Sangeetha Kamath

                          BY THE SEASIDE  Sandcastles and towers on the beach Picking pebbles and many shells Surf and froth lacing my feet Waves rising—turquoise, teal Lilac-gray dusk sky Blazing sun dips Gaze at moon Glowing Gold ©️ Sangeetha Kamath  ( syllable counter used: Howmanysyllables.com)

                                                          SAMHAIN  The street was flanked on both sides by rows of houses and the lawns were decorated with scarecrows, jack-o'-lanterns and stacks of gourds.  Giggling children scurried past me in ghoulish costumes and scary masks.  I took confident strides towards a house on my left. In my Dracula getup, I was unrecognizable.  The family inside was holding a party and from the squeals, it seemed like some games were well underway.  The rooms were dimly lit. Tables were set for apple bobbing in the next room.  'She' was in a Halloween costume too but it was easy to spot her—a 'witch' playing host.   I tapped her on the shoulder and asked her to lead me to the washroom. Taking me to be one of her guests, we passed the apple bobbing table.  Her screams were muffled with other playful shrieks and gory noises amidst the Halloween effects as I dunked her head in the tub of water and held her there until her wild thrashing

                            WAKE UP! Visions that fade away from the grasp of sleep In the chambers of my soul they disappear into the deep For a brief, sweet hour I waft above the clouds Memories bittersweet are folded in powder blue shrouds On tiptoe they glide and take me along to paradise  A magic door opens and a thrumming portal swings by Strange, wild dreams with shadows looming large and menacing Breaking in sweat sometimes I wake up with my heart pounding Deep dark woods and labyrinthine alleys Running for my dear life from the chase, ending in a free fall in a chasmal valley On bleak shores of rapid streams I lose my way Fumbling and tripping on unknown terrains, my foothold sways Rustling paths appear to take me back to times forgotten To my loved ones looking happy, now long gone  I fly on tired wings to the land of wakefulness  Sometimes refreshed and blissful, sometimes relieved to escape the nightmarish realms. ©️ Sangeetha Kamath Pic Courtesy: Pixabay