Choice

I’d rather pay for my words
Than have others pay for my silence.
That I even have a choice
Is because for me others had raised their voice.


First published in Hakara, 15 Jan 2018.

The fine print

Whisper, it gives you wings.
Just not wingspan enough
To cut across a temple courtyard
And sometimes, a kitchen threshold.


First published in Five2One Magazine, 6 Jan 2018.

Overtime

The smiling faces you envy,
They’re on duty,
Working every minute
To create happiness.

First published in Five2One Magazine, 6 Jan 2018.

Premature rescue

To dream of falling into an endless abyss,
To wake up at the edge of the cliff,
To be grateful for safety,
To be saved from knowing
What it is
To take a leap
Into the great unknown.

First published in Five2One Magazine, 6 Jan 2018.

You'll get clarity but not always where you want

A film debates:
Should you be with the one whose love you receive
Or be with the one you love
(Given that there’s some semblance of love on both sides)
The debate seems endless.

What does become clear:
You’ll often walk away from what loves you
And hang on for dear life to what you love.

You’ll defend to death your choices
And be mulish in ignoring what chooses you.

First published in Five2One Magazine, 6 Jan 2018.

Investment

Nothing will be yours as completely

As your grief;

Hold it close.



First published in Rogue Agent Journal, Jan 2018.

भले घर की लड़की

भेंट की जाती है 
पुरुष को,
उसके साथ 
पाई नहीं जाती।

अपने भीतर के वेग को 
नाखूनों से भेद 
सिकोड़, मरोड़ देती है। 
उसकी जांघों, तकियों, कपड़ों, कागज़ों में 
सबूत मिलते हैं 
उसकी गड़ी उंगलियों के निशान के। 
हर काम की तरह 
बड़ी ही शांति से
अपने नवजात दिवास्वप्नों को 
नमक चटा अंतिम नींद सुलाना भी जानती है वो।

उसकी नपी मुस्कान देख 
चिड़िया के चहचहाने का सा एहसास होता है,
जिसकी भाषा समझने की ज़रूरत 
महसूस नहीं होती 
पर सुनकर लगता है,
चलो, सब ठीक है।

First published in Kathadesh, November 2017.