Sangeetha Kamath

TIMELESS TALES  There was a time when photos were Black & White, Monochrome, Sepia; once upon a time But the trees in your backyard were a much idyllic Green--Chartruese, Jade, and Lime The fire in your hearth, glimmering as you stoked it---a sunset Orange, red-hot Tangerine and Amber  The skies, immensely boundless, a deep  pristine Blue--Sapphire, Azure and Cornflower  As you pointed out to me the floating, frothy clouds, the eagles with their fanned out wings gliding; Or the occasional, lone airplane soaring dominantly, a tiny speck high up, chinks of silver light like stars, crystal and diamond glinting... The twilight sky from our patio-- A splendid star-spangled show  With ribbons of plum and blueberry rivers on a dome Violet  The Ivory sequin of the heavens, the Mother-of-Pearl full moon as big as my palm, incandescent ! Outstretching them to catch a Silvery beam or perhaps to stroke The fabled Grey rabbit who you said, the carrots and the beetro...

                      BOHEMIAN MAGIC  Baubles and trinkets, bracelets and boots Capris of various colours, Denims faded or bright—ever so blue! Scarves of silk, patterns on them adorable Flowers and birds or abstract prints indiscernible Hats and bonnets or caps quite trendy If it's a Bohemian look I want I keep a bandana ready Clickety-clack go my heels as I pace my stall If there ain't no buyers all I have to do is holler and call Hung on the rack are jackets and trousers Blouses, tops, camisoles and blazers Belts of leather, metal rings or of intertwined ropes Classy look is in or so one hopes Cloaks and robes I've costumes so many Skirts and tutus to make you look like an endearing faerie Out in the humid and muggy clime, I swelter and wipe droplets of sweat People look at my wares and still want to bargain and bet My livelihood I earn with ethics and dignity At the end of the day I count my coins and sleep blissfully. ©️ S...

                  JEWEL IN THE SUNRISE  Fluttering in the breeze and unfurling like a rose It's our Tiranga rejoicing on her Independence Day; like a jewel in the sunrise she glows! Once upon a time called Sone ki Chidiya, This is my Hindustan, my Bharat, my India She lives free today, a reward for the painstaking battle fought To chase away the adversary and regain our former glory from naught Brave were those soldiers, selfless were those sons Patriotism ran in the families when they sacrificed children to the gallows and the military guns Words fall short and emotions run unbidden Courage was at its zenith for the exploited and downtrodden The sun dims a notch and the moon hangs low;  The stars shine brighter to honour the heroes of yore Some unsung and some unnamed,  Some unnoticed but their contributions were great We live in a free India as we bow down to those souls  Who watch us from the heavens above, their descen...

UNCROWNED QUEEN  It was her glorious handiwork and a magnificent craftsmanship Grandma spent her time embroidering dandelions and floating will-o'-the-wisp  Changing a stitch from satin to lazy daisy,  She could conjure a field of poppies or several bouquets of rosemary Swans and ducklings adorned my frocks  Teddy bears and cupcakes on my smocks Applique was her fond passion to which she devoted time for perfection Dolls with black, blonde and red hair  Coloured patterns embellished my pajamas and beach wear With pearls and laces my birthday dresses were trimmed  Lilac, mauve, plum; my favorite colors of threads in them, did swim Chain stitch and buttonhole stitch held me spellbound Grandma churned out roses and violets with ferns and wreaths around The Honeycomb camis I still hold to this day The fragrance of her love and sewing machine is doused in it like a mild lavender spray Nostalgia is abound with this gadget retro She is my uncrowned queen---undoubt...

                                    OF LAVENDERS AND ROSES Pages infused with a scent of a bouquet of lavender My serene thoughts tumble into one another as they swiftly gather Giving it tender dimension, depth and sound, I write about the quiet breeze that blows Or the burgeoning black mass of cloud that lividly rolls Musing about raindrops tapping a rhythmic beat on my window Or the trees outside blanketed with frost and crystalline snow Spilling sun-drenched dreams on it, or the winter's chill Snow capped peaks rise on it or bluebells bloom on the distant green hills Messy handwriting smudged by splotches of dewy tears  Writing is cathartic when I pen down my worries and fears Blank pages wait to be filled with scribbles, doodles or colors Stories and tales yet to be told  Lyrics of songs, dancing as they unfold Shuffling between magic and reality Sad farewells steep in melancholy Long...

                                                           WARPAINT  Mirror,mirror crack'd on the wall… I wore a chambray heart in a world so artificial, now I'm a shattered porcelain doll You reflect all my fears and flaws beautiful and bold, Your icy sheen casts me in a light  indifferent and cold It's a bleak truth, but, in your million shards I'm whole Sewn with gilded threads, I conceal scars and purple welts cruel Shattered, splintered, fragmented yet I reign and rule! Branched out lines, snapped spider webs of sheer silvery white shrapnel  On an ornate goblet, a studded chalice soaking midwinter night In equal measure float in droplets of rain and bleak sunlight  Through the serrated and jagged edges of the crystalline pane Looms a coastline of a faraway island empty and bare The chaotic edges have seen ravages o...

                            BRAMBLE 'N ROSE When shadows of the past climb over walls and dance on your ceilings And dark threads of sorrow and misery weave their tapestry of failings  The lines are blurred, lies and truths are filtered Fragments of sunlight bounce of the shards of your spirit; splintered, Sprinkle a mist of respite in the twilight hush Even if eclipsed, remember, the hallowed moon is a full circle with a halo and silver  blush You're entitled to have your fears without being called a coward by any norms It's okay to collapse, crash and crumble but it's not okay to lay down your arms!  Bounce back on your feet! Soldier onward! Draw your courage like a sword and envelop your faith like an iron shield  Wear your confidence like an armor;  You're allowed to fail without being tagged a failure! Face the sun, catch a sunbeam in your palm; The sunlight in your face, the toasty,...