In her wrinkled face. Struggles of years reside. Giggles never age. In face of struggles. Her spirit remained robust. Giggles, they remained. Never losing face. Pride displayed in glint of eyes. Giggles, they endear. The face of the brave Smiling away life's struggles. Unsheathe your giggles.
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Sentiments penned
In letters galore.
Love transcends seasons.
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Words wish to fly away. Like those dry leaves on an autumn’s day. Words that have dried up, Have nothing worthwhile to offer any more By way of solace, Or advise, Or for that matter comfort. They were once full of life! Coloured in hues, Rippling with energy, Growing inside the head and Springing forth from lips. Burdened with my melancholy, Today they are unwanted. Dry, yellowed with my stale dreams They simply fall away; like the dried leaves in autumn. In their final hours, They only wish to be blessed With a tear or two of someone, whose heart it may have touched once; Like those dew drops at dawn On fallen leaves of autumn.
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Soaring Skyscrapers.
Endless human ambition.
Trees felled at fast clip.
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Dawn finds dewy grass.
Bedecked with fallen flowers.
Wrapped palms over warm tea.
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"Standing tall A beacon in storm. Hope for souls in fright." Thus was inscribed on the foundation stone, Of an old lighthouse; unused now, no longer burdened with the responsibility of leading ships home. It lay abandoned, uncared; No longer a hub of activity. No longer remembered. Except perhaps on a specific day. A day when, many years ago Tall columns of clouds Had suddenly swamped the skies The sea had turned ominous The waves, murderous. In the darkness of the night, The stormy sea had risen high Aiming to consume the trawler To its deep confines. Lurching dangerously The trawler and its two occupants Had braced for the worst. The dark night Had them in a grip, tight. The frenzied winds had Hit them with all their might. Home seemed nowhere in near sight. In absence of guiding stars Reaching the shores, they realised Would be a tall order. When all had seemed lost And fate seemed intent to do its worst. Through the darkness the duo perceived a glimmer of light. The lighthouse that day had stood tall. Amidst the darkness and squall To port, it had the trawler brought. In remembrance of that day They come each year; A sailor's cap on their head. Bent with age now, And with wrinkles that hide the smell of sea in its folds. Touching the walls They mutter heartfelt gratitude To the old lighthouse For having saved them on that fateful day. In front of the foundation stone They bend low To place a bouquet of flowers in obeisance. Then back to their lives, they go. The lighthouse remains, Still looking at the horizon, Perhaps reminiscing And with pride Standing tall.
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Moonbeams shine
Inside a solitary cell.
A prisoner’s mind in turmoil.
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An Indian autumn;
Shiuli flowers lie scattered.
In air, winter’s clue.
Heralding celebration
Of woman’s act of valour.
Note- 1. This tanka refers to a popular and important festival celebrated in autumn in the eastern part of India. The festival is a celebration of a woman Goddess's brave fight to destroy evil forces.This is the time when the bold/brave facet of women is celebrated. 2. The shiuli flower is a beautiful flower which is also referred to as the night jasmine. Typical of the autumn season, it blooms late in the night and falls off from the tree in early dawn. 3. Clue/valour has been used to imply hint/bold.
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When time had stood still; An adversary, Refusing to budge, Hindering the passage Of life! Millions of hour glass had cracked; The sands flowing out In a rush, Spreading through the universe Creating a vast desert. Its sand dunes Attempting to entrap Each step in its grasp, Striking terror With manifestation of unending vastness Attempting to choke With stillness, With a sense of isolation- Friendless. Time then had aroused A sense of helplessness. Amidst this sense of dejection and the creeping feeling of inability to fight back, A small figment of hope Looms at the horizon, Daring to defy the gargantuan time. Walking slow, One step at a time, Trying to seek a path Through this vast desert of time.
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