The courtesan dances,
each intricate step performed
with careless ease,
tempting the king, the prince,
the minister and the courtier,
but her legs sway for the court musician,
who knows her every rhythm,
while his voice calls to the princess,
he secretly admires, but the princess
dreams of the prince in an enemy kingdom
whereas this spoilt prince
imagines a hostile state’s dancer
beside him on the royal throne
You listen to my ramblings
with wonder and respect
that no one has accorded me
Your cast down eyes
and faraway look
imply a strange proximity
You see beauty
in my plain countenance
and depth
in my shallow eyes
I marvel at my fortune
and remain obliged
to cupid for choosing me
out of the millions
Soft flakes melt on the plant’s skin
just like how your honeyed words
melt my agitated soul
I want to be that young leaf
that takes your icy surface,
warms your inner self,
melts with you
and falls with you to the ground
(This poem explores the male point of view)
The autumn flowers were easing away
as were his desires
He sat by the lake
when she came
late by two hours
She started the quarrel, as always,
before he could utter a word
for she had already planned it
She now had her sight on
another man with an overtly big purse
and better prospects
He knew her thoughts
from her eyes
and looked on scornfully
as she uttered the last words
and walked away
She had won
and he had lost,
but so had that concept called love
In all your seeming shallowness
I see depth
In all your callousness
I perceive sensitivity,
a forgiving nature,
kindness beyond words
and unconstrained generosity
Emotional display scares you
You don’t want to seem weak
for the fear of being scorned at
Pretend all that you want to
for I have already seen through
Your eyes are pools of love
Sharing joy in abundance
Brightening the environment
Now you cast your icy stare
As I wait in tense anticipation
For your severe words
Later you have a glassy expression,
Which terrifies me
And sends me to the corner
Of a loveless world
I prodded every corner of your closed heart
For a small piece of compassion
I stared into your liquid eyes
For a drop of love
I saw compassion and purity
In those flawless white flowers
And I found love
In passionate red roses
They made me wonder
If I gave you everything
I sought for myself
It was not the grating sunlight
But the benevolent moonlight
That the lovers sought
As they huddled together
The mango tree listened, amused,
As they spoke of their dreams,
Future and lingering aspirations
The envious big bird listened too
And spitefully pushed a heavy fruit,
Which missed its target
And fell neatly in front of them
They looked up and thanked the tree
Their thirst satiated
The leaves shook
With silent laughter
At the startled bird
The tree said, ‘Love can never be ridiculed
And lovers are never discouraged’
She held the rose
As they walked close
Heading to the station
Their steps slow with reluctance and caution
They stared at each other
Him on the platform, her on the train
He was still left staring
Amongst the crowds, jostling
It was the rose that she held tight
As she was pushed
And her bag was crushed
Holding to the still fresh rose
The sole remainder of his love
She slept in a seated position
And woke with a start at her destination
Her tears left many wondering
Was it for the withered rose?
Or for her lover miles apart?
Days have seen him gaze at her window
Hoping for a glimpse of her shadow
When she would peep through the veil
With a wave and a pensive smile
Nights have seen him wallow
With her photo by his side
And receiver on his pillow
One day the curtains took pity
And gave way
To reveal her photo
Partially shrouded in flowers
Silent was every visitor
Oblivious of her unspoken desire
Her soul crying for her desolate lover
