Ode

A man almost synonymous to laughter and fun

Whose words and contagious smile could bring warmth like the sun

Left the world, consumed by depression

So, what does it say about our society, or humanity?

It says more than you can decipher

That's because, you too are just human, sir!

But this man was no ordinary

He was a genie, a poet, a fighter...

The world saw and applauded his smiling bright disposition

Did we wonder that could just be a mere illusion?

He suffered and how, but made us laugh till it hurt

Spreading his wisdom through the comic word

When he set his foot on stage

He did nothing but amaze

A performer, an artist and a master of his art in every way

I still remember when I heard him say - "Seize the day!"

Carpe Diem Carpe Diem

Rest in joy, Robin Williams!

Poetry, that is performed

I recently stumbled upon this amazing group of people (on Facebook) who run Spoken Word Poetry workshops: Airplane Poetry Movement is active in Bangalore, Pune and Bombay. Their Bombay chapter hosted a workshop last Saturday at The BirdSong Cafe in Bandra. With little experience in slamming and a great amount of excitement, I landed in this dreamy, quaint little cafe. Met a bunch of lovely people. Disturbed the traffic outside the cafe with our practice sessions. Performed spontaneously in front of 20 beautiful people in the cafe, who were generous enough to give attention to us (and also clap enthusiastically), rather than to the yummy hot chocolate on their tables. This one of a kind experience left me with a feeling of high, that feeling of high you achieve only by following your passion (in my case, being engulfed in words). Here's the poem I performed there in a perfect setting: rich aroma of coffee and the smell of rain, mingling at dusk. Damn! Some cliches are just beautiful! ♥

I remember a time

When little achievements mattered

And dreams were not so easily shattered

When there were innumerable fights

But no cold battles!

When love was for real

Whether in luxury or in tatters

I remember random moments and things mundane

Each curve of your smile, also the unsaid pain

I remember each try, the failure and the cries

I remember the ethereal twinkle in your eyes

You may not know the magic it holds

In a world that’s bent on crushing souls

REWIND

I remember a memory
I play it again in my heart
I remember that smile
Wish I could just pause there
But the memory is rolling
And moves to another part
I remember those tears
And my heart rips apart!
But the pain is also transitory
Like the smile, it also disappears into the past
Then I smile; the past is gone, yesterday is over
And it has certainly made me stronger
Thoughts come for a while
Belief is what remains longer
I still cherish memories and rewind the past
Now with a conviction that Love is what always lasts...