september

September was special
but that was eons ago
when my birthday was
a celebration
for those who
had seen me grow
from a sickly child
to a studious teen
who steadfastly fulfilled
her family's dreams
(her own remained
a secret buried deep
----
to have someone say
your beauty brightens my day)


now September comes and goes
there is a dinner, a present,
almost always an argument

if it were in my power
I would erase September
as also the pretense.

(priya)
22.9.2015

shabd

तब बातों में मिठास भी थी
और कहने को बहुत कुछ
अब कोहरे सी घनी ख़ामोशी है
और कुछ ठंडी हवा से सनसनाते शब्द

(priya )

a single flower

a single flower
would suffice

to drench life
forever

in its fragrance
(priya)

green

hues of green
in leaves
and memories
when it rains
(priya)

raah

फूलों से महकती
काँटों से रहित
किसकी है मुन्तज़िर
झोंका ठंडी हवा का
कोमल स्पर्श बादल का
पायल की छुन छुन
दीवाने दिल की छड़कन
निराश राही का पड़ाव
दिल से निकली दुआ
कहीं ऐसा तो नहीं
इस राह को भूल चुकी है दुनिया
(priya)

kindred

the cuckoo calls
my heart responds with
unbounded gaiety
if we were kindred meant
to be
why do we destroy their worlds
so recklessly
(priya)

father

for my beloved father
if i could
would i have you
return to life
the crinkled smile in your eyes
the tweed coat in winters smelling
of the daily , just one peg
of whisky
the devdas songs hummed
oh so soulfully
the love poured into the gajar
halwa that you stirred
for hours to get it
"just right"
the admonitions to wrap myself
in one more layer
even when I was
bundled up
as if an eskimo
stepping out into an icy night
the camaraderie that never failed
even when other relationships
did
and i cried on your shoulder
and found respite
the constant urging to do better, yet better
that has brought me to a place
where I can step up and say
papa, I am your daughter
and feel a surge of pride

oh yes oh yes oh yes
(priya)