Golden Web.....

The tangled artwork of a humble insect
Brightens this gloom... when I introspect
In a silent, forgotten recess of my unused mind
A ray of bright sunshine has secured its golden find.

What lay ignored as a silent mourner...
In a dilapidated,dusty broken corner
Has lit up a few moments to gift unexplicable joy
Ensnaring us in its silken threads -- a good ploy!

What a tangled web we weave when we drown.....
Ourselves in words without thinking of our own!!

Of broken barnacles and sandy shores

These sharp- edged, broken barnacles slowly take me far back;

To my childhood when I picked countless shells to almost fill a sack .....

On hot sands I trailed, wading into froth....

The waters tugged at my feet; the seas were a heaving behemoth!

I searched for the pretty colours and patterns that pleased

The wonders on the shores I found never ceased ..!!

An anxious mother called out to return

I paid no heed not once did I turn ......

Happiness was finding long graceful Turretella, small round cowrie in a big heap !

The sharp thorny spindle and smooth oyster shells from under the sands peep!

My treasures were smuggled home so guiltily hidden

Father relented- I washed and dried them as bidden ...

Now I live in far away land ...

My treasure hunt is now for things grand ….

I still have some of those shells so near

Reverberates the song of the seas deep in my ear

When I put them to my head n hear

The Mangalore coastline is to me very dear!

The Goddess!

She smiles .....a benevolent radiance glows....
From her moon-like face ....a divine grace overflows !
Her flawless features ...her amazing perfection is a rare joy to behold
Her moon face.... flanked by scented jasmine braids defines a beauty untold !
The brightly painted tigers dancing in merry abandon attract
The children ....the young boys move... in a rhythm so exact ....
The night is ablaze with a riot of bright lights
The town is awake to see the wonderful sights
At my house gates I used to stand...and wait
For Her to pass though it would be often very late
The veshas were mysterious, exciting too
Past mid night the crowd would dwindle down to a few
A short fitful sleep.. then .... when she returned from her touring
At the crack of dawn ,during the wee hours of the morning
I would be up at the window as she went back to her abode...
For a year ..then again return to bless us with joys manifold !

Cloud Canopy

Life chugs along , slow...monotonous ..in boredom shrouded...
Suddenly the clear blue skies are overcast and clouded
Dark grey rain bearing clouds gather overhead
Like a bunch of dirty woolen socks discarded
The coastal breeze blows them in with a drizzle fast and sure
The smell of wet earth assailing one's nose is heavenly and pure
Through the ugly gloom the moody melancholy of those scowls so dark
I see a ray of light a patch of clear blue still open a hope in a slice.... a luminous arc !
Bad days will vanish soon my friend
Stay strong unbowed till they end !

Glory of ages

No darkness can shroud this carved stone
No silence can mute its speech
It has an ageless charm ,a beauty bygone
No mortal mind can reach

The Chime!

I see these bells ...suspended on chains

We people ...ring them ... for material gains

I am reminded of a majestic temple atop a craggy hillock

Far above the madding crowd ...it stands on a huge rock

I longed to see the sea from there

Loved climbing the many steps in the summer air

These bells remind me of a dutiful prayer time

When they ring out their sharp metallic chime

Waiting.....

The shores wait silently without a sound ...
The grainy sand shines ...its a hot day!
The waves come , recede ,they softly pound ..
The rocks ...bursting into spray !
The boats wait for the fishermen
To take them out into the ocean ...
The children wait for a new toy, perhaps a book
Perhaps many long weeks it took
For childhood dreams not of gold
For the catch to be hauled n sold !
Most lives are stories...hopes ..faith ...prayers ... While we are awaiting
For good things to begin and troubles to end.. it is Simply a waiting !