MADHU SRIWASTAV

MADHU SRIWASTAV

At Fault

I am at fault

trying to get across you

expressing my pain, my abandonment!

Prying to see if you are at ease

is there anything to do

to make the connect…

My heart feels, I berate myself

the unloved me…

get scolding for asserting

craving, losing dignity…

Everywhere I look for you…

for a word to reassure my wrung heart

still wet with dregs of your love!

Alas! my pleads are met with nudges strong

am guilty of whimpering…

my tears, lost pearls string less dispelled!

Yet I see you stringing others verse

into soulful garlands at ease

Only I appear guilty

of remorseless love

a shameless nagging imposter

all to get your attention

maybe a word!

I wander how things altered so…

when you would woo me

make all efforts to see

now I seem to woe you

in my efforts to hear,

from afar, to see dream not!

Birth Of A Mother

Today a mother was born

a new journey begun

Focus shifted from myself to you

you became mine

our relationship grew

from helpless infant

suckling at my breast

you turned sides

walked on all fours

took your first step

towards independence!

Despite my busy schedule

your thoughts kept me afloat

you were a constant joy!

Pleasure I took

in being with you

doing all I could…

Now you are 15

a foot taller than me

You come home in vacation

yet I miss your infancy

the bond we share has grown!

Hormones now play within you

you know not who you are

My child just be you

rest will fall in place!

Dual Self

I am my own shadow

I live a dual life

My light self

glistens in the outer sheen

wearing smiles ready

to suit various roles

Earning my living

managing my home

doing my duties

spick and span

all set to serve my virtuous self

My dark self-smiles

an all-knowing smile

winks at the light self

in conspiratorial glee

waiting to peep in

tired of lying still

it lounges forth

cracking the steely sheen

The light self withdraws

leaving its glow

dark self-guffaws

has its full play

breaking every rule book

shinning as road tar

in its primordial best

The two selves meet

and dwell in the same sky

as the dawn and dusk

embrace the fleeting and settling

darkness of the night

which lends meaning

to the sparkle in the daylight!

MADHU SRIWASTAV

MADHU SRIWASTAV is an academic, writer, poet, translator, reviewer. She is based in Kolkata. She has published her poems in several International and National anthologies and journals such as GloMag, Setu Bilingual Journal, Teesta Review, Borderless Journal, Our Poetry Archive. She has performed poetry in several Poetry festivals such as Apeejay Kalam Literary Festival, Guntur International Poetry Festival, GIWEC etc. Her debut book of poems is Trips Climbs Circles by Authorspress.