The Upside

down
down
down
doesn't always
have to be this way

down
after all
has been
fun too

Grammar

why is it that

everything

words
meanings
paradoxes
and nonsense

fall apart
together

with you

?

Sages and Learners

the metal din
of keyboards
and the whir
of stale computers
whiz on and on
in the background

here
the learners
and the sages
both give sermons

quiet, heavy words
about
soul mates
coffee
and spiders
killed by drowsy heads.

Pyre

tempers roar
in this cold sea
of unseeing eyes
and whispering tongues.
dawn is short
- a flicker.
its orange hues
turning fiery too soon.
and as the fire roars
within,
and without,
look back
at the flicker
you have left behind.
I am still the flame
ready to burn
with you.
for you.

Acknowledgements

It was in choked,
hushed whispers
that they told our story,
assuming (very bravely)
a grim embarrassment
for our shameless,
shapeless,
sheltered
love.

Radiant Fantasy

I long
to ride
the waves
you summoned,
drowning in the
foamy crests
and surface
gulping,
drowning in the
unreachable heights
you plucked
and spread out for me,
drowning in the
depths unseen
of wild serenity
and float back
to life

Reflections

reaching out
across the cold glass

these images
trapped inside on
"the other side"
whimper
in fear
of when they would have
to step out

and wipe their
old, tired hands
on that smooth surface
that, sometimes,
still tells their story.

Secret

This unwant
is a gray thing.

Heavy,
so it sinks,
till it finds
a spot
- a grudge
or a sore.

A niche.

Color Blindness

the yellows
reds
and oranges

dipped into
blue

does not look
as
different

(as one might think)

Postcard

Red,
you had said

Red!
I had said

This is the
color
of our delirium.

A river
between
the parting in my hair

Actors

centre stage:

"boil pasta,
chop chop,
salt and pepper,
serve hot"

back stage:

"is the fourth floor
high enough?"

afterwards

It’s still too early

the sun hasn’t set
on the marks of our love
or on the crumpled
bed sheets
the still smell of bodies
(yours and mine)

Game

come,
help me rub out my teary eyes
so that you can
once again
believe
they
glitter

Jigsaw Puzzle

Directions for use:
Pick up pieces
And place them
Gently
Where they belong

Oh… Look!
It’s a pretty house!

Who Died?

What is that rotten stench?
As if something was left
Forgotten.

Problem Child

Please go away
I want to be alone now.

Splat

Words
Drummed
Into
Me

Radio

Listen
I’ve got a story
to tell you

Listen to me
I know things
You have no idea about

Listen listen….
Don’t fall asleep yet
Listen…
Listen
Listen
Listen…

Disclaimer

When I go mad and fall
exhausted
You can kick my limp body and try to wake me up
“Wake up bitch
Don’t leave me
Don’t leave me now
Smile, dance, sing for me
Am bored
Wake up bitch
Am not done with you”

monsoon

a lot more than
heavy drops
quenched soil
distant rumble
scented air
and pitter patter
got through this time

again

--

just the talk of
cloudy skies
and the drumming of rain
against window panes

and there

another shower
of his poetry
drenches my senses

--

on the other side
words
images
verses
painted a better picture
than the one
the skies so desperately
tried to paint
here.