Within My Mind?!

I was under immense pressure. In the secret code language, we all understand—'Nature's call.' I was in tenth grade, ranked fifth in the class. Then there was Wharkin—studious beyond belief. I honestly don’t know if there’s a book she hasn’t read. Her study room was a library, books scattered everywhere, each tagged with what looked like summaries. But they weren’t just summaries—every book was underlined, scientific journals and research papers filled with pencil-drawn diagrams. I rushed toward the washroom entrance.  As I reached the door,  I was reassured by the familiar sight of closed compartments and felt relieved that I was in the correct washroom. I have this phobia that I might enter the wrong one. Yeah, at some point or other in your life,  you've probably had that fear too—or at least, every boy in our school did ! I opened the compartment and something else.  Oh, what a glorious, satisfying relief! I remembered visiting Wharkin’s house yesterday a...

A shrill cry echoed in the mist. I slammed the brakes. Had I taken a wrong turn? No. That couldn't be. I had driven this route since I was twenty. Before that, I didn't have the courage.  But something was different tonight. The mist was never this thick. At least I could know where there was a stone and where there were trees. I came out of the car. It belonged to my boss. Ten years old. Why the heck wouldn't he buy a new one? I have always dreamed of driving a Ford, but no, he would give me this second-hand car to drop off his children. The kids must have been frustrated by now, too!  Whatever. I locked the vehicle and walked towards the cry, and it sounded like a masculine voice.  These misty moors hide a lot more than they are hidden from the eyes! I took the stony path to the top. I switched on the flashlight, but it had drained due to excessive use. Without a flashlight, I felt like a tiny, afraid little mouse. I thought of returning, but that voice still rang ...

A SHORT TALK WITH HER I just came out of the washroom. Time 23.51 PM. Rarely a soul was seen on the floor. I even wondered if the CCTV cameras were closed, or they were still on. No interest in going down and taking a look, if guards are having a peek at me walking or not! Reached the glass door, the exit symbol was on it. I had walked from C 211, to see if anyone stays up till this late here or not. I looked out of the glass panes, on the second floor. Saw two girls walking out of the main gate. But nobody else. I thought that I was alone, and I heard a door closing. It seems someone entered the girls' washroom. I had watched three movies today. No idea why?  I keep promising - I would complete this today, I would go out to someplace evening, I would think on a certain problem, but no! I end up watching some random flicks. Maybe it served a way to escape reality and enter the world of imagination, where every random thing seems and much better, becomes possible!  There ...

Aloof from her, hid my tears Left alone, she was there At her house I was there, near her house. Light was there, even in the darkest night Song was there, even in the melancholic sights The past haunted me, The present never left me Future was a distant call. She had passed those days, Alone, For I was with fire. I was dead for her, but I was alive In her heart In my heart. There were mere people With me But I would be left alone. The fires would die out, I would be peeping at her. She would be gazing, But neither of us talk, nor smile, She would be shedding those drops. I have a cloth, But alas! It's of no use. For I am dead for her, For I am dead for you. Siba Smarak Panigrahi

The beard has grown a bit more Moustache too has actively taken its part The adipose has found its new home From stomach to thigh A journey of two years Has thrown me ahead In the linear dimension of time. I was there on that brown wooden table With a PEN between my teeth Biting nails and the epidermis That neighbors them. "Son, not again" Said a female voice behind me "Oh! Dear mother, I just had an idea You made it slip away again" Replied I. A gap of six months found me on that table Again a PEN within the teeth But no voice to stop me There was the portrait hanging Where she said earlier "Son, not again" Oh! I miss her so much. Another one year later I was there Once again on that damn table Fed up with me Fed up with life Fed up with her. A bunch of papers lied in front of me They have never changed Camouflaged with A brown cover over the white surface. Now I am there Some thi...

DESIRES   I saw a lady;    Far from my stance,   At an enormous distance;    Gazing at the stretched blue sheet.    She was a lady for sure,    A thing of beauty,    A creation with a stroke of liberty,    I walked forth, closer to her.    I came near, she looked pale,   Maybe, thought I, had a dreaded fall;   Life, maybe brutal,   But provides a cause to cheer.   Her paleness drew me even nearer,   I ought to know the reason;   I got a stare closer,   No, she was not my imagination.   She was grey, too pale;   Neither a sign of humanity;   Nor a scene of serenity, Distressed, dull, there lied the stones. Statue, she was, Lifeless, emotionless, And of course...