Bird and the tree

It was there,

standing tall and proud,

always open, welcoming,

with it's spreading branches.

The roots well placed,

and plenty of nutrients,

letting it flourish, to grow,

to the place...it is now.

The fellow brethren too,

grew as they would,

some taken to places,

in orchards, parks and gardens.

Standing lone, looking out,

it's friend..far ahead,

some visitors that came,

bringing news with them.

The birds flew overhead,

making it's leaves to sway,

fluttering the wings above,

with the breeze it create.

Ah, it wish...

extending branches towards it,

to help it rest,

a place comfortable to sit.

To find it endearing,

and be it's friend,

being part of it's life,

even be of different kind!

The bird looked perplexed,

only interested for cover,

a place for respite,

and some fruits for hunger.

Only for few moments,

but that's all it asked,

as they were with each other,
and the comforts it brought !

The bird and tree,

one free, other attached,

still finding happiness together, 

a story of opposite attracts.

Sikharpur days (the hideout-2)

" Its fun,' Lata exclaimed as see was running behind Parvati, ' we should do it more often."
"Yeah, we should," Parvati answered. She was floating in the air and running away from the children while the others are running to catch her.

It all started half an hour back. The children were gossiping as usual, having their breakfast,although a little late. It was almost noon as they spent a lot of their time in making the hideout habitable.

"So, what should we do now?" Lochan asked as he was getting bored from not being part of other's conversation.
"Hmm, lets have some game after we clean up." Lata replied as she went to collect the utensils of the kids who have eaten.
Lochan nodded and went out to wash his hands and mouth. Sambhu followed him outside.

"So Parvati, you got some new skills. Why don't you show us more?" Dhanush teases Parvati. He was impressed by her entry today, which was like she was the wind herself.
"Yeah, I will. I am so excited to show it after all the training I did!" Parvati was elated that her hard work was noticed.
"Why don't we play pakdan pakdai (catch), where we will all try to catch her." Lata suggested.
" Actually it's a great idea." Dhanush said, ' so,what do you say Parvati?"
" Hmm...think again, you all will fail." Parvati said in a menancing voice, and then giggled.
" Don't be so sure about that." Dhanush answered back. He hates to lose and was confident of his new found stamina.

" What are you guying talking about?" Sambhu asked as he returned back.
" We just made the plan for today. Today's game is to catch Parvati and whoever catches her first will get a prize." Dhanush answered.
"What's the prize?" Lochan asked as he was excited by the prospects of a prize.
"That's a surprise !" Parvati smiled mysteriously.

And here we are.

Parvati was passing through the forest with ease. Lata was following her hapahazardly. She was getting tired now as she was the first to take the dash with a hope of catching Parvati early. Alas, it became her own downfall. She sat on a nearby rock to rest and regain her stamina.

" What happened Lata, giving up so early?" Sambu taunted.
" Yeah, yeah, girls are so weak!" Lochan laughed as he went near Sambhu to join the conversation.
" Lochan, you know the plan, right?" Sambhu whispered.
"Yeah, lets ambush her." Lochan answered back.

Parvati was running straight ahead toward's a tree. Actually she was chased to that direction by Sambhu and Dhanush. Apparently, Dhanush too had taken part in their plan. There was a thick bush near the tree, where Lochan had already hidden and was bidding his time. The moment Parvati cam near the bush, Lochan pounced on her, only to fall on ground. Parvati had vanished, and both Sambhu and Dhanush were puzzled.

Here I am, Parvati announced. The boys looked back, and there she was sitting near Lata. Lata was surprised to see Parvati sitting beside her when moment ago she was so far from them. But Lata didn't let the moment waste and hugged her tightly.

" I won, I won!!" Lata laughed.
" Yes, you won." Parvati smiled brightly.

" This is unfair, she let her win." Sambhu protested.
" It's alright Sambhu, we lost." Dhanush said as he admitted defeat, ' Parvati how did you know about the ambush?"
" I could sense people.' Parvati replied, ' I know someone was there in bush."

" Ah, again a new skill of yours." The boys sighed.

" We should do it more often," Lata said recalling Parvati's words.
" Yeah, why don't we plan some new adventures? Parvati  said excitedly.

" Hmm...I too want it!" Sambhu added.

" Then, we will do that. I was also planning some get togethers like this. It was scary when the bandits attacked and the adventure were fun." Dhanush answered,

So, the children decided in the meeting, to plan for some adventures, explorations.

Stasis...

Stasis...
this dormancy,
and monotonous life,
infused in normalcy.

I feel nothing,
within my calm self,
the joy or sadness,
nowhere my thought dwells.
And the emotions,
feelings that's expected,
one that still eludes me,
as much as I waited !

When did I stopped caring?
immersed in daily life,
engrossing in multitasking,
buried those occasional strife.
For, I had my belief,
opinions of my own,
not confering to social values,

questions too being raised.

Stasis...
a kind of inertia,
going with the flow,
devoid of the tryst...something new!

Ignorance is indeed bliss,
knowledge brought the thirst,
more I know, more I seek,
disappointments makes me meek.
Things that I can change,
actions that should be taken,
lack of courage, the fear.....
led to failures, being forsaken!

And then came the savior,
infusing passion to my dreams,
appreciation of my wishes,
some ears to my screams!
The delights of new discovery,
making me lose my cool.
things got easier, being nearer,
exploiting my leisure as a tool !

Stasis...
moment of quiescence,
falling towards the sluggishness...
loosing out of my conscience.

The distractions kept me occupied,
unaware of passing days,
oblivious of my responsibilities,
I let others to be driven away!
There are reasons,
not to be spoken of,
nor it will be understood,
even if I try to convey !

And so here I am,
penning away these thoughts,
as I retrospect,
from the moments I recalled.
Regrets of my past,
worries of the future,
but actions of present,
might make things work !

Stasis,
not an act of passivity,
it's just a consequence...
of my desire of harmony!

Sukharpur days (the hideout Part 1)

" Its a great day for fun" Sambhu proclaimed, as he set out for the journey of his sanctuary.
" And we will have a blast !" Lochan joined in as Sambhu's enthusiasm was infectious.

The group had decided yesterday to meet in their hangout place...a hideout away from the village. As the meeting point was the hideout, Sambhu didn't have to wake up early as he did yesterday. He was refreshed and as energetic as ever.

" Alright guys, have you taken the goods, and the games?" Dhanush queried one last time as he looked towards Sambhu and co.
" Why are you giving me this doubtful look? I have packed everything we need, have some trust in me !" Sambhu laughed off his questioning look.

" I have also packed them in this bag,' Lata replied with a big smile, ' This time I have cooked our favorite halwa too." She gave a proud look.
" So, lets move, or else we will be late." Dhanush ordered and held the bag tightly on his back.

His arms were more muscular now, with his sturdy back. He was exercising more after the encounter with the dacoits. Few months have been passed and the effect is now visible. Lata watched the assuring back as she followed Dhanush and they depart.

Parvati was happy as she had got her permission to go out of the cave. Devi Sikhareswari, the resident deity have become more flexible and kind to our resident spirit girl!

Parvati had planned some games for the day as it was mant months since her visit to their hideout. She really loved to have fun and picnics like the human children and also thought herself as one. Now that she could control her power, she could enjoy their pastime .

The children were the first to reach the destination. Dhanush oped the gate and all of them entered inside.

" cough, cough, what is the all this dirt inside. I had cleaned it all last time." Lata declared, visibly upset with all the dirt, soil and other growth of vegetation. "

" Can't help it, we have been away for weeks this time." Dhanush answered, " So, first we need to clean this mess."
" We will clear the plants," Sambhu said as he took Lochan with him in search of a sickle that they had kept somewhere.
" Alright then, I will clean the dirt while Lata, you should set our bags and wash the storage area." Dhanush ordered. Lata nodded in agreement as she went to the storage area.

It  took the children the next hour to make the hideout usable. The garbage were collected and discarded in the natural pit that was present just a few walks away. Lata had already cleaned the store and was making lemonade for them to drink.

" Ah, I wish, I could drink this lemonade with Parvati,' Lata sighed, ' Why is she late today !"

Suddenly a gush of wind came over, tripping the bag that was on the table, Dhanush reflexively caught it on time. Lata turned to see what happened, only to get a faint cold wind touching her ears.

" I am here !" Parvati whispered.

She was surprised by this sudden entry,  Lata couldn't see her as she tried searching the room.

" So, you got a new weapon in your arsenal," Dhanush chuckled as she look around to find her.
" Where is she," Lochan got exited, as he started running all over the place, only to be stopped by Sambhu.

And just as the children were calming up, Parvati appeared from thin air. She had a new one piece dress, with light pink color. She put her arms around Lata and hugged her from behind bringing a big smile over Lata's face.

" Oh, Parvati, you are becoming more and more naughty these days." Lata hugged her back.

" So guys, everyone has arrived, time to start the party !" Dhanush said.
" Yay....." All shouted in unison.


-------- to be continued -------

Something genuine !

We talk free,
out of concerns,
and when we walk...
hand in hand,
with smiles and laughs !

in the solitude,
watching the horizon,
am I lonesome?
socially awkward....an outcast !

sometimes I view,
to be mingled,
not lose in this race,
and left abandoned !

Try, try and try,
with hopeful prospects,
some differences, contradictions,
and all ends in failure !

The spring of life,
everyone's wishes and desires...
the stimulation of heart,
brightening up the flares !

Then comes the cold wind,
of rational calculations,
splashing out the fires..
out of personal aspirations !

Of all talks,
and the explanations,
avoidance of the inevitable,
rebelling out of social norms !

My heart craving it out,
and mind reasons...
in the end, what I seek ?
is something genuine !!

The one, natural and honest,
the grasp of the pure,
may be, all I wanted...
was something genuine !