The Zero

Yes, there are countless numbers
That exist in this vast Universe.
Some are sought for bank balances,
And some for rankings and scores.

But the number that I like the most
Is that which is nothingness – a zero.
Now you may think it foolish, almost
Imbecilic, ludicrous, and absurd.

But listen carefully when I say
It has more value than anything else.
On the face of it, it might look worthless,
But it’s a point from where to commence.

It holds innumerable possibilities
For the end, and also, the beginning.
The entire Universe was born from it.
In a zero, there’s space for everything.

Its emptiness is extremely powerful
And, you’d agree when I say so –
A true student is one who lets go,
For enlightenment is in the state of zero.

The Armageddon

The threads of memories
In myriad vibrant hues and shades
Create beautiful tapestries.

Or so, you’d think.
Sometimes, these tapestries
Turn into something different.

Threads wind around one another
Forming tight and gnarly knots,
Color over color replacing each color.

The mind struggles to make sense
Of the changing memoryscapes.
Faces once familiar now seem strange.

The constant tugging and pulling
Leads to the strings snapping.
This is a war in which everyone’s losing.

The tapestry tattered,
Some threads lie scattered.
Precious images are forever shattered.

Like a withering autumn leaf,
Battered by the elements, on the tree,
One by one, the memories leave.

Nothing overcomes the inertia.
A blank space forms like an empty shell
In the armageddon of dementia.

The Field of Fireflies

Being with you is like
Running through a field of fireflies
Under the purple skies of twilight.

Tiny flashes, in the air, rise
Creating a show of sparkly designs
Like the stars shining in your eyes.

Glows pulse through the night
Relaying messages in a code divine
As you hold my hand and smile.

That moment etches in my mind,
And in that moment, I realize
I’m the night and you, my firefly.

Forever together, our fates entwine
As we make memories of love and light
In the shimmering field of fireflies.

Symphony of the Stars

Darkness falls.
And everywhere, creatures of the day
Settle down to sleep in their beds.

And yet, Night calls.
The cloudy grey curtains, She parts,
To present the symphony of the stars.

The heart falls
As love rises to a melodious crescendo
Orchestrated by each twinkle and glow.

And, the sky calls.
It beckons and tugs every moving thing
To dance with the starlight and sing.

The song falls
On the ears of those who seek to listen,
Its tunes woven into dreams that glisten.

My soul calls.
It replies in affirmation to the invite,
Revelling in the symphony of stars at night.

O Stomach!

O stomach! The things I do for you
Couldn’t be any more stranger, too!

There’s no moment in the day
When I don’t heed what you say.
I give you ice cream, chocolates,
And puddings piled up in plates.

But you say these do not suffice,
So, I eat muffins, cakes, and pies,
Lemon tarts and cheesecakes,
Pancakes and bowls of souffles.

You then rumble and ask for more,
And I eat candies by the score,
Almond cookies and sweet buns,
And yet, you yell you aren’t done!

You want slices of bread and jam,
Custard with jelly and baked flan,
Sweet milkshakes with berries,
Caramelized and sugary toffees.

I just keep gobbling and gobbling
Till there’s no space left for filling.
Brownies, doughnuts, and fudge-
I chomp them all without a fuss!

And now tell me, why do you spasm
After I’ve filled your abysmal chasm?
I have to eat bland food that’s boiled
And spoon upon spoon of castor oil!

O stomach! The things I do for you
Couldn’t be any more stranger, too!