जीने की अन्दाज़ है

आप जिसे शायरी करके पेश कर ते हैं,
वह हमारे लिए ज़िन्दगी जीने की अन्दाज़ है

The Train Was A Storm

she held the cup in her hand,
the warmth distracting the unworded looks
that said more than they didn't.
wasn't it every day?
that day was different,
she sat in a train that'd take her afar,
and the storms raked behind those smiles,
unsure when she'd share again
the tea, the warmth, and the smiles!

she waved her hand,
mirroring his,
the gesture, emotionless
words lipped out,
seemed like a whisper
drowned by the whistle,
as the engine spewed clouds of smoke,
and the train clanked out of the station,
her head bent to get one last look
of the starry eyes,
that'd be her strength
for days, weeks, maybe months!

she clutched the chocolates,
leaning against the window
her chin not seeming to mind
the dust, and the rust on the iron,
her mind was numb,
unable to choose -
to cherish the moments,
too recent to be called memories,
yet too far to be hugged,
or, brace the loneliness ahead.

the train was a storm,
that day,
and the tides pounded her heart
the craving, the urges, the longings,
as the smile faded on her face,
and the tears, dried on his,
with her lips curling up,
she let her hair down,
whispered
am I missing him?


© sashikant mohanty

Nowhere

it's an endless evening,

as hours rolled by,

staring into the dark sky,

dimly lit,

between a few thousand stars,

that hung in there,

but the warmth?

nowhere.

it was an unending moment,

another evening,

when you sat right there,

and i could feel your breath,

but the warmth?

nowhere.

that was a long night,

even for several hundred dreams,

so what, if I saw them,

my gaze unshaken,

set on the creaking fan,

not once did they blink,

with sight blurring,

but eyes - too tired for sleep,

and the warmth?

nowhere.

the moon tossed in the skies,

blushing at times,

half veiled, behind the cloud,

i shivered,

i cried,

i smiled,

the scent tugged at my heartstrings,

like you were right next to me,

but, i held back,

as I opened my eyes,

and the warmth?

nowhere!

© sashikant mohanty

x

Steal My Smile

it's an endless evening,
as hours rolled by,
staring into the dark sky,
dimly lit,
between a few thousand stars,
that hung in there,
a whisper on lips,
and hope etched on hearts!

it was an unending moment,
another evening,
when you sat right next to me,
but the warmth,
nowhere.

that was a long night,
even for several hundred dreams,
so what I saw them,
my gaze unshaken,
set on the creaking fan,
not once did they blink,
with sight blurring,
but eyes - too tired for sleep!

the moon tossed in the skies,
and beamed a smile,
blushing at times,
half veiled, behind the cloud,
i shivered,
i cried,
i smiled,
the scent tugged at my heartstrings,
like she was right next to me,
but, i held back,
unsure,
what if her smile
meant her heart missed a beat, like mine,
what if
it was to steal my smile,
maybe rob my heart!




© sashikant mohanty

The Song Of The Quiet

the evening was calm,

the dark made it feel quieter,

the breeze that melted me up,
and drifted me to a distant world,

my senses almost turning numb,

as if everything around slowed down:

even time wasn't in a hurry,

the wall clock's ticks

were the only sounds you could hear,

unhurried, 

maybe tired, 

maybe a rest long overdue!

the air wore a sweetness,

gentle, soothing, and silky

a new muse, you'd missed so long,

the sweetness you'd fall for,
all over again,

the air hummed softly, 

only a willing heart could hear,

a beat for a beat,  a call as if in love -

that brought back memories

of the setting sun,

the ringing of the bells

from the retreating carts

the smiles on the dry, pan soaked lips
yet smiling frames

and the dancing silhouettes 

played hide-and-seek

maybe tired, 

but in no mood to give up!

the evening grew chill,

and the skies darker,

the winds became gustier, 

like the summers

from eons back

as the crickets chirped and the frogs barked,

i loved them all, 

the song of the quiet,
the chill, the pace and the peace

slowed me down, 

yet raced my heart, sometimes
the ebb and flow,

a bit of fear, and then a glimmer of hope,

until the mist drops of the early hours

faded the smile,
as i opened my eyes,

as i sat in my balcony, gazing at the starry sky,

listening to the song of the quiet

with the wall clock's ticks,

the only sound you could hear,

unhurried, 

maybe tired, 

maybe, the rest long overdue.

© sashikant mohanty