Pankhuria in Hindi means feathers of a bird or a butterfly. I chose the name for the varied topics of my poems similar to picking specific feathers and flower petals and putting them together to give the name Pankhuria for my book. My original poems were published in my native language Hindi. I have now translated them into English to have a wider appeal to a larger number of readers. I have tried to express my feelings in simple poems. My sentiments are expressed in different topics encompassing love, betrayal, hurt, terrorism, Aids, domestic abuse, Tsunami, birth, death, euthanasia, beauty, nature, seasons and many more. When I was writing these poems I had in mind to flavor them with a background of culture from India. And then I realize the truth that the core emotions are the same in all the cultures even though the ways are different. Poetry becomes a powerful art form to reveal them. I have tried to do just that.
A Collection of Poems Pankhuria
By Ravi SharmaAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2009 Ravi Sharma
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4490-2975-3Contents
Unfortunate (Abhagin).........................................1AIDS..........................................................3Akarshan Pal Bhar Ka (Infatuation)............................5Talk (Baat)...................................................7Balaatkaar (Rape).............................................9Barf (Snow)...................................................10Baykhbar (Unaware)............................................13Bhikhaarin (Beggar)...........................................15Bin Rukay Ansoo (Untamed Tears)...............................17Bojh (Burden).................................................19Bujha Deepak (Extinguished Lamp)..............................21Collar Ka Button (Collar Button)..............................23Dair (Late)...................................................25Dosti (Friendship)............................................27Ek Choti Si Nazm (A Small Verse)..............................29Misunderstanding (Ghalat-Fahmi)...............................31Ghaayal (Wounded).............................................33Girtay Sitaray (Falling Star).................................35Golf Ball.....................................................36Haath Uthakar (Raising Hand)..................................39Halloween.....................................................41Ilteja (Request)..............................................43Inam (Reward).................................................45Jheel Aur Baadal (Lake & Clouds)..............................47Kerwa Chowth (Hindu Festival).................................49Ladlee Bettee (Darling Daughter)..............................50Ma Ka Shoke (Grieving for Mother).............................54Maafi (Forgiveness)...........................................57Man Ka Dukh (Anguish).........................................59Manushay Aur Bhagwan (Man and God)............................61Matbhaid Rang Ka (Color Discrimination).......................63Maya..........................................................65Mother's Day..................................................67Mritu Daan (Euthanasia).......................................69Naee Bahu (New Bride).........................................70Paimana (Scale)...............................................73Pal Ka Unt (End of a Moment)..................................75Palken (Eyelids)..............................................77Pankhuria (Flower Petals & Feathers)..........................79Patjhar (Autumn)..............................................81Patnee (Wife).................................................83Patthar (Stone)...............................................85Pitaji (Father)...............................................86Prem Bandhan (Bond of Love)...................................89Presume (Anumaan).............................................91Remembering Ahkhista Tragedy..................................92Saayaa Teraa (Your Image).....................................95Seva (Service)................................................97Shanti Jiji (Shanti Jiji).....................................99Shanti........................................................101Suhaag Raat (Honeymoon Night).................................102Tara..........................................................103Terrorist (Aatangwaadi).......................................105Tsunami.......................................................107Tumhain Yaad Hoga (You Probably Remember).....................109Un Dino Ki Baat (Those Days)..................................111Uttaijna (Excitement).........................................113Vaivhaar (Behavior)...........................................115Varsha (Rain).................................................117Woh (That One)................................................119Yaadein (Memories)............................................121Zamin (The Earth).............................................123
Chapter One
Unfortunate (Abhagin) She got married at tender age And gave birth to four Two were taken by gods in bribe So two could survive She was consoled at that score,
She was wrapped in rags Unable to hide her inviting youth She was dazed in euphoria Foolish but tenderly scattered her youth,
Her young body was used for a cause Customers bargained often Her youthful body when started to soften She wondered when it would turn into ashes A life like a corpse When will it become a corpse?
AIDS
The son spoke to his mother Ma please forgive me A few years ago I did not realize my blunder For that reason I must have to go And go far away forever Today I have betrayed When I realized I had AIDS On his sunken cheeks Tears were rolling down Ma only once If you can Hold me to your bosom,
Mother kept crying She kept on thinking How handsome her son was How naughty her son was Liked by all And made everyone laugh Why then? No one knew.
Akarshan Pal Bhar Ka (Infatuation)
She was sitting with someone At the front table Laughing and smiling Teasingly beautiful and awesome Looked fresh and young Removing locks of hair from her face I fell for her loving grace I was consumed in her wholesome,
She sensed from my glances And withdrew a little Only smiled and laughed still She felt uneasy and not take chances Removing locks of hair less often For moments when our eyes met With a throbbing heart I was all smitten,
How much I wished to meet her To know all about her I was lost in her thoughts When I looked up She was not there I went out to look for her But she was nowhere.
Talk (Baat)
His talk went straight to my heart It pierced my chest and stayed there It began to rise like a storm Yet unknown it turned into a tear,
It affected my mind The bitterness took over my heart My forehead twisted with anger Yet unknown it lit my eyes into a fire,
It can set fire and no smoke will rise It can burn and no ashes will realize It gives bitterness to the tongue Then talk about bitterness in the talk It surely gets stung,
His talk went straight to my heart Yet unknown it turned into a tear My forehead twisted with anger Yet unknown it lit my eyes into a fire.
Balaatkaar (Rape)
Before the sunrise Quietly she got up Restless and tense Stretched her arms and walked out She yawned and let a soft moan out Lost in her thought Somewhere nearby she sat Her head was bare With Entangled hair Her clothes were in disarray She had no smile on her to carry A soft blow of wind While kissing her face Reminded her of last night,
Her lips were partly open She caught and bit her lip And ran her tongue over to moisten She stared blank into the emptiness Helpless and searching the darkness Wrinkles marked her forehead with strain The tears welled up in her eyes in pain A storm rose and then fell In this turmoil the time could not be held In anger her soft body would burn Wet sweat on her neck would return She would brush her face a lock of hair And ask a question in despair Not finding an answer She became restless and more With agony in her heart She started questioning even more About herself and her husband Their relationship as pure She asked Then why rape Why?
Barf (Snow)
Trees were silent and standing Branches were white And thinking About the morning,
Trees were covered with snow Shivering in the night And thinking About sunrise they want to know,
Branches were heavy with snow Almost to the ground touching And thinking About bearing the weight of snow,
Mountains were covered with snow All painted white And thinking About how long will it snow?
Trees are asking the falling snow Where do you come from? And thinking If you are coming from sky Where Sun is close by Then why do you not melt away? And still thinking But were silent Snow covered trees Shivering in cold Waiting for the morning And thinking she is on her way.
Baykhbar (Unaware)
I simply lost my heart to her And she was not even aware She took my heart and walked away Without a 'thank you' or even care,
I knew she was arrogant But I have no complaint By nature I am very patient Only if she has no time constraint,
I wished I were the only one she loved But many others are in love with her I get very jealous over this Perhaps she is not aware of this,
I had spent many nights with no sleep Dreams do not come to me anymore How do I console a lovelorn heart? Who is not ready to listen anymore?
I simply lost my heart to her And she was not even aware I can't call her faithless and cruel When she is all in the clear.
Bhikhaarin (Beggar)
She was a beggar Lest she was mad Draped in rags torn She roamed the streets around Helpless of her youthful form Bursting out of scanty garbs Unable to hide her youth abound,
She used to cry with hunger Society looked down upon her Poverty was her destiny Her youth became her enemy Helpless of her exposed breasts How unfortunate was she Became a victim of someone's lust,
One day surrounded by a small crowd She left behind her young body Mocking and laughing at the society Unaffected by its prejudices It didn't matter to her now Whether it was just or unjust.
She was a beggar Lest she was mad.
Bin Rukay Ansoo (Untamed Tears)
Thick clouds of dust Arising from the ruins Somewhere burning fires Mixed with thick black smoke In torn uniforms and with guns Covered in blood were young men Lying scattered here and there Among the wounded and dead A brother or husband, father or son Family and friends keeping hopes For tomorrow of a loved one,
Since the beginning of this Creation When men were born Violence was a solution The world since has not changed Violence is used for persecution Causing unbearable agony Has inflicted the pain Thus knowing of the pain It has touched the heart Where there is darkness In the midst and depth of gloom The untamed tears Ask why?
Bojh (Burden)
Prayed to God Some day she would grow up Just like others,
Who would know that? She still remained a girl Just innocent,
Her heart was soft Like bees wax Akin to a child,
Clever in her studies Smart in talking Just like the grownups,
Had a simple childhood Suddenly had a surge Like boiling milk in a pan,
Her childhood was scattered Caused pressure on the heart Like a river dam,
When agonized over path Didn't know where to go Like a lost traveler,
Winning for a gambler Hope lurks around Like cashing a counterfeit coin,
In her heart she desired For a dry land's Wish for a rain.
Bujha Deepak (Extinguished Lamp)
She brought the little girl Wrapped in a blanket Small innocent face Somewhat lifeless Droopy eyes half open Heavy eyelids Hurried shallow breathing Body burning like fire She was scared With both teary eyes With a beggar's voice Folding her both hands She wept and requested Please doctor Save my little girl Her voice filled with agony,
The treatment was started In clinic where girl was admitted She had Lymphoma Complicated by Pneumonia There was some initial hope Her progress was somewhat unclear The effect of drugs had to bear Prayers were trusted with hope But fluttering of her lamp had started It extinguished before it had lighted If that was God's will Then luck would follow 'His' will The extinguished lamp Remained extinguished.
Collar Ka Button (Collar Button)
Though nothing was unusual I still could not sleep The job interview kept me awake The morning I fell asleep I woke up late I knew I wasn't ready For an interview I had to take,
I dressed up in a hurry A missing collar button caused me worry I covered it with a tie During interview I kept holding my tie My mind was a huge missing button I knew I wasn't ready For an interview I had just taken,
Lost the job due to missing button I wasn't able to focus on questions I could not help thinking Except for the missing button I blamed button for everything Even then I could not sleep I knew I wasn't ready For the interview that gave me creeps.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from A Collection of Poems Pankhuriaby Ravi Sharma Copyright © 2009 by Ravi Sharma. Excerpted by permission.
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