Preeth Nambiar

The storm is whistling through the distant trees, leaves shivering in chilled wind; the wandering clouds cover the dazzling sun; I hear far away a bird screaming in terror, perhaps lost its nest!

Come aboard, O dear, with your wings wet of rain! Though the nails would bruise my skin, leave your pace upon my palm, stay caressed by the softest touch! There is warmth within me to shelter your dreams and my duffel has grains to feed your hunger. On the shore of the flooded river, amidst the roaring of the darkest rain, here I am O dear, longing for you!
...

Its rain uninvited perhaps of storms far away,
Knocking at the window to wake me up!
From amidst the letters scribbled last night,
My eyes open to a gloomy rainy day!
...

Another morning!

Upon the bed, my arms are still on her chest and my breath close to her cheeks.
With me she is, through her golden silky hairs I move my fingers, slowly, softly
Without letting her know she is being caressed; here she is, my love!
...

"Now, my dear daughter let us sleep unto the dreams" I whispered on her ears. "Across the ocean the princess' father owns a piece of land surrounded by dwarf hills. Winter with her beloved sun, decorates the valley with golden dew drops. The wandering wind whistles looking at them and escapes with his naughty smile! Mesmerized, when you remain at the balcony of our little palace, birds sing good morning to you, little princess".

I could see her sleepy eyelids dropping down, still pleading "…and then? ? ? "
...

Lighting the earthen lamps upon the doorsteps, looking at the road meeting another, I don't remember how long did I stand there. I was longing for the sweet voice of her anklets approaching but there was nothing but silence profound and dense darkness amidst the thick branches of the trees.

Maa, I am weary waiting you! I haven't eaten anything since morning waiting for you and decorating this small home that you have presented me with. The broken bones in the foot are hurting, yet I am here at the doorsteps just to have a glimpse of you. But how long will I stand here so?
...

The music has stopped, and now there is silence all around me! People have departed, upon the bank of frozen river of time I am here, alone chilled in silence. A stage once full of cheers reminds a cemetery where the pleasures of the senses buried deep! The distant valley has disappeared in mist, upon my thin body rains the flakes of ice! Long time I am here looking for the travellers who pursued their way through this narrow banks! Its winter, when even the wind sleep beneath the blanket of ice!

Holding the root deep unto my existence, I used to wake up in the morning to wither my flowers! During the moments of deep meditations, I gave my space for the wanderers of the sky! Upon the grass grown in my shade, rested the souls tired in their voyage! My Lord, life was an inn for the refugees of time! The distant path carpeted with bright white snow is now empty! Where are they? Where is that little girl, the bright sunshine, who kissed me in the morning and took my flowers to the shrine of serenity?
...

Amidst the dark dense woods, here I go, find me if you can!
I have a vast universe to hide, where the horizons are boundless
Where the eternity of time awaits me upon the bank of the river,
With a boat, to take me across the transparent tranquil waters;
From births to deaths and deaths to births! Catch me if you can!
...

I have been sitting here since long time besides you staring at your face while you are in deep sleep knowing nothing that happens around. I don't wish to wake you up. Through your veins I have let my blood flow! Through your mouth I have let my breath flow! And up on you I have vested my life!

Through the window glass I can see the sun travelling from horizon to the other; the seasons change and the flowers wither! The yellows wither silently in the winter breeze!
...

On the other side of the field, there was a hill covered with thick green blanket. It looked exceptionally beautiful during the mornings and evenings where the shades of the sky made frames with its amazing colours. A river flowed silently through the valley resembling a silver chain lying around the waist of the hill.

Standing upon the balcony of his house, the painter started capturing the colours on his canvas. The birds visited him on their way home and back and smiled looking at the work. He had a bowl of delicious grains and nuts to feed them all.
...

They asked Him to bless them with a valley - the valley for the invisibles! And it was granted.

Upon the mountain of snow featherlike clouds wandered and sunshine peeped through them! Blushed snow melted and fled towards the valley to visit the invisibles. The rocks cracked themselves to leave their way; the pebbles melted and joined their path! From the unworn forests, embracing the freshness they gathered the essence for life. While joining the lake they whispered: "here is the valley of the invisibles, the rest of our journey! Feel their silence, their presence amidst the woods! "
...

Upon the road still not worn by the passersby, dawdling towards the morning, a flower withered unto my head! The breeze gentle brought the fragrance of the heavens to my nostrils! Stopped by longing long time I stood, upon the bank of swift flowing time! Let me stay here for a while when the drops of yester-rain still dip from the clouds!

The flower white enough to touch the depth, fragrant enough to awake the senses, is on my palm overlooked by my sleepy vision. With the smile of gratitude, did the pigeon that came hungry today upon the windows drop it? Or did the heavens pleased shower the blessings from far above the skies of blue? Look at me, touch my petals, says the beauty upon my palm!
...

Now, hold my hands, my beloveds on earth! Upon this valley of love, amidst the woods whose branches whistle the sweetest songs of paradise, let us gather for the sake of life, that makes us united for a while! Let us spend another lifetime loving each other, drinking the wine of love, fetching each other the sweetness of ambrosia, and live embracing the beauty of the world! Upon this land, within these huts made upon the green! Kiss me your love!

Dance joyfully, oh gathered souls, the bliss of your life, upon the stage that I built for you! May the colours melt, masks faint, the soul rejoice the moments of togetherness! Sing aloud the songs of love, play the orchestra of strings alive! May the fragrance of the courses join the merry, to evoke the oneness deep within the skin! Shed the light of smile upon the downstage though the heart is aching, for joy knows the pains of unknown! Fall asleep hugging the moments that left you in ecstasy, for another day of joy!
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It is raining now and I look at the windows to the distant trees swaying in the shower. Apart from the sound of the rain, it is silence surrounding me in this night!
...

I closed my eyes tightly awaiting sleep caressing the conscious with its magical touch! Through the slightly opened window glasses, the northern wind whistles humming the melodies of distant past!
...

It is morning, my dear daughter!

Look at the sky of the fragrant freshness; inhale deep the spirit of life.
...

Tell me O gardener, what is this magic
Of branches gloomy and naked yesterday,
Yet bearing magnificent blooms today!
Watch the arms bearing heavenly buds
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Amidst the journey I am, my father, neither at the beginning nor at the end- but at the junction where there are crowds rushing to both ends! Enlighten me with a vision to pursue a path, bring me a vehicle that would take me any of the ends but to the fulfillment! Tired I am of the long way, for the vessel that you gave me is empty and the rain that you pored to quench my thirst is lost among the clouds that are frozen in the winter!

O father, beneath my feet, see there flares of ice and my feet drenching; and above head the burning sun that erases the images; between the chilled winter and red hot summer I would faint; hold me on your arms tight close to you! Be the moonlight in this darkness that takes me from the depth of madness, sing a lullaby when the nightmares shake me up! A child I am yours, as innocent as you sent me, to embrace the beauty of the world and then to return!
...

And suddenly there was horrifying silence with high beams of light flashing in the darkness on the stage in front of the actor! ! !

He observed behind him the background of the stage changed to deep mystery leaving him terrified. He was ignorant of the next scene and remained puzzled unable to recollect the dialogues next for it was written by an author who always surprised him with myriad scenes unknown to the actor himself.
...

Seems it is raining, dear! But I am unable to open my swollen eyes tired of long medications. When I try to inhale the fragrance of mother earth outside the hospital room, it is nothing but the smell of spirit that enters my nostrils through the mask that supplies the breath. I am tired of these days and wonder how long would I lay down here looking at the roof where the fan jerks in long hours of its work? I am thinking of those rainy days we embraced each other and closed our eyes to listen to the songs of the distant. But today there are thunders that break my ears and frightening lightening flashing on my blurred vision!

The flow of relatives has reduced and I am much comfortable for I do not have to hear those consoling words that multiply the pain and suffering. The visits of doctors have become mechanical, I see them throwing an empty gaze at the people around me and nurse caressing my white hair and disappearing. People think that I am no more conscious and I cannot see, hear anything, but the half closed eyes I can, perhaps better than before! My throat is dry and lips stick to each other, my voice has stopped somewhere within and that makes my days miserable!
...

It is morning, my dear daughter!

Look at the sky of the fragrant freshness; inhale deep the spirit of life. Through the half-opened window, tender rays paint your hair golden shine; from the cages sing the birds the melody of morning; let me kiss you a good morning and whisper on your ears the prayers for you for a day. Life goes on from charming mornings to weary evenings!
...