By
Rajesh Nair
A DARK NIGHT
Every day broke and night crept in
For another ritual to unfurl again
Dissimilarity none did I find in vain
For each day and night was a habitual bane
Hard was the struggle to dispel monotony
Offered with or without consent adding to agony
Patience and resilience disfigured the anatomy
Nothing did captivate nor interest the brutal cacophony
Until a day so arrived to be volunteered
An opportunity to unleash the much desired
A chance to explore with full might grabbed
An ordeal at a solitary island so well carved
An assistant was to be chosen from the many
Task, exquisite and delicate not for the uncanny
Time and period so fixed and obligatory
That the sojourn had to be started with clarity
The inflatable boat tossed alongside the war ship
Packed with equipments and accessories to set sail
Sun was preordained to set within an hour still
So begun the voyage to the island with will
The boat tossed higher and higher as joy leaped
The mighty ship started fading as distance increased
Sailed in the cradle free from pangs habituated
To a destination so serene and pristine uninhabited
The rudder shuddered, keel broached and rocked
The boat stopped and we set foot unscathed
Lone beacon disused as English testimony stood broad
Waiting to be embraced and imprinted
The slant rays lend just enough light
Set position fixing system atop the beacon all right
Observation scheduled for entire night
Lone purpose for which we had alight
Light faded and darkness prevailed
Island so still now reverberated
Noises so unfamiliar and unheard
Quivered the body with adrenalin pumped
Boat fastened to the wooden peg grounded
Tent half pitched when darkness covered
Foldable cots spread bare above the ground
Packed food emitted aroma for the uninvited
Both of us had no insight
Why lantern refused to light
Moon refused to peek as clouds blocked sight
Winds rhymed as background score in the night
Orchestration grew wilder and shrieked
Foliage moved as ears hard strained
Beavers mocked and pairs of eyes glared
Stood we still in the dark night weird
Both of us lay flat on the cot
Side by side bewildered in thought
Gazed at the open sky to find no star plot
Wild imagination and fright did float
Prayed to all gods who could hear
The voices of dear and loved rang clear
Tomorrow was so far from being near
For today the end was more than sure
Soft and silky touch giggled me
Felt something caressing my hair weird
The slimy creatures crossed over one after the other
Still and numb were we gasping for air
Time passed by as still as ever
Brought in the suns morning slant rays
We were still breathing as if it was just an open dream
Thanked all for we still lived for more!
We still lived for more!
WATER MILL- A REVERIE
As the morning chill embraced
Weak and dim shone the light
Dew drops glistened to colours myriad
Light chased away darkness
Took a stroll down the wilderness
Creepers and climbers blocked the path
Listened to the morning muse of the feathered
Amongst the hustle and bustle of the withered
Strewn stones gathered enough moss
Air moist and winds calm
Each step forward with utmost care
For bones much needed intact
Lone merriedly enjoyed the walk
Humming tunes long heard
Buzzing bees joined the orchestra
Winds clapped in appreciation
So much the nature around changed
My leisure halted with profound shock
Strained to see the water mill distant
Ruined but standing tall as monument
No longer the feathered mused
The orchestra ended abruptly
Steps paced in accelerated mode
Voice plummeted down the organ pipe
Gasped for air when winds blew stronger
Eyelids failed to close, heart echoed faster
Perspired so much that all pores opened
Mouth dried for saliva stopped secreting
Reached the mill engulfed in moss
Touched to sense reality, looked around to find none
Heard voices familiar and forgotten
Images flashed with glare and vision blocked
Moss started disappearing, mill retreading in time
Stone blocks started flight to the building
Roof once again got placed where they belong to
Doors and windows placed to fight intrusion
Mill sprung to life, water gushed out
The vacation had just begun for near and dear
The canines blowed their trumpets
Kids nude frolicked and bathed in water
Huge fire place emitted smoke without stops
Warriors in groups armed set out with hip flasks
Women, beautified themselves in communion with nature
Kids, rolled and flung clay cakes all over
Pond was full with hyacinth and lilies all over
Small vegetable garden flourished with all sort
Few engaged in canvassing the landscape
Elder kids cricketed with full pomp and merry
Leader cock took the hens for a stroll
Pigs extended their snouts, blew the dust away
Birds uncaged took flights for picking grains
Beavers busy digging burrows for storage and shelter
My eyelids never closed for fear of losing images
Bottom wet having sat on the moss for long
Noises became fainter and ears hard strained
Goods train had just left not to be seen again
Water mill halted for never more
Pond dried up for water was scarce
The feathered left abode for grains were never seen
Bees buzzed for flowers were in paintings only
Near and dear settled differently for no common cause
Selfishness an uncontrollable epidemic
Wants and needs increased manifold for humans
Vacation was never to be disclosed with many
Tired and exhausted my eyelids closed
Journeyed back into reality
Succumbed to the fact that the present world
Does challenge many a wish !!!
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