Cascade of poems and Rivulets of fiction

Traversing through the hills, plains and beaches, I searched and searched, I looked at the snow caped peaks, Glistening when crimson rays fall, I looked at the seagulls, Flying so low, Drenched in droplets of waves, I looked at the green fields, Plantlets of rice in rows, The ponds abundant with white lotuses, Hanging are the succulent mangoes, Enticing the parrots to pick them with red beaks, Haystack piled high on her head, Smiling at me covering half of her face, Even the Moon peeping through the bamboo leaves, could not console me. I was receding in a shell, Slowly and steadily, A shadow wanted to devour, I escaped to the desert, Running amuck and wild, Clinking of bangles, Dozens of colours, Floral skirts,  Bordered with mirrors, Arms locked, Feet together, Round and round, They go, Mesmerised I, Standing a while. Sudden snatch! I went round and round, French knot loosened, The windy sweep, Made

Fingers play, Rhythm resonates, Somewhere violin, Somewhere piano, Somewhere cello, Somewhere saxophone, Springing from inner space, the contours of depth and spontaneity. Feelings unleashed, Crescendo of chords, Emoting love, despair, revolt. Countless thoughts in mellifluous voice. Rendition of 'Singing in the rain', For the rains to wash away the lacklustre granules, encroaching the life. Sufi mysticism is the entranced worship to reaffirm  faith in us,  tortured by the replica of toy gun, killing insane. 'Jai Ho' is the flame of hope for a limitless fly to the sky, enlightening the inner space with radiant smile, What evolves is 'Unity in Magnanimity' rendering 'We are the world, We are the children...'

Photograph by Sudip Bhattacharya A stare, I feel, That follows, I believe, A tingle in the spine, I realize. Familiar isn't she? The bouffant at top, A few tresses peeping, The sequined train, In crimson silk, Laces in sleeves, Who is she? With tender steps, I tip-toe, A glance, I crave, A swish of silk, The waltz begins, I stand still. High cheekbones, Chiselled nose, Eyebrows like a bow, That sparkling bracelet! The crescendo! She was in grave, wasn't she? Lopsided smile, I hide, Cringing with fear and shame alike, Shrouded with mystery, Her eyes terrify; 'Time is ripe, to unmask your lie. Gluttony of greed, trampled my pride'. Perspiration flows, Like rivulets of woes, I beseech, With begging eyes. ' Drown in cauldron of misery, Death will be deaf to your cries', glared She, bidding goodbye.

Depth of darkness surround me, Tentacles of nightmare stifle me, Golden Jelly Fish I am, Fear of predators shake me, Lost myself amongst the corals, Deep in the ocean, Where sharks swim with jaws bare, I hide and hide, Green Turtle looks at me, Pudgy limb grabs me, Death seems to be near me, Until I realise! I am riding high on his back, Leaving behind layers of waves, Eastern sky brightens, I float following the Sun's arc, My saviour swims afar without looking back, I find my home, the Saltwater Lake of Palau, Migrating to and fro from east to west, Telling the tale of freedom to my jelly friends.

  AN ODE TO GODDESS DURGA Glitters of gold in the sky, Ebony boughs with velvet leaves, Sparkling dewdrops the wind brings, Fragrance of Shiuli everywhere, Vivid so is the rainbow, Making staircase, For Mother will descend with gentle steps. Feathers of joy fly high, The mortal Earth rejoices; Four days of blissful forgetfulness, New clothes, bracelets, necklaces, Balloons, papris, phuchkaas,   Laughter echoes through out the air. Her abode is in our heart, Though She resides in artistic splendour, Melody floats, Conch Shell blows, Mantras reverberate, Prayer begins, "Alleviate pain, animosity and poverty. Restore faith and peace. Bountiful of grains for every single mouth to feed." Strength She gives, To fight every evil, Fear we no longer feel, For Her blessings inspire, To live life with courage and zeal.

The rolling of wheels on rails, Slow and steady, I look through the window, History stares, Derelict buildings telling many a tale, Unknown freedom fighters' last drop of blood, Renditions that were immortalised, Yet lost in the narrow by lanes, Girish Mancho stand s tall, Noti Binodini's act in tandem with Girish Babu's dream, A pitch so high, Makes me rise, Busy are the babus, Bargaining to buy, Toll of bells and incense, Humming waves in the Ganges. I stand still; People im merse themselves to rejuvenate, Somewhere soliloquy,  Somewhere romanticism, Somewhere flowers, To be gathered, Before leaving the world. Amazed when I see the boys embracing the Ganges; fearless with a spirit of adventurous optimism. Features: A journey through the by lanes of North Kolkata. Girish Mancho is an auditorium in the memory of theatrical exponent Girish Chandra Ghosh. Noti Binodini is a famous actress whom Girish Babu had directed in many plays.

Café, met you in my teens, A colourful beetle you were, Blue neon was the sticky sap, Bunch of us were the suckers, Digging into chilli cheese toasts, Hot brownie inundated with chocolate, Frothing the lips with cappuccino, A few rings of smoke, Interspersed with spurts of laughter, Bonhomie at its best. Café, The same old beetle after many years, Teeming with teens, Giggles and frills, Few puffs and a bite of chilli; Suddenly, Bullets splinter the glass haywire, Bare knives slit throats, I become still, Café, no more beetle you are, But an ugly blackish grey butcher with tentacles; the octopus.