Anjali breaks herself free from the clutches of a deep slumber and starts weeping inconsolably, as if, a maniac.

Until last night, she had felt a pulsating life within her. With utmost care, she had nurtured him all through the nine months.

She was connected with the little one in her womb through the umbilical cord. They had lived one soul. 

But tonight her womb is deserted.

She can feel no kicks, no shudders, no movements and no thrusts from within. 

Anjali isn’t able to bear this and weeps inconsolably. Her sobbing reaches newer heights and AJ, her hubby rushes into the room in a state of panic and witnesses a maniac, Anjali.

He switches the lights on and hugs Anjali and shakes her so hysterically, so as to get her away from her trance-like-state.

With severe shakings, Anjali, regains her posture and clings on to AJ.  Unable to explain, she takes his palm and holds on her stomach to reflect the hollowness in her womb.

AJ realizes Anjali's deep hidden fear.

He whispers into her ear "My love! Do not panic. You have delivered a healthy baby boy this afternoon @ around 2.19 PM.”

“You will wake the little one up if you weep so loud. He is sleeping tight in the cradle” and points to the cradle besides her bed.

Hearing these soothing and reassuring words from AJ, Anjali gently opens her eyes to witness, Lil Vivaan lying in the cradle and sucking onto his thumb.

Lil Vivaan, the beacon of their life. 

As Anjali notices healthy Lil Vivaan, her sobbing transforms into a smile.  She sighs in relief, holds a smile and leans on AJ's  shoulders.

AJ sends a silent prayer to the almighty in gratitude. 

All is well that ends well.

Image Courtesy: google   © 2015 Ajay Pai (Reserved)

Grandma,

Where are you at?

Where did you fade away

whilst, I was away for work?

I am eager to catch up,

for all the lost times.

I yearn for those evenings,

those heart-to-heart dialogues,

and  
the unraveling

complications.

Those tender emotions,

assured 

your motherly affection 
for me.

The sparkle of your eyes,  
your welcoming smile,

still lingers on.

 You calling out my name

still echoes within,

Am longing to hear you out

One more time,
 one last time..

Will this wish be granted..?

The waterspout, the roar,

the lightening,

Is the weather out there,

in harmony with my spirit?

Are these the manifestations

Of  my turbulent mind?

Am tired.

I am so lost.

All I can see is blurred.

I wanna rest on your lap,

gaze at your smiling face,

to soothe my troubled mind.

Take me along with,

Oh, Grandma,

To your abode

Where I can

Rest-in-peace.

© 2015 Ajay Pai (Reserved)    Image courtesy: AJ's  personal photo collections.

They say that the eyes are the mirror to one’s  soul.  Yet,  there are people, who can brilliantly mask their emotions.

The below lines were written for my birthday when I sat pensive.  A self-dedication on my birthday, which falls on 17th May.

******************************

Another Birthday?

Oh! Monkey mind,

Should you be happy

Or, saddened?

The question

 too stark

Nudging your face now.

Right from birth

Wings chopped

And Clipped,

An unknown fear

Instilled within, ever since!

Your soul feels bruised

From time immemorial,

With  haunting penury

Ridicule, and abuse.

No gifts, no balloons,

Ugh! Luxurious, the days

Of cakes and movies.

 Depressed Mind,

Lonely self and

Suicidal thoughts,

The comrades.

Fake faces and

Venomous smile

A daily scene.

Ah, You're an introvert,

They say!

Hey, you!

Look into his eyes,

can you see the crack?

Guess now,

Is he, jubilant or bereaved?

© 2015 Ajay Pai (Reserved)  

This poem is published on Writer’s Ezine, an e-magazine, for their special edition of September 2015.   http://www.writersezine.com/2015/09/the-crack.html

September marks the completion of 18 months of Writers Ezine.

Appale Rayya, (Dad's Prince)

At this wee hour of the night, as I write this letter, you have turned  9 months and 17 days old. You have completed more number of days outside, than in your mom’s womb.

I wanted to spill my thoughts and emotions to you. Unfortunately, you are too young to even read these complicated emotions.

**************

                    I woke up frantic this morning as I heard you pull in that naughty, unique noise through your tiny nostril as you stood by the bedside, all solo.

I was concerned with the thought of you hitting down. For, you have still not begun to stand and balance all by yourself.

As I spread out my eyes, I caught you standing by the bedside and deliberately making that (cute) noise to wake me up from my deep slumber. Though you haven’t started to talk,  your methods of communication are par excellence compared to any and that amazes me.

The toothless smile of yours, this morning reminded me of Lord Shri Krishna and his playful acts as a toddler, which made him the favorite of all.  

You must know, You are my Kaanha – The Lil Krishna.

(Later on a stressful day, your smile rejuvenates me.)

I was on cloud nine when I was informed by my Ma, that,  you pointed my jeans, hung in the cupboard and exclaimed "Pa".

You gave me such an adorable title "Pa". Each time you stutter and call out “PA”, my heart pounds.

(Pa - means Father. Father the giver of life.  Ishaan, my son, in our case, you are the life giver to me. You have added meaning to my otherwise hollow Life. )

Oh Ishaan, How do I let you experience my emotions for you?

 I am so absorbed in the tide of those emotions, as I compose this letter to you.

I was ecstatic when you enveloped me and clung around me as I was about to leave.

Oh, apple of my eye, first time ever after my negligible existence in this universe, I felt that I am wanted.  You are the only cause for such an amazing feeling.

I realized the  Purpose of my life.

Ishaan, my infant son, I have left a kiss along your brow.

You are a blessing to an otherwise deserted life of mine.

Someday, you must read this letter and know that your Pa loves(d ) you than himself.

Pa - Only Yours.

Date - 12th May 2015.

Copyright @ Ajay Pai 2015

Image Courtesy: AJ's personal archive

Dark, fair or wheatish skin

Adam, Eve our ancestors

Why favor or hate?

The prompt word is "Fair".

© 2015 Ajay Pai (Reserved)                  Linked to Haiku Horizons           PS: Image courtesy Google

Yesterday, a pretty looking lady in mid 50’s, approached me at the office. 

Elegantly draped in a Mangoish Yellow silk saree with a broad green border, she stood in front of me as if,  she was a goddess. 

Vermillion on her forehead was as mesmerizing as the evening Sun.

What an aura she had!   Our eyes locked, instantaneously.

But, she held a lifeless smile.  

Her eyes spoke a zillion words. She had masked the vacuum in her eyes, with a thick line of Kohl.

She passed over an envelope to me as she reached my desk.  I spread out the envelope to scan the printed official letter as a 

“Death Certificate”. 

I sat speechless and pale at my office desk.  My hands trembled as I accepted the death certificate from her.  

I made her an acknowledgment copy and replied: “Mam, it will require 15 days for processing the death claim.”

Tears rolled freely down her cheeks.  

I heard her Womb scream, howl and wail.  It was Mother’s Day the following day. 

             

********************

PS: The above narrative is a real life incident and is written for Prompt of the Month; a feature of Writer's Ezine

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://writersezineblog.blogspot.in/search/label/promptofthemonth"><img border="0" src="http://home.writersezine.com/Images/weprompt.png" height="92" width="320" /></a></div>             

Dad's arm or mom's lap

Be two different time zones

Love the thread that binds

© 2015 Ajay Pai (Reserved)  

Linked to ABC Wednesday Round 16

The dusky and grey haired

Illumine, focus and framed

toddler gaze away

© 2015 Ajay Pai (Reserved)

Linked to #SnapYourWeek 18 & ABC Wednesday Round 16

Green turf green garden

Grasshoppers and lady bee

Water! source of life

PS: Image courtesy Google

Linked to Haiku Horizons       Haiku Horizons prompt “water”

I am, the Soul.

I am born free,

With no boundaries set.

Empowered to Roam and Wander,

The whole cosmos my home.

I am born free,

With no enclosures around.

Alas!

Oh, Mortal!

Do you see me?

Fathom, what you’ve done!

I Am Chained,

My freedom Curbed,

My aura lost,

My Soul bruised.

I breathe,

Only to be conscious,

 to set the soul free,

Some day...

Day, never at the horizon.

PS: Image Courtesy Social Media - Facebook.

Tiny lips quiver,

Lil heart shudders,

Petrified arms search for

Solace, in you.

Be brave! Lil one.

For your savior

Is Nigh.

Enveloping Thee,

From every menace.

PS: Image courtesy Social Media

Life a strange bubble

Keep short the ego and pride

The froth of Life cracks

PS: Image courtesy Google

Linked to Haiku Horizons