Padmanabhan Ananth Poems

Come October - it's time for our Dussera dolls
After a year-long rest and slumber in the attic
They all wake up ready to meet and greet all
Out of wrapped-up bags, out of carton box
...

From the clinic, they brought him back
He was lying still on my mom's lap
Her welling tears fell on his cheeks, cold
Breath had left, taking away the soul
...

Into the mellow world of Southern Cine
He made his entry through 'Annakili'*
With his soulful, scintillating melodies
Way back in the heady mid-seventies
...

Each day we live is so full of these
Isn't this life: many hits and misses?
As toddler, we falter when we walk
As learner, we stutter when we talk
...

Many are often
Asked by others
'Why are you
So in thought? '
...

She lived in a lone cottage near my home
Just fifteen, 'darling' to many boys in town
But that was only in their wild imagination
I, still at high school, one among them!
...

A Gemini, who's fine faulting his birth star
For his ever-shifting preference and desire!

A dad, who would want to spend 'quality time'
...

He let out a shriek of morning joy
When the four kids rushed in bleating
Mr. Sheik lifted the nosiest kid
And hurled laughingly at sleepy Farid
...

Here's a memory's burst on festival of lights
Radiant lamps danced to baby winter breeze
They sat pretty, side by side on parapets
They gaily greeted neighbours and guests
...

We say a 'simple' command
And assume it's easy to understand
Then realise that message 'simple'
Was never that, after all!
...