Asian Literary Society

That night when all seemed amiss and the thunder rumbled, Its ugly head raised like an adder’s in the sky, Two scared eyes from under the duvets peered, Expecting colossal light-bolt any moment to strike. Lo n’ behold! a magical shower escaped, As meteors slid slyly n’ Parallel sparks like star dust radiated far in the distance, Sparklers glowing in the hands of an excited child. The dark clouds of doom parted As bright magical shower drenched the firmament Like a bejeweled radiant bride. Fear left, awestruck the peering eyes twinkled. Enchanted by the realms of this universe That like little fairies with their wands lit Danced a shimmy in the night sky, Transforming a stormy scary night Into jubilation that only shooting stars could provide. As if the welkin, mother-like awash with emotion, Shooting stars like candles stuck on a heavenly cake, Made sure some wishes came to life!

The night when dense dark turbulent clouds Ghoulishly ferocious, towered Intimidated, n’ all seemed to go astray Life exuberant seemed lost to the demons of my past. Sky overcast with some memories grisly Haunted me, as dreams succumbed to life’s sorcery, Tears of tragedy poured down from  my eyes like clouds pregnant And lightning crackled it’s whip hard. That night when all seemed lost Strange intelligible thunder roared, Every time that lightning struck, Thunder too rumbled n’ rolled. Attentive, my eyes skyward, I listened As a thunderbolt pealed, Hold on! Hold on, for the grey overcast sky shall soon be clear Off these treacherous clouds n’ sunshine is just around the corner. Hold on! For hope, it is that thunder communicates. Hold on! Traveler, pick up a new trial. Ceraunophilic now, I wait for thunder to talk To me whenever life’s blues chase me or threaten my way.

I know you're up there mother, watching over me, A twinkling jewel in the vastness that stretches beyond seas. Perhaps that's why the midnight sky always felt like home, Pure bliss befell when I star-gazed from the terrace, alone. I knew you could see my silent tears of pain, For you hid behind the clouds and showered me with rain. I could sense your glee whenever I made you proud, You glowed more on those nights, a diamond in the crowd. That fateful night, when they cornered me in the alley, And the monsters' laughter echoed over my desperate pleas, I felt your despair reach me, like throes that wreck the heart, With anger and helplessness that tear a mother's soul apart. And you fell across the sky, so I could make a wish, For a savior that came by, to save me in a swish. I was saved that night, by the shooting star that fell, But losing you again, mother, the pain was very real. And every time I see a star, shooting across the sky, Your thoughts cross my mind, and a ...

The mighty beast soared on the lofty breeze He flew his MiG-21 Bison with so much ease  Valor of Wing Commander Abhinandan was unconquerable and supreme As he set out to fulfil his imperial dreams  Spreading its wings the jet engulfed  the sky in darkness  As it dominated the skies, people in envy witnessed  In adverse situations not once did he abort his flight For his country as he set out on a secret tryst  His jet was gunned down by the enemy’s air missiles  And was taken captive by the inscrutable hostiles  As he inadvertently parachuted over to the enemy territory  Unknowingly in those moments, he had created history  Feted as a hero for the dignity he maintained  Amidst humiliation all the torture he bravely sustained  By his captors, he was beaten and deprived of sleep He maintained silence as they continued to inflict wounds deep  Like an eagle, he defied the ferocious storms  And soon he was back in his colo...

“You’ll find me where eagles dare, But beware, dear, of the devil’s snare!” Manoj stared at the clue on the piece of paper, almost willing it to reveal its meaning. It had been hours since Priya had disappeared. She hadn’t been gone for so long before, heck! It hadn’t taken Manoj so long to figure out her clues before either. Manoj and Priya had been high-school sweethearts for a decade before they tied the knot a year back, and every weekend since, they had played this hide-and-seek game in turns, leaving behind clues for the other to lead them to their hiding places. The charm in it? All their hiding spots were supposed to be places they had frequented together so far. They were a daredevil pair and they had vowed to keep this fire of adventure alive as long as they lived. But things had gone too far this time. Manoj remembered, once when he couldn’t figure out her clues, he had given up after three hours and called his mother-in-law, tensed. Priya was upset with him for getting her ...

Lonely I lie in my bed, wretched and bereft of hope 'O God! What has become of this world!' I sigh Having bruised and maimed the mother Earth ruthlessly We, humans, are now paying for our inhuman ways! With brackish water pricking my eyes I gaze out from my window The life's existing darkness yearned to quench me When a tiny sparkle of glittering magic scintillating through the galaxy Illuminated the charcoal grey skies! A celestial wonder! That kindled love and positivity with its divine charms Gorgeously dripping hope into my crestfallen soul This God's handiwork uplifted my numbed spirits Chasing away the dark clouds of hopelessness and despair! Gawking at this magical gift from heaven I am reminded of God's existence and his divine mercies 'Stop worrying, wait patiently!' I felt I heard him whisper And with tears trickling down my eyes I pray for miraculous healing! This luminous speck of light in the dark sky is ephemeral Yet it holds dreams, hope and p...

O Mankind! You are destined for greatness Not to remain fettered by your self-doubts and inhibitions But to demolish the fear of failure that paralyzes you And soar high like eagles chasing your dreams and ambitions! When you're floundering in the dark bereft of mental strength Think of mighty eagle whose glorious flight knows no limits Soaring majestically on the bridge between heaven and earth With overwhelming strength and beauty, it symbolizes the dauntless spirit! O Mankind! Haven't you always been driven by selfish interests? You have bruised and maimed the mother Earth so ruthlessly As Nature unleashes its fury, learn from the wise eagle It flies high yet stays grounded, keeping Nature's balance healthy! When the lethal contagion wreaks havoc, bringing death and destruction You're not meant to lament, but strengthen yourself and believe Overthrow your ignorance, greedy lust, and evil hopes Dare to push your limits, thinking from a selfless perspective! Relinquish...