The Green Mystic

Dear Mother of my sworn enemy, My heart ached when I saw you weep - At the grave of your child, Whose voice you’ve yearned to hear; Whose warm hugs you’ve missed.   You bought him a new pair of slippers, A pair of pants for him to wear. And those were his last requests to you. You would have expected a smile on his face - As he would happily put them on and say “ Ka kipah e Nu ”   In you, I saw my mother. My mother would weep too - If her sons have suffered the same fate. A mother’s love is all the same. Be it Kuki or Meitei.   May your love for your son be a message. A message to all those sons. That they too have an anxious mother, Waiting for them to come back home. Alive, not dead like yours.

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Blue On face On a race To catch the best with steps without retrace. Angry though with smiles they protest- With nerdiest of grins, we have them arrest. Smeared them faces with hands, the powdered beryl hue. Perverts fill their minds with thoughts to molest- Filthy hands groping for their breast. Not I, I'm not Scapegrace- Nor breast obsessed. Shirts displace, Disgrace!! True!!

Yearn to hold thy trembling hands; Over turbulent seas and scorching sands Unlike all, never you utter'd a sound. Sugar sweet is your healing word; Humble, honest, heart of gold- Only not you speak your heart. Unaware that your hands are cold. Love you showered upon me Dear I'm here don't you see? Had I known, you would change Anger in your eyes is really strange. Vindicate me from this mystery- Expel me from this misery. Stayed despite all hints, And for years I pled. If I wasn't the charming prince- Dear, you should have said.

Shadows crept across the wall Shadows of beasts she fears most; Alone in the dark, she's lost “Catch her, take her to the hall” “Help Help!!” No one hears her call Taped, slapped and killed her almost. Force-drugged her and off she dozed What passed next she can't recall. Found herself in the morning At a place she never knew; “Why is my down there bleeding?” “Why are my arms black and blue?” This is India, dear lady. Land of Saree and Belly. It was the same morn, the day she last spoke- Spoke of how three ghosts took her chastity; Now lies in that box, girl of half forty. Hangs down the red fan with that blood-soaked cloak. To her eyes, the suspect is all menfolk- Who're the three beasts? Still is a mystery. "They've got not a cent, who're we to worry?" Said the man of law, “Let it fade like smoke” That night, the girl fought the beasts all alone She'd no choice when her orange top was torn. But wo...

Things of the past gone Covered by snows of Winter But when summer comes. Planted flowers red For when comes the monsoon rain, renewed will be hopes. Down comes heavy rain Washed down the garden of red. Will Spring bring back all? Spring indeed brought back But after spring comes autumn And Winter again.

Pebbles in my hands Naked Feet inside the sands Watching others swim. Shallow pond at home There I Jumped inside alone Thought I learnt swimming. The next day with friends The river deep I descend, Leaped before I think. Black is all around What's that gurgling sound? I think I'm drowning. Which side is dry land? Nothing feels my grappling hand. I'm dead or dying. I had a brief glimpse Land or magic of the imps. Nope I can feel land. Something caught my limb It is she, she who can swim. Saved to live again.

Red Tea “ There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea” Isn't Father purported to help his son? Vociferated I to poor father. Hapless and Old and trying to gather. Bang! Slam! Demoed my angst and did I stun. Cried a soundless cry, gone with the setting sun; The night is sleepless, mind's hit and pother. Do away with the gap, pondered Mother- All go to bed while Mother bakes the bun. I see in the morn dad smiled at his boy- Sipping tea through the cup he looks at me; The feelings inside, abasement or joy? The sun is overhead said he with glee. It's a wonder what mother's tea has done- A family we are, we'll stay as one.

Curious what's in the next room, Aroused by the clanking sound, Slowly creeps he, heart pounding; Down came the rice pot bounding. startled by it, stares around, Empty stomach and it's noon. His own blackened tender hand(s) Down on the floor on damp land Half-naked draggy torso, Searched the pot for a morsel- Pots, bowls, jars and all vessel Not a grain nor a paisa. Once he was scourged by hunger- Now I'll treat him to Burger.

Crying, brother on his shoulder Blood-smeared T-shirt gives tongue- That something went awry "Oh! Mother" "Li'l bro's not saying a thing" "I wanted to hear him sing" Never to be heard is the voice young. "Oh God! What have you done?" Mother voiced her sorrow "We were playing, having fun" "I last saw brother jumping-" "Our favourite song he was singing" Silenced by the modern arrow. Mother!! Prepare thyself- Another bullet awaits your son. Brother!! Get new T's for yourself Or tell li'l bro to dodge the gun.

Red and green are the leaves, In bundles, they would pay "Soihanbinu" , they would say “My son would now be an Inspector” Says the farmer but his tractor And other things, bartered from whence came Bundles of red and green leaves. “Life from now will never be the same”. Whispered the happy mother’s heart. Long awaited time is now here “My son’s name in the list is nowhere” Father died from an attack of heart- Mother and Son rendered homeless. All just for a Job so priceless.

" Gyan tao, ngaosinnaganu" Am I ever destined to become? Resting under shade in a country; Always melancholic and lonesome, Scribbling magical words of Poetry. Never thought I'll ever be- Consumed, bound by responsibilities. However strong I pretend to be, What haunts me is life's complexities. Dear ones the other side Conscience is but a receding tide. Please them or please myself- The two conflicting resolutions. Mind occupied by confusions, Level the rift, my well-being too? For them are my health and Wealth. I'm SPOILT, that's not so true.

Know not you, this'll hurt, He not there by your side. Wayward home, excited heart- Emotions inside you can't hide. Recalling the one you dear, Hoping that the day'll come. Waiting eyes brimmed with tears- Comes not he, your handsome. Hurt was he, the Betrayal; Scattered dreams – the palace royal. Hardened heart over the past; Fall again for the last. Will same fate befall him? Will love be ever-more grim?

I'm not complaining of my Life- It's that I don't get what I strife. Life's not always what it seems Dreams always remain dreams. Many a lass in life I met, Not a single I can bet But You with that charming Smile Swept my feet across a mile. Life slowly rewards itself What am I to lament of myself? Many a change still to come- And my heart, still handsome. Now, our ways parted, If future's in hand, you'll be seated- On the couch of my warm heart Uninformed of the pangs of this wintry earth. I can tell this for I- See it in your eye(s) Somewhere you feel for me And the love still can be- Resurrected. And you know- Genuine is my love, forever and now.

"Boi nanggi phone...." "Hello" Shaken, hearing his voice, On the screen, image of my choice. Confused why they're together; I remember we swore to each other. What's behind the cunning mind? In his charm hope she's not blind. Cunning mind, a friend of mine; Falling for gold of the same mine. Lost in thought, took the wrong road, Mind heaved with suspicious load; Made to the place, Mac D, There, with him stands my lady. Mac D, place where young birds meet; Who of the two gave the treat? Among'em feeling unwanted. Unconvinced she's being dated. Like good girl said she to me- "It's friends reunion, you and we" Long time friendship on a halt; Bitter friendship void of salt. It's five past ten minus one- here comes the seven one one. "Gotta go guys I'm getting late" Wanna say don't go but fate. At the stand with cunning mind; Eyes on her as of mine. Anticipating the goodbye wave, So the image in our minds we can sav...