Tanka*

My first attempt... !

~ Lakshmi ~

elegance trumpets
through green streets plucking lush trees
payal* sing, bells ring
heads bow for blessings as she
enters the Ganesh Mandir*

*payal - anklet, Ganesh Mandir - temple of hindu deity most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon

An everyday visit to the Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Pondicherry
to meet Lakshmi

*Tanka (short poem) is a genre of classical Japanese poetry and one of the major genres of Japanese literature.

Form : Tanka consist of five units (often treated as separate lines when romanized or translated) usually with the following pattern of onji:
5-7-5-7-7.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanka_(poetry)

A stormy romance

The soaring waves tell tales of the dreamland at the ocean bed,
bursting into laughter’s of foam at the shore

The shore patiently hosts the guests from the sea,
discreetly urging them to return home with gentle nudges of sand

At the horizon, a solitary ship tangos the wind; hypnotised by it’s naughty currents
The twinkling tip of the sail kindles the light of their romance; wishing onboard a Bon Voyage….



A big thanks to the beaches of Pondicherry and rejuvenating walks with Aai (mom) and Aum by the sea as a daily routine…..

Sleep...

A thin cotton sheet crawls up a tired sleeping being

and gently heaves to the rhythm of his breath.

Ceiling fan spins the song of silence

in a soothing hum of calming breeze.

The muslin shivers to the winds from the ceiling,

tenderly patting the soul to dreams.

Cuddled in the warmth of mother pondy*

rests a tired man from a long day at work,

in search of a peaceful blink.

Scribbled as I hear my father snore after a long, hectic day at work.

*Pondy - Puducherry or Pondicherry, a union territory in Tamil Nadu, southern India… where Aum and me are currently enjoying our vacation with my parents and defrosting ourselves at 42 degrees from the chills of London.

a vulnerable duo

Innocence peeps at me from behind wrinkled cozy quilt,
with a hope to be cuddled in my warmth.

Tears plead for a humming lullaby,
to drift back in dreams.

A kiss from the bed-sheet crease,
leaves its impressions on plum cheek.

Sobs lean with open arms yearning to be held;
leaping compassionately at me….

It is this beguiling moment, when I discover the mother in me;

the vulnerability of duo, that completes me….