She Didn't Let Him Be

it's not that
her soul didn't cry for him;
every time she reached out,
she'd touch his soul,
it's not that she wasn't aware
how he'd touch her soul,
but, she wouldn't let him be

it's not that
she was not kind;
whenever she was,
she'd go miles to spring a surprise,
at the very instant, he'd hoped,
but had the least expected,
it's not that she wasn't aware
what lengths he would go
to carve a smile on her,
but she wouldn't let him be

it's not that
she'd forgotten to touch him,
to gently touch his heart,
if anyone ever missed and prayed,
it certainly was she -
an ocean of tenderness,
a sky of hope,
it's not like
she doesn't miss
being soaked in his thoughts,
but she wouldn't let that be

it's not that
she didn't tear up,
or, pray for him,
nor that, she didn't know
how the gods changed plans
upon his prayers,
but lest she is indebted,
she'd never let him be

it's not that
she couldn't see
how broken he was;
she was shaken and moved,
and she even promised to be with him,
but lest she should melt again,
she'd never let that be

it's not that
she didn't feel
how deep, his warmth,
the ones that he penned down,
and the ones for which her tears oozed,
but she held them tight to her chest,
never to open up,
she even offered 
to be nestled in his heart,
but in life,
she wouldn't let that be

it's not that
she wasn't moved
by his love:
in fact,
their dreams never ceased to be,
but lest the gods bless his prayers,
even to be perched in his prayers,
and dreams,
she wouldn't let him be




© sashikant mohanty

If Only

if only you knew
how tough it is to wait,
if only your lips dried up praying,
the way they did here,
if only you felt the pangs
deep - like i go through,
if only i was missed,
the way you are here, 
the way it has been every moment,
if only you lay awake,
gazing into the december skies,
wondering where i was,
how it'd be out there, in the cold,
if only you could look once
into my dreary eyes,
and, find in them, a beaming you,
if only you got drenched,
as you rush to see me,
if only you sit before me 
and i keep wondering
if it's raindrops or tears,
that melted in your eyes,
if only you stepped out of the dreams,
in the yellow starched pallu
wrapped over a white churidar, 
inch closer, lock your eyes with mine,
as the memories lit up and shine,
if only you lazed in the mornings,
the way you would then,
too close to be apart again

if only
you feel the feelings,
if only
you listen to the unworded thoughts,
if only
you saw my heart leap out of my eyes,
my sweet,
wouldn't you melt again,
in me,
wouldn't you let your soul
merge all over, again,
with mine?

© sashikant mohanty

Bring Along Your Smile

be like the blooms,
of srinagar's tulip gardens,
be the riot of colors,
red, purple, white, golden and all,
be like the spring in the step,
come winter, spring, summer, or fall
be the rainbow on earth,
and the harbinger of good times,
that spread the smiles,
across those thousands of miles

be like the waves,
that roll and surf over the beaches,
that never leave each other,
but cling together,
as they ebb and flow,
as they inspire the breeze,
fill the hearts with joy,
and bring along the smiles
across many thousands of miles

be like the stars,
that twinkle and let my heart tickle,
that come together to light up the skies,
and never try to outshine,
that spread the smiles,
and tread thousands of miles

be the angels,
that ring in life in my school,
come! enjoy, life is a song,
carve those bonds - deep and strong,
sketch the memories,
that will thrive all along,
exams will come and go,
you sure will shine, and come ashore,
but bring along your bubbly smile,
and do light up each and every while!




© sashikant mohanty