Shankaran Kutty Poems

(A Lullaby written 12 years too late, my younger one is now 12 years old! !)

Hush, the wind that blows in from the East
Hush, the birds that flock in to feast
...

(Today, my entire neighbourhood in office, went for a team outing. So I was practically alone. Went down alone for a cup of tea… While having tea alone, saw a young girl – 20-23, on the phone. Could see that her face was sad. I couldn’t hear her because she was at the corner and it being a basement, not very well lit. She stood frozen, oblivious of her surroundings. Slowly her face turned sadder and sadder. Then tears filled her eyes and when it starting flowing down, not even aware of it, she continued to speak. I wondered what would have made her so sad, but that progressive increase in her sorrow and the change in her expressions still remain etched. I couldn’t help her, I knew, so all I could do was to express my anguish and support through a poem)

Why do you stand in a corner and weep
Shun your memories, do not them keep
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(My attempt at translating a song, actually a poem, from a film in my local language - Malayalam. The movie name is Spirit and the poet is Rafique Ahmed)

When death comes knocking at the door
I want you my dear, by my side
...

Those days when I was a little child
Leading life so fast and wild
When a ton of books I would pack
To carry to school and evening back
...

I remember as a child I would sit and cry
When math I couldn’t crack however much did I try
When Newton’s laws would stare from the Physics book
I was too scared to even take a look
...

(Karuna is extreme compassion or deep sorrow)

I stood at the beach last morning
The pain inside, growing
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(Shringara is romance or love. Love that evokes deep emotions or lust)

With a sparkling smile like a dew drop
Glittering in the morning sun
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(Hasya is used to express joy or mirth.It could be plain joy or laughter or could include teasing or making fun of in a playful way)

My wife does not want a dog
At home or anywhere near
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(Bhibalsa is disgust. The feeling evoked by a grotesque, graceless, nauseating sight or person)

The conquering general surveyed his win
All around him
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(Roudram is pure anger. Anger out of self righteous wrath or the fury caused by an offense.)

The Himalayas trembled in fear
As the Ganga flooded with her own tears
...