A HOUSE IN THE CLOUDS

a house 
in the clouds, 
the Moon 
within its reach, 
trees and twigs hanging by, 
a crowd of colourful ecstasy
basking in the blue aura of
a tender, young dream
gazing down, 
eager to welcome visitors 
emerging from 
the belly of 
searing waters below
(© DEEPAK DARSHAK)

SMILES!

Smiles!  Why are you so unpredictable At times? Why do you stay for a while On some lips, And longer on some others? Smiles! Dear smiles! Why do you show up so easily sometimes, But take ages to appear otherwise? Pray tell me if You have become too diplomatic, Or I’m too naïve to understand  Your labyrinthine, meandering arithmetic!

(© DEEPAK DARSHAK)

BESIEGED

we were 
still thirsty, 
guarding a crop of

dry longings,

famishing temptations,
tired eyes, 
gestures sweating, 
when 
the monsoon romance
came to an end   

rather abruptly

‘You are under siege’, 
a wanton gust

blowing through our lane

whispered, 
‘put on masks to 
stay alive, 
the city has 
a viral emergency!’

© DEEPAK DARSHAK

REVERSE VIEW-II

‘Debilitated gasp,
Diluted guffaw,
Yawn of persistent ennui

In retrospect, 
The stuffed shirt tries
To understand
A register of elusive tricks,
Hearing his sigh,
Singes of graying
Fixation, obsessive memories,
Forgotten heartbreaks

This day,
These hours, and
Loss of once personable
Smiles…
How real it looks!’ 

 (©DEEPAK DARSHAK: MAVERICK MONOLOGUES)