Tooth-Ache

That day, I was hardly able to breathe,
When I had that ache in my last two teeth.

As I opened my mouth,
The words weren’t coming out.

I, truly, was in great pain.
More importantly I had to catch the evening train.

I had to go for an interview, I had applied for a job.
As I wasn’t interested in reaping my father’s crop.

The pain was rising in my teeth,
I regretted having that extra sweet.

She warned me not to have it,
But, I couldn’t change my habit.

I went to the doctor, and told him my grief.
The story was long, I told him in brief.

He gave me a pill and told me to go.
It was still paining, thus I said no.

He said, “It will be alright”, and called the next patient.
But, I was still a bit impatient.

I looked at the watch, it was three o’clock.
I knew I required a quicker walk.

The train was at seven, I had to leave by six.
So, quickly I had to make my bag fix.

I was getting late, so I avoided lunch.
Just decided to have a mouthful munch.

I couldn’t afford a sweet now,
‘Cos I knew from where the ache came and how.

I reached the station in time,
About to leave, was the train of mine.

I entered the train, and took my seat.
And with me sat, the pain in my teeth.

Doc said that the pain would be gone, but it was still there.
I even felt it was a bit more than it was earlier.

The dusk was over, and the moon did rise.
And with it rose, the ache of mine.

I knew I couldn’t sleep with that ache in my teeth.
“Shut the lights please”, said the man on the opposite seat.

It was dark, dark as the best quality of coal,
I knew not what to do, with the night left almost whole.

I had had some sort of a dinner,
Which was followed by a much needed pain-killer.

The pain-killer didn’t do any magic,
The situation to me, seemed the most tragic.

I lied down at last, and suddenly my mind was filled with cricket.
Never in the world of mine, had I taken so many a wicket.

I think it took me hours to sleep, but I did sleep at last,
And when I woke the next morning, the ache was already a past.

I was merry, and said, “Why shouldn't I be?”
But, as I rose, I dunno how, the pain was back with me!

A poem by – Nisheeth Agarwal

Lost

A poem-a little inspired by the happenings in the middle-east...from a different perspective though...
It's about a man, a soldier, who once fought against tyranny and became the leader of the masses. He did good but was slowly succumbed by power. And eventually,after years of his rule, he was overthrown by his people and a foreign army. So, he fled...

I had lost it all,
And had nothing to lose.
I had no options,
Had nothing to choose.

I had no one with me,
No one to blame.
With such defeat and sorrow,
Can a man ever be the same?

I was grilled with pain,
And overburdened by disgrace.
Still, a few supporters I had
Did give me a chase.

But, no one knew my location,
Neither did my heart know where was I.
The tears had already left me.
Leaving those eyes sad, yet dry.

I knew not what to do
I had lost my kingdom.
My palace, my people,
And all, of whom, I thought seldom.

Even I had heard of stories
Of the rise of the lost.
But to even think of going back,
Was not that easy a thought.

I thought and thought
I thought hard and long.
Thought of today and tomorrow,
And also, of the times that are gone.

At last I made a decision.
I didn't know if it was right or wrong.
Still, I had no choice
But, to end the song.

The song of my breath,
The song of my life.
It was the end
The end of all strife!

And, the last I did
Was to my people, write.
I knew they wouldn't forgive,
Still, my heart would be clear of black and white.

"Just one last wish...
If you can ever fulfill.
I know you have reasons, not to.
But I hope you will try, still.

Tell your children about the good times we had.
The times we, together, laughed and cried.
Tell them about the times when there was this one man,
Who, with all his heart, tried!"

- A poem by Nisheeth Agarwal

Fall From Grace

his mind in a tempest

his thoughts forlorn

unmindful of the rain

he walks through the streets

he lurks in the shadows

hiding from the eyes

of his judging brethren

whom he'd fed nought but lies

those who once trusted him

now cringe at his sight

those who once loved him

cannot sleep at night

he once had the fortune

he once had the fame

he threw it all away

when temptation overcame

they watched as he sank

ever lower into the pit

he was losing the battle

with every match that he lit

helpless as they witnessed

his self mutilating crimes

they could only wonder

when he would run out of time

it was inevitable then

that they left him alone

one by one they gave up

as he slowly turned to stone

he still remembers those days

when he was on cloud nine

when all was glorious

all was divine

the world was his to conquer

the riches his to reap

as he lies on the cold floor

he can do nothing but weep

HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

As I walk down memory lane

A swarm of memories flash by

Of carefree days when life was simple

This reminiscence makes me deeply sigh

I miss those happy innocent days

When dad was my only hero

When drinking meant chocolate milk

When failing meant getting a zero

When getting high meant on a swing

When dropping an ice cream was our deepest sorrow

When the only things broken were our toys

When goodbyes meant only till tomorrow

When love was mum’s hug

When getting hurt meant skinned knees

When cheating meant skipping nos in hide and seek

When our worst enemies were our siblings

When blackmail meant throwing a tantrum

When running from cockroaches almost got us killed

When the only worry was completing home work

When crying got our wishes fulfilled

These were the blissful and memorable days

That have so soon turned into years

We don’t get to be a child again in life

We just remember the memories in silent tears!

On Writing Poetry

I think, as upon my bed I lay,
Why do I feel so lethargic?
(What lame verse this ,you may well say,
Sad failure at being iambic)

Longfellow, Tennyson,Keats and Wordsworth,
How did they find it so easy?
To put pen on paper,and have words rush forth,
Making sense,also fitting a rhyme scheme!

I try conjure up thoughts to record,
To inspire a burst of poetry
My mind’s in a rut, nothing strikes a chord,
And I drift into a nap of winks forty.

My dreams, as they are,no ideas bring,
Filled with chaotic plots and confusion,
I dream of nothing worth describing
Nothing which merits mention.

A whisper on the wind tells me
“Write of war and glory.
Bloodshed and gore have always been-
Of great interest, and also make a good story!”

“Nah”,I think,”What do I know of war?
I was born after the Kargil!
And even if I did,I would not mar
Peaceful thoughts with evil.’

“Then talk of love and heartbreak”,
It says, “it’s bound to be inspiring,
Reading it may well help make
A new love story, still budding.”

“No”,I say, “ my heart’s not broken
For love I’ve yet not known,
And I’d rather be famous and spoken
Of,as a happy poet,than forlorn.

Then, on the window my eye falls,
And I glance at the garden below,
The breeze,blowing softly,calls
Out to me,lovingly caressing my brow.

And I think of joys I have known,
Of experiences good and funny,
Of trials passed,good deeds done,
And the blessings gifted by many.

And so,I finally decide to write,
About things which make me happy,
Which may lift someone’s spirit upright,
And prevent them from going crazy.

Need me? :)

When you feel lonely,

Desperate, hopeless & alone..

Turn around and you will find,

That you're always on my mind.

When you feel rejected,

Oppressed, humiliated, or dejected;

Open your eyes, and you will see...

That you fill my world with glee!

When you feel defeated,

Down, depressed or cheated;

Take my hand & to you, I will show

How you brighten the world with your glow.

When you want to cry,

To kick the walls down, or just die..

Rest your head on my shoulder,

I will help you lift all of life's boulders.

When you feel angry,

Hatred, madness, or just crazy;

Put your heart at ease, and feel

My love for you: pure, deep & real.

:)

Delusional

No where to run,

No where to hide.

Stuck in a dilemma ,

Which is determined to paralyze,

Every single cell in your body

And is keen to jeopardize

Your hope to freedom

where contentment,thou shall find...

Behemoth

When the last tear, drops

when at last, the silence breaks

when the final tremor, stops

the beast from its slumber, awakes

that last refuge you use

can contain me no more

its time the world saw you

for who you truly are

the embers glow in the distance

you have come a long way

blazing a path of vengeance

while I kept the hurt at bay

you know who you were

I know what you have become

you gave into your fear

and granted me freedom

By the powers you crave

you shall sate my hunger

bow down my Slave

for now... I am your Master!

Not well developed.. but giving it a shot :)

The emptiness I feel,

I wish to get rid of..

In the presence of God, I kneel,

Praying for calm and relief.

Troubled thoughts... loneliness.

I need a friend, a hand

To comfort, shake off the scary thoughts.

I am in dire need.

I strain my eyes, look for

A light.. from heaven, I wish!

I sit in silence, tears streaming,

The solitude of the altar, I relish.

Gooseflesh, memories of glory days.

I wish to relive... impossible.

In dark times, hopeful rays...

Until my mind says, "Not plausible".

I let the silence wash over..

I don't feel so lonely anymore.

But, the emptiness I feel

May be so for evermore.

Indolent Protest

I sit and wonder why my mother says,

‘Be truthful, kind and good always’

When it seems that everybody tries

To convince me that easier is vice.

I sit and wonder why teachers taught

That morals were worthy; weakness to be fought

When it seems that the real world prefers

To treat them as tales for children’s ears.

I sit and wonder why those stories heard,

Spoke of truth triumphing all,

When it seems that the rest of the herd,

Have given up and let evil befall.

I sit and wonder why I sit and wonder,

What help will only thoughts render?

When it seems that the few who do think so

Do naught but quietly sit and mourn.  

A TINY RAY OF HOPE

Sometimes hope is all you can do
to make everything turn out right
to reach the end of the tunnel
which is blazing with light

When you feel everything is lost
hope guides you along the way
you are not doomed yet because
after each night comes a new day

A tiny ray of hope is enough
to rekindle within us
courage and strength
that leads us to success

Hope is what keeps us going
through times that are hard and bad
gives us that extra boost
and brings a smile upon the sad

Some people are living today

because of the hope that at long last
there’s gonna be a better tomorrow
which will wipe away the sorrows of the past

Hope is like a candle lit in the dark
a beacon shining bright
a smile on a tearful face
a falling star on a dark night

When you really want something
to happen at any cost
keep the hope alive
and nothing will be lost

Hope instills in us a belief
that we can be real achievers
don’t ever lose hope because
it can perform wonders !!!

the last smile...

I've been waiting for a long time
to see your face again
to hear your voice calling out my name
to hold your hand as you fall asleep
to smell the sweetness in your hair
to walk on the beach with you by my side

so why aren't you back yet?
with all these reasons
it shouldn't be so hard
to find your way back home

i remember every moment
that i spent by your side
i lost myself when i lost you
its no wonder that i cried
but now i know that you wont return
the walls have closed, its time to move on
my past shall be forgotten
as the journey goes on

taking me through depths of despair
my shallow heart yearns for more
as i face the bitter bitter truth
that there's no getting over you
I see your face, I see your eyes
they watch me as the days go by
breathing through this rending pain
I wait for your smile to wither away...

-Shreyas Arur

College

Out of school, and on to work,
In between which cannot be shirked
College- that professional mentor,
Spewing experts- left,right and centre.

A crowd of many castes and races,
United defying the administration,
Then strangers, now all well-known faces,
Spectators,imparting life’s lessons.

A time of growing up – abating,
Once bliss, once dull, once seems heralding
That day, at last ,when we’ll gain control,
And be sober, adult and rational.

For now together, by laughs bonded,
Due to scatter, as life’s decided,
But preserved forever, in the heart’s gallery,
To be cherished always, as a sweet memory.

The Beginning

Boredom. Sunk in a stupor, thoughts wandered. Time ticked by, measured by the number of glances at the face of the clock.

Then, a spark fell; and became a blaze. Birds of a feather flocked together, unwilling to stay captives of lethargy any further.

We became the PESSE Literati.