He asked me politely, ‘ Do not write
All these sob-stuff, write about happiness’.
I turned further morose when he said kindly
‘Regret I cannot take anything away
From what you write’.
Rummaging through my trunk
I retrieved my faded, forgotten mask
Of good cheer.
Clasping it over my face
I felt good, looking in the mirror
Because I was grinning
From ear to ear.
But then, queerly, the reflection
Had empty sockets
Where my eyes should've been.
********* Balachandran V, Trivandrum 05.11.2009
There is a resonant solidity to whatever you write, Balan--like the clang-clang-clang of metal on metal. Emotions, intensely put.
ReplyDeletetrue, a mask is never you. but we are nothing without it. what a predicament!
ReplyDeletelovely simply super, the laughter that reaches the eyes is the one that spreads the joy, the lips smile for frivilous matters
ReplyDeleteNo one else could have been able to put such thoughts in a beautiful manner as you have done Balanji!... All your fans, followers and readers may not come and tell you what did they have been taking away but I am sure you know it yourself what you've been giving to all of us.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it!
ReplyDeletenice words there. gather a sense of saddness. Its funny but i tend to write when my heart is heavy. either in rage or sorrrow. when there is this urge to vent out. happiness is light and rises on the surface effortlessly. sorrow tends to sink low. i realise that most of my poetry is dark as well :)
ReplyDeleteBalan,
ReplyDeleteI liked it.
Though it's oft quoted and cliched.
But the fact remains that we do wear it knowingly or unknowingly.
What a paradox! We live for Others'
@vijay: Cliche' , it is. But then, what isn't? There is nothing new in the world, only the different interpretations....
ReplyDeletestriking..very
ReplyDeleteYou said it!
ReplyDeleteNothing new in this world.
Absolutely true.