HOPE

Observing the unresponsive form, I look at the clock
a quarter to five it resonates, almost time for her walk
rubbing my eyes I retrace my steps into my room
moments later she walks in, brandishing her broom

I feign sleep, rolling on my sides adjusting the sheets
the shloka walker passes chanting, arousing the streets
I die for a few hours, oblivious to the waking world
dreams don't bother me, I cuddle with the cold

I wake up to crying, clear and loud
I blink at the bright sky, devoid of clouds
people mumble solemnly as I trudge along
my eyes mirror the work I did all night long

Visitors pour in from every nook and cranny of the city
some offer advice, totally useless ; others offer pity
I wade among the filth, reach for my fang cleanser
as I brush my canines, the air grows heavy ; tenser

spitting out my pale venom, I rinse my maw
gazes shoot at me, some with anger some with awe
the crowds thin out, its only the pack now
its the climax now, its the end of the show

I look as the blast dries the remaining tears
bored I catch the blue beast, scratching its gears
I jump off at the entertaining sewers, gazing down
I try to think he is happy,I wonder, I frown

A flint spark, I inhale from the box of fire
the smoke arouses my snout, before they tire
I throw the needles, I throw the vial
I smile, I grin at the murky nile.

It had to be done, it wasn't hard
it was smooth yet jagged, a glass shard
A sleepless night, a silent deed done
we see it now, the rising sun.

रंगीन रुपैया

अरे देखो भैया , में हूँ पांच सौ रूपया

पीले कागज़ का तुकडा , मरती हे मुघ्पर सारी  दुनिया 

मुझमे हे शक्ति इतनी , नीयत बदलदे सबकी 

अमीरों के हाथ का मैल हूँ में , गरीबों के मन में सपने हूँ में 

देखे मैंने कितने हाथ , राजनीति के रेखे 

मस्ती की हे ख़चहरों में , रहा हूँ चुपके से पुलीस के मेजों में 

हवालदार की टोपी में कब्बड्डी खेली 

दुल्हन के गले में खेली होली 

लोग प्यार खरीदते हे  मुघसे 

प्यार करने वाले चुपते हे मुझे सबसे 

बच्चों के खिलौने का दाम हूँ में 

ब्रष्टों के लिए राम हूँ में 

मुझको इतना देते हे महत्व 

भूल जाते हे आत्म और परमात्म 

इन सब में हूँ राक्षसी रुपी 

मानव मस्तिष्क में हूँ महा मायावी 

होती ख़ुशी मुझे हर बार 

जब नहीं करते मेरा व्यापार 

दान देते हे मुझे समाज सेवा के लिए

या जब मुझसे जलती हे  वीरों के दिए 

कहता हूँ एक  बात की ज्ञान 

मेरे पीछे न भागो जवान 

आदर्शों को बनाओ अपनी सम्पति 

तब बनूंगी में तुम्हारी पारवती 

जीवन के इस संगर्ष में मुझे तलवार न बनाओ 

चरित्र को करो बलवान राक्षस नहीं इंसान बनो 

MASKS I WEAR

The lift doors opened vomiting me onto the second floor

I put on my mask, racing against the opening door

I smile at the whites, I nod at the grieving

my mask molding into place, with my true face receding

my pia mater greets me, with a torrent of tears

I change my mask, to accomodate her  fears

Thundering shoes!! Draws our attention right

my blood donor walks in, displaying his fright

I slip on an encouraging mask, directing his attention

he dives into action, dismissing her assumptions

my mask slips , a grin flashes out of place

cursing silently, I readjust my face

beeping in the background, whites slither around 

I use my mask of silence, studying the ground

sterile air ;stinks of worry and trepidation

my minds frolics free while I display meditation 

countless prayers fly, assaulting  my senses

hiding my sarcasm ,I deftly adjust my lenses

sitting under the switches ,I busy myself with other tasks

while matris and frater slip on brave masks

I glance at them struggling to accept the facts

ignoring their turmoil, I lazily stretch my lats

Big Men&Women flock to offer their views

some control the gates, many open their sluice

like vultures they stare at my unshaven face

I pull out my smiling mask, hardening their gaze

pity barely covers their disdain, struggling slow

disgust distorts their maw, pupils grow

I slip on more masks tricking them more

perplexed and beaten they head out the door

relaxing with a bored mask,  expectantly I listen on

the generals ponder, lamenting of a time long gone

now they speak of acceptance , they discuss in tone

my masks fall, glee blatantly shown

finally!! they reached the peak I had scaled

logic finally succeeded where I would have failed

Of the many masks I wear, I seldom share

In the world of lies, the truth no one cares

ODE TO IDIOT 3

You have it all, you sit where you won't fall
your hold her close, she's your doll
you fail to see that, which everyone does
you crib and cry, throw up a fuss
be a man try not to be an ass
keep a smile playing on my lovely lass

ODE TO IDIOT 2

Up and down you can jump and sway
place your cards, stage your play
as you draw your knots to close
I shall penetrate your heart, your rose
scream in pain, scream for your woes
That's as far as my kindness goes