Thursday, July 21, 2022

My half-empty pepper-shaker

I was never one for too much spice
A little salt or sugar or perhaps some butter
Occasionally some bitters in my drink
But rarely even a grain of pepper.
My palette is yet to be marred
by the heat of a ripe chili. I've nursed
my buds to welcome the naked
wonders of all cuisines, without facade.
The world called me bland, but
all the spice I needed was you.
You were the cayenne and the paprika.
I filled a pepper shaker for you.
We lived together and grew.
Had children and snored.
But slowly we drifted until we couldn't
remember what we were fighting for.
It's now silent at the dinner table.
The children have lives. They grew up kind.
I'm still not a fan of spices.
My pepper shaker is still half-full.

Saturday, April 23, 2022

Growing Up

That guy i was friends with
I yearn to distance myself from him
That loud girl from class
I actually miss her smile
That quiet guy from across the hall
He doesn't shut up about his cute kids
By best friend from back in the day
Makes me feel unsafe today
I was called gifted and multi talented
But now I'm half orphaned and broken
Nobody could have seen
today, 15 years ago
A pandemic, some wars
Few heartbreaks, and a lost cause.
New hopes, new dreams
Growing up is weird no....

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Love me from afar

Love me from afar,
like the moon and the stars;
seemingly always bound together
yet separated by vast aether.

Love me from afar.
This soul has been marred
by the rot of civil society
eroding, with its propriety

Love me from afar.
Touch not these scars
for I have sadly lived long
and failed to remain strong.

Love me from afar.
Compassion feels bizarre.
Kindness feels fleeting
but guilt remains unyielding.

Love me from afar.
Warm memories are left to char
and stain my life with meaning
when you leave me keening.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Somewhere for ye

I'm told that libraries don't expect
anything but existence. Just calm
entrenchment within the written world.
Coffee shops are for the occasional date
or for those running late. Or maybe you're
an artist who's found their perfect brew.
For the more active among you, there are gyms,
filled with the like-minded, with a certain
masochism and considerable machismo.
When the sun dops, some venture out
seeking thumping beats and exotic drink.
You'll find haven in the Nightclub's folds.
There are parks for the nature lovers and
serial walkers, bird watchers and influencers,
and the occasional unseen young couple.
The open roads call those with a leather
fetish and a need for speed. The choking
city sounds and lights in their rear mirror.
Fair few find their space in the house of God.
They meet their brethren there while silent
or deep in meditation. Desserts before leaving.
To the bakers and makers and the recipe fakers,
your church is the kitchen. Sating the soul
as much as a rumbly-grumbly tummy.

Look around you! No matter your bend,
you'll find spaces of all kinds and trends.
Places with history. Spaces of mystery.
Spaces with style. Places to stay a while.
Yet people exist before such locations.
Tell me, do you fit any of the above vocations?
The solemn few nod in silent understanding.
"There is no zone for my specific branding."
Your value isn't contingent upon your art
just as mine isn't based on if you read this draft.
Maybe you are one who prefers to dream
or probably just watch the people teem.
Silence is your criterion. The void is your bliss.
Who is the world to deny you this?
May peace be your calling, its creation, divine.
I will meet you upon that quiet hill, with a bottle of wine.