ever after

the heart tingles.
shivers.laughs.
dances to the tunes
of the pines
that pricked it
once upon a time.
swims playfully
in the depths
where it floundered
once upon a time.
flies teasingly
into the abyss
that was its core
once upon a time.

once upon a time
will dawn again
tomorrow.
like it has so often.
for now
let the heart flutter
and find its happiness
without the crutches
of ever after.

hush

it crept in silently
years ago,
slipped in with love,
longing, regret
uninvited, unnoticed
hid in dark corners
stealthily building its empire.

seasonal monsoons
outside the window
remind her
of the perennial cloud
in whose shadow
a fearful heart breathes.

its not all over though.
words rise
in brazen rebellion
and quiet discontent.
so long as they dig tunnels,
scrape through trenches
escape and/ or attempt to escape.
a faint heart
will live to fight
the tyranny of silence.

purpling

i am going purple.
people are noticing.
one can explain a black eye.
and hide a black heart.
but this purpling.
how do i tell the world
(or even why
-as if they'd understand)
of you
coursing through my veins.
"I am not coming in to work
from tomorrow.
Sorry for the short notice."
a few abuses later,
the world moves on.
and i look up colours
on good old google
to find a name
for the shade i am turning.
three hues to black.
now two.
the countdown has begun.

all the same

laughter rings
as old friends meet.
the inconsiderate heart
goes on sinking.
in a haze of smoke
the dying sun
sputters the promise
of another day.

says an emboldened mind
to its drowning counterpart -
dont worry my friend.
you will be wrangled out.

and adds as an afterthought -
in any case
the deep waters you live in
have corroded all hope out of you.

crossings

i meet you
in awkward phrases
from days of love
long past.

the silence
we had negotiated
on those last few nights
over alarmingly easy sessions
of looking away
finds its way
to old conversations
every evening
(or alternate perhaps)
and cuts them up
into bits of incoherence,
lives out its contract.

at dusk sometimes
i still meet you
in awkward phrases
but i am not sure
what they mean
anymore.

flights

don't flap your wings so much
let the breeze carry you
(you neednt be the eagle)
fall into the warm embrace
of a dancing tree.
enjoy a stray cloud's shadow.
soar above rush hour madness.
spend a cold night
in the dark despair of the abyss.
surprise the sun in the morning.
go, give it a peck.
find a friend.fly alone.
play hide and seek.
forget to be found.
dare to get lost.
give yourself to life.
bon voyage.

promises

everyday promises.
every day promises.
keeping them
was always
the responsibility
of another day.