Long Saris Poems

Too many lives are floating in this flood wave

Mon Ami,

I am honored to be included in your exposition
Theological border walls

You were opening your glittering purse, 
A set of cloth line clips,

I was gazing there
From a...

Read More

Inspired By Connie Marcum Wong's Poem "Dreams Of India"


                          ...

Read More

Sprawling green gardens super 
Brilliant, breezy cool weather 
Bustling busy night life 
Clubbing culture that does strike 
Thriving tech talent pool 
With culture uniquely cool 
Fastest growing tech hub 
City of many clubs and pub...

Read More

Dreams of India

Her music haunts me
in such a knowing way
it makes me weep
and causes my heart to ache.

I become homesick for her
scents, her sounds, her food,
her enchanting dance
which spawns dreams
of her romance.

I know in my...

Read More

I can stand on a speck of dust
                           ...

Read More

Madras

Hotel lobbies, hotel bars
Hotel rooms, air conditioned cars
City sights and sounds and smells
A smile, a frown, a shout impels
The thoughts within to exude
And express themselves without interlude

Here no blossoms, no sweet fresh air
Save the scented...

Read More

The booming sound of Dhak resonated through the air,
The children squealed in utter merriment at the fair---
Flaunting their newly bought ensemble of myriad hue,
Some were draped in saris, mod jeans donned a few.

The little girl...

Read More

Strolling Nungambakkam’s dusky evening street,
The serpentine vehicles queues hold them as each other they coyly greet.
Ina foreign tongue they converse, so mystically sweet,
Melodies tingle in my ears with rhythms upbeat.
Chennai ladies, Chennai Lasses………
Ear stud to...

Read More

The Land Where the Lemon-Trees Flower

I know the land where the lemon-trees flower,
where citrus fragrance lingers after a summer shower.
In sun-sweetened India, lemon-trees radiantly bloom,
flourishing unfazed by tropical monsoon’s gloom. 

Glistening with dew drops, greeting...

Read More

A is for Aprons, like Moms used to wear.
B is for Barrettes that adorn young girls’ hair.

C is for Coats, many colors and styles.
D is for Diamonds, best friends that brings smiles.

E is for Elbow...

Read More

The sun drenchs and heat soaks the air.
It throbbs with fumes.
The drivers of the three wheeled, canvas covered
taxi’s curse, beep, and press
their way between motor cycles
with garishly clad riders.

Males in western-style helmets 
drive women, dressed...

Read More

Reading diaries of different discussion blots is considered to be akin to perusing the top shelf of a historical library section. Each label once worn drops like stones sinking into the carpet and creases of...

Read More

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.  God is the friend of silence.  See how nature-trees, flowers, grass-grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and...

Read More

MY MOTHER’S WHITE SAREE
The cupboard contained white garments,
Pure white sarees with brightness
No colours to dim its brightness
Wondered and worried why always in white sarees
Humble mom, simple mom, educated mom,
Became tragic heroine in her life span
Gave...

Read More

Dancing Eunuchs Of India
Eunuchs they were, who sang at doorsteps for alms
At birth and death alike; blessed the bride and groom too.
They danced their dark bodies heavily gyrating,with
 busted breasts, hairy chest and hefty forms...

Read More

Embellished saris glide with hot winds
as the clatter of  bright anklets  varnish
female  heels rippling  on New Delhi's trails:
pungent waft of curry permeates
through a local mart —betel, cinnamon
and mint leaves flaunt their...

Read More

The aunites gossip back home
About how you've grown
Out of your white cotton frocks
And into red silk saris

They talk about how you're ripe for marriage
About how quickly boys flock to you--
Your family's rich and you are...

Read More

Beautiful and bold she paints my imagination 
Every flowing dance move a total inspiration 
Ssmiles adorn every face even if covered in lace 
Movements made elementary through elegant grace 

Lights reflect all the colours of...

Read More

Brown sugar sapotas
Blending with custard alfonso mangos
And bold sweet lime juice

Georgette saris
Pairing with uncut diamond necklaces
Mixed with peals and rubies

Gently sloping palm trees
Swaying in balmy sultry air
And hazy golden sunsets

Frenetic yellow autos
Competing with dusty zipping...

Read More

Russian rhythms warm 
              the crowd up 
in the gloaming. Hairs 
          ...

Read More

“Is Fashion Modern?” MOMA* asks
And so, in its new show,
The items on display are there
To let us know it’s so.

A pair of Levi’s, baseball caps,
Bikinis and berets,
A Wonderbra, dashikis, kilts
And suits from prior days.

A Rolex...

Read More

Across the sea she waits unfree and writes
of her friendships and of true harmony. 
Her children and loyalty keep her from flight
a poet matron married for her great beauty.

Her mind soars and eyes devour old...

Read More

My street without the stars:

I miss those stars of different colors
The aroma of baking around
The perfume of church going folks
Who walk in silk saris and gowns

The suit and tie in place
With shining shoes along
Little children...

Read More

Chandelier earrings dangling
Golden bangles jingling
Thick long raven hair
Twisted and pinned in swirls
With ornate gold embellishment
Luxuriously wrapped
In silk and brocade
Lavish lengths 
Of rich flamboyant colors
Parading effortlessly
Their exotic saris
Swaying in graceful rhythm 
Gliding by on air
In exquisite...

Read More

Hands tapering down to fine wiry wrists,
They were strong and straight.

Footsteps left empty along the cleaner than before 
Floorboards.

The ancient sounds of cats scratching over them gone.
Dust settles and falls from no-ones skin,
Just the walls,...

Read More