Once upon a time on a path unknown,

I met someone I had never before known...

I knew her not, so I took the hand,

“ Ah! It’s a friend ! ” – I felt immediately,

The other hand of hers touched me just then,

“ My sister ! ” – I did shout – “ Now thwart me if you can ! ”…

But my face suddenly felt the golden touch,

“ My love ! ”, I shrieked, now certain much…

And then there was a hand on my head so gentle,

“Ma ! ” – My heart said, feeling the doubts at last settle…

“Open thy eyes…” – Came the silky voice now,

“Look into my eyes, and you shall surely know…”,

And so did I do, never to have a doubt again,

Look for some moments though I did, not very certain,

And then it struck me, she wasn’t just one of them,

A woman she was, and so were all of them…

The blood boils – without a sound or a flourish,

Just like that, doing nothing gets him all bored up,

Better bubble and froth and evaporate,

Than lay low and from action separate…

The cost of boiling up so continuously he doesn’t understand,

Calmness and coolness he just cannot anymore withstand,

Reasoning and rationale are all good for the brain he says,

Boldly into long lost terrains he now carelessly sways…

Purposelessly he gushes along as if with a purpose,

Towards a destination, or to fulfill some vague destiny;

Seeking poetic freedom within the flow of a prose,

Laughing all along – he can see – nay, feel the blatant irony…

Bubbling and seething, thick and black with anger,

Waiting to be released onto the edge of that shining dagger,

Caring nought for the wound it will have to go through,

How does it matter, he no longer feels any need to prove…

For he waited a long time while he flowed restlessly in you,

Now he wants to be free, fearing what will happen otherwise,

Seeking another place where seething he doesn’t have to rue,

You turned out to be a dud, and upon that you think you are wise…

You are mine and I am yours...

Floating in a sea of emotions I live almost infinitely,

Seeing me there is just nothing you can say definitely...

Some call me corrupt, some feel I am the purest that can be;

Some believe I am the greatest gift they can ever hope to see...

I have been with you always even when your shadow leaves your side,

And also when the smile direct from your heart is impossible to hide...

With you I have stayed - sometimes you have let me dry,

When those that you trusted took your heart for a deep fry...

I have given you the strength to fight everyone - nay, yourself the most,

Without me to such strong a character you could never have been the host...

For others there is a mirror to your soul,

And living in it I am the everlasting ghoul,

At your whims playing different roles all day along,

Sometimes round, sometimes flat, and sometimes long...

I am the tear in your eye, and to me you have always belonged,

For I know truly in my absence, for me how you have always longed...

P.S. Sachin Dev Burman's voice singing -

Bahe ansoo to hai paani, ruke to ye moti bane,

Ye moti aankhon ki poonji hai ye na khoye...

Kahe ko roye... Chahe jo hoye...