Under the dimmed lights, shadowed faces.
Bow-tied waiters pad by silently.
From the blistering sun
Into dark, cold caves
Offering anonymity, security
Of a faceless existence.
The impassive courtesy
A flicker of familiarity
Assurance of a sanctuary -
How I love this place!
In the glass, the liquor
The clink of cubes
Frozen like my soul.
Fizz fizzling out
Like my dreams!
By oneself, in twosome or in groups
Men sit, talking, thinking, brooding
Staring into space like
Refugees in a transit camp.
On the wall, behind the glass
Fish swim listlessly.
How comforting, this asylum
Where I shall sink into
A transient oblivion!
************** Balachandran V, Trivandrum, 13.05.2010
"Cheers!" I hope I'm not being irreverent. Is there in it a subtle tone of sadness? I felt so.
ReplyDeleteyes, you are right. Your 'cheers!!" brought some cheer to me, though! :)
ReplyDeleteAn excellent write with clever use of metaphors. Our mind will allow us to be in any place at any time. Nothing stronger than the mind....
ReplyDeletefrozen like your soul? :(
ReplyDeleteSumi: Long time no see you in my blog! Frozen for now, hope will melt soon!
ReplyDeleteyou have brought out the ambience of the place beautifully, Balan. (not keerthi, though. there is no fish tank there.) you have also brought out the change in mood as one steps into the cool comfort of the asylum from the 'blistering sun.'
ReplyDeleteVenu: Fish tank is from another bar in Kottayam. The rest of course is Keerthi! :)
ReplyDeletefinding refuge is natural..and a drinking hole is always inviting!
ReplyDeleteDey Bals, I missed the "Keerthi" last sturday.All the more after these verse
ReplyDelete