IMMERSED

The pleasure of being on the beach, the calm serene sea

some kids nearby roll in sand, 

the joyous giggles of the teenage group

the tomatoes and peppers on skewers on the pit

the football coated with impressions of various pairs of sandy feet

families catch up over conversations

stretched on a mat senses soak the flavours of joy on the sands.

What is it with the sea, the sand, the fishes below and birds above?

The wide expanse, the hum of the sea, the unheard gossip of colourful fish in it

just draws me, the teens, the kids and their parents and the sweaty boys and their sandy feet

the very thought excites us all, we may not know one another

but we all understand the language of the waves

respond to the call of the sea gulls

the tickle of the tiny translucent fish in water

the aroma of happiness in the air

the sea's changing moods caught by us sometime or the other

sometimes it seems so close, the tide's reaching for the land

just when we thought it's near us, it slips far back

TIES

 I enjoy my company, but I do of chums too.

Busy in my own zone, mind scratches, reminds me to call friends, chat and text.

I dust my mind's chatter in the garbage bin along with the vegetable peels. 

I like to meet people and converse but to a point.

The tireless ring of the phone or incessant flow of the messages is a hinderance

Watch videos, pictures of friends and post likes may cheer them, but it saps me.

Talkative by nature; I call once in a while.

As I write the poem, I remember my dad's frequent bargain

of five rupees, if I sealed my lips for ten minutes as a child.

How suffocative was it for me, to be quiet back then

when to socialise was the only skill, I thought I had.

I treasure my friends too, but prioritize my time more

It's a long road, where some old ones slip by. some new ones get added.

Each friend is important; I am sum of their impressions and influences

Just because I call or meet less, does not weaken our bond.