Some where a Place I Love

On The Creation Of the Poem RAIN

Ashish  Nandwani and I met at the Literary Ruminations Literary festival. A shy young man from Chandigarh, he had come along with his friend to see kerala and participate in the fest. We hardly had any conversation except for the formal introduction. I was there only one day. In the evening when my husband and my daughter came to take me away I left half heartedly. It was the first time I was attending a literary festival. Seeing so many poets and other creative artists close at hand and interacting with them was truly awe inspiring.

The moment I left the scene my mind was back on my brother who had just recovered miraculously from a serious illness. I was going to visit him and spend a day with Amma. So in the family atmosphere, the Literary festival was totally forgotten,  Returning home I picked up my routine and while I was  checking my mail, I found one from Ashish, What touched me to the quick was his comment  that he had noticed in my eyes the wish to remain there even as I was taking leave of them. Suddenly the whole scene rushed back. I realized how torn I had been then. I wanted to stay back and enjoy the fest on one hand on the other hand I had had to vist my brother which was the main reason why I had come to Trivandrum. The young man had spied the dilemma in my eyes which I had not shared with any one. Thus we became friends. 
I visited his blog where he defines himself as a keen observer. And how true it is ! Ashish, right from the beginning wanted to write a poem with me. Thats how we wrote the poem Rain. Its a chat poem.I have posted it here  just as we wrote it. Below that I have added the edited version as Ashish had  posted it in the Facebook.


Ashish Nandwani: The ambience and it's sensation

Deluging down like heaven         

Still too much lies low,

Should I run for cover?

Or

Let it wipe all away?

Ashish Nandwani: this is what i wrote

lathasakhya: Or savour it? Time waits for none

lathasakhya: The diligent reaper  relentlessly marches .

lathasakhya: And me hesitant

lathasakhya: ok ash continue.Whats the topic?

Ashish Nandwani: topic can be anything

Ashish Nandwani: but i was thinking of rain

Ashish Nandwani: lets see what name can we give

Ashish Nandwani: And me hesitant

Uncertain of myself,

Reluctant in revealing

Should I make an effort ?

An effort to tact the tear-ed eyes of mine,

An effort to quench the thirst of my lips

Ashish Nandwani: are u there?

lathasakhya: S I am composing

Ashish Nandwani: hmm

Ashish Nandwani: i saw that picture of yours

Ashish Nandwani: and left a comment

lathasakhya: I stretched out my hands

lathasakhya: As the icy drops tinged my skin

lathasakhya: I took a short stepYet hesitant-

lathasakhya: The feel was great

lathasakhya: The driping dancing droplets

lathasakhya: Turning into rivulets

lathasakhya: Mesmerised me,

Ashish Nandwani: should i continue?

lathasakhya: Ash continue.

lathasakhya: Why ?

lathasakhya: Shall I finish it for you?

Ashish Nandwani: !

Ashish Nandwani: No no

Ashish Nandwani: i have to write

Ashish Nandwani:

lathasakhya: Ok

lathasakhya: Tnk you Ashish for your appreciation.

lathasakhya: Are U there Ash?

Ashish Nandwani: composing

Ashish Nandwani: hmm

Ashish Nandwani: put a lot of thought into it

Ashish Nandwani: I planted my foot down,

And did not care

Those wet marks don't make me shout

Matches that incense as the Sun comes out

I slide my hand through the window,

The rivulets of sweat cutting down ,

Turn into a crumb , A drop , A bubble .

Ashish Nandwani: you may end now

Ashish Nandwani: starts from I

lathasakhya: Suddenly.I slid backwards

lathasakhya: A lonely child sitting  watching the rain

lathasakhya: Through the wooden bars of the window

lathasakhya: The splashing droplets rising up

lathasakhya: Tiny butterflies.I yearned to catch them and preserve them

lathasakhya: The enchanting mesmerising rain,drew me out

lathasakhya: Throwing caution to the wind I rushed out

lathasakhya: Arms outstretched to imprison

lathasakhya: For ever this ecstacy of being one with the rain.

lathasakhya: Shall v stop Ash There are spelling errors

lathasakhya: How is it?

Ashish Nandwani: yes

Ashish Nandwani is typing...

Rain

I really like mixing thoughts and make a general write up when it comes to poetry. It was my pleasure to write with Latha Mam. I was lucky enough to meet her in Kerela .  Her exuberance and love for nature leaves me spell bound. She writes on her blog Hippocrene.

The ambience and it's sensation
Deluging down like heaven
Still too much lies low,
Should I run for cover?
Or Let it wipe all away?
Or savour it?

Time waits for none

The diligent reaper relentlessly marches .

And me hesitant..

Uncertain of myself,

Reluctant in revealing

Should I make an effort ?

An effort to tact the tear-ed eyes of mine,

An effort to quench the thirst of my lips

I stretched out my hands

As the icy drops tinged my skin

I took a short step.Yet hesitant..

The feeling was great

The driping dancing droplets 

Turning into rivulets

Mesmerised me.

I planted my foot down,

And did not care

Those wet marks did not  make me shout

Matched that incense as the Sun came out

I caressed  my hand through the window,

The rivulets of sweat cutting down ,

Turn into a crumb , A drop , A bubble .

Suddenly..

I slid backwards

A lonely child sitting watching the rain

Through the wooden bars of the window

The splashing droplets rising up

Tiny butterflies - I yearned to catch them and preserve them

The enchanting, mesmerizing rain, drew me out

Throwing caution to the wind I rushed out,

Arms outstretched to imprison,

For ever the ecstasy of being one with the rain..

A Letter of Appreciation from one of My Cherished Friends

A Letter of Appreciation

Dr.Mini John my friend from Alphonsa College, Pala  has given a beautiful appreciation of my poems she found in the Internet. I cherish it so much I thought I would share it with all my beloved friends who visit my blog.

"Really marvelous poems !

I could feel your throbbing heart in each one of them.

They sparkle with the rare sheen of a fine poetic sensibility.

I really love the symbolic elements in your poems, especially that of ‘Anguish’, ‘Lonely Plight’ & ‘Snake and Ladder’( may be because that was the area of my research.)

The suggestiveness of the expressions like the ‘male bird’ straying into your verandah and ‘I removed the hook’ are so thought provoking.

How beautifully you’ve portrayed the Fall of Everyman and the yearning for redemption in ‘Snake and Ladder’! The title is charmingly deceptive as it reminds us of the innocent world of kids.

With the choir of the cicadas and the frogs, and the snakes jutting out their forked tongues to taste the first rain drops, you have painted  an unforgettable word picture. This is how the impressionable heart of a painter comes to the aid of the poet in you.

And that is why I said there is nothing under the sun more beautiful than a poet-painter’s heart".

MY Loves

My Loves

I love

 the golden sun, snaking through the  yellow-green paddy fields;

I love

the flirting dragon flies skimming and dancing over pools,

glassy and clear revealing yet another world of wonder;

I love

the profound innocence reflected in the eyes of a new born babe

I love

 The kittens seven days  old gently  opening their eyes to spy a world new;

I love

the new born puppies  snuggling to their mother;

I love

 the  sprightly chickens newly hatched ;

I love

the yellow ducklings taking to water straight from their shells;

I love

the frisky young calves playing on the meadow;

I love

The new born lambs with their wobbly legs.

I love

the trees putting forth their tender leaves  after the fall;

I love

the slow smile lighting up my partner’s  eyes when he sees me

I love

the friendly gleam and  the radiating warmth in my friends’ eyes as they greet me;

I love

The black drongo, natures mimic surprising me with his mimicry;

I love

The squirrel scolding the stalking cat;

I love

my little ones gurgling laughter of sheer pleasure;

I love

my Amma’s hearty “have a nice day mackale” over the phone

 though stricken with physical pains and aches;

I love

my younger brothers pleasant and vibrant  “hello lathakka” and their teasing and leg pulling over the phone

I love

the endearing  natures of my two sisters,

I love

my friends  hearty infectious laughter that drives away my blues  

I love

the spontaneous warm affection, sincerity and readiness to help of a friend newly gained

I love  

 the   echo of concern of my best friend when she calls me after missing me in the college;

I love

the endearing and sincere “hello chechi ”of our young  family friend

I love

the crab like sensitivity of my close friend

I love

the voice of  my Lord I hear, the moment I am torn and broken  

All these  loves 

My priceless treasures 

Urge me  to go on

 Making every new day a joy ride.

One With Nature

Hippocrene

Hippocrene

Cover of my First Book Memory Rain