Temptress

Her scent burns my senses
as she strolls through the plains of my mind,
cunningly tempting me to jump fences
she whispers 'I need to be cruel to be kind...'

Her breath like the cool night air
stops my wildly beating heart,
her sensual alluring  stare
drives me wild, tearing me apart.

She wraps her fingers around my wrists
and looks on at me...she looks on,
my hands slowly curl into fists
i look up...and she's gone.

My elixir for eternal life
my poison for sweet death,
i could never have her as my wife
for she makes me curse the day our eyes met.

Yet, i am her helpless slave
a prisoner draped in her chains,
without her i have only a dark cave
she is the blood in my veins.


Inspired by Rihanna's Te Amo

Alone in an Isle

sitting by my willow tree

i am feeling very lonely

who will come to save me?

who will carry me to safety?

sitting by my fish pond

i am feeling so down

who will be my clown?

who will wipe away my frown?

sitting on my old porch

i am feeling less than posh

who will bring me some Scotch?

who will help me light my torch?

sitting on my armchair

i am beginning not to care

about things that were unfair

about things that made me unaware

about things i laid to bare

about things i hid in my lair

sitting on my bed

i have no more tears to shed

who will remember the things i said?

who will remember me when i am dead?

Dead Man Walking

What is the use of running

away from the evil so cunning?

you're a dead man walking

to that hanging noose waiting.

Turn around and start weeping

its better than fleeing,

beg now to go on living

or walk away to wake up dying.

Everyday is as solemn as the last

where you painfully relive your past,

you feel like some kind of outcast

forced to dig your own grave fast.

Remember when merely surviving was a must

when temptation was only lust,

well its all now burned to dust

collect the ashes and let your metal bones rust.

The sun is shining bright 

every word the book said was right,

you must have been blinded by the fight

distracted by their pitiful plight.

It must have been such a sight

to watch a strong man's might

taken away by something so light

crippled after taking a single bite.

If tomorrow was too late

would today seal your fate?

If you were supposed to be dead

would you have said things unsaid?

Your conscious mind has been paid

to let go and let things fade,

it's too late to clear your slate

to start again and empty your plate.

Artwork : fear_by_lexapalooza

Masks

No one really likes the real me

they can never handle what they see,

no one appreciates my real beauty

they think its unclean and dirty.

No one feels comfortable in my true presence

they feel all choked up and start saying nonesense,

yet they keep begging me to show my real self

and the truth goes unheard since their all deaf.

Am tired of putting on all these masks

i used to only do it cause it helped juggle my tasks,

but when am at home and around people i love

i wish i could take it off as easily as i do a glove.

But it's better since everyone is comfortable and happy

by putting on a mask and being less filthy,

this mole hill is now bigger and far more absurd

am getting very impatient so pray let me be heard.

The story of my masks begins like this;

i had alot of things to do so there was a list,

mortal responsibilities along with immortal dreams

they were all bursting at their hand sewn seams.

So i started with trying out a single simple mask

before i knew it i was wearing it from dawn till dusk,

sooner or later my wall was filled with rows of them

gleaming in the night, that was when i knew i was damned.

Very soon it became such an easy habit

switching between masks to keep my life's lamp lit,

one acquaintance knew me as a simple pheasant

will the other thought i was a learned wizard.

Thinking they knew me like the back of their hands

they tried to use me as a pawn in their stupid plans,

i could care less cause i knew it was the right opposite

for it was them who were dancing to my enticing beat.

Now as the years have slowly crawled by

and my masks have done everything but cry,

its time to say that inevitable goodbye

time to release the truth and bury the lie.

Don't blame me for not trying before 

i tried to show the ones i would die for,

but even they thought i was rotten to the core

when i showed them what i truly bore.

So when i breathe my last breath and leave this place

will i be wearing a mask or will  be showing my own face?

i've been contemplating about the finish line of my race

will i run fast to stay ahead or slow my winning pace?

I have to do the right thing before it's too late

even though it'll  probably garner nothing but hate,

i have to at least try to show my real slate 

instead of leaving it to unpredictable fate.

Photograph : Green_Mask_by_enayla

Girl Meets Boy

One day, a silly girl played chess with a boy
and after that she didnt want any kind of toy,
instead she wanted to wait for the perfect time

to tell the boy, 'I wish you were mine.'

They say everything happens for a reason
even the slow pace of the changing seasons,
but when i met you that many seasons ago
i never guessed it would be all this and more.
I was never happy to readily give my heart away
eventhough i knew it was a small price to pay,
to have you in my arms and to hold you close
to be with the man my own heart so easily chose.

How would have it been i wonder...
if our paths had never crossed each others,
i'd like to think it was fate or destiny
or something more important and maybe less funny.
Whatever the reason might so well be
i am glad that it came to be,
for when i am with you i feel complete
when i'm with you my heart ceases to beat.

I dont care if others think i'm silly
for going about confessing my love so openly,
i hardly care what anyone or the world thinks
for am to busy listening to my heart as it sings.
I seemingly care less for both food and water
when it's you that constantly makes me ponder,
about life, love, philosophies and theories
that type of thing one mostly buries.

So to the boy who played chess so cunningly
it is his fault that i fell so deeply,
what else am to do but wait for him
to come back and play till life's lights dim.

Artwork: (Above) Fidelity_by_kemosabe

   (Below) love_by_Hadaroshi

Life's Lemonade

How often do people feel utmost joy?

like during Christmas, when you got that new toy,

that very elevated  carefree feeling,

where you're so high you could touch the ceiling.

Most times my pen gets carried away,

describing thoughts few people dare say,

but the things in my heart are much less dark,

au contraire, they possess quite the spark.

My life is really very charming and beautiful,

i have family and friends that are way too cool,

still there's always one or two unfortunate days,

where all i want to do is retreat to one of my caves.

Yet in spite of it all am trully blessed,

to be more more happy than sourly stressed,

to have the chance to go to school,

or to simply laze around in a pool.

My life is such a fantastic fantasy,

its as wondrous and free as the blue sea,

day and night like any poet i stare at the sky,

and wonder how it would be if i could only fly.

I take care to enjoy the littlest of things,

not only for the utmost joy it brings,

i watch and think about the things around me,

constantly learning; for that is the only key.

Our lives are sometimes sour like lemons,

but most times sweet like lemonade,

it's true that all you need is balance,

to live a life you would never trade.

Photograph : Lemon_tree_by_FreakVampire88

The Gloom of Doom

Welcome to the dark side of the moon

where tomorrow never comes too soon

because you're always surronded by gloom

even when you're in a perfectly lit room.

Welcome to the dark side of the moon

where all you think about is your doom

so you turn to God to ask for a boon

and he says, 'Only if you sing to my tune...'

This is a place that escapes time and space

this is a place where you meekly hide your face

because it is the beginning of a very dark phase

and the sad bitter ending of those better days.

You wear your favourite dress of soft white lace

and cherish how your last piece of cake tastes

then silently walk with your empty suitcase

thinking, 'If only I had a few more days...'

Then He comes to you with a flashing smile

takes your hand while you're walking that green mile 

you flinch for you know he is truly vile

just waiting to enter your name into his file.

The final walk seems longer than The Great Nile

even the shadows have moved on the ancient Moondial

then at last when you reach the very top of the pile

He smiles and says, 'This is where you will lie...'

Artwork : red bird. gugu ek raons..by Vassoga

The Grim Rapper

This is exceptional word vomit

coming straight from the devil's pit

it would even make your stuborn dog sit

for it doesn't even need a silly sick beat.

This is cause my ryhmes are like high class meat

making your taste buds explode into a fit

lamps along the road would just get lit

as if i waved a magic wand and did  a good deed.

Let me welcome you to an insane world

the sights here would make your toes curl 

you'd run weeping and crying back to your girl

when i make the colors in your head swirl.

Whatever i say or do is filled with soul

unlike you who tries but instead gets coal

my diamonds shine cause their so bold

let me send your bones back to the prehistoric cold.

You couldn't handle the thoughts from my head

where else i can eat and spit out the things you've said

listen here young Skywalker you're in over your head

better back up before you get shot and wake up dead.

I maybe new and impatient to be made,

for who wants to stay a shrimp when mafias get paid,

watch me son i'm about to make your dreams fade,

like the Grim Reaper i will permanently put you to bed.

Speaking about the dead are you ready to pay?

when you cross those gates what would you say?

would you promise to beg for forgiveness everyday?

just to come back and let sleeping dogs lay.

I've given you a glimpse of could or what may...

so better think twice before you decide what to say

my man i know you'd probably be great and all hey

but do you really wanna fight and see D-day?

I maybe a girl, young and definitely Asian,

but that didn't stop me from an age-old passion,

of writing rhymes and shooting down signs

we've all been doing it to feed our hungry minds.

So before you say anything about my kind,

let me remind you i can be wicked like how i'm kind,

i would  rape you till you loose your mind

and let you suffer till the end of time.

Artwork: Grim_Reaper_by_Rikkira

Barricades

As sure as the sun rises from the east

i'm going to stand tall,capture and sieze

it will come when i expect it the very least

i will devour my moment of truth like a beast.

To long has it been since my last great feast

to long have i been waiting for my own little piece

i sense when the day comes it will bring me peace

when i finally rise again from this blanket of mist.

Every young fool has his own burning flame

to achive greatness and beat the others at this game

also to rise from the ashes, that much is the same

like the others all killing for a so-called name.

Am i the same fool if my wish was just as lame

or am i greater fool cause i hate any kind of fame

all i want to be is to be more or less the same

like any other fool that's lost it and gone insane.

You might think i'm young and confused

you think i'll probably fail and loose

but you might want to think again before i choose

to end your guesses with a mighty deuce.

Take out your sword and fight like a man

swipe and slash however you possibly can

try hard not to bury your head in the sand

when i cut you into pieces and your shit hits the fan.

Artwork: dragon_prince_cover_by_nebezial

Obsessed

My nights are never lonely

since i've seen you around,

you've come in my dreams constantly

and i'm glad it's you that i've found.

-----

Am amazed by you

taken hard by your ways,

i admire the things you do

am deaf to what everyone else says.

-----

Your body is a wonderland

but your mind is true paradise,

i wish i could be part of your plan

that one for your ultimate prize.

-----

Please be less cruel and more kind

by letting me be your indian hemp,

i can infest your mind like how you did mine

as you light me up beside your bedside lamp.

-----

I know am nothing but a stranger

while you're a great philosopher,

but is it a crime to just wonder

how we would be like together?

-----

You know nothing about me

while i know everything about you,

one fine day i will let you see

when our time together is due.

-----

For now i will wait patiently

and watch you by your window,

while you carry on diligently

i will wait for a better tomorrow.

Photograph : Voices__by_contessanera

A Poet's Soliloquy : In My Head

                Every day I awake to a million voices whispering in my head. One voice rings out clearer than the rest. When I listen to this voice intently, it drowns out the cries of the others. Some days this voice rings clear and true, some days it just disappears so effortlessly. It goes missing when I turn to look for it. Why does it abandon me when I need it? Why does this North Star of voices come with such a cost?

          The other voices sometimes sing in unison, like angels in the sky. Those same voices sometimes shriek like those demons from the underworld. Those are the million voices in my head. Every day they greet as I start my day, every day they kiss me goodnight as I fall asleep. Then even in my sleep they infest my sweetest dreams and cloud my worst of nightmares. They never leave me. Most times they suffocate me.

          What do I do with these voices? Do I listen to one? Do I listen to them all? Do I ignore them? Should I feed them? Should I help them? This kind of torment should be some kind of punishment, and not taken daily like some kind of supplement. I look as calm as an unrippled lake, but I feel as if I’m in the midst of an earthquake. I am looking for a secret window to escape, point it out to me for your own sake. The longer you make me wait, the sooner you will meet your fate.

          See now, blame it on those voices. Their making me loose my precious mind. My precious mind… Wait… Could it be? Could it really be?? That it’s not these voices… That their just plain old noises? Noises that drown out the truth; noises in this soundproof booth. The booth is my mind, and my mind is not kind, why could I not read the signs, was it because I forgot to read between the lines?

          At last I knew it was too good to be true, my mind was always hiding the clues, I was blinded by the conventional rules, I never understood my voices cues. Alas wretched mind, it was you all along, playing me like a song, over and over again for too long, enjoying watching me being so lost and forlorn. But I understand now, I will no longer bow, this will be the last time you see me scowl, you’ve played your last foul. Goodnight cruel mind, you were definitely one of a kind. I know now to listen to my voices, I know now they were never mere noises.

          As I reach for my gun, don’t you dare run, it’s no use to look for the sun, you’re done. Say your goodbyes... Stop your sighs, don’t waste your cries and bury those lies. As I pull the trigger, I wonder about the moments we’ve shared together, I always thought you made me better, now I know that you were just another hater. Die now and let me be, go to the depths of the sea, don’t ever come back to me, go now for I have set you free.

Release me. We are free. 

Artwork : lost_in_the_unknown_voices_by_agnes_cecile

Chasing Dreams

             I am surrounded by light that blinds me, that shines on me, that consumes me.  Amidst this light, it feels foreign but still good.  Strange but still familiar. New but nevertheless exciting. I’ve always imagined it, I knew it would be like this, but not exactly like this. I’ve seen this play so many times before, as if I was acting in it myself. So calculated, so in tune, so perfect. It plays as well as an orchestra  plays symphonies. I made this and now it’s done, I am here, at last. I made this feeling, and now I have it. I made this dream, I’ve chased it, and now I’ve caught it.

***

                What if I never made it? What if I never imagined it? What if I never thought of it? Would I have ever reached these heights? Would I have had a peak? Any peak? Could I live without a mountain to climb? Would i? Would I choose to do it all again? To create this stage, to imagine this victory, to feel this triumph… to stand amidst this light once more.  Could I? Would i? If it came from my head, shouldn’t I relive it every day? Instead of setting my own parameters, shouldn’t it already be in the palm of my hands? Not something far away, where I have to fight across to. So what do I do?

***

                What are dreams? Where do dreams come from? Where do they belong? When do dreams come true? Do I need a dream? Do I want one? Why do I dream? What if I never dreamed? What if I never built castles in the air? What if I lived every day without chasing something I made up? Rather to live every day the way it is, walking along rather than running and chasing an abstract form. The more I chase, the more this form becomes concrete. The faster I run the harder I hit that very concrete wall. I am then in the room I created, the room I built, the room filled with light.

***

                I could run, but I don’t want to. I could win, but I don’t want to.  I could have it all, but I don’t want to. Not anymore. Not like this. I’ve had it all, all along. I still have it, I can make it appear and disappear as much as I like. I can stand in the light as often as I want. I could have always done it. Makes me want to laugh and cry! But I won’t, I don’t have to. Instead I’ll just smile, as I walk into my light, where I will always be. Never to leave. Here is my light, here is my peace, here is me. Here is where I will always be.

A Dancer's Escape

Poem Inspired by 'Rock That Body - Black Eyed Peas' ;

Play & Escape! ;)

It's just like any other night,

I stand waiting under the spotlight.

On cue, the music explodes into the air,

like a lion, I then proudly step out of my lair.

Those infectious beats  create an euphoria,

and I just start breaking into a hysteria.

Impossible to take control, I let go,

into the night, I keep asking for more.

Slipping into an unbreakable trance,

everyone disappears; so no one sees my dance.

My heart throbs in my ears,

as I pump out every one of my fears.

The music makes me move,shake and break my body,

it is sweeter than any kind of candy.

I escape with every hit of the rhythm,

no one can take away this kind of freedom.

Artwork : Another_by_rgquarkup

Simple Truth

I am you, like you are me.

Why is that so hard to see?

                                                    Manisha JM

Photograph : Anjal_by_Lazulyte

The One

I walked across these plains

oblivious to the love and pain

that everyone seems to feel in this game

day in and day out it was always just the same.

This went on and on, till i met him

till he unknowingly picked me at a whim

he smiled my way and everything went dim

and suddenly in that room it was only me and him.

We talked and laughed it all out

he knew exactly what he was talking about

i couldn't help falling for him throughout

apparently he was also unwillingly caught.

Hours chillin' easily turned to days

it was just me and him under the sun's rays

we didn't care about what strangers would say

we were constantly high in our own unique way.

Our short time together had to come to an end 

sadly we were hit while going around a bend

our great minds and kindred spirits try to comprehend

when we would be able to see each other again.

He had to leave to be the man he was going to be

and i had to stay behind so unwillingly

At that time we couldn't just let things be

so even miles apart we still talked daily

Those days have evolved into sweet years

and am still stuck on him like a curse

everytime he smiles he makes it worse

along with his captivating mind, he allures...

Once i was impatient and grew worried

that we might never get to lay back and share stories

and whisper into each other ears, our dreams and fears

since distance never really makes things easier.

But am glad to say i've grown stronger

now understanding and no longer needing to ponder

or worrying about our distant future together

for i know it'll be good, as long as we have each other.

Artwork : Holding Hands by Dina-bv

The Last Straw

It just get's better every time you watch it...

The Prisoner

My beautiful mind is being raped

as we speak, she is screaming aloud,

thoughts of you forcefully pin her down

don't smile, you shouldnt be proud.

Every waking moment I go through torture

nothing works and not a single thing goes right,

I stare into space when I want to scream

this loosing battle is one I cannot fight.

If i were able to scream out loud and shout;

"Get out!!!!!!!!!!!"

to be able to pull out those infected thoughts,

oh, what a thought...

Why oh why wont you let me be?!

I  was living so peacefully, quiet but not lonely,

now all day I stare at your face teasing me

how you unknowingly tempt me, so cunningly.

These mere words do not do justice to my pain

I see the devil behind your beautiful mane,

my furious anger will see to your painful death

alas, my weak humane side will istead do the insane.

Even if i wish daily we had never met

truth be told, i had never lived before then.

Your fire burned through me, i seared in pain...

yet i helplessly fall and wait willingly to be slain...

Lost In Translation

Deciphered messages are strewn across the floor

open envelopes and loose papers lay piled in corners

walk cautiously into the realm of the translator

careful now or you'll be trapped amongst her prisoners.

She reads and writes till the day breaks into night

even in her dreams she is haunted by her whims

she only has love for those beautiful coded words

where she can study each one till the light slowly dims.

Her passion for the beauty in foreign languages

is something many envy which leaves her quite lonely

is there no one who sees these words like she

no one loving symbols and signs quite so dearly.

Soon after many years, her love slowly leaves her and disappears

she slowly finds that she is unable to translate anything anymore

does she now teach what she used to do or start something new?

how did all that wonderful joy turn into insane sorrow?

Long ago, when a young girl embraced her gift

she undertsood and was certain how life would play out

she didnt care much for people, art, or other things

not knowing she would be another victim to life's musings.

Lately the translator has been walking around aimlessly

thinking, breathing and searching for another lover

is it too late to discover, that in this mysterious world

every scene plays out with stunning satire.

Photograph: my_quill_is_my_sword_V_by_LindaMarieAnson

Victim of Circumstance

as i lay on this bed in this dark room

i feel like the end is coming too soon

tired of wondering how it was in my mom's womb

seeking that shelter away from the world's gloom.

tossing and turning to a pathetic tune

wishing instead i was in a beach in Cancun.

how is it that life could spell out doom?

when all i really wanted is to feel that boom,

working day in and day out just to fume

over who gonna pay if i wanted some perfume?

look here God, am just tired of being around,

could you send me a memo explaining why i was born,

so i could set my life straight and stop the scorn,

so i could release myself from my failing bond

to the world so cold, so old and forlorn.

God please help me to be found,

if you're real you know i really need you now,

should i bribe you with sacrifices and learn to bow?

or do i chant prayers and sing hymns till tomorrow?

i know Shit like this always happens to everyone

am nothing special but i do love someone

i know i'll be missed if was gone

do i really want to wave goodbye and say 'so long'?

my mind is telling lies as high as the skies,

or is it shouting the truth with deafening cries?

do i let my mind wander and soul die?

or just lay on this bed and continue to fly...

Artwork: Ink_Portrait__by_Skyline_Sonata

Weeping Willow

 

The winds made the

willow tree weep and sigh,
the cold air whispered;
it's time to wave goodbye.

                                                                                                                 Manisha JM

                                                          

Photograph: Willow_by_Elektrohexe