Fragile Bonds
a visitor lost and forlorn,
with bluish- brown wings thin and frail,
in search of solace from the hot rays
that battered its feathers.
a weary wanderer; sheltered on a grand forty-year-old jackfruit tree,
wings motionless; eyes deep and sorrowful;
beak still; legs frozen; gazed with hesitant grace.
grains, nuts, and water, placed on a parapet with care.
hesitant, it looked around,
after a while, jumped with a “tweet”
and landed without a sound.
its spirit joyous, sipped water with glee,
pecked at grains and nuts,
sumptuous to it,
soared through skies of hue,
with fluttering wings and melodic chirps,
an angel in flight, with songs to be heard,
sang a wondrous tune of delight.
visits continued, like clockwork, precise, sometimes it drank,
sometimes bathed with grace.
yet slowly, as tides withdraw from shore,
its visits dwindled; a gap more and more.
a chapter closed, abrupt and swift,
like pages torn from the heart’s own script.
did it forget the kindness shown,
or soar to lands of dawn unknown?
or if it had been a prey?
aren’t some bonds mirages?
washed away like castles made of sand?
no traces left, yet memories stay,
clinging to the edges of our hands.
A Cat on the Wall
with a graceful stride, she walks the wall,
her balance; an art, natural or honed?
eyes gleaming green, a gaze that pierces like a shaft of light—
whiskers in the breeze, like tendrils of silk, dance in the air.
a sudden yowl, an angry stare,
our eyes lock through the window —distant yet near,
like two ships passing in the night, unsure of their course.
“why do you walk upon my wall?”
my curious and annoyed mind inquires?
“it’s mine as much,” she retorts.
unaware of borders drawn by me,
her hungry eyes search for a chance to slip through the window,
her slender belly growls with hunger’s pang.
her attention settles on me, yearning for a gentle invitation,
both unsure of each other’s intent,
like two puzzle pieces that don’t quite fit,
friend or enemy, trust or distrust,
a flickering sentiment.
the evening’s prepared anchovies fish curry –
with
freshly plucked mango, ground coconut,
a blend of masalas, a savoury flurry
Had the open window been an invite to her feline grace?
as the aroma wafts, her gaze turns serious with a high-pitched whine,
a silent exchange of queries.
will a day of leniency make her a regular visitor?
to shelter her or send her away,
my thoughts meander.
like the cat on the wall.
In Silence…
in the quiet of the night,
raindrops, like weary dancers,
take their final bow.
the moon, a silver sentinel,
emerges from its dusky cocoon.
the kettle hums a gentle melody;
steam rises like wisps of imagination,
carrying with it the scent of memories.
steaming cup of tea’ s warmth
a beacon in the dusky haze.
pages of a cherished book,
rustle softly, like autumn leaves.
stars, like celestial weavers,
spin tales with their shimmering threads,
casting dreams into the void, wishes take flight on ethereal wings.
as everything around slumbers, loneliness unfolds its mysteries,
like a midnight flower,
unfurling its petals.
in silence,
questions appear like arrows…
echoes of past, present, and future.
fractured pieces of self, raw and true,
come into view,
like shards of a broken mirror,
a reflection of the beauty and beast within.
Beena E. S. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Nesamony Memorial Christian College, Marthandam. She has published a novel titled “Thorns of Love.” Her numerous poems have been featured in reputable platforms, including Indian Periodicals, RIC Journal, Pashyantee, Delhi Slam Poetry, and the Wingword Long List 2023. One of her poems also appeared in the December 2023 issue of Beetle magazine. Her poem “Silent Tales” was
among the top 500 poems in Wingword Poetry and will be published in their anthology.