tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72874052024-03-14T23:34:29.928+05:30InklingsRamyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11463894001297755306noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-27138031464533677642023-10-30T21:41:00.005+05:302023-11-25T14:07:07.840+05:30guilt-shopping<p><span face="tahoma, sans-serif">if you want to shop for guilt<br /></span><span face="tahoma, sans-serif">the options are dazzling <br />the malls are well-stocked</span></p><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">there's guilt of war, of climate change</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">there's guilt about not meeting others expectations of us <br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">about not meeting our own </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">we're guilty about the things we can't change </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">we're guilty about what we can but don't. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">there's guilt about not living an authentic life<br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">there's guilt about being selfish </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">ah, guilt -- expensive, expensive guilt </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">we spend extravagantly on buying guilt </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">we beg, steal, borrow, we even seek it out </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">it makes us feel important, this guilt </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">but you know, sometimes it <br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">doesn't even belong to us. <br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">we can lament at who we have become </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">power-hungry barbarians? </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">planet-destroying beasts? </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">or we can be economical, </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">keep the burden light,</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">build a little bit of apathy, </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">and distract ourselves </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">with trees and birds and things --</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">things that are less heavy on the heart </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">so that we can all </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">move along now.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-19142074933909906402023-06-22T00:47:00.001+05:302023-06-26T00:49:15.538+05:30lunch buddy<div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">who do I have lunch with</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">in this sea of people</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">all disappearing into each other</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">with their swaying forks and laughing faces</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">so confident, loud, familiar </span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">who do I have lunch with</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">do I try to catch someone's eye</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">or do I wait for a friendly wave</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">do I look away and pretend I don't care</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">take my tray and sit</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">coolly and confidently by myself </span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">or will that appear rude? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">should I ask someone</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">if I may join them</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">or will that seem intrusive? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">who do I have lunch with</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">in this sea of people</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">all disappearing into each other</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">while I stand, so visible</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">to myself, heart racing</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">wishing to disappear</span></div><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">just like everyone else </span></div></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-18809522579342992042023-03-22T01:54:00.001+05:302023-06-26T00:56:56.045+05:30new<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">i don't know <br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">whether i'm in a rush <br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">to get to know you </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">or if I'm in a rush <br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">to show you me </span></span></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-28101942588042546982023-03-17T02:35:00.003+05:302023-06-26T00:50:12.823+05:30Misfit<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">a misfit in most places <br />I find relief and liberation<br />in the company<br />of strangers</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br />I can pretend<br />I'm just like them</span></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-35212288312395726642023-01-25T01:50:00.014+05:302023-06-26T00:53:03.380+05:30reminder<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">this is a note<br />that I will revisit <br />on a day that I need reminding </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;"><br />this is a vow <br />to always find pockets of freedom <br />within boundaries <br />(even if I have to create them myself) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">this is a pledge<br />to sing loudly when there's silence <br />and softly where there's noise <br />(but to always have a melody within)<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">this is a promise <br />that I will always find hope <br />in every dancing autumn leaf<br />(even when it settles on wet ground)<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">this is a resolution<br />to unhesitatingly seek the warmth of family and friends<br />and offer as much of myself as I can <br />(but also without depleting my resources) <br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">this is a pledge<br />to read and write and laugh and<br />make new friends and keep moving on <br />(even on, especially on, days that tell me otherwise) <br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">and when I read this one day<br />I'll know that I was wise<br />to have written this note<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">to remind me that I've crafted<br />a rich, authentic, abundant life <br />with intent. </span></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-37433444696227759842022-08-30T01:40:00.001+05:302022-09-08T01:41:05.678+05:30give it to me<div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">give me your pain </span></div><div><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">let me carry it for you </span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am not suffering </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but you are </span></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">give me your pain </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know it is not mine to carry </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">but please</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">let me help </span></p></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-47479718220053668792022-08-20T01:29:00.001+05:302022-09-08T01:31:35.254+05:30joy<span style="font-family: verdana;">song in my body</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">spring in my step</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">heart so full</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">it's going to explode</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">in this moment</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">life is worth living </span></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-72771880146663771082022-08-04T01:31:00.001+05:302022-09-08T01:32:15.525+05:30swim<div><span style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">i like many things about swimming </span></span></div><div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">but what i like best </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">is finding weightlessness </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">i'm buoyant <br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">unburdened by my own thoughts </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">unbothered by what the world wants from me </span></div></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-66573067399644378162022-01-05T02:32:00.000+05:302022-09-08T01:33:30.080+05:30watch me<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="gmail_default"></span>I'm going to do it</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to do it all</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm going to have it all </span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Don't ask me to slow down</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm hurtling forward at top speed </span></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-600523570525389072021-09-10T01:34:00.002+05:302023-02-07T02:41:16.602+05:30return<span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="gmail_default" face="tahoma, sans-serif"></span>I want nothing in return</span><br style="color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">for loving you </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I watch you</span><br style="color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">smile and laugh</span><br style="color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">live your life</span><br style="color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">with so much joy</span><br style="color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't mind if I'm not in it</span><br style="color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" /></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-64631388426756790772021-09-02T18:01:00.000+05:302021-09-02T18:01:14.251+05:30all of me<p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">if i could </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">i would sit down with you </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">in a quiet corner </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">and hold your hands in mine </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">and in that slot of time </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">i would give you </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">all of me </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">later, we will forget and move on <br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">life will take over</div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">we will get busy</div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">but one day you will remember</div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">that you and i sat down </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">in a quiet corner </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">and shared this moment </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">one day you had </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">all of me</div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-63160618181416349742021-08-27T01:35:00.001+05:302022-09-08T01:36:17.321+05:30you're okay<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">you're okay, they said </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">you're doing fine</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">you're doing great</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">and she died while</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">crying out that she wasn't </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;" /></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-48150319269224961542021-08-09T22:32:00.000+05:302021-08-09T22:32:37.413+05:30verdict<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">you wronged me and i apologized</div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">you hit your head against the wall and i assumed i hurt you </div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">you cut me off and i blamed myself</div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">you, and you, and you, all of you. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">i must have been crazy to have </div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">taken on your share for so long</div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">i've redeemed myself now<br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">i pronounce myself <b>not guilty</b></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-59666349611798025932021-07-12T21:09:00.006+05:302021-07-12T21:16:45.627+05:30walk<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">bare feet sink into mud</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">as i walk on wet soil </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">my toes curl around leaves</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">of jagged edges and velvety surfaces</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">i walk in solitude</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">i walk in silence</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">i walk to remain suspended </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">in thoughtlessness<br /><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">i walk through hours </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">of light and dark </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">i walk in desperation <br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">i walk for space, i walk for time</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">i walk for relief, <br />i walk to feel a little numb <br />i walk even though <br />my skin is blistered and bleeding </div><p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"></div><p></p><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;">i surrender <br /><div class="gmail_default">to the rhythm of my feet </div><div class="gmail_default">as they carve out lines</div><div class="gmail_default">on a map that only i know </div><div class="gmail_default"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default">i keep going, </div><div class="gmail_default">steady, sane, sound </div><div class="gmail_default">on a ground <br />that features madmen and gone-too-soons. </div><div class="gmail_default"></div></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-7056569674987004892021-06-18T21:32:00.002+05:302021-06-28T18:30:42.475+05:30friend<p><span>you call me your friend<br />and my heart bursts with joy <br />at knowing that, across the ocean <br />i've got a hand to hold </span></p><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-6210457303503403422021-05-21T21:56:00.001+05:302021-07-12T21:56:36.456+05:30kind<p><span>your words, gentle<br />moving carefully,<br />avoiding everything<br />you know i don't want to talk about<br /><br />you find the safe zones<br />you hold and respect my silence <br />and i want to let you in </span></p><p><span>as my words find yours<br />within all the lines we've drawn<br /></span>you have my full, honest story </p>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-84335345020531020372021-05-01T22:20:00.020+05:302021-07-12T23:39:27.208+05:30redefining home<p><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love this street
</span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">one that I've called home for twenty three years
</span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've watched the mango and neem trees grow
</span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">and welcome monkeys, bats and cicadas</span></p><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">I wake up to the call of a purple sunbird </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">I listen to the song of a grey-bellied cuckoo <br /></span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the afternoon, a hornbill's screech surprises us all </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">while a black kite soars in the sky
</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">there's a tailorbird in the coconut tree </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">invisible, but it makes itself known
today is a good day for </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">a duet with a chirping squirrel</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"> </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">in the evening, when the wind blows</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">stray gulmohar flowers and </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">white jasmine cover the ground </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">as do the seeds of the copperpod tree</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">oh, how I love that street </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">and how well I know it </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">and its inhabitants, including </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">hesitant shrews and nocturnal frogs </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">but far away, in another country </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">I am getting to know a new street
I am learning its secrets and surprises </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">and the life it holds </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">here, I wake up to the call of the blackbird</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">and the twittering of robins</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I watch magpies hop on the ground </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">and sparrowhawks circle above</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">the sweet smell of jasmine</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">is now replaced with the strong scent of hyacinths </span><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">the tabebuia and jacaranda trees </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">are recoloured in magnolia and cherry blossom </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">everything that I defined as home </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">the soundscapes, the enchantment, the familiarity</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">have now taken on a new meaning </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">and my boundaries have expanded </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">I find myself falling in love</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">unexpectedly and a little hesitantly
looking for </span></span><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">signs that will one day </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">spell a new nostalgia </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #202124; font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span face="arial, sans-serif">home is a funny thing</span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">it can be here </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">but it can also be </span></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: none; letter-spacing: 0.1px; white-space: pre-wrap;">five thousand miles away </span></span></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-36921764162975580262021-04-18T21:51:00.000+05:302021-07-12T21:52:07.929+05:30episode<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">in a moment</div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">everything is lost </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">i tremble and shake </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">a plate breaks into pieces </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">a head bangs against a wall </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">tears roll down like rivers </div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">the walls cave around me</div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;">i squirm and howl <br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="color: #222222; font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="gmail_default">i am never enough</div></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-73200893195802791732020-09-22T01:44:00.007+05:302021-07-12T21:53:33.893+05:30inexhaustible<div dir="auto"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma,sans-serif;">what a layered personality you are </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma,sans-serif;">peel peel peel</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma,sans-serif;">and there's something new on offer </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma,sans-serif;">you're inexhaustible </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma,sans-serif;">show me more </div></div><div dir="auto"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"></div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-35201532705363840312020-09-15T23:57:00.003+05:302021-07-06T01:45:39.706+05:30Nothing<div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">days strung together</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">tightly, like nylon on a guitar </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">fingers strumming </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">fret after fret </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">slightly out of tune </span></div><div class="gmail_default"></div></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">time goes by </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">fingers drumming </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">on a table, waiting </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">for another moment to go by <br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">another insignificant nothing </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">an open window </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">a bee buzzing</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">drawing zigzag patterns </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">seeking sweet, sweet nectar </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">but this room is empty </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">a humid evening</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="gmail_default" face=""trebuchet ms",sans-serif"></span><span class="gmail_default" face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">dragonflies</span> humming <br /></span><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">the air heavy, holding back </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">promises of something </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">that's not going to happen today </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">a sky full of stars<br /></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">a cricket chirping </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">smoke rises in circles </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">fading into the darkness </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family: arial;">that was today </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-10773331686134294232020-09-09T21:19:00.006+05:302023-02-07T02:40:21.703+05:30confession<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="gmail_default" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><div class="gmail_default">this is my confession to you </div><div class="gmail_default">of how much of you </div><div class="gmail_default">i love and admire </div><div class="gmail_default"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default">i want so much of you </div><div class="gmail_default">but i only want that <br />which nobody else has </div><div class="gmail_default"><br /></div><div class="gmail_default">and me wanting that </div><div class="gmail_default">will ruin</div><div class="gmail_default">what we have now </div></span></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-71527358939322694642020-09-07T03:10:00.009+05:302021-07-06T01:50:34.583+05:30trapped<div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;">trapped by boundaries </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">trapped because you're limited</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">trapped because you're only </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">something in a container</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">trapped because you don't matter </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">in the enormity of the universe </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">trapped because you're an inconsequential speck</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">hardly capable of moving mountains</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">trapped by restlessness</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a desperate, wanting, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">fiery, seeking soul</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">stifled inside your body </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">but wait oh look </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a window of escape</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a train ticket, an open field </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a dog licking your face</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a tiny hand in yours</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a note of appreciation</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a winding road through </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">that unbudging mountain</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a warm embrace</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a snail on a leaf </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">a changing season</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">something beautiful, beyond reason</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">trapped between the </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">beginning and the end</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">trapped by the fact that</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">this is all we know</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">who knows what's gone before </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">and what will come after </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">maybe this is our shot at freedom</span></div></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-77914544105992734802020-08-10T22:30:00.001+05:302021-07-12T22:31:12.293+05:30keepsake<div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="gmail_default">l</span>et me not deny myself</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="gmail_default">o</span>f what I feel for you</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="gmail_default">l</span>et me feel the agony</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="gmail_default">o</span>f wanting what i can't have</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="gmail_default">s</span>o that tomorrow <span class="gmail_default"><br /></span>when <span class="gmail_default">i</span> get over this</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="gmail_default">i</span> will remember what it was like</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="gmail_default">t</span>o be so in love with you </span></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-51718987871407939992020-07-11T22:33:00.001+05:302023-05-21T15:07:18.965+05:30aging<div dir="auto"><span class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif">i don't want to be younger</span></span></div><div><span class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif">i don't wish to turn back time </span></span></div><div><span class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif">look how far i've come </span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br />i've grown so much <br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif">i'm wiser, i'm sillier </span></div></div><div dir="auto"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><span class="gmail_default">i</span>t's okay either way</span></div><div dir="auto"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br />i don't want to be a child, <br /><span class="gmail_default">i don't want to be a number</span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif">i'm happy where i am </span></span></div><div><span class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif"><br />a point in the journey </span></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="gmail_default"><span face="arial, sans-serif">of unspecified duration </span></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"></div></div><div dir="auto"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: tahoma, sans-serif;"></div></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287405.post-81220902338862175982020-01-28T02:04:00.002+05:302021-06-26T21:31:14.518+05:30indispensable<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">so hard I try<br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">to make myself indispensable<br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">so easily<br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">you dismiss me</span></span></div>Ramya Sriramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341916424439858652noreply@blogger.com0