Asian Literary Society

The old age home was decorated with festoons and balloons. The inmates ran hither and thither to make the celebration memorable... I was there as their general physician to do their monthly health checkup. "Dr. Lalita...please stay back and be our honorable guest today"...they pleaded.....and I agreed. I have been visiting this place for the last some months.Surekha Tai as everyone called her was the most loved inmate. She was around 60 years but age defied her and she still looked beautiful. Tall with sharp features her big bindi stood out and she would tie her long hair in a bun. After losing her husband her son now in the US had shifted her into this home as he could not come home frequently... Surekha tai was looking ravishing today. Dressed in a blue paithani zari saree...she would make any new bride run for her money... She was blushing and acted coy...as she reminisced on her memories of youth... Dattatray used to be at the same bus stop as she ..and ...

‘Do you mind?’ I looked up. She stood close, indicating the vacant chair next to me in class. I nodded. How could I trust my voice after I had had the breath knocked out of it? Was it love at first sight? I have no idea. My emotions like my childhood had been orphaned early. Although, I had been raised by my grandparents, they had been old and in ill health. They had had little time to devote to me. Lecture forgotten; I sat beside her inhaling her presence like a sprig gasping for water. When she got up to leave, I felt myself wither. **************** I ran into her often after that. We never spoke. I was tongue-tied and she was shy. But, our silences spoke comfortably in each other’s solitude. There was actually no need for words. Oh, by then I knew I was in love. Only love could feel like what I was feeling, right? ***************** Gradually, our friendship blossomed. Those were the days when interracial marriages were frowned upon. So,...

A thought, a vision, a power, a weapon, A debate, an illusion, a truth, a rebellion A leader, a lawyer or a stooge! A soul, a body or superb imagination. A man, a nation’s need - pressing and urgent. An idol born to unshackle a people Liberate the enslaved, Strengthen the cripple. A force to reckon with Polite yet firm. A rising tide against apartheid, atrocities and unjust taxation. Ahimsa, Satyagrah, and Independence Movements from a nation meek Against all the British cheek Synonymous now with Mahatma, Father of the Nation A man who conceived the idea of Harijans Stood for unity and freedom Peaceful in life Truthful in death Accidental his consent to national division?

When the frosty winter months And the cold winds Ruffle my hair They whisper You are there... When the raindrops change from a drizzle to a downpour Drenching my body And my soul The rainwater mixes with my tears And whisper to me That you are here... When the spring blossoms and blooms The petals spread fragrance in the air The soft breeze gives my saree a tug I feel it's your tight hug... In the empty rooms of the space called home I feel your presence, your breath, and smile Oh, where are you? why did you go? Why don't you leave my thoughts even for a while? I yearn for you,  your love made me complete I look for you here there and yonder... Love is never lost..it only grows Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

A full moon night on the shore a gentle sea breeze  Walking on the wet sand bathed in moonlight My soft footprints being washed away Each time by a playful wave My (payals) anklets shimmering in the water Touching each wave with delight A touch so sensuous so light as a feather Giving a ripple in my being With you, my love, so close by my side A desire so strong my eyes burn A wonderful sense of longing To touch you, to feel you to hold you and to hug you Hey! Sweetheart look at the moon It's so beautiful, inviting enticing and alluring He's looking at my face saying I am looking at mine my darling! My heart fly, soaring high, basking in your love   My feet pitter-patter as if dancing  My anklets delightful 'cham cham' squealing with joy Revealing my secret, my divine love, only for you darling!

 She walks with a kind of saunter As if she hadn’t a care in the world A string so lustrous, an ornamental circlet Adorns the petite feet, of guileless demoiselle Embellished elaborately with handsome, glossy stones And flawless, unblemished pearls A traditional gift in silver, so auspicious Passed on for generations many Carrying forth the legacy of honor Now in possession, the newlywed bride Glides through the house rhythmically The melodious clinking sound echoes Within the folds of walls of her abode Connoting a blend of romance and mystery Like a soul-stirring tune of Krishna’s flute As the peacocks are compelled to dance In the rain that descends in tiny gleam drops of silver And with them dances the anklet around her feet daintily It’s  tingling sound Like the mellifluous song of the koels In coy reticence alone lies her beauty Conversing only through the jeweled “ jhanjhar ” As she unveils what lies within her mysterious soul She tantalizes many a desiring hearts around h...

Escapism was what I chose as my way,  Running away from those who loved me anyway. You pushed me down into vanity,  Blindfolding me from reality.  My existence became really tough,  You made me feel I wasn't good enough.  O fear, now I realize it was all a bluff,  You have caused havoc that's more than enough.  I lost the end number of opportunities,  But now I'm sure of my priorities.  I'm confident I'll breakthrough For life always gives a second chance to evade through.  I've to rise up even if I fall,  This world around can't define me at all. I've set my mind on an ambition,  To achieve that I'm ready to go beyond every limitation.