Not A Poet

Birds chirping Sun light bleaming through the window curtain Noise of vehicles on their route Melodious music playing at a nearby temple Sound of Mom pouring dosa batter onto the hot pan Someone sweeping the building floor adding music to the morning chore Arms stretched I get myself up adding my yawn raga and ending this song -Shamitha Heramb

Mr. and Mrs. Mazhakiya are invited to their society's new year get together. Mr. Mazhakiya is a very romantic man and as usual he is dumbstruck by his wife's beautiful attire. He gives her a compliment and they head for the party.  He notices how well the society has managed the funds and done the decoration. When Mrs. Mazhakiya gets involved with the society gossip group, he heads straight to the bar. In an hour or so he gets completely drunk. He glances at the crowd and notices a beautiful women. He keeps following her and eventually falls in love with her or so he believes. 'I should propose her,' he decides. Mr Mazhakiya has completely forgotten about his marital status and the presence of his wife in the party. Conspiring with the party manager he arranges for some crackers. The manager gives him a thumbs up post all the arrangement. Mr. Mazhakiya takes over the stage and announces, 'Hey beautiful woman in red'. The woman looks at him with a wide smile. Whe...

स्कूल के खेल कुद में  कही किसी के पेन के झटकने से मेरी कमीज सियाही मे डूब गई| घबराए मैने कमीज की ओर देखा फिर मुस्कुराकर मैने दोस्तों से कहाँ दाग अच्छे होते हैं। टीवी पे दिखाए उस विज्ञापन पर मेरा पूरा भरोसा था| माँ को उसपर मुस्कुराते हुए भी देखा था| बेखौफ मैं अपने खेल में लग पडा क्योकि, दाग अच्छे होते हैं| घर लौटते वक्त एक दोस्तने मेरे बाजूपर हाथ रखकर दया भरी आखों से मुझे देखा | मैने हाथ झटक कर कहाँ दाग अच्छे होते हैं| माँ आंगन में कुछ खोज रही थी मैं पीछे से झपटकर जोर से चिल्लाया दाग अच्छे होते हैं ना माँ। माँ ने पलटकर गुस्से से देखा दाग को देख फिर उड़ता हुआ उनका हाथ मेरे गाल पर पड़ा। मुरगा बने अपने गालो की लाली छुपाए मैं पापा की ओर देख रहा था| मन ही मन इस सवाल को टटोल रहा था। दाग तो अच्छे होते हैं ना? -Shamitha Heramb

A long time back, when the only way of communicating were the letters sent through post, carrying my school bag I made my way to the post office to collect stamps that my mother asked for. This was my monthy trip so that she could express her day to day to her long-distance husband. While I was making my way out of the busy office, someone tapped on my shoulder. An old lady looked at me with a broad smile, 'Could you please help me write these addresses?', she asked. I gave a little nod and took the paper. Since I was least interested, I did not pay attention and just copied it onto the paper. While returning it back, I saw a 1000 rupee note in her hand and glanced at the address again- Kaidi no XXX(Prisoner no XXX). She read my eyes and interrupted my thoughts, 'It is for my son'. Supressing my pity, I nodded back at her. With a broad smile, she said, 'God bless you my child'. -Shamitha Heramb

वो भी क्या दिन थे। बिना रोकटोक के रास्तों पर निकल जाना, वक्तबेवक्त हल्ला मचाना। घिसेपिटे काम मे लगे रहना, न चाहते हुए भी रोज ऑफिस जाना। हर दिन, हफ्ते, महीने पार्टी करने का बहाना ढूंढना। किसीसे दिल जुड़े तो उसे कॉफी शॉप में ले जाना। बिना रोकटोक के रास्तों पर निकल जाना, वक्तबेवक्त हल्ला मचाना। आज खिड़की में बैठे दोस्तों की हँसी कानो में गूंज रही हैं। आंखें दूर दूर तक किसी इंसान को ढूंढ रही हैं। याद आते वो दिन, बिना रोकटोक के रास्तों पर निकल जाना, वक्तबेवक्त हल्ला मचाना। संकट आज सर पे हैं, कुछ दिनों का कर्फ्यू हैं। इस बार हमने साथ नही दिया, तो एक इंसान भी न रहेगा। बचे हुए कुछ इन यादों के साथ जियेंगे। वो भी क्या दिन थे... -Shamitha Heramb

I know you are watching So, I put on a face and pretend like Nothing is wrong I need to look stronger for all My eyes are swollen From the nights that I have cried But I pretend to be sleep deprieved I need to look stronger for all My words have deep sorrow But I pretend to not mean it at all I need to look stronger for all When you see me lost I pretend to be thinking I need to look stronger for all No matter how hard you try You might not catch me pretending at all I look stronger for all -Shamitha Heramb

Gloomy, Starry or full of thorns All these paths seems unknown Laughter, joy or tears of sorrow Makes me bother no more No bird, animal or vulture A human form that I have taken Routine is what I follow With no purpose of my own Survival is what we seek And death is what we are worried What makes us so different When we all are trapped in the wheel - Shamitha Heramb