Love-in-a-mist

The flower chose to stay in her garden.

The bypasser was never in her interest.

Isn't Gardener's love all she needed!

The passerby has no wishes

 to cull the flower from her garden.

He comes from the wilderness.

In his forest, wildflowers choose

whose hands they want to embrace! 

Trespassing is prosecuted, they say

Saving a few memories of her smile?

That's a privilege of a wanderlust!

His soul is full of her fragrance.

Who would tell the flower

It's presence was all that was needed

To make his transient life beautiful!

Many flowers wish for a garden 

when they all belong to a forest!

The wayfarer went his way.

His heart full of her charm.

The stubborn flower took a peek

at the eyes that admired,

but the garden is all she knew. 

Sarva

In the Basement of My Heart

I climbed down 

the basement of my heart,

dusted off its corners

and made a little home:

Good old days!

I can smell its fragrance;

its aura feels familiar.

Whenever going gets tough..

and world feels weary..

I come to fetch the life-drink

in the reservoir of my adolescence;

a magical potion concocted by time. 

When misery engulfs..

I visit the old times. 

The high-spirits of the Old Love:

How I want its unflinching faith!

its resolute hope against all odds!

that strength of a fragility

to let go...

yet hang on to 

dear life!

there! 

the tonic I was looking for..

Saravanan

In the Graveyard of his Heart

Years ago,

When he spoke to her,

She wouldn't speak much;

She never cared as such,

that it's hurting.

Much water under the bridge.

These days,

Whenever he spoke to her,

She wouldn't speak much;

fearing what words can do.

that it's still hurting.

Emptiness of words 

Enigma of her silence - both 

hardened his heart,

he wouldn't even cry. 

The earth looked at the sky

so broken, asked: 

Are we forever...

this doomed..

to be distant? 

Sarva

Echoes from the Past

Whenever she was around

She was a happy song;

Sang she a lullaby.

Her memories persist

even after she's gone

like a sad song stuck

in my head- a lamentation.

Sometimes when I think of it

a melancholy of grief plays;

Yet, she was a sweet melody

like a song from long time ago.

It's rhythm fresh even now,

my heart still pulsates to it.

I don't know if she's, huh?

What do they call it? 

a soulmate? Nevermind!

She was but a songmate!

And that's something! 

Tell her when you pass by,

That I miss her

Like an old soul misses

his radio box;

Like a lonely sky misses 

it's nightingale,

Like a....

Sarva

Chrysanthemum

She walked all over his heart's carpet.

Upset, the love of her life wouldn't bloom.

He still blossomed everyday-alas!

Only to be crushed under her feet.

 By the thoughts of her moon, 

She was frozen all the time.

Ceased he not, to burn his soul

To keep her warm, to keep her warm.

He carried her prayers

to the gods, he knew not.

He summoned the stars

to keep her nights charmed.

Waiting for her Water Lily

She could see him smile- one day!

The cosmos cried with the rain,

the wild flowers though withered.

What she wished for 

was under her feet!

The Chrysanthemum went

To decorate the dead. 

Sarva

A Nation Flagged!

This country is no place for women;

Every quarter an hour a rape condoned.

It's people shut their eyes;

It's police closes the case.

Feeling pukish? Here's our flagcloth torn!

Sarva

Strange Love: Together, Apart!

 

She was a hill top;

I was a foothill.

What a rollercoaster ride!

She was not my cup of tea;

I was not her filter coffee.

What stirred our little hearts?

She was a lightning flash;

I was a wild forest.

Did she set my youth on fire? 

She was a Saffron Princess;

I was merely a Wayfarer.

How long am I sentenced in love? 

She was an action sequence;

I was a musical play.

What climax awaits this show?

She was my prayer; No!

I was not her wish fulfilment.

Whose plea would the gods pay heed? 

She was my harsh truth;

I was her beautiful lie.

Are we a work of fiction?

She was my eyes;

I was her tears.

Is this how it ends, without a bye?

She was the Cross;

I was the Christ.

Whose sins are we bearing?

Sarva

Emotional Journey of an Unread Book!

There were times when he was ardently in conversation with her. He never thought she would vanish into thin air like her spoken word. She was so busy reading a book of her choice. He remained an unread book in her shelf. He was so waiting to be read by her. But that day never came. If he's a book worthy of its content, he realized he doesn't belong in her world. It's better to be unread than to end up being mistaken or torn, he calmed himself like a true book of wisdom. 

     She scorned at the book for its unique approach and alternative ideas quite different from her's. She was scared she'd like it. Since she always limited herself to her own kith and kin, she decided to get rid of him- an outsider, potentially a bad influence. 

      A book would rather wait for a reader who appreciated it's worth. That was his new readership engagement policy. After all, self respect is its first chapter. Very few crossed to reach love, it's second chapter. 

      He was a book unnoticed by many. Some glanced through; Others eagerly turned it's pages. A few got lost in between. Only one lasted. She picked up the book. 'This book belongs to Mythili Annadurai', she wrote on the first page. He was happy he could finally belong to someone. 

      Are you a book waiting for your reader or a reader waiting to pick your book? 

Sarva

Love, at your doorstep!

Flash fiction 13:

                             

After realising how she misunderstood him all this while, she came rushing back. She felt too guilty to look at him. He was stunned to see her at his doorstep. The inner child that was hurt, hid behind his tough exterior. The door wasn't completely open. Fear consumed both of them from inside. Silence was too loud to bear. Teary eyed, she opened up. Soon he put his guards down, after all, he knew she's more important than his ego. As they embraced love, embraced by it they were. 'There are no closed doors that love cannot unlock', read a poster behind them.

Saravanan

The Comeback!

Flash fiction 12:

That was a fateful day. The subject of her love was with the subject of his. She stood there shattered. The castle of desire came crumbling down. The moment of tragedy seemed insurmountable as it kept playing in her mind. Hours later.. She knew it's going to be tough to recompose herself again. Nevertheless she resolved to heal the wounds. Afterall, such disappointments were not new for her. Yet, she carried no resentment nor allowed any regrets to creep in. Love has only served her well. Days later...She realised there is no shame in trying to honour one's heart. She knew she deserves harmony and happiness. The strength of her character and the beauty of her heart made them available to her. Weeks later..Instead of looking for her dreamperson, she decided to wait for a person who shares her dreams and loves her enough to stand by her. As she stepped out, the grace of her nose pin and the twinkle of her ear ring came from within. There! Look at her brimming with joy in the ocean of her desire, flowing like a wild river in the rough rocks of man's world. Now. That's how you come back! 

Saravanan

Up in the air, Love!

Flash fiction 11:

Life kept him occupied. He never had a chance to experience love beyond the triangle of family, friends and work. He has so much love to offer for the one who could be. He's ready for love, finally.

Relationship kept her occupied until one day she had to break up. She had never spent time for herself. Little did she realised that she missed her freedom for so long. But she has no love to offer to anyone.

When they crossed paths, again and again, they couldn't resist but smile. When Cupid strikes, incredible connections are on the cards. That's how love met lovelessness. Is it a match or a misfortune?

Saravanan

கல்லறைப் பூக்கள்

வறண்ட பூமியும்
இருண்ட வானமும்
வண்ணம் இழந்த
வானவில் போல்
ஆவேனோ சொல்?
என் ஆருயிரே!
வலிகள் மிகுந்த அத்யாயத்தில்
கதவை அடைத்த இந்த காதல்
எனை கடந்தும் சென்றதுவோ? -
மன்னவன் வாடினான்.

எனைப் பிடிக்கவில்லை
என்பதற்கு ஆயிரம்
காரணங்கள்
உன்னிடம் உண்டு.
உனைப் பிடித்ததற்கு என்
உயிரில் கலந்த காதல்
மட்டுமே காரணம்.
ஒருதலை ராகம் கேட்க
பூங்குழலி நீ இல்லை! என
பொன்மகன் வாடினான்.

நிராயுதபாணியாக
நிற்கிறேன்!
காதல் போர்
தொடுக்கிறாள்!
தேன் சொற்கள்
கொண்டு சென்றேன்.
போர் தோற்கத்தான்!
அவ்வாறன்றோ
காதல் வெல்லும்.
தங்கமகன் உருகிநின்றான்.

தித்திக்கும் பார்வை
இல்லற இனிமை
இவற்றுள் நம்பிக்கை அற்றவள்,
வேண்டாம் நான் இனி-என்று
காதல் மறுப்பு செய்துவிட்டாள்.
வேண்டா காதல்
என்றொன்றுண்டோ?
அன்றுடன் அவள் திசை
வராமல் தவிர்த்தது அவன்
பெண்மை போற்றும் கண்ணியம்.

இந்த நிலவு தன் வானைத்
தொலைத்த தறியாமல்
தன்னிலை மறந்ததென்ன!
மலர்கள் கோபம் கொண்டன.
பிரபஞ்சத்தின் நிசப்தத்தில்
அவன் இதயத் துடிப்பு
கேட்கவில்லையே!
நேசத் தாய் தன் சேய்
கொண்டு சென்றாளோ?
கல்லறைப் பூக்கள் கனக்கிறதே!

சரவணன்

Scarred Nation

Thoughts 2:

 When a person dehumanizes another on the basis of his or her religion, caste, nationality,  gender or sexual orientation, the act of violence first happens in his or her thought, it manifests in the language used and finally leaves a mark of it's intentions on a body. The wounds heal, but scars always remain as an indelible mark of shame and disgrace. A forward-looking civilization should stop this vicious cycle not only at it's consequence but at it's very roots.

Saravanan

The tragedy of the tangerines

Short fiction 10:

They said they'll bring back the glorious days of the past. That ancient legacy of this great civilization. He was told that they will save his religion from the jaws of secularism. That he can now wear his identity in his sleeve. The fear of his fellow others forced him to vote for vigilantes. Voting in favor of them was his dharm, they nudged. He never knew that he was opening a Pandora's box. The EVMs invoked the demons of history that has come back to haunt his nation again. Like a true bhakt he felt whatever unfolded thereafter was meant to happen in the name of Ram. Hatred was sowed in the barren lands of democracy. Times passed by.

Nothing improved his farm income for years now. Although there has been a good crop of tangerines in Nagpur this time. He thought the color of his future would be orange. It's been four years since his son graduated. He couldn't fetch a job. His son had a bad temperament which reminded him of his youth. He always advised him to remain calm. Interests accrued upon his student loan and the family was caught in a debt trap. The bank officers made a frequent visit to warn them. He looked up and asked his God if he's been tested. He lost hope of the promises that were made to him. He knew he got his religion back, but in the sanctum sanctorum of his heart, there was no God. He felt empty and sad.

The dissonance was disrupted by a deadening noise of a door knock. He felt anxious who was knocking at his door at 2 AM in the morning. His wife went to open the door. He was perplexed to see cops at home. They said they've come to investigate his son over a lynching case. He could already smell something bad. He sweated inside realizing he's encountering the devil at his doorstep. His son was taken into custody. He could see his world collapse in front of him.

'If we brought this upon us, then it's upto us to unmake it', his wife said in a firm voice. 

The Confluence

Flash Fiction 9:

They feared losing their sovereignty over their selves. He doesn't want her to want him. Neither does she want him to desire her. Still they both secretly wanted to be with each other. The stream of love gradually gushed into their nerves. This tension kept them both away yet closer. The mental conflict was unbearable. Running apart from one another only made it worse. They decided to face it that day, after all they're colleagues and have spoken before. They saw each other in their office canteen. He said hi, she smiled. They could hear their hearts beat swifter than usual. Their spirits danced inside. The situation was both delicate and overwhelming. They looked off each other to calm their nerves. It was crazy. Once they had put their guards down, the floodgates of desire went unfastened.  Nothing after that could stop those streams from coming together.

The Pursuit of Love

'You'd feel the divine one day', he could hear Fr. David's voice as Prof.Vasudev left the church. 'Sure, I am looking forward to!', he responded. Both were batchmates during their college days. Vasudev is agnostic and likes to live life in modesty. Anything extra makes him cringe. He advises his students the same. 'Practice austerity', he often tells. 

As he entered the college that day, Prof Vasudev felt something peculiar as he saw his peers gossip in hushed tone. Although, he doesn't expect anything better from his chatterbox colleagues he wants to know what is scandalizing the day. 

Later that day, Fr David was talking to two students and their family members in his room. He seemed perplexed and agitated. Vasudev remembers both the boy and the girl since they took one of his classes together last year. He understood that it's about their relationship. Their parents have come from distant lands to take them back. He could hear an infant crying and wondered what's happening. David narrated him the story. That both were living in together and chose to bear a child. Since they were not attending college regularly, none of them knew about it. Distaste due to arguments and intolerance due to hatred have replaced romance. The girl child is now as unrequited as the love they shared with each other. Father asked the families to leave the child with him as they both refused to take responsibility for the baby. 

Prof Vasu couldn't control but smile at the little wonder he saw in front of him. He was a loner all his life. He knew how it feels to be left alone. After his wife's untimely demise, he wasn't ready to marry again. But there was something about the girl child that urged him to ask David if he could adopt the new born. Father David refused firmly and gave him the card of the counselor he always wanted him to meet. He took it hesitantly but understood why he insists. 'Atleast, believe in love' David shouted as Vasu left. 'I'll try', David could hear Vasu's voice echo over his shoulders. 

'Dr. Sherin? Hi. I'm Prof Vasu!' 

'Hello! Fr David said you'd come. Please have a seat.'

'Thank you.'

'Loneliness and depression can affect anyone and it is understandable given our times' she comforted. Prof Vasu smiled and replied, 'I agree. But....'

'Do you also find issues with sleep?' she enquired.

'No... But...'

'Tell me Mr Vasu, why won't you marry again?

'Exactly... Will you?'

'Pardon? I didn't get you'

'Would you like to marry me?'

'Listen... I'm a counselor... I treat patients'

'I know... But I'm not one. I knew about you through Father David who is also my friend.'

'But you know nothing about me.. Why would you want to marry me'

'Yes.. Nothing, except that you lost your beloved family during the Gujarat riots. You were in trauma and shock for years.  So much so, you chose to remain single forever. We deserve love, Sherin. And it has arrived. '

'I can't marry you for the child you want to adopt'

'Sorry, to me it looks the child is adopting us. Without her, what hope do we have for our deserted lives? The child gives me hope, a new lease of life and purpose.' 

'I don't want a family'

'No, Sherin. You do. We all do.  I always admired you. You're a strong lady. Part of this strength is also learning to trust again. I'd be happy to share the rest of my life with you. But please don't feel compelled. I'll give you time to think about it... See you!' 

Sherin showed up after a week. She loved her family so much and yearned to have one. She liked Vasu and the kid. Prof Vasu saw his daughter as an angel. David was delighted to finally see his friend happy. Many couples inhabit love, there are only a few couples wherein love wishes to inhabit. Choosing to love again, Vasu and Sherin refused to be defined by their past. They made space for love. As a result they got a girl who would constantly remind them that this life is a marvelous journey. And they need not wander in solitude. Life has given them a beautiful companion. They named her, Sajna. 

Saravanan

Birds of Different Feathers

Short story 7:

He never realized that she was the one. Neither did she when they went their separate ways. The alchemy of separation brought their desire for each other out. It turned indifference into inevitable, fondness into passion for one another. But she was confined by doubts and fears. Her desire was caged by bars of faith, creed and community mores. However, his heart suffered from within for this transition that love brought about was excruciating yet celestial. His yearning for her reconfigured the cosmology inside him. He felt like a deserted bird with deep anguish, fluttering in open space. They know they're not birds of the same feather. But they want to fly together. Do they have a sky? 

Meant to be

      She reminisces the best of times they both had during their journey together. He decided to move on with life without her. It was a mutual decision so she came to the station to send him off, although with a heavy heart. Their recent skirmishes opened up a can of worms that laid bare the fault lines in their relationship. Although, a part of her refuses to end it and make space for the new one. She kept standing in the railway station unable to move forward long after the train had gone. Stuck to the ground, she cursed her life for crippling her soul. She had no tears to shed and no courage to pursue new paths of love and life. And, all of a sudden, she heard a familiar voice, 'Hai, is this Sweta? How have you been? Long time!!' It was Samar her schoolmate from the past. She hid her grief in her smile and replied, 'Good... Where have you been?'. ' Long story!! Are you going home? Can I drop you? he offered. She was hesitant but agreed to go. They had so much to share that their conversation seemed to go on for eternity. The car then drove into the sunset.

Saravanan

காதல் பெண்

காதல் தேவியிடம்
ஒரு காதல்
வேண்டினேன்.
தேவதை ஒருவள்
என் முன் வந்து
காதல்! என்றாள்.
மலைத்துப் போனேன்.
காதலே காதலியானது
விசித்திரம்!
அவள் பெயரின்
பொருள்
என் வாழ்வின்
அர்த்தம் ஆனது.
கரம் பிடித்தேன்
காதலை!

சரவணன்

Grey Hair

'You've grey hair, why don't you dye your hair?',  'You're growing old! Why don't you find a girl?'

As he batted these comments that are thrown at him as casual remarks, some of it bothered him while he shrugged his shoulders off the rest. He doesn't know whether to blame people or genetics for the attention his grey hair receives. He was obviously pissed that his hair gets more attention than him. Whereas his mother tends to oil his hair whenever he is home and insisted he takes bath with aloe vera for healthy hair. 'Grey hair is a mark of wisdom', his father quips. He stared at his father suspiciously as if he cracked where the deficiency came from. His grand mother although suggested that he eats nutritious food and sleeps on time. While walking back to office next morning, he resolved himself to take on life with moderation. He now feels aware that what he deals with in life is nothing purely black nor white but filled with shades of grey. Proud of this epiphany, everytime people inquire, he throws one-liner at them like his father:

'This grey hair has seen life, bro'

'George Clooney hair style! How's it?'

'Call me a Silver Fox!'

Saravanan