tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88947772011-04-21T16:04:59.136-07:00Venkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378497504837611478noreply@blogger.comBlogger41100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894777.post-1117889207952558032005-05-25T05:45:00.000-07:002005-06-04T05:52:36.176-07:00Sweltering summer afternoon<br />remnants of a dry wind<br />croaking with thirst<br />Traffic signs burning in the heat<br />sending flames leaping into cabs….<br /><br />Sly-looking politician<br />in a rally by the roadside<br />spewing venom all around…<br />mingling with incessant sound of honks<br />in the stuck-up afternoon traffic<br />spreading rays of fire….<br /><br />The dormant volcano<br />had not erupted in years,<br />but the remains of the last<br />are still etched on the earth…<br />Fractured relationships,<br />emotional detritus<br />mixed with the lava and sand<br />still littered somewhere within…<br /><br />The colours of the rally turn red<br />Somewhere within me – a knot is untying itself…<br />I could rudely snuff him out….<br />I could smash the mike….<br />I could pour scalding water<br />on his evil neck<br />Run a blade through his flesh<br />and hold it up to douse the rays of fire….<br />Oh that would be such a beautiful sight -<br />A dismembered head against a shining blade!<br /><br />Wish I could erase those that are insensitive<br />Wish I could change the world<br />Exterminate those that spread hatred<br />while remaining indifferent<br />to my own swelling torrent<br /><br />My years of conditioning and education rise up<br />to quell the volcanic tide…<br />The words of a forgotten saint form in the mind -<br />An eye for an eye makes the world go blind<br />I should try to stem the volcano<br />before it washes away my mind…<br /><br />On a sweltering summer afternoon<br />I’m sitting in my air-conditioned office cabin<br />calmly sipping coffee and discussing finance…<br />While the volcano runs amok underneath<br />nipping ever-unceasingly at the boundaries of sanity<br />waiting for that one instant<br />when the barricades shall ease…<br /><br />© S.Venkatesh, 25 May 2005<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8894777-111788920795255803?l=venkymumbai.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Venkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378497504837611478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894777.post-1111859835840683342005-03-26T09:54:00.000-08:002005-06-04T05:49:18.133-07:00Jogging in the gym<br />breaking into a run<br />Critiquing movies over coffee<br />Friends by the dozen….<br /><br />Scurrying around at work<br />Yet another client account won<br />Another week of manufacturing intensity<br />When I began with none….<br /><br />Seems all cozy and secure<br />The nuts and bolts all done<br />Life's ledgers are all balanced<br />It all seems to be fun….<br /><br />But something tells me this is all phony<br />Should I be standing still or breaking into a run?<br />Will I be able to end with intensity<br />When I began with none?<br /><br />And then it’s Sunday<br />I head off again off the beaten lane<br />The soul seems to slow down<br />Have I finally come face to face with the pain?<br /><br />There within sight lies the barren hilltop<br />I make my way to the summit again<br />I can’t hear even myself<br />My mind shouts - have I gone insane?<br /><br />The wind whispers in my ears<br />Casting away my mind's disdain<br />The sea below plays with the rocks<br />Like a river making its way down the plain….<br /><br />The sun ahead is going down making love to the sea<br />it is smiling - it doesn’t have to feign<br />Far ahead the seagulls are fluttering in the wind<br />Looking at them – my mind finally tugs at the chain….<br /><br />Staring at the sea, the rocks and the sky<br />I stand there once again<br />Maybe this is my chance to fly<br />Should I let go of the reins?<br /><br />I make my way to the edge<br />Should I leap, should I fly, or should I abstain?<br />Will I be one with the goddess of nature<br />Or will my mind stop the train?<br /><br />“Let go” - the caresses of the wind and<br />the sounds of the sea are sayin’<br />Determined to do it this time<br />I reach the brink once again....<br /><br />I hover there for a pregnant moment<br />Teetering between heaven and hell, happiness and pain<br />Then my mind comes back with the thoughts, the noises and the chains<br />And I find myself going back once again...<br /><br />© S.Venkatesh, 26 March 2005<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8894777-111185983584068334?l=venkymumbai.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Venkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378497504837611478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894777.post-1098851467008442662004-10-21T16:13:00.000-07:002005-06-04T05:49:34.586-07:00Like any other Monday morning<br />rushing for work<br />time for the performance<br />I put on the coat<br /><br />Surly cab driver<br />the chimney belching smoke<br />I hastily summon Friday's brief<br />while taking out the rupee note<br /><br />A thin waif, undersized shirt<br />curious onlooker, running nose<br />his eyes beyond fear and hunger<br />yet heart not closed<br /><br />Briefs, clients, reports and deadlines<br />I had five meetings through which to plow<br />For a second the clouds had opened<br />Life had given me a moment, and I had let it go...<br /><br />© S.Venkatesh<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8894777-109885146700844266?l=venkymumbai.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Venkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378497504837611478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894777.post-1098851584900906882004-10-16T15:48:00.000-07:002005-06-04T05:49:51.290-07:00On many a night did I wander<br />Many a friend did I make<br />Many a life did I live vicariously<br />How many more lifetimes will it take?<br /><br />I buried myself in words and numbers<br />Drowned myself in music for the soul<br />Walked through the hills till I reached the coast<br />And yet I could not exorcise the ghost<br /><br />In the crowds did I seek solace<br />In fame and riches did I hide<br />In tears and compassion I tried to grow<br />And somehow get through the night till the morrow<br /><br />Until one night I ignored the cries for help<br />Did not yield to the lights and the smells<br />Kept both my conscience and my id in check<br />And spent some time making friends with myself....<br /><br />© S.Venkatesh<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8894777-109885158490090688?l=venkymumbai.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Venkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16378497504837611478noreply@blogger.com2