Christmas Revisited

Christmas brings to life memories galore,

Of days of practice 

For the Christmas Carols in school,

And the after-school meets, the weekend rehearsals

For Christmas plays at YMCA

Swarms of rich memories - 
Of the short warm days, as well

And the chill winter evenings 
Spent in the thick of friends!

How beautiful

The childhood years

When we could laugh out loud

And grin ear to ear.

It still brings in a smile, 

And an impatient urge 
To rush back to those days

When we'd set out for friends',

Visit neighbours and teachers

With hand-crafted cards, 

And heaps of wishes!

Priceless were those days,
Priceless those bonds,
Priceless the fresh smell 

Of the cakes, 

The nuts and fries,
Such was being home

You'd not bat an eyelid to think

Whether to take a bite!

How I miss Christmas

Where to a friend's home

There was no odd hour,

And to friends heart,

The distance never too long!

The more I think, the more I miss,

The unhindered banter 

Uninhibited, unadulterated 

On endless days!
Naive some might say

How I wish

To live them again,

Be home for Christmas

Spend another lazy afternoon with friends

Where even unspoken words are valued,

Where time doesn't seem to be in a hurry
All that matters are
Unspelt feelings,

Unspoiled joys

A loud hearty laugh, in years

And a warm, friendly banter!

 © Sashikant Mohanty

Wish Upon A Star

I stood still by my window, 

Sight sealed on my muse, without a wink.

When the sky was in a cusp,

Between the horizon blushing, with it's orangish skirting,

And another horizon glowing

As the lights came up on from the rows of houses;

Like scumbling of shades off an artist’s brush

Of milky white, warm yellow, amber and a rani pink!

As the transient beauty was still soaking in, 

It rang in a fleeting thought

If I could wish upon a star,

Wouldn't it be to freeze this very moment?

If there is one portrait, I'd indulge in,

It's the walk down the freshly tarred road,

Over a dense carpet of gulmohars and golden showers,

And the warm beams of slant sun rays, 

Wading across the thick canopy of red and yellow, 

It's about the warmth of touch, 

With your hand locked in mine 

Firm, but gentle enough to set free at will,

Soft yet firm enough to be fiercely assuring

Or, the joy of having your steps join mine

When the seas turn wild, and the waves merciless.

If there is a silent prayer

I'd whisper a thousand times, every day,

It is for the gentle warmth of the moon,

Where you don't realize 

when moments ran into hours,

When the moonlight bleached my balcony, 

Where sweet memories were created, 

Of long unending conversations,

With unsaid words,

And speechless looks!

If there is a fond dream

That visits me in sleep, every night, 

And sometimes, through my day, 

It's for your firm shoulders to lean on 

When mine grow a bit heavy or weary,

Those gleaming eyes that come looking for mine,

The comforting words that don't leave your lips,

Those infectious smiles, that give life a fresh meaning

That give me a new reason 

To go a bit farther

Every time!

And then, there are those days,

When I dread to face me in the mirror.

I steal a few moments to be by me,

And let the tears be.

They are welcome as well
As they brought back the warmth to my eyes,
And got the smile back on you!

© Sashikant Mohanty

Once Upon a Winter Evening

the rumbling of tracks across the lake

pierced the silence

of a rainy dark evening,

the blaring of the horn

ushered in another train and 

a sheet of hope to comfort my tired heart.

between the lull and
the clanking of the couplings,

i was lost in some distant thought,

that moonless december sky! 

everything seemed so familiar
with another beautiful evening -

the chill, the rumbling of tracks,
and, the roar of the horn;

but for the presence
of the gleaming moon 

that shone so brightly and ruled the night, 

and, the sight of a spirited me in the train

as passionately, it chugged along.

was it not december!

i stood at the door,

braving the chill, and the dew in the air

as the train gathered speed

and my heart beats, their pace.

the sip off the earthen cup
brought warmth to my lips

the smile on the wrinkled face
of tea-seller girl

rubbed off on mine

as i witnessed the rattling of the stones,

the train tore through the swaying paddy fields

that joined me in basking in the moonlit sky!

hours passed by,

as the train roared through woods,

and bent over ravines, farms and fields, 

clanking on merging and parting tracks,
or galloping across perilous old bridges. 

i stood as a frame, next to the door

with face and palms - turned numb in the chill

and eyes that froze into a long weary gaze, 
a line of warmth rolled down my cheeks

as I longed to be home with my moon!

i can't say if it was some distant memory

several winters back,

or, if i was soaked in yet another sparkling dream.

i could smell the soot

and even saw the engine
belch out clouds of smoke,

but in the deep silence of the night,
disturbed only by the ticking of the clock,
and an occasional creaking of the door
my brain was too tired to make out

if it came from across the lake

or, from the train that ferried me 
to a different world!

© sashikant mohanty

When The Storms Shall Pass!

The darkness in the house

Had become so friendly

The flickering flame of the lantern

Also made peace with the new home. 

The strong gusts through the cracks in the door

Made the shadows dance in the dark

Thwarting the feeble light, sometimes;

The gentle wafts 
playing truants, at others.

As the rain kept pelting at my window

Pausing only to mercilessly batter the gritty roof,

Each resolved to beat the other -

In what has come to be an endless night of the storm.

When the lashes against the walls faded, 

And croaking sounds took over,

Another flash of lightning set the sky on fire 

With a mighty roar of thunder in the tow.

As the drumming of my heart echoed 

The clamour outside,

A voice emerged from the dark, to shroud the noise 

Darker the night, scarier the winds

Brighter will be the day, when the storms shall pass!

When the garden lost its gleam 

And the fragrance became thing of the past,

Even the walk around wasn't the same 

Without the whistling of the breeze

Or, deprived of the chirping of the robin. 

When the winds lost their sweet music,

And the branches refused to sway,

When the trees were but dead dry trunks,

Without a shade of leaves and flowers,

A fear lurked somewhere in me

Will my garden not be green again?

Lost in the strings of thoughts, 

As my tired head leaned on the window sill,

A sudden gust of breeze swept away the clouds, 

And my weary thoughts.

And the moon tossed up and down

In the dancing ripples of the lake.

In the war of hope and fate,

When sleep stealthily gathered over my worn eyes  

A frail whisper rang in a smile -

Greater the despair of autumn,

Mightier will be the joy, when winter turns home! 

© Sashikant Mohanty

Don't Insist On Leaving Tonight!

The skies are playful again,

As if to usher in excitement, 

Like someone's painted the canvas 

With the last shades of the crimson dusk. 

As if the daylight was so envious of the night,

That it has planted a few streaks deliberately.

As if there is a party,

of a few strokes of purple, 

a shiny grey, a shy turquoise blue,

a soft pink, and an effervescent yellow!

As if rest of the sky

Has chosen to be sublime 

So even the silver crescent could ring in warmth

And hope to my life,

On a late November evening -

As if there were love in the air tonight!

My heart picked the beats again,

And there is hope, to be up and about tonight.

Sitting by my window, 

As I kept soaking in the beauty outside,

And allowed the gentle wintry breeze to seep in,   

Also seeped in into my half awake mind,

Was the music of the noisy kids from the garden

Or, the chirping of the birds in the trees. 

As I tapped my fingers on the window pane,

My thoughts swept to a distant world

I didn't realize when thoughts faded into a dream.

I can't tell which came first - 

The warmth, or, the aroma of her hair,

But her fingers clasped mine in a lock,

And, drawing strength from the murmur in my heart,

I find myself humming,

Don't insist on leaving tonight!

© Sashikant Mohanty

The Vegetable Seller

She stood by the road

With a blank look at a distant nothing

Through the busy traffic

Still trying to come to terms with the present

As if to complain -  Why me!

She traced her look back at herself,

And then, at her dress -

The one she had very gently starched.

It's  crumbled and soiled now,

With a slit through the middle,

By the unruly car, that almost ran her down.

Her lips moved, but didn't utter a word

Was it that her mind was overworked

Or, was she was struggling to find an answer to -

How can I step out - tomorrow!

Her glance shifted back at the helpless cart

That lay on its side and two wheels still spinning

In the air

With the vegetables strewn over the road.

And the cement bag that'd shield the vegetables 

from the heat of the sun

Now lay in a puddle.

Her  tense mind racing from one thought to another

gave her a shock as it got stuck

And she whispered 

How do I feed my little girl tonight!

As one passer-by stopped by,

He was joined by others 

And, as they gathered 

The day's stock that lay littered on the road

Akka was gathering her courage

To deal with the blow

That left her visibly hurt.

But you could notice her zeal and the grit

As she forced a smile 

with the resolve

I've got to be strong, for my little girl!

© Sashikant Mohanty

Hang In There!

There are times,

When for many days 

And Nights,

The cold shrouds you, and the chill hurts 

Your bone.

Long days of wait,

When the Sun doesn't stride up

His celestial journeys across the horizon

And the clouds refuse to clear off

They leave you so numb,

And worn

It makes you wonder  

If this gloom shall ever pass!

But don't let go of your smile,

Or, the song in your breath,

For when the winds shall change course, 

And the silver moon take to the skies again,

She'd come looking for you 

To the same old green velvet,

To peck a soft kiss on her most loved one!

Hang in there! 

There would be days

When the waves recede the shores 

And, leave you far behind

Tucked away in the sand

And stuck deep, to even move an inch!

The longer they are away,

The more they make you weak, and frail

And an eerie thought sets in

Would I ever make it to sail!

But stay strong, and wear your smile,

Be firm inside,

For when the tides shall return,

They'll be back with just one hope 

To fetch you back to where you belong!

Hang in there!

There are days,

Weeks, sometimes months

When with the sun going down,

You force yourself to the used -

Walk up to where the stream once flowed

Sit by for hours

Scanning the pebbles, by turn

Day after day,

To be friends with them

As if to know by the smell, or the touch 

Of each pebble -

That's now bed of the dried up stream.

Don't forget the worn path to the stream,

Keep nursing the belief in you,

For when the clouds bring rain to the hills

The stream shall come rolling  

Rattling merrily over the pebbles,

She'd come looking for you 

To bring back the smile to your eyes, 

And to heart's content!

Hang in there!

© Sashikant Mohanty

You!

You've filled me with hope,
Sometimes brought a glimmer of smile,
At others, I'm lost in your thoughts -
Wondering if you would ever come!
But, at many others,
You've whispered sweet nothings
And left a fond wish on my lips,
A quiet prayer in my heart,
Or, inspired me to shut my eyes,
So it brings along a dream
About you!

As fall paves way for winter,
And a playful breeze rolls back the pages,
One thought makes way for another,
Until a stubborn leaf gets stuck at a page,
At a distant memory, many winters back.
When Sunday afternoons were short,
I'd laze in the terrace, hardly warmed by the sun,
And merrily watched the crimson sky fade away
Day after day,
To make way for soft glitters of twinkling stars.
When the silver moon dazzles in the sky,
It lights up the verandah and the galli before my eye,
An unusual warmth draws up around me
Egging me to desire greater warmth,
And I slip into a dream,
To be woken by streaks of sunlight,
Closer only to you!

© Sashikant Mohanty

Guest By My Window

With every new evening, comes a guest.
She draws me to my window everyday
To relish her beauty -
Decked bright and passionate
On a star-spangled canvas on some days,
Dreary and lonely in the gloomy sky,
On others.
She's mastered playing hide-and-seek,
And I've willingly been tricked -
All for that one day every month
When she sets the sky on fire,
And leaves me with hope - enough -
For Another day, week and month!

With every new night, comes a guest
She stays close to my heart
Easily tucked away from public glare
She whispers into my ears
And I giggle about our fate into her hers,
Sometimes, when the giggles run over the brim,
I don't try to hold back the warmth from flowing,
From soaking my heart and my pillows.
I look into her eyes and let the hours pass,
Sometimes until wee hours.
And when it's time for my loneliness to leave,
It leaves with warmth enough - to look forward to
Another day, week and month!

© Sashikant Mohanty

Diwali Again!

That was a Diwali evening!
Everything seemed so special,
The diyas didn't just light up the terraces
Or, the pillars at the main-gates of homes,
They also lit up a fond thought,
That thought of touch,
Or maybe kindled the warmth,
Like someone is around,
The one you've been waiting for.
They also brightened up the spirit
And my heart missed a beat or two,
As if I could hear someone tip-toe towards me.

The faint light of the diyas,
That Diwali evening,
Didn't aspire to disturb the dark
Of the amavasya evening,
The crackers in the distance quiet enough
For one to hear their calling,
Or, listen to the rumblings of the heart,
Or the soft hummings
That would appear from nowhere,
As you traveled back many years
And lived those sweet memories,
all over again!
The sparks in my mind
Weren't trying to assert their space,
But the sparklers didn't seem to mind -
As I was lost in a long gaze - through the dark,
And smiled, as the moments danced by!

Today is also a Diwali evening!
The decks of the tall apartments are lit again,
All too loud, and bright
With stubborn piped strips of colored light,
That didn't have a flicker
or, send out a warmth -
Made me wonder if they had a heart that beats!
There's no breeze today!
Am I missing lighting the diyas -
After being put out by a naughty whiff!
With the wired lights, does the breeze even matter?
There is a deafening sound of crackers,
Or, the tapes of china bombs,
And everyone seemed to be lost in the race,
But only to be left so lonely,
As to miss the rumbling of their hearts,
Or, the tip-toe of the memories of Diwali.
There was an unusual chill,
not because there was a nip in the air,
And as I gaze into the lifeless skies,
full of smoke and fog,
An eerie thought crosses my mind -
Am I a stranger in my own home?

© Sashikant Mohanty

ଦୀପାବଳିର ସ୍ମୃତି - ଆମ ବଡ଼ ବଡ଼ୁଆଙ୍କର

ପବିତ୍ର ଦୀପାବଳିର ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଓ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ।

ମନେ ପଡ଼ିଯାଉଛି ସେ  ପିଲା ଦିନ କଥା।

ସପ୍ତାହକ ଆଗରୁ ବୋଉ ଢାବଲରୁ ପୂର୍ବ ବର୍ଷର ଦୀପ କାଢ଼ି ଭଲ କରି ଧୋଇକି ଶୁଖାଉ ଥାଏ।

ଦୀପବଳି ଦିନ ଚିନି ମିଠେଇ ଆଣିବା କାମଟା ବାପାଙ୍କର। ଆହଃ ‐ ସେ ରଙ୍ଗକୁ ରଙ୍ଗର ହାତି, ଘୋଡ଼ା, ବାଘ ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ଇତ୍ୟାଦି!! ଘରେ ଥାଇ ମନରେ କେତେ ଉତ୍ସାହ ନେଇ ଅପେକ୍ଷା ବାପାଙ୍କ ବାଟକୁ ‐ କେତେବେଳେ ସେ ମିଠେଇ ନେଇକି ଆସିବେ। ସେ ମିଠେଇ ଖାଇବାରେ ଯେତିକି ଆନନ୍ଦ, ତାଠାରୁ ଉତ୍ସାହ ବୋଧେ ସେ ମିଠେଇର ଅପେକ୍ଷା!!

ଦିନ ଯାକ ଘରେ ସରଗରମ ‐ କେତେବେଳେ ବୋଉର ଡାକ, "ଆରେ ଛାତ ଉପରେ ଦୀପ ଗୁଡ଼ା ଶୁଖିଲାଣି କି, ଦେଖିକି ଆସ!" ଠୁଁ କାଉଁରିଆ ବିଡ଼ା ଆଣିବାପାଇଁ ମନେ ପକାଇବା।

ଏମିତି ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ନଇଁ ଆସିଲାବେଳକୁ ବୋଉ ତାର ଅଣ୍ଟା ନଇଁକି ଦୀପରେ ତେଲ ଢାଳିବାରେ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ। ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟା ହେଇ ଆସିଲା ବେଳକୁ ଭାଇ ଭଉଣୀ ପାଞ୍ଚଜଣ ଲାଗି ଯାଉ ଦୀପ ସଜାଇବାରେ। ଛାତ ଉପରେ ଛିଡ଼ା ହେଲେ ଭଳିକି ଭଳି ବାଣ, ହାବିଳି, ରକେଟ ଦ୍ବାରା ଆଲୋକିତ ଆକାଶକୁ ଦେଖି କେହି କେବେ ଚିନ୍ତା କରିବେନି ଏହା ଏକ ଅମାବାସ୍ଯା ରାତି। ମଝିରେ ମଝିରେ ଦୀପ ଗୁଡିଙ୍କୁ  ତେଜି  କି ତାଙ୍କର ଉତ୍ସାହ ବି ପ୍ରଜ୍ଜ୍ଵଳିତ ରଖିଥାଉ ଆମେ।

ଏମିତି ଆତସବାଜି, ରଙ୍ଗୀନ ଆକାଶ  ଓ ପିଠା ପଣାର ମହକି ଉଠୁଥିବା ପରିବେଶରେ ହଜି ଯିବା ସ୍ବାଭାବିକ। ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟା କେତେ ବେଳେ ରାତି ପାଇଁ ବାଟ କଢେଇ ଦେଇଥାଏ ଜାଣି ହୁଏନା।

ବୋଉର ଡାକ ଶୁଣିଲା ପରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଛାତ ଉପରୁ ଫେରିବାକୁ ପାଦ ଦୁହେଁ ରାଜି ହୁଅନ୍ତିନି। ଦ୍ବିତୀୟ ଡାକ ଶୁଣିକି ଆମେ ଘରକୁ ଫେରି ଆସୁ ତ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ମିଳେ ଘରର ଲିପା ଚଟ୍ଟାଣ, ଓ ତା ଉପରେ ବୋଉ ପକାଇଥିବା ଚିତା। ପାଞ୍ଚଟି ପାନ ପତ୍ର ଉପରେ ପାଞ୍ଚ ପ୍ରକାର ଭୋଗ ସୁନ୍ଦର ଭାବରେ ସୁସଜ୍ଜିତ ହେଇ ରହିଥାଏ।  ପାଖରେ କାଉଁରିଆ ବିଡ଼ା ଥୁଆ ହେଇଥାଏ। ବିଡ଼ାର ମଝି ଅଂଶରେ ଗୋଟା ପାଚିଲା କଦଳିକୁ ଚାରିପାର୍ସ୍ବରୁ ବନ୍ଧା ହେଇଥାଏ।

ଚିନି ମିଠେଇ ଆଜି କଟକର ମିଠା ଦୋକାନରେ ମିଳୁଛି କି ନାହିଁ - କହି ପାରେନା,
ଘରେ ଘରେ ପିଲା ଆଜି ରଙ୍ଗ ରଙ୍ଗ ର ହାତି ଘୋଡ଼ା ପାଇଁ ସେତିକି ରଙ୍କ କି ନାହିଁ, ଅନୁମାନ କରି ହୁଏନା,
କିନ୍ତୁ ଆମ ଘରର ଦୀପାବଳି ରାତିର ସେ ଅଭିନ୍ନ ଅଙ୍ଗ ଏବେବି ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟଭାବେ ମନ ପଡ଼ିଯାଏ... ଆଜି ଆମ ଘରୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ସ୍ବର ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ଶୁଭିବ

"ବଡ଼ ବଡ଼ୁଆ ହୋ,
ଅନ୍ଧାରରେ ଆସ, ଆଲୁଅରେ ଯାଅ
ଗଙ୍ଗା ଯାଅ, ଗୟା ଯାଅ,
ଶ୍ରୀକ୍ଷେତ୍ର ପୁରୀ ଯାଇ, ମହାପ୍ରସାଦ ଖାଇ
ବାଇଶି ପାହାଚରେ ଗଡ଼ ଗଡ଼ଉ ଥାଅ"

ପବିତ୍ର ଦୀପାବଳିର ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଓ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ ଆପଣ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ। ଖୁସିରେ ଥାନ୍ତୁ 😊

© ଶଶିକାନ୍ତ ମହାନ୍ତି 
© Sashikant Mohanty

Changing World

What a life you've embraced!

How willingly you've learned to lie 

Doesn't bother if a friend ever lied,

How happily you've chosen to move on 

Even if you were spied!

What education you marvel!

Where kids are taught moral lessons by rote

Only for a test score.

And tutored to lie to a frail granny

To avoid holidays they had lived for - for months.

Or fake illness at school - 

When they could win hearts, or hold head high

Sharing the smiles with Rainbow House' children.

What an existence you call - warmth of life!

A life - where love doesn't meet with love,

Where everyone is busy chasing warm beds, 

Where people let go of warm hearts, 
for the dreams of warm wallets

And none has heart or a hand to wipe warm beads

Welling up behind the expecting eyes!

What a land you call your own, 

Whose leaders held their values over their lives,

Whose history has taught lessons to the world 

Whose culture the world revers.

But like everything that must come to an end, 

They too had to leave the history books and calendars 

To make way for others

Only to settle for a glass-frame - 

Tough to tell if it's a token, or broken

Does it matter if they had the glasses on?


© Sashikant Mohanty

Why Blame The Netas

In a land,
Where every town boy has thrived on speed,
Bullet train is bound to be news.
After all, who doesn't like to daydream!!
When train accidents have become so routine
Even the news-print can't spare a column,
When the dead are forgotten even by their kin
Why blame the netas!

Flashing a broom is fashionable
Specially if the cameras are trained to shoot.
In times,
When it's tough to find a clean soul
If you didn't find a clean lane
Why blame the netas!

In a country,
Where people believe
Changing contents in history books can change the history
And changing names of cities and schemes
Can change fortunes of the people,
If counting takes a year
Why blame the netas!!

When my country
Stands tall in the world
It's for truth, large hearts, rich culture, love and peace,
And, for the legacy of the Mahabharata and Mahatma.
When the glasses are the only remnants of history
Why blame the poor netas!!!

© Sashikant Mohanty

Slow down!

Slow down, my friend!
In this world of goal-less chase
Where the goodness of the house
Weighs less than the warmth of a home,
Where the speed of your car
Can't compare to the speed of your heart-beats,
Where the thrill of a headless chat
Can't beat the pleasure of a friendly banter.
Slow down!

Slow down, brother!
In the chaos of the city life
Where the rude honking drowns your partner's voice,
Taking stroll in the clutter of the cobblestones
Where smell of soot eclipses the fragrance of the Nag Champa,
Gazing at the evening sky, in the open ground
The beauty of a star-studded blanket
is lost to smoke and dust kicked by the ruthless cars.
Slow down!!

Slow down, Buddy!
As you rush everyday to work
But to elbow out a friend, or be elbowed out of the way
Racing to get ahead among mad guzzlers
In an instant - as you surrender to adrenaline rush,
Pausing at the signal to key out a text or hit a 'like !'
For someone who barely cared to give a smile -
Or a hug, if she were around
Pause, my Buddy, pause
To turn around and see who you've left behind
Or, at what you've lost long back.

Slow down,
Take a walk, along the paddy fields
Bare feet - to feel your feet and the earth below
Tread the still soft sands by the seas,
In laze - with hand in hers and feel the warmth of touch!
Stop by the stream to watch yourself in the clear water
Cup your palms and splash the fresh water at your eyes
To wake up
Into a new morning,
And to a new life.
Slowly!

© Sashikant Mohanty

Friends of a Different Kind

When the school bell rings, and you're free to play,
To the tree you run, and build castles of clay!

When tired of games, you need some rest,
The banyan's shade is the best.

When the schools are closed, and Mama makes many a sweet
And Papa calls friends for a festive greet,
With friends you pluck flowers off the tree, down the street 

When the bed turns warm, and the air is still,
The scorching heat makes you wonder, if it's sweeter still
It's then that the mango groves turn into an amazing wind-mill!

They give us plenty - air, shelter and food,
The Earth would become Heaven, if all were as good!

© Sashikant Mohanty

Happiness on the New Year

Another beautiful year closing

Yet another lovelier phase to look forward to.

There’s always hope – 

That tomorrow would be a brighter 

With sparks of lights, sans noise of fights

A tomorrow with gleaming faces and silent schools

Where the only noise be that of boisterous children in fields

A future where families are bound by health

Where mothers needn’t be concerned of the kids’ safety

A new day, a new morning 

Where everyone lives every passing day with virtues  

Embracing values, ethics, honesty and sincerity!

And a silent prayer - 

May you have a blessed Christmas and Holiday Season

And May the New Year usher in happiness, health and smiles 

Not just for you and family, 

Not just what you deserved but more than you asked ever

Not just for your own, 

But be infectious to affect people across miles and miles!

© Sashikant Mohanty

[December 24, 2014]

Will You Not Wake up, Baby!

I have a heart!

How often have I not explained we are men

Warm blood runs through our vessels, too

I start our day with a prayer for God

How many times didn't we struggle to put across a word

But you'd turn away

Only language you chose to understand was bullets

And respond in same currency

Fire for fire

We didn't choose you: you chose us

We longed to be owned, to be hugged and cared for!

Why don't you listen!

Fine - I am not suave as you, have my imperfections

Won't you help if it were your brother!

Why did I become this!

Can I not be a part of you! You all!

I also have a heart! 

© Sashikant Mohanty

Peshawar's Homes Won't Be The Same Again

Why did they shoot my friends!

Who do I go back to - to play, Mama!

Who will I share my toys with,

Who'll join me at carrom games?

They were just too nice, No Ma?

Yes, we'd fight, but who doesn't fight their friends

Their smiles were my best company even during holidays,

To long to be back again.

Will I not see them after Christmas holidays, Ma?

I will not fight again. 

Tell me, Ma, they'll come back later!

Tell me,

What was their mistake -

Being bubbly friends, 

All 'A's, or just being uninformed,

Why did they shoot my friends,

Who do I go back to - to play, Ma?

Why don't you speak up, baby?

Are you playing yet another prank?

Yes, you'd wake up late for school,

I promise I'd not yell at you. 

See what's waiting at the table

Steaming dishes, your favorites.

Get up sweetheart, Now!

You're such a darling,

The dimples could melt every heart.

Couldn't they see the sparkle in your eyes?

The infectious smile?

The innocent looks?

How could did they spray the bullets at you!

You always argued "Why wake me early!"

I'll not yell at you today,

Take your time, baby
School can wait!

© Sashikant Mohanty

[December 19, 2014]

Strength

For the gales shall keep lashing.

for the storms shall be frequenter,

for the winds shall be poignant

and words, hurting

we shall have to be strong!

For behind our smiles there’s a prayer,

for a dream preludes every day,

for there’s always a tear rolled for each other –

we have got to be strong!

Each day’s a new beginning

and each moment – lifetime:

every moment we’ve longed to be

cared for, held and loved

by each other;

we shall be strong to live and love!

For each day’s trying, every moment a test,

we’ve got to be patient, committed and confident:

for we shall have to win,

for each time we’ve got to beat the obstacles,

we shall have to be stronger always

than ever before!

For God wishes us to be strong

to dare the gales,

For He’s made is to face the storms, 

for the gloom shall have to pass,

for a bright morning awaits us

we shall have to be strong!

© Sashikant Mohanty

Turmoil of A Diwali Night

There's so much of everything:

of fireworks, that lit up the skies

of crackers, that the gallis kids indulged in.

As we sit through, witnessing the celestial delight,

an eerie thought swept across my mind 

- Can there be world without these?

That was another day - a Diwali evening,

the airs pregnant with the happiness.

The air is full, today, and growing still

but there weren't crackers, this time.

The thunderstorms lashed me with dreadful thoughts

- Could there be darkness darker than this?

The rains wouldn't stop,

with only the lightnings to intervene the spells

the door creaked, unable to stand gusts of wind

and, my heart missed a beat as the shutter crashed to a strong gust.

The whizzing of the trees rents a feeling

- Would the rains ever stop?

The chill in the air is freezing,

the wall you rested against starts soaking,

the hissing sounds interspersed with the croaks sounded eerie.

As I recalled the Diwali dazzles and the warmth,

a thought swept by from nowhere

- how safe would she be? 

© Sashikant Mohanty

Light of Love

Clear evening skies, blinking stars

or the golden crescent, above a green velvet,

make the turf you'd pray for being with her;

Darkness like Diwali evenings, you'd also cherish

for the lamps lit to brighten up the airs.

The pain in the hearts is also relished

for the warmth of the hugs that they bring along;

There's a growing anxiety, a craving for your voice

even if it meant being hurt - by you!

The urge to see you is ever growing

the thought of sight, or touch makes me possessed

I'd dare the storms, and still cling on to hope

even if, that means being through the pain of waiting.

Nights used to be just a part of the days

until the soft rays of your love shone on my turf;

I would never complain of darkness, had it not been

for the sight of light of love in your eyes!

© Sashikant Mohanty

Reflections

When you feel grown too high for men,

look up at the skies for a humbling experience.

When the thought of being deprived or shorn grips you

think of the cheering blank faces you see at the signal, everyday

or, at "God's own Children", the last weekend!

When the sooty dark engulfs you,

when the gloomy clouds draw together, above you

remember the azure light of the wee hours

or, the lustre of smiles of your sister's son!

When the storms scare you, and fear dreads

as anxiety heaps on,

recall the soft cool breeze of the summer evening

standing by her, trying to chill the heat

gazing at the crescent tossed in the gentle stream.

The thought of loneliness doesn't wring tears in my eyes

for the rich warm hugs, spaceless embraces

the soaking of spirits by the warm silver beads

- that I treasure ever after! 

© Sashikant Mohanty

Am I Being Missed As Much?

The words ring on my ears,
As tears well up in my eyes
And a thought crosses my mind -
Am I missed as much?

The day paves way
for the dusk, and evenings roll along
As the mundane gives way for the special
The memories glide up -
the smiles, the tears
and the sweet nothings
That we shared,
leaning against our shoulders.

Waking up is a grouse,
as endlessly I wait
To be called,
rolled around with rich smile;
Days are drab,
as a stubborn silence hugs me
for long hours
For the habit of getting used to your voice -
Every hour, every moment!

Your voice
still drags along a warmth,
The smiles still light up your face -
when they'd meet mine,
You are always about and around -
in my thoughts.
When do I have you
to do all that to me, again?

Listening to the sweet unsaid words
was so beautiful
Just looking at each other
without a murmur to disturb -
Just the sweetness of smiles,
the warm tears or your bear hugs.
It's time to hear your voice,
again, to put life back in me.

Every moment you are close,
near to my heart
As I see you, hear and feel you;
Why aren't you here -
when I rub sleep off my eyes?
And then a thought crosses my mind -
Am I missed as much
When you shrug off sleep -
and not find me?




© Sashikant Mohanty

In Choosing To Be True

Was it my mistake, in picking up the threads of learning,

in growing up the way I was told to

in living the way I’ve done up all this while,

in standing by truth, and wearing honesty.

That someone’s pain stirred me, a frown made me sad

if I cheered in etching out happiness for someone,

or, in thinking of someone more than me,

was it a mistake?

Was it a mistake in crying at someone sorrow,

in feeling the pangs at your loneliness

in toiling to carve out a ray of smile

in welling up tears at my pain, but failing

by crying up like a kid

at your hour of trial, friend? 

© Sashikant Mohanty

When Tears Are Cherished For Warmth

Flights down the memory lanes ’ve always been blissful,

Filling steam to keep me kicking.

They keep swaying across, playing hide-and-seek

And giving me reason to keep seeking, to keep going.

Is it joy, or was it pain

Rolling back the pages of my neatly saved diary?

Did they do a favor, the gusts of wind, as they swept along –

Across my eyes, as I kept gazing at the blinking skies from my bed

Or, carved my sleep with neat dreams –

Wordless speech, and silences that spoke so much.

Whether it was a joy, or a pain, I loved it

For it’s all about you, neatly strewn and knitted

About your love, smiles and tears

And they were all for and about me!

The chill is intoxicating,

- intoxicating, in renting a strange feeling of warmth and strength

of warmth that’s about your love

that I might have seen in your eyes,

or maybe my weird imagination,

but never stopping me from putting the pieces together

- the smiles, the unspoken words, or the plain looks

and carving out dreams –

Dreams of togetherness, of warmth, of moments of oneness

Of electric pulses in love.

Whether it’s joy or pain, I love it

for the tears it brings along,

warm tears that knead warmth all across my body and spirit

when everything about seemed to become cold.

© Sashikant Mohanty