Don't Leave Today

i don't know
how long the day would be mine,
how long this bright sunshine,
how long before the clouds roll along,
how long this
here-now-gone-the-next game,
how far you'll hold my hands, 
how long you're the wind
beneath my wings,
how long the night
before the sun's first ray,
but, now that you are home,
don't insist on leaving today

i don't know
when the nothings became a habit,
when the calls became steroids,
when the nights became longer,
when the mornings sweeter,
when the wait made my heart flutter,
when hope struck deeper,
when after eons, 
life beamed a hope of ray,
but now that our souls are one again,
don't insist on leaving today

i don't know
why our paths crossed again,
why the dew drops returned to the eyes,
and so did sweet pain,
why the craving is endless and insane
why you've nested in my heart again,
why it's tough to let go,
why you don't let me free,
why you snuggle against my chest,
(or is it a dream!)
why your smile tugs
at my heartstrings,
why the scent lingers on,
from a distant memory,
why the earth smells sweet, 
like after a long-due shower,
why a new dream
is perched on my eyes,
but now that you have
breathed life back in me,
please don't insist on leaving today!




© sashikant mohanty

My God Is Fast Asleep

today, my prayers were deep,
yet something was missing,
i don't know what it was,
maybe she knows,
for she has penned it all,
and springs a surprise in the end,
i'm sure she has a purpose,
like always

today, there was none
missing my text, or call,
there's no angst today
for the unread text,
no restlessness,
for the unreturned call,
there's no galloping of heartbeats,
for her safety and health,
as my eyes closed,
as my hands came together,
and my lips whispered,
and the temple bell rang in rhythm,
still, something seems missing

today, it was a lonely ride back,
there was none to tell
don't take that road,
it's not safe at night,
today i was not in a hurry
i didn't glance at my watch,
to rush to make a call,
and ask,
please have food on time,
could you get home early?
would you text when you reach?
not that they were ever answered,
but today even my lips were numb,
and my world, still,
and, still something seems missing

today, the skies were moist,
as if they too missed the gods,
today she's a soul,
beyond the heart that beats,
beyond the eyes that spoke,
and smiles that light up hope,
she flows like a river,
she soars like a kite,
and, glows like the moon,
today my god is fast asleep
refusing to melt,
but, something seems missing

today, my prayers were deep,
yet something was missing,
i wish i knew, what it was,
was it my dried-up tears,
or, was it the pale smile on her?




© sashikant mohanty