That Star Near The Moon Poem by Seema joglekar

Mother, see how the moon peeks between those palm fronds,
Clapping their hands, thrilled at his antics they respond,
In rhythm to the lapping waters he curdles under the trees
Enticed moths go berserk, breeze gets down on his knees.
Azure sky borrows night’s liquid charcoal to kindle dark passions
Moons embers spark fires in the breath of the starry skies
To the night a trembling stalk of orchids gifts shivers
At his bold glances my cloak of shyness withers
How can I not be swayed when thus he casts his spells?
Don’t be surprised, if here, I bid my farewells
Longing is what the night returns snatched by the light of day
My labored breaths dangle, as in his arms I sway
Yes, child, it’s his task, with a little mischief, to spread joy

Mother see, how he exchanges glances with me
Drawn, I fumble to the edge of the garden pretending
In the blossom hedges my veil‘s caught, unrelenting,
Arrives followed by a procession of stars, their anklet bells tinkling
With their fervor, to ensnare him once more, over the garden echoes
Pouring his disquiet into my heart he floods his moonlight
But it’s me he seeks behind khol-touched clouds white
In a game of hide –n-seek, pleased at my attentions
Enraged, if I’m withheld by whatever detentions
Come in child, smitten in foolish tinsel strings you are tied


Mother, see, how he whispers sweet-nothings over my shoulders
Above my window singing his ecstasies, see, how he serenades
In my open terrace he bathes me in the cream of his mists cold,
Taking me by hand he walks me in the light of a far-away world
At his smile the yearning jasmines open to cast their incense
Thus drugged flirting wind wanders in the garden, as fogs condense
Unable to give up his addiction, he tussles with his malaise
How can I escape his charms, when a sweet secret the perfume betrays
Come child, there are other girls hanging over their balconies
With their braids open, you’re not the only one.
Come in child, don’t burn your limbs in his glare.


Mother, see how he saunters across the sky with my heart in tow,
Heart-broken stars spread their quilt, their dew pearled tears in stow
In their hearts half-closed buds catch pearls, nurturing their dying souls
Till stolen by morning light, from their colorful bowls.
My words he calls vain and at every expression takes offence
Demands that I let my heart quake in the rush of his silence
Come child, it’s not wise to attach so much to so little.


Mother see, how he dips low in front of my door
When my strains show, hovering at my eye’s corner
Sometimes he sits perched, love-sick, like a kingfisher
On the tip of a snapped –tree piercing the sky, in censure
Then my heart goes out to him and I send a greeting
Carried by a stream of storks their flight speared brooding
like the broken arrow of my heart.
Bound to him in a garland of envious stars-fires I stand
Look not for me elsewhere for here in the quiet of the night you’ll find.
Mother, I’m that star near the moon dizzy with his nearness
As the rest pale away, basking in his glory, must I fear darkness.
Good Gracious!


Seema.jjj
4th Dec-2013