Out of reach

Sweet fragrance, 

bright colors shining, 

blinding the eyes,

overpowering my senses. 

As a ripe fruit, 

up above the branches, 

enticing my heart, 

while being out of reach. 

You are an enchantress, 

catching up my attention every time, 

I just can't escape your allure, 

as if pulled by an invisible string. 

Lightning up the fire,

burning up in my desires,

I tried attempting to get closer, 

that ended up in failure. 

Accepting futility of my actions, 

I came to the realization, 

being happy looking from afar,

as you keep spreading your charm.

Sometimes it's better to admire, 

rather than falling in despair, 

keep one's impulses on lease,

and remain out of reach.

Rise up again

At the edge of reality and disbelief, 

My broken soul shivers deep,

Torn and shattered on the reef,

It falls down and weep. 

What is this place, disheveled and broken, 

Giving momentary relief as token,

Realization kept me dumbfounded and shaken, 

Making me lie anguished in pain. 

I was left empty, dark and cold,

Being punished for being stubborn and bold, 

If only someone warned or foretold, 

There are things that can't be controlled. 

I am angry, frustrated and disappointed, 

To reach a situation that I hated,

These emotions that the world created,

 Is making me invisible and faded. 

For many, I might have been lost, 

You have achievements, but at what cost?

I do have things to hold on, remain aloft, 

As there are people to support at my worst. 

Right now, nothing I say have much power, 

But I will rise up again and devour,

All lies and cheats, tricks of these cowards, 

Obtain everything that is ours. 

Reversal of memories

 Like a leaf floating in turbulent water,

Around the rocks in the flowing river,

Visualized the life that I lived till now,
By reminiscenting throught my memories.

Standing here on the roof,
I look at the vast city,
Admiring the empire that I built,
Out of my humble beginning.

With the amenities in my palm,
I relish all of these luxuries,
Looking down to the people below,
Running around over my orders.

Ah, I remember the time,
I started with my company,
Requesting for the loans,
Celebrating every single sales.

Oh, I was so naive,
Fresh out of my college,
Having the big corporate dream,
Ready for any sacrifices.
A rejection by my girlfriend,
Immersing in academics to cope with heart break,
Lamenting all the missed opportunities,
Of going out with my school friends.

Those were my true friends,
Being together with young days,
As we explored the surroundings,
Having all the adventures and games.

I even forgot my childhood,
Being shy behind mother's back,
Having the stranger anxiety,
And hiding inside my father's lap.

I don't recall much of grandparents,
But was aware of being loved,
As they carry me over their shoulders,
And taking my to everywhere.

I was so fortunate to be born,
In the small government hospital,
There was no noise or fanfare,
Only pure joy at my arrival.

Afterglow

 On a dark moonless night, 

I was walking in the countryside,

besides my friends who came along,

to explore and experience rural wilderness. 

Away from the city lights,

where everything were so bright, 

and we miss the opportunities, 

to view the natural landscape. 

I was humming a song, 

and swinging an old twig, 

as they were chatting merrily, 

for, it was their first time. 

Then it came to our view, 

like a magic casted by spirits, 

all the trees along the hill, 

with silhouettes against the sky. 

Filled with red and green,

sometimes light golden hue, 

like some artificial decorations, 

illuminating the path with wonderful view. 

We admired and ponder, 

how to describe this natural wonder, 

as it captured our gaze, 

mesmerizing us with its haze. 

It was like a fairy trail, 

intermittently vanishing due to flashlight,

the faint glimmer over trees and bushes,

were like momentary illusions of our sight.

Taking the longer path, 

we all observed silence, 

cold breeze brushes our cheek, 

nudging us to realize what we seek. 

Looking up towards the stars, 

I could only managed to whisper,

praise to the god for this magnificent show...

we were blessed with beautiful afterglow. 

Familiar dilemmas

 It's like a ritual,

to follow family traditions,

for supporting the close ones,

and fulfill our responsibilities. 

Be it our love and care,

or being sheltered and secure, 

with limited dreams and aspirations, 

and avoiding any wishful thinking. 

Being devoted to work and studies, 

and managing our respective duties,

and not seeking pleasures or stimulus, 

outside our sphere of interest. 

It'd like growing under a large tree,

with bigger shades and steady roots,

providing us the warmth and support, 

while being somewhat restrictive. 

There are some natural practices, 

that is followed by most species,

like seeds that travel far to germinate, 

or birds that leave behind their nests.

Youngsters do prefer being independent. 

sometimes rebel or show defiance, 

tired of all emotional restrains, 

it's their act of breaking the chain.

As they were free to follow their impulses, 

explore new things and make mistakes, 

they also seek attention and fame,

in their quest of gathering experiences. 

So, it depends on human nature,

and our surrounding social structure,

which gives us different options, 

to choose the path of our bearing.

Either we fall into laziness, 

in our tendencies to resist change,

or we value our aesthetics, 

that suits and  promotes our lifestyle. 

Each path have good and bad points,

One with stability and other freedom,

secure privacy or going through scrutiny, 

depends on our thoughts and action.

It's a dilemma indeed,

to take the leap of faith,

or let go of our desires,

and stay back for later date.

Food for thought?

 Hunger and thirst,

the primal desires,

to forage or hunt,

till our satisfaction.

Being weak, needed groups,

and sharing of our foods,

bringing over many conflicts, 

along with the security. 

Then we learned to farm,

and store them in our barn,

as we became more stable,

developed many dishes and flavors.

Here we are in new age,

with innumerable menu in different places,

each having their innovation,

or surviving their old traditions.

So, arrived were the gourmets,

exploring the standards and the craziest,

as they try anything edible,

making them all their playthings.

Identified as the foodies,

following up with many cuisines, 

enjoying and having fun,

sometimes getting too much greedy.

And here I am following their trails,

but for me it's just curiosity, 

as nourishment is my primary desire,

providing me complete nutrition,

also have some higher taste,

ones that are visually appealing,

stimulating hunger and palate pleasing,

rewarding me with the pleasure,

Isn't that's what it worth...

Any food for thought?

So much to say

 I have been silent,

For many years now,

Keeping all of my stories,

That's needed to be told. 

So much to tell,

But no one is listening, 

Giving their voluntary attention,

With a sincere heart.

I had to step back,

Take my sweet time,

As I moved on,

While searching for my kind.

There were some encounters, 

Hoping for a rendezvous, 

But it went down in few days,

Never had an emotional connect.

I had been honest,

And tried to speak out,

Keeping my choices upfront,

In my every interactions. 

So much in my mind,

That's build up in heart,

As I kept seeking outlets,

While sharing in small whispers. 

There's so much to say,

But I had been lacking,

In connecting or having conversations, 

With a desire for introversion. 

I am trying to change,

Working out my thought process,

May I find the one, 

Genuinely interested in communication.

 

© Dr. Manish Rout 

What I like about you

What I like about you?

let me think about it,

as I know this in my heart,

that I love the way you are.

Is that the smile,

that brightens my day like sunlight.

Or your personality,

of your presence in the society. 

You are so gentle,

the way you interact,

so kind and caring,

in your every interactions.

The sweetness of your nature,

and softness of your voice,

Somedays you were mischievous,

showing cute and bubbly side.

You were so admirable,

taking up the responsibilities, 

valuing every connections, 

while striving for liberty.

Ah, there is so much,

I can think of many,

no wonder I was smitten,

falling to your beauty.

A wish

 A wish,

sprouting from my desire,

hidden within my heart,

of shining like a star.

Thoughts might be a reflection, 

to bring smile on faces,

as a proof of my existence, 

making a sight to behold.

And in this place so serene,

I would feel the warmth,

of countless thanks and blessings, 

from that one simple wish.

Walk through the park

 The walk,

through the park,

besides the hedge,

on the stony pavement.

Wild flowers,

gloom away from view,

scanty fragrance emanates,

as I try to look nearer.

The garden has its flowerbeds, 

with colorful buds and leaves,

brightening at the center stage,

taking up all the gaze.

Being on the sides,

forgotten, unkempt, disorganized 

but fill up the surrounding,

with something necessary. 

So I continued,

searching for something new,

every corner have it's treasures,

when I started looking,

even it was just a walk...

through the park.

Still waiting

Still waiting, 

for my own fairy tale, 

of mysteries and magic,

with excitement of adventures. 

Having lovely encounters,

enriching my memories, 

from genuine interactions, 

and commonality of interests.

Away from monotonousity, 

this blandness of reality,

an escape to a lifestyle,

of playfulness and spontaneity. 

I don't desire the eutopia, 

nor the blessings of luxury,

but craving for stimulus,

vibe of some leisure.

May be I am tired,

needing some spice,

for sweetness is preferred, 

after the excess of saltiness.

But there is desperation,

a bit of jealousy,

in this world of achievements,

a desire of fulfillment. 

I am still waiting...

Farewell old friends

As I walked, on that path,

with concerns for my health,

Seasons changed, be it summer or rain,

and I kept walking on.

They were there, standing tall,

welcoming me in my stroll,

as shade from heat, covers for rain,

and I recieved them all.

Days passed, so the years,

it was the normal routine,

drought came, so the storm,

but they withstand them all.

Amazing are these lifeform,

acting as home for many,

always giving, so forgiving,

like a happy place for any.

But the world is cruel, 

with stresses in air and soil, 

so, one day I saw them fall..

out of pure agony.

Just a small drain work, 

and digging of its base,

roots broken, protection gone,

strong rainstorm broke their will.

I was heartbroken, 

could only spectate,

grieve the loss and wish,

farewell my friends..from old days.

Connections

  

Connections...

things that work,

everyday greetings,

simple gestures that we appreciate.

These days we are busy,

be it emotional unavailability,

sometimes work are hard,

facing stresses of life. 

 

We might seek solitude,

taking comfort in ourselves,

but loneliness does struck,

coming out in unexpected times.

 

And then we might need,

Eyes that see, ears that listen,

just a shoulder that supports,

steering though difficult times!

 

That's not all it is...

as someone that shares,

our joy or sadness,

with advice and encouragements!

Connections that we desire,

one that might see though our lenses,

but it also needs compromises,

to understand things they aspire.

 

Still it's worth it,

experience we might have,

making up the memories,

bonds that would get stronger,

As we keep holding on......

Connections