going off anytime
and children call out
wanting to retrieve
their ball
nothing gives me
any peace
missiles aimed
at my mind
keep bombarding it
and it happens
even when I sleep
waking me up
is life some kind
of prank
to keep me hassled
all the time
and listen to its
wicked laughter?
was out to kill us
with such rage
it sprayed me
sideways
on my terrace
I had to get up
and go back
into my house
now I have
this roof
which makes
the water flow
downwards
but the monsoon
really got mad
it was like a million
devils fighting us
and this morning
it’s still pouring
and the monkeys
go crazy
they clamber up
my coconut trees
eating the fruit
and drinking
it’s sweet water
while throwing husks
and empty shells
down into
my courtyard
and I scream
so much till
my throat hurts
as I bring out
my slingshot
though nothing works
they will
have their fill
hiding behind
the branches
and the downpour
is unrelenting
it makes me think
how little we know
of the world
how little we are
in control of
and I tell myself
you are temporary
you will go one day
and that gives me
some peace.
there is peace and quiet
and I find this takes us
to the beginning of time
right when
the Universe began
and this experience
this witness we bear
gives us courage
and makes us human
it endows upon us
laws of righteousness
to which we
are all bound
the world could be
an ethical place
I firmly believe
that paradise
is here
just around
the corner.
where there is silence
in noise
where there is quietness
in chatter
where garbage is paradise
where I am at peace
in the midst of war
how does one live through
so much horror I wonder
and realise
that’s why I’m in such a hurry
to get there
where you attain such serenity
that nothing affects you
and when you die you laugh so loud
that it echoes all over the universe
I need to reach that place to live.
you have to wait
for the conversations
in your head
to end
you have to come
back to reality
from the memories
you are getting lost in
you have to keep waiting
for yourself
to get home
every time
you disappear
the path back is different
you will hurt yourself
body and mind
you will suffer
permanent damage
it is now that your eyes
are open
amidst the chaos
and the craziness
of life
it is now that
you are happy
this unexpected moment
that to you time has lent.
they are a bother
and though I tell myself
to take it easy
I am rattled
and sad
till unhappiness
sinks into my stomach
and I am no different
from a rat
I am as vulnerable
and I feel my insides
come out of my
peeling red skin
and my neighbours
shriek in horror
when they see me
and run
and I begin to rot
under the sun
and realise that now
nothing can be done.
fluttering in your heart
it is serenity in your eyes
and the sky
it is the green pasture
that enters your mind
just before the mountains
and trees
and people are happy
the children playing cricket
running in delight
last evening they
opened my gate
in wild excitement
sprinting in glee
and I was taken back
40-45 years under
the night sky glowing
with the moon and stars
I run home with my friends
I remember the buildings
but I know they don’t
remember us
these kids will also
grow up one day
and realise these places
have forgotten them
to myself I say
and everything becomes
fonder to me then
the Earth rises into my arms
and pats me like a mother.
over the staircase
leading to his roof
keeps banging
in the wind
and a new view
of the forest
has emerged
green green mountains
as trees make way
for a house
it is so charming
the little road below
its colourful homes
and I just went there
this morning
to buy my groceries
and here life goes on
as usual
the young couple
next door talk
as they work
their voices
full of tender love
and happiness
fills the air
as we breathe
and are filled
with peace.
even when closed
in my ears is the din
of war
and every breath
I take
smells of blood
the houses whirl
in madness
like the people
all aloft and whizzing
like flies
this is what we have
been reduced to
this is what
we have done
to ourselves
and our bodies
know no comfort
our minds no peace
our voices all erased
like we were
ghosts already
and can’t figure out
if we are dead or alive
when we reach out
and can’t touch
anyone.
to the forest
I awaken to
such sweetness
such a variety
of beautiful sounds
my mind dances
in delight
and the birds
in the sky
sing peace
and the people
are glowing
in joy
they smile and talk
to each other
and the morning
suddenly begins
to trill
and our hearts
melt
in enchantment
and the day shines
like magic
there is a beam
on every brick
lighting up lives
of the healthy
and the sick.
Dominic Alapat 