was expectant.

"Yes, we are good friends." CB said

"Why just good friends, why not best friends, just because I am drunk. No one wants to be Drunk Man's Best Friend. Sad!" I was disappointed.

"Look into my eyes, can you see something" 

Next moment, I was kissing CB (Chetna Bakshi) passionately. She became A Drunk Man's Best Friend, at least for next few minutes..err..Hours. 

P.S. : There must have been some very good logic while designating the role of 'A Man's Best Friend" to Dogs.  

Cosmic Romance

I don’t know what it is

But there is a shadow behind me

Every time I fly into dazzling blue light

That gaze is uplifting, what if it’s slight

No name can justify

The bond we shared and smiles we had

Saccharine murmurs are still fresh very much

I miss your bioscopic eyes and feathery touch

Those lunar walks amid the setting sun

We chased stars, wiped out the rainbow

But one avian stunt you failed to notice

As I took Cloud Cover after planting that kiss

Love is about taking that extra mile

And we had a sky to cover

Carefree Hover, Buoyant Us

Blue was Sky, Free of Worldly Cuss

One fine day, We got a new life, supposedly a better one

But Being Human was a web of complexities

Burdened flights forced emotions to soften

We experienced Jet lag so more than often

And Then Love was interrupted

As reason controlled nonsensical heart

Soon we headed to that dreaded state of Separation

Amalgamation Aplenty Led to Sublimation

Now, Up in the heaven, I wish to call you back

But I wonder whether you would like an Afterlife

Love should give us that second chance

It's time, we rekindled our Cosmic Romance