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| Standing at the edge, a young bride peers into hazy nothingness. A swinging bridge in front and a yawning abyss beneath – did she know what she was doing? “Come hither little one, let me whisper in your ears.”, a voice looms out of the darkness. Danger, risk and adventure being synonymous with her name, she leans further still. This day is about her – for once. Not the white gown, not the make-up - her beauty is defined by a quiet look of determination. Her eyes display intent to reach the other side, marred only by confused thoughts of “across or below?” She sighs and takes a step forward, engulfed by a swirling mist. Thoughts and emotions hit her hard, memories try throwing her off-balance. She shudders, extends her hand to grip a railing that isn’t there. Eyes wide, she takes a deep breath, “I have to do this.” “Nightmare or dream come true – take your pick. Face your past and fears. There is no escape, until you’ve seen it all over again.”, whispers the faceless voice. From the mist emerges a shadowy shape, a figure she was unprepared for – as always. “Red roses in full bloom Beautiful, but watch those wicked thorns The ones that seek to protect and defend Even against the most harmless Seek the ones that you sought once There may be no other time” Thus said, the misty figure disappears. She looks at her hands, at the bouquet of white roses in her hand, watching them as they slowly stain red. “Beautiful pain..Yes! That’s what it is, this relationship you longed to end but could never let go. Pandora’s box opens again – let’s see what you get.” Suddenly, she hears laughter, of a man happy and content. But it chills her bones. “No. Not you. Again.” “Yes it is I – the Joker The albatross that you can never hide Spiels of laughter define my very existence And the undying mockery I made out of you It is I who keeps you awake night after night For this is not a cruel joke, just life.” And he blends into the thick fog, his laughter dying alongside. Yet, it echoes in her ears – never forgotten, never remembered. An anguish that she will never be able to let go, that none will let her lay in peace. “Can you place your tourniquet higher still? Higher and higher till you reach your throat..Squeeze it tight..Relief forever!” She takes another step forward, heavy heart and weary head, only to collapse mid way of her destination. Head bowed low, she cries, cries for help – with not a soul to hear her. “A cursed being – a plague, a disease A dark alleyway, an unlit highway A pinch of cyanide, an IV of hope A 100 ft drop without a harness Only, this is not an amusement park Arguments, counter arguments Justifications and twisted facts No courtroom, yet sessions adjourn Verdict’s out, unvocal but enforced The silver lining long gone, thunder rolls on An eerie blankness, cold comfort Songs unsung, dreams unravelled A merry go round gone wrong Stuck in motion, in the same place Inertia, no wheels turning Or simply paralysis.” Thus ends her soliloquy, but not her fight. Scrambling to her feet, she looks toward her destination. But in all the confusion, she has lost her sense of direction – not knowing front from back. There she stands, wide-eyed and aghast, till this day. No, she won’t risk the walk, there’s too much at stake. “For this blushing bride, was this the most important walk in her life? Probably. The most difficult walk – definitely.” | | |
| At first there was darkness, cold yet inviting A moonless night with no purpose or direction Whilst sunlight was a stark reminder of existence So we hid behind a carefully crafted veil It was a drop of wine, when our sanity spilt over the brim Subtle hints where recognition failed Waiving every warning sign, rushing along Rearranging messy lives, realizing reality Dancing images in a puddle of water Vaguely familiar – a broken reflection? And a sudden clarity of thought, void of hesitation A story emerged, fiction with facts none but us could see Shedding inhibitions, and fake masks Taking the long journey back to innocence Surprisingly shortened by a shadowy figure – an alter self Raging fires threatened to burn our castle How they underestimated the rain that would fall Quenching our thirst, and dampening their hopes Binding us together, stronger and closer than ever before Intimacy as never felt before, a trust to beat all odds A death wish, a kiss to instill life in this hollow body Ending with a pleasant jolt, of dying in your eyes Now the moonlight feels warm against my cold skin And each whisper of breeze touches my soul The heat seems mild, a halo that surrounds me Breathing your name till I breathe my last | | |
| Heads turned as she walked into the restaurant – chicly dressed, her slender figure stood out. She tossed her hair and walked over to her date, high heels clicking on the marble. ‘Hi! I’m Jean. You must be Giovanni?’, she said as she sat down in front of him. Dressed in black formals, he took her breath away – tall, dark and handsome. And those eyes……. ‘Nice place you’ve chosen. Very classy.’, she proffered and starting the conversation. ‘Yes! It was the only place that stays open till the game ends’, he replied as the LCD screen came alive with a direct transmission from Germany. “The soccer final? Oh, the violence of it all. Not stylish at all!’ she said. ‘Style isn’t on the field. It’s off it. Right now, its only about the game’, his eyes riveted on the screen as the match kicked off. ‘The game? So that’s why we’re here, instead of a romantic sojourn together?’ ‘Romance? I’ve only just met you!’, he exclaimed ‘Let’s just order shall we? Wine and Cheese?’, she suggested. He made a face and said, ‘Cheese is for mice! Lets ask for a risotto. I’ve heard it’s very good here, and red wine!’ And without waiting for an answer, he placed the order. She sat there stunned, just as Italy scored their first goal. ‘How could you order without asking me?, she fumed ‘What was there to ask? I wanted to order for the lady.’, he justified. ‘Oh really? Unfortunately, I happen to be allergic to rice. So now, I’ll order something else!’, she stated as France equaled Italy’s score. They ate in silence, till the penalties. As Italy won 5-3, she said, ‘Would you like to come home for some coffee?’. He got up, ‘I don’t think you’d accept no as an answer’, and Italy lifted the cup in triumph. | | |
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And time stood still. Yet again.
They stood face to face, on either side of a chasm – deep
and wide. Looking into each other’s eyes, for some spark of recognition. They
failed to see it.
‘I..umm..what do I call you?…’,
said the emotion ‘Names are not required here. It
would complicate things more.’ spoke the rationale.
They stood, reaching out with
their eyes – but not connecting.
‘Don’t do this. We can co-exist,
like before.’ ‘There is a possibility. But the
risk is too high. You won’t be able to handle it.’ ‘Goddamn you! You can’t read into
my mind..my actions…You just don’t know.’, shrieked the emotion. ‘Yes. You’re right. I can’t.
Maybe I never could. Or we would never be here now.’ the rationale replied.
They stood at the edges of the
chasm, while the bridge lay unused. The same one where they had once stood
together, while the world rushed by.
The rationale spoke first, ‘Did
you lead me to the center only to push me off?’ ‘No, I never intended…’ ‘Intent is deceptive. Did you not
know the vortex of thought would destroy me?’
The emotion stood shocked –
openly displaying feelings for the first time.
‘Don’t worry. Your intent was
well disguised. Bravo! For you have succeeded. You made me feel emotion.’
continued the rationale. ‘You … gave me strength and took it away in an
instant. You led me to the top and threw me off the cliff. You led me to the
lake, and drowned me in it. Yes, you destroyed me.’
‘I am your culprit. Forgive me.
There was no malice, no hatred – just ego. It shattered me too, and only you
can put the scattered pieces together. Please, don’t do this. Give me another
chance – and this time, I won’t pull you down., and the emotion hung it’s head
in shame.
‘Don’t blame yourself. I let you
rule me. I put myself on self-destruct. You were merely a catalyst. I have no
options left to gain. Don’t berate yourself over this. There’s too much in you
that you can use, if you choose to, and choose wisely. I never knew you could
be a cold strategist. Maybe you could use it in a positive way, for once. There
are others waiting for you, or whom you are waiting on. Let me not stop you.’
quavered the rationale.
A tear fell from the rationale’s
eyes – the emotion it had not want to show. But it went unnoticed. They stood there, the bridge
weakening with every passing moment.
‘What do you want?’ the emotion
asked ‘You’ ‘What do you not want?’ asked the
emotion again ‘You’, stated the rationale
simply. And smiled. ‘Don’t look so puzzled. It doesn’t go down well as an
impression. It’s simple enough to deduce.’ ‘Precisely’, came the reply.
The rationale gave a sharp look
of cognition. The emotion, a look of alarm.
‘I’ve let you go. Do as you
please. If you need a tad bit of rationality, don’t hesitate to ask me. But try
finding it in yourself before you ask. For I still haven’t let go of you.’
So said the rationale, and stood
staring at a point in the distant horizon. The emotion looked around at the
destruction, not realizing the magnitude. The writings on stone seemed to fade
away, erasing sacred epistles.
And time stood still. Yet again. | | |
| innocent till proven guilty... guess all of us have heard this phrase at least once in our lifetime... but, how many of us have actually thought over it.... regarded its meaning....its consequences....
there are so many of us, who suffer.. quietly, without a whimper .. take up a punishment met out to them....which is someone else's doing.... yet - we choose to muffle the screams....
but hang on....this is rhetoric.. how about considering the other side of the situation....
'guilty till proven innocent' ?? how come that has never been considered... guess we all keep running to prove each other guilty... spinning an intricate web of lies and deceit..... while all it takes..to get off the blame... is to accept it in the first place.... so we fight wars with each other.... never quite finding 'peace' within ourselves.... but breaking up into tiny pieces... that we cant be gathered again.....
ahh..well..this wasnt supposed to look like a piece of poetry or prose...just that i like the spacing! gives me the illusion of 'space'
till whenever next....try proving your innocence...before you hang someone else
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