THE ARABIAN SANDS

A handful of sand sieves through fingers

each granule similar to the other and yet so dissimilar

coated with footprints unknown of camels and people,

concealing stories of eons

shifting witness to Beduin tribal wars and victories

textures of foreign rule

crudeness of explored oil and gas. 

Slipping through other fingers

the waves sweating a few patches, 

toes outlining them on the beach,

damp particles contrasting talcum sand,

slipping indoors

a cleaning reminder of the dusty sandstorms 

boxing another storyline

Few Arab sands caught in the eye,

wiping and draining a moist tear on the cheek

brush to feel floating sand filamented with mine.

Each one of us just like the granule, alike yet so different.

A GENUINE SOUL

Two braids accompanying an affectionate smile,

greetings of an exuberant girl of ten on a warm day,

in a place new to me and her.

The day's warmth, pale in comparison to hers

her tenderness and her doting

an inescapable find for kids who know her,

my daughter the privileged few.

Daughter of my spouse's friend, 

three years of unconditional love and support 

the lovely family our hearts tucked in.

Time compounding the warmth,

trips, holidays, festivals each outracing

the other to be more memorable with them.

Tracing the girl's progress, passing years

sketched our hearts with pride and joy.

The pigtails disappeared, tens rounding to twenties,

her affection found a new attachment for life.

Aptly named Sunanda, 

happiness and care are her permanent robes.

An independent girl settled in a different continent,

every mention of hers glows her parents faces.

Scattering enthusiasm, her second nature

friendliness, her first.

Fortunate is the guy, who found this jewel,

and wealthy the family whose surname she will carry.

FLEETING IMPRESSIONS

 Cuddly pigeons on the bent swinging branch

stare at the silhouettes in the window,

outlines trapped in their own thoughts

the window masking their inner narratives.

Faces clashing feelings of passers by

captured and delivered to residents

The flapping pigeons, teeming pedestrians

unaware of unpaid bystander's glances

meet their day's claims.

Decoding encrypted ponderings

the occupied window glass sill

reflects the occupants' contemplations

a by stander's occasional gaze

bounces the sentiment.

Dusting perceived mortal imprints

the pair of pigeons soar above

the window caricaturing their outline.

AWARENESS

 FINDING YOURSELF -CONTEST

Too many sides of me, some sides discarded now

bits and pieces dispersed across places lived

sides of carelessness, impatience and ego

each side outwitting the other

added toppings of sensitivity and moodiness

a layered crust of damage crystallized. 

Inundated with bursting negativity

stress enthusiastically perched and nested 

multiple choices available 

aches and pains using body as an Airbnb.

Sunk in debris trenches deep, 

soot covered ounces of me 

gasped for therapeutic scrubs to exfoliate.

Relentless inability to sort myself out

tested many Google quacks.

Times loathing the garbage accumulated

at times, relief for picking a new trail.

Gaping at shocking footprint 

of inner frailties

learning to be with myself

discerning the real me.

Trudging, unlocking life's riddle with different keys

few priceless carved keys added to my bunch.

Appreciation for the tortoise, whose pace 

mimicked unfastened a me, unaware of. 

Each new day, a search of me by me.

WARM PEELS

 Insults and wintery chill

the more we assume, the more it clutches us. 

Reminiscing about hot tomato soups and buttered bread

a cosy family of four around 

the pastel flowered sun Maica table

the hot and piping charcoaled sweet potatoes

my father peeling fondly 

for yearning eyes and mouths of mine and my sister.

The bursting of crackers, visits of friends and families

the exchange of sweet packets, the hugs and smiles

the siblings outrace to draw arty patterns on veranda 

and lighting of terraced earthen lamps

the joy of new clothes, 

Diwali, a warm light each winter ushers.

Winters now in Arab deserts, 

a treasured time with family

lightened with daughter's yearly Christmas visit

snuggled catching up under thick cosy blankets

listening to tales of life of cold London months

and spouse's scattered jokes.

Eyes awakening to blooming pink and purple flowers

caressing the walled fence

morning walks breathing the crisp chill desert air

Picnics on grass in weekends

Fingers encircling hot mugs of tea

A winter my senses nestle for each year.

DREAD

His smile brightens the fridge door

a person dearly missed 

contemplate his often-spoken syllables

"Getting bored, getting bored", 

snatched away on the threshold of nineties

bored a term, I fear.

Idleness is

creative to garner new interests

slow moving for the sick and solitary

challenging for the insecure loners

scary if seeks self-pity as an alias.

 A homemaker by label

lots of spare moments nestle in 

few vacant stares a day a required lull

incalculable gazes 

brews cynical threats

Scares me for negativity starts 

its chant of perfection.

Persistent irrigation for cultivated

interests

poetry one of the few 

Sudoku, music, tutoring, exercise 

the other companions of the day.

On the doorway to sixties

my smile corresponds to his smile

I may exceed his age some day 

hope I conquer the inescapable

with enthusiastic pursuits.

A QUESTION

Each letter of alphabet inquiring the other, 

did we not come together to name countries

Ukraine, Syria, Israel or Serbia

to name a few.

Are the names not endearing

then why are we being sliced?

Why does peace elude my people

What did we err?

Church, mosque or temple

isn't it where mortals congregate

Then why another meet at the border?

Online sites abundant for mankind

A gift of urgent need 

but no sale or offer 

even on a Black Friday.

Where can I buy peace?

Is there any country left 

unblemished by war

Mankind's innovation

some creating arms for annihilation

some devising apps to meet and chat

We need no online apps or sites

to squander or chat.

 

All we need is you

Peace, be heroic to embrace us 

for we live in perennial fear of one another.