over*

like a moth to a flame
in the darkness
of a power cut

hovering around
the candle ring
carefully dodging,

but at times
almost dipping
into the yellow, clumsily

i keep coming back
even if i don't want to
i wish i could leave

you
i wish i could leave
but i'm here

because i forgive
so easily
every time

wait! the power's back
the flicker dies
in a whoosh

i'm free.

--------------------------------------------------------------

*this won third plaze in the Illuminati 2011 contest

unravelled

the more you reveal
the more
you puzzle me
redress yourself
in all those layers
and
i'll understand you better.

city rain

thick clouds,
jumbled wires
around a pole

brown leaves dance
across windshields
honking, packed cars

oranges sit brightly
on a cart, almost radiant
with anticipation

banging doors
and windows
a woman rushes

into her balcony
pulling at
clothes on the railing

at the bus stop
people huddled together
knowing they'll be stranded

the crescendo, activity
breaks at its peak
into the first few drops.

nungambakkam

crescent
on sterling road
puttu and kadalacurry

kodak studio
piano sounds
drifting in from
nearby music square

haddows road
an old favourite
with its big trees

and the red warmth
of oxford bookstore
familiar college road,
alliance, the irezumi board

kids hanging out
at ispahani, shopping at
khader nawaz khan road

in the centre
of all the traffic,
the maddening one-ways,
the buildings, big and little

rises,with humbling grace,
the beautiful white
loyola spire, embracing
the chennai sky.