Memory past and future
(i)
in the beginning
darkness and light
tangled through
the ocean of possibilities
to the bloodshed
of mahabharata
and beyond
the word
ducked and dodged
through dark and light
to the cross
the crusades
and beyond
into you and me
acting in
the deathly dramas
of yemen and ukraine
(ii)
somewhere
there are
flickering fragments
of other stories
no longer on our tongues
can you and i
bend our words
to mine
those moments
of a different truth
create new memes
that dance
in the air we breathe
Poonam Jain, 2023
Rainbow
On an inky dark sky
Horizon to horizon
A big sweep of colour
Rainbow
Intensely brilliant
Filled with joy
Spirit lifted
Life affirmed
I dance, I sing
I could do anything
I smile
It faded
looked away
Contented
Arun Misra, 2023
Transience
Everything passes
Seasons too.
Flowers fade
Dew disperses
Waves break
Love is lost
Hopes dashed
Horizons dimmed.
I weep,
Cling on,
Let go,
Keep alive
Through song, ritual,
Time-honoured traditions.
It is in the mind
The choice is mine.
Flowers fade
Yet beauty endures
A conviction, a memory, and,
A blossoming bud with fresher hues.
Dew dances with every dawn.
Waves return with riotous strength and song.
Love lingers in the soul,
A vision; a passion.
Anger too may pass,
To resistance; to forgiveness.
Is anything ever lost?
Is the river lost when it merges into the sea?
I mourn the loss of each passing,
Yet celebrate the gift of transience.
Poonam Jain, 2018