A Long Night

the lamp is still burning, 

even as the breeze blows the flame

it flickers, but in no mood to give up yet,

scaring, and spurring hopes by turns

the traces of soot,

a reminder

of the moon's dark spots,

making your frown look tinier!

the playful winds, 

the here-now-and-gone-next drizzles,

the moon's hide-and-seek, so much like you,

they talk to me, just like you.

as i gaze at a star-less sky,

sighing how long more, 

been months, seems like ages already,

though one thing hasn't changed:

they too speak the same language -

silence,

just like you!

there were times, 

and there were many,

when there was a train of dreams,

and not a wink of sleep, all night;

there are times, now

many a night in a row,

i wait endlessly, with eyes wide shut

wishing for dreams to kiss them,

and i wait, for the long night, to pass,

just like, I would for you!

© sashikant mohanty

Anamika

they are not gorgeous as the roses,
their smell, not familiar as the tuberoses,
but they have a sublime charm,
a hop in their dance,
a toddler-like innocence
and, 

a fragile smile to match,
that makes you pause,
to notice the shy pink petals,
on the lush green canvas
and tempt you to bend over,
nurse their tender stems,
and then,
you're blown off your senses!

a breeze wafted through the plants
and they broke into a dance,
and my knees shivered
someone asked its name
half-lost, I muttered
anamika.

but,
did it matter?


© sasikant mohanty

A Sip Of Chhas

 

they sat at the table,

in a quiet corner, 

not even a stir in the air,

the silence broken only by

the occasional glances, 

the teary eyes,

and the lips laced with smiles,

there was a joy in the moment,

and fear and uncertainty, the very next!

she reached for the jute bag,

pulled out the lucknowi chikan suit,

spread the pale yellow embroidered chunni

over her black top, and denims,

curled up her eyebrows inquiring,

how do I look? 

he blew a kiss in the air,

circling up his forefinger with the thumb,

spellbinding!

neither uttered a word,

each fighting the choking,

their eyes turned red,
holding back the obvious urge

both reaching out for the glass of chhas,

maybe to avoid each other's looks,

maybe just a nervous reflex.

they took sips

from the glass of chhas,

in perfect tandem

each head brushing the other's brows,

and eyes too close
to hide the joys and the fears,

there was joy in the moment,

and uncertainty in the future,

the eyes welled up with the fear

and the smiles flowed still,
for the other's sake!

© sashikant mohanty

Little

little,

how little i knew you, 

you make me realise, my life,

everytime i prided my knowledge

little, how little I know you

my life,

the creases on your face,

the beats of your heart.

little,

you opened up, a little more,

when hope almost gave up,

little was the tear drop that oozed

from the corner of your closed eyes,

little, the gentle ray of sunshine,

that escaped your stubborn lips,

to melt on me,

that teared me up, a little.

little,

my life, give me a little more,

a little more warmth, 

a little longer moonlit sky

go a tad slower, so i can bask in the smile longer

draw a little closer, so the breath keeps me warm

be a little gentle, my heart's too weak to break again,

little,

my heart, beat but a little quieter,

time, pause a little, please 

don't let the dream end so soon!

© sashikant mohanty