Still Standing

They see, they say, they show, they sight,

They taunt, they tease, advice, recite,

It strikes and bounces, puts up a fight,

We bleed, they gloat, we hold on tight,

Your hand in mine, mine in yours,

Warmth thawing through the frozen pores,

Pure as silk, like the blue sea shores,

Through the corridor of many doors,

Too bright here and too dark there,

A perfect stance reigning where

We stand together, backs to their glare,

Arms wrapped, self-sufficient, with no other care.

Here we stand, together, we declare.

Hence we rise. Hence we dare.

By- Manny D

Written on- 31/01/14

Frost And Fire

Thawing at my frozen fingers

Are the flames licking the night air.

White and yellow, slashing at the black,

Impressing to the eyes what’s not there.

Blink, yet the image remains

Of the fire, of the flame,

The want of warmth, the burning sensation,

The icy winds now tame.

All thoughts of the cold

And the dark now lost

To the heat soaking into the skin

Leaving not an inkling of frost,

Till the light subsides

From white, to yellow, to orange, to red,

Till the embers crumble to ashes

And the night swallows all left unsaid

And the frost envelopes me again,

For the darkness has her claims.

Yet… When I blink…

The fiery image… still remains…

By- Manny D

Written on- 30/12/12

Dandy Child

A sunny tropical weather

Beats down Listlessly on her,

As barefoot, she skips through grass

Causing sleeping insects to stir

At the sound of a giggle.

There she twirls and with a thud falls,

Laughter sweet and hysterical.

She ignores her Mumma’s calls

To beware and take care,

Not to be oh-so-wild!

But, world forgotten, magic begotten,

By Jove! That child!

There, she lies on her front,

Elbows digging the ground, dress muddied,

Feet rhythmically kicking the air,

Eyes sparkling as she studied

A sole, fragile dandelion,

A willowy snowflake, a flower,

Shuddering by the caress of the summer breeze,

Like the gentle touch of a lover,

The green dewy flora shielding

The white, spidery-legged seed,

Like the protective embrace of family,

Undistinguished by herb or weed.

She tilts her head to the side,

Shuts her eyes, a wish by the tree,

Blows hard and watches till the blue heavens embrace

The wisps, proclaiming: “Now, they are free!”

By- Manny D

Written On- 06/03/13

Do You See What I See?

Yes, I read

And yes, I do write.

I see a world

Different from average sight,

From the blue sky

To the sunrise of incomparable beauty,

From the slime of the sea bed

To muck, derogated and filthy.

I hear a different song,

A different smell ensnares my senses

And around each corner

Peek these words, phrases and sentences,

Coined together to form an illusion

Much repulsed by dear Plato,

Though argued by his pupil,

Those words still strike from long ago.

To those who read for the illusion,

You deserve a round of applause, for I

See the dark depths of the ocean

Beneath the sparkling reflections of the startling sky.

By- Manny D

Written On- 25/01/14

Blue Feathers

A drowsy head, drugged in sorrow,

Lay back on the hard wooden bedstead.

Slumbering away, the eyes slit open,

Swollen and heavy from tears.

Shadows draped the walls in the

Silent comfort of invisibility.

A heavy heart lay still,

Pumping dead blood down unwilling veins.

Through the restless silence

The clock struck five.

The cuckoo sang and country folk spun

To a soft, enchanting tune.

The eyes looked up,

Fresh air filled the lungs,

An orange sunray peeked hesitantly

Then emerged with steady confidence

From behind the long, damp, heavy curtains.

A Single ray slid up the wall

And balanced itself on the priced hanging:

Over the plain, dull beige wall,

Standing proud and tall and knowing,

Three long peacock feathers

Caught the ray of sunshine,

Dazzling, smiling mysteriously

And old mythical tales awoke

Spreading like a thundering flood

The enchantment, the mischief,

And life broke out amongst the dead limbs

And a tearful, glad smile inched up,

Warming the cheeks in a sweet blush,

Blushing the dry lips red,

Thundering, pouring down to the heart,

Evoking life where life was no more.

Up on the feet! The body was drawn,

One finger stroked the velvety fibres

And the muddy brown shimmered in gold

Combing and sheltering the glimmering green

As the Blue lay there, peaceful,

As if lost in a powerful dream,

Tender eyelids with delicate lashes,

Sweet, warm, knowing, magical,

Still but alive,

Shut but watching.

A beautiful feathery lair

A lovely, secure presence,

Warm sunlight warming icy fingertips,

Soft touches kissing a smile,

A fragile belief,

Vulnerable yet beautiful

As a chick learning to fly,

Fluttered, blossomed and grew

Strong like the trunk of the toughest tree

Ready to embrace the sky.

By- Manny D

Written on- 07/01/14