Confessions of an Insomniac

Silently, the day takes flight.
Across the dark sky, the Moon glides.
Through the curtains, a ray of light
Makes a shape on the wall as it slides.

Silently, I lie awake
Waiting and waiting for sleep to overtake,
But like a falling snowflake,
With a fleeting touch, it does forsake.

Silently, I remember
Lullabies that drew me into slumber.
Your voice that only in memories I hear
Is lost now in the autumnal zephyr.

Your gentle song guided me
As I voyaged to the realm of sleep.
Each night, it was the keeper of my dream
And a sign of your love for me so deep.

I long to hear that cradle song!
To sleep ensconced in its warmth!
But, the silence stays with me till dawn
With a sleeplessness that feels so wrong.

Happy Diwali

I wish you a day

As bright
As the diyas you light.

As full of color
As the rangoli on the floor.

As sweet
As the laddoo and karanji.

As savoury
As the sev and chakli.

As crispy
As the batasha and khili.

As sparkly
As the anaar and phooljhadi.

As lit up
As the chakri and rocket.

As shimmery
As your golden jewelry.

As gorgeous
As you in your new dress.

As tender
As the moments spent together.

As holy
As the temple bells and aarti.

As auspicious
As Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya.

As powerful
As the Good that overcomes Evil.

I wish you a very happy Diwali!

The Candle and The Wind

Once upon a long time ago,
A candle burned alone.
Its tiny flame spread the light
In the pitch black moonless night.

Soon, the wind picked up speed
Tossing away the fallen leaves.
Towards the candle, it rushed
Eager to swipe it with its gusts.

The little flame clung helplessly
Flickering wildly in the breeze.
But, with a sudden cold gush,
The solitary candle was snuffed.

The wanderer saw everything –
The battle of the candle and the wind.
But, in his mind, a light had been lit,
And he scribbled in his manuscript.

“A little candle; A little wind
Is what’s needed for the flame to be lit.
Too much candle or too much wind
Will unleash a power that’s destructing.

If both of them are just right,
The path would light up at night.
And just so, that mind is enlightened
In which the candle and wind are balanced.”

I Wish

I wish I could wish for a wish
And wish for that wish to manifest.
O wouldn’t it be splendidly lovely
If I stumbled upon a wish tree!

I would sit in its shade in the glade
And watch my wishes come true all day.
If I was hungry, I’d wish for a pie,
And the tree would bake for me a slice.

If I was thirsty, I’d wish for lemonade,
And voila! I’d get it in a glass on a tray.
If I was sleepy, I’d wish for a bed,
And on a soft mattress, I’d lay my head.

If I was bored, I’d wish for a story,
And the tree would narrate one to me.
If I was lonely, I’d wish for my friends,
And on the leaves, they’d all descend.

But here I am, in this war-torn city!
With screams and sirens all around me!
I’m frightened, and all I wish for is peace.
But I’m just a child without a wish tree.