Elves

When I see the trees
Lush, rich and green
Looking washed and clean
After rains heavy

I feel like becoming small
Climbing the trees tall
Running through them
Like squirrels hurrying around

And I think I will find
More than just birds fine
Chirping and fluttering
Singing happily

I will find little fellows
Carrying  arrows and bows
Shooting intruders entering
Their bowers without their knowing

I can see them guarding
Their homes and their darlings
Standing guard on the broad stem
Of the tree that is their hearth

Oh pesky little elves
I long to see thou and thine
In your greens that hide you
From prying eyes like mine

With long ears
Tall caps
Slim waist
Handsome face

Do you exist? I doubt not
In my heart of hearts
When I see the green
Outside my balcony.

Anubavangal: இதில் நான் யார் - Which is me?

Anubavangal: இதில் நான் யார் - Which is me?: பழுத்த பழம் ஒன்று மரத்தில் கண்டேன். கை துருதுருத்தது அதைப்பரிக்க நில் என்று ஒரு குரல் தடுத்தது யார் என்று திரும்பிப்பார்த்தேன். நான்தான் என்...

Longing

I read Memoirs of a Geisha a few months. Happened to watch the movie recently, and it brought back pleasant memories of journeying with the young Geisha as she faces ups and downs of life.

Sayuri is in love with a man who shows no indications of his feelings for her. His friend Nobu, a man with scars on his face, seems to feel intensely for the girl. Highly principled, he wants something deeper from her than the lighter moments in life. The character makes you ache, and at every point, I wished she would accept him.

The journey to finding one's love - so intense and uncertain - is more exciting than when one gets what one wants. Sometimes, unrequited love or love that does not fructify makes for better reading than when it is reciprocated. This book, already a hit I think, would have benefited as a tragedy better, I feel. The knots unravel suddenly and it becomes a feel good book in the end. That would have pushed it to the mundane.

But the quality of writing and characterisation itself are so good that the book makes for an excellent read. The suspense is maintained till the end. For many, the present ending may be preferred after the intense troubles the heroine goes through. The movie too was a great watch, but maybe because the book remained with me in the deep recesses of my mind and I could fill up the gaps that the movie may have had.

Overall a must read/watch story. 

Anubavangal: Kaathal - Love

Anubavangal: Kaathal - Love: உன் அழகிய கண்ணிலா? கூர் நாசி அழகிலா? புன்னகை தவழும் இதழிலா? இந்த மயங்கும் மனதிலா? அழகு மட்டும் போதுமோ? காதல் என்றும் நீடுமோ? வயது ஏறி கூடும...

Golden Shower

The shower
Golden and bright
Making me feel
Blessed and bright

Sometimes hidden
By darkness of mind
When blessings seem
Banes in guise


I clutch at it
But only air I catch
Empty handed
Bare and disappointed

I look up

Cry out in pain

Where are you my lord

Leaving me in vain 

And then the shadow lifts
Parting its heavy drifts
To show the light that was always there
Waiting for me to see its glare

In the mind play
Shadow and light
Hiding and catching
Each other in delight

After darkness
The light is bright
When the light dims
Into dark night it sinks

To remain untouched
By the cunning play
To see light and dark
As they come and fade

To smile always
Be it good or bad
To see the golden shower
Even when in the dark.

Anubavangal: Payanam - The Journey

Anubavangal: Payanam - The Journey: கும் இருட்டு கருவில் இருப்பது போல் அதே சுகம் எதுவும் நம்மை தீண்டாது என்ற நம்பிக்கை அந்தரங்கத்தில் மிதப்பது உடலே இல்லாதது போல் பஞ்சைப்போல் ல...

We Are Our Parents

I stand in the kitchen, shouting at my son. "You know the veggies make you grow tall and strong. How can you make me say it to you everyday!"

Flashback to my childhood, and well into teenage. "Please have this beans. It tastes yummy," my parents and siblings would persuade me, unsuccessfully.

"Greens are important for making your hair grow well," I attack my daughter as she crosses her arms and pouts on seeing palak paneer on her plate.

I can even then remember how I was about greens. For a person whose plate would only accept lady's finger and potatoes, I expect a lot from my children!

"Just spend 10 min doing one subject and you will be fine."

Sigh, I wish I had done that as a kid.

I turn on my children, "You will have children just like you!"

My dad smiles at me and says, "I am glad to see your children are just like you, giving you a hard time."