Weary mind,
Teary eyes,
What is this world where everyone cries?
Trying to find my craft
In this dim-lit path
That has been left for me
In the cultural aftermath
Some say love is one,
Love is blind, how love is so kind.
But what about those who say:
Love is pain, to love is shame, as it only leaves you feeling disdained.
When I walk on the road, I see a lovely garden on my left and intricate houses and fancy mansions to my right
I feel as though I’m stuck, between the perpetual; nature vs man
and as to which of these stand, in their absolute might, you know, in their own respective lifespan
my walk is not just an aimless walk, because I do have a destination in my mind, that is, to reach the subway train station in time
what else do I see?
well, there’s flies, there’s garbage, there’s cars running, there’s a little bit of their mileage
people walking, just like me, some listening to music, some talking on the phone,
some even looking at me, with a flat emotion resembling a tone that stands alone
when I walk on the road, there’s a cool breeze that envelopes me, might even call it a tease
its somewhat in contrast
to the warm wind that slaps my face
as soon as I reach the train station
after my walk of chase
such is the nature of reflections
making you feel a range of emotions
on the simple walk that you take
towards the subway train station
how is it
that the person who gives you the most, takes away even more, unknowingly, unflinchingly
how is it
that in the starting few months of your love story, you love ever so deeply but still stay insecure and fragile
how is it
that your most alone moments after a fight or an argument are spent in isolation but still surrounded by the glimpses of the ‘other’
how is it
that sometimes we want to stop fighting but our body physically makes it impossible for us to do so
how is it
that we feel so much for our relationships and our familial issues and yet don’t care enough for all the wrongdoings going on in our country
how is it
that we are built this way? to care so much and yet not at all
and why is it
that to awaken our sense of nationalism, I am writing a poem that begins with love and relationships merely to get everyone’s attention
you strive and for what
what’s the point
you tire yourself and for what
what’s the point
doesn’t make sense
all this pretense
you work for someone else
what’s the point
they tell you what to do
and you do it
they tell you, how to do it
and you do it
really, what’s the point
maybe you’ll quit your job today
yes, you should do it
now you work for yourself
you are free
you’re also fearful
so, what’s the point
the point is, that today
we’ll help you
alter your approach
that’s the point
the point is, that today
we’ll help you
instill an impression
of copiousness
in yourself
that’s the point
because there are things, many
in this universe, unbridled
all ready for you
so don’t just survive
live and live free
that’s the point
© Lishaka Gulati
never won
never lost
just never tried
kept still
never moved
scared
of free will
eyes shut
heart closed
turned away
from everything that grows
never cared
never shared
oh, so much despair
never won
never lost
just never tried
© Lishaka Gulati
lately, you have been thinking about changing your job
ending, the state of thrall
but there appears to be too many options
for you to choose from
its really making you wonder
are those choices and options really there
or is it just a mirage for you
to be able to leave things with a flair
© Lishaka Gulati
Poetry by Lishaka 