chimes of a forgotten melody

Here is to Niconar Parra, who taught us the truth and the reasons for framing an anti poem, who turns 100 on Sep 5th Poetic worlds where roses evaporated into love, Besieged mercilessly by reality, Trees which gave life, From branch to roots, Spoiled by greed within hearts, No love overpowered them, No meaning governed deeds, I watched as rotten money, Eaten by rats and covered with filth, Buoyed democrats, Freedom; of thoughts and speech, Flushed down the drains of politics, I stood by as wealth proliferated, As executives and bourgeoisie continued eating into the infected rice bowls of the farmer, the leper and the beggar, I prayed to God - typhlotic in the show, Obeying commands of gold, Discerning opulence from scarcity! I remained in silence as I watched, With wrath and reason, A leech leaving behind a trail of my perfume-less blood.

Starry Night by Alex Ruiz Courtesy : The Mag A valley suspended in dreamless sleep, Sky - with thousand eyes peering, Like jewels on an inanimate face! Following green which gently pervades, Awakening clout from oblivion, As if flowers spouting from seeds. Upon nature's canvas, science draws, For man who remains in awe - I speak, Picking words from reverent fantasies, To pour accolades for an unmade artistry!

- To Arjun, for being with me all this time - When a voice from the other end of the phone woke me up to the news of the demise of Amir, my childhood friend, the world had barely risen from its deep winter slumber. There was not a trail of light to soothe my eyes, nor a sound to destroy silence - which hung heavily around my ears. The news didn't disconcert my lethargy; it couldn't disturb the shallow post-retirement period where I found myself in fond company of solitude and regret. 'Aren't you supposed to go?', Esha asked. Esha. She had been beside me - sitting where I sat, reading my thoughts before I spoke, giving me a world of abundance in a rather lonely life - for 45 years! I gazed at her. Life had stolen her numerous facets; her soft skin, the blackness of her hair, her imposing seductiveness, her fragile laughs and the exquisite music in her voice. 'Yes, I must go. Are you coming?' 'Shouldn't I? How could I forget Amir?',...

Upon this Earthly abode, Amidst madness of love, Paralysis made by drugs, And insignificant insanity, Lies salvation. There is a detour, Through a cave of gold, An idol - deprived of life, Who shall save you from strife, Oh, the mental flops!

"The world is inhabited by all kinds of people. They are isolated by land and water, religion, customs, habits. The minds and heart of these people are much alike. Under sudden or stressed emotions, they blossom forth or explode in riots, fights, dance, song, prayer. At such time they become one mind, one heart. And the world vibrates with the intensity of their feelings, emotions, angers, laughter." - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi - There is a hymn of nature which is profound, enveloping all mankind within its arduous composition, few get a chance to taste the melody, and even less understand the meaning. Today, Aaron became one among the few who understood both. ‘Children, today we shall learn about seasons. What are your favorite seasons? Let us start with you Aaron. What is your favorite season?’ ‘Autumn!’ a delighted Aaron said. ‘Wow Aaron, now that is a good time of the year. What about you Sandra?’ However Aaron tries to remember that day, he...