I grew up beyond the grey walls….
Walls that changed hues under varied spells,
mama would strictly keep me inside.
The thick silver parapets adorned tiny holes,
black ashen specks from where I marveled
at the cruel oddity of the world.
A faded sepia of Papa hung at a crooked
angle-tilted towards outside,shadowing
other picture-frames.
The grim monsoons brought spree of life
stamping on foundations of boundless
hedge, spreading its tentacles…
Vile serpentine vines of bougainvillea invaded
sacred space, by keeping me in restraints
stealthily crawling into me.
I see scaly lizards licking the swollen damp
crusts of the walls, that now turned
purplish hue, squeaking hushly;
“papa zedes, papa zedes
papa zedes, papa zedes”
Terrified of clicking sounds,every monsoon
I meticulously filled up fissures with
Papa’s old black and whites.
Once smacked across the sugar face smiling,
I always beamed when I sobbed inside,
tongue at loss of words….
I covered the last fissure with the only picture
I had of Papa.
Forever barricading myself with-in walls, I
metamorphosed into silver, a mass of
cemented blood in concrete limbs.
Fortifying myself of the lingering echoes…
“papa zedes, papa zedes
papa zedes, papa zedes”
ah, this is beautiful Tanya. The juxtaposition between a world of walls (no life) and a world of monsoons which brought spree of life is splendidly done. And you growing up… I love this poem!
Dearest G, how very kind of you! I truly appreciate your kind insight and astute reading of my works, just know how humbled I’m coming from a poet like you! I’m so glad you liked it, the poem is a reflection of inner mind, my father and the walls I built eventually! 🙏
Tayna, your poem really moved me. Know you are a great poet too. I always enjoy reading your work.
Such a splendor you created. The richness in the poem be it the thoughts or the exotic world you portrayed was brilliant.
Shantanu 🙏, I’m very humbled with your kind insight, you are always so encouraging! The poem definitely reflects my inner world, along with the richness of Milieu I grew up in. ❤️
My absolute pleasure. It was such a pleasing read
I’m glad 😊
😊🌸
Very nice.
Such depth of thought and feeling.
You have made my day with your amazing insight and appreciation! The only reward befitting is my heart-felt gratitude for stopping by and reading it so deeply, truly appreciate it!
🙂 you are Welcome
👍
A beautiful and powerfully written poem.
A combination of Poe describing imprisonment behind walls and the short stories of Dostoevsky examining the sorrows of existence.
Life intermingled with death.
And human memories caught within the tempests of nature.
Thanks alot Count, truly appreciate your insight. Wow Poe and Dostoevsky are both my favorite story-tellers, I am surprised that you mentioned them in your comment. Life intermingled with death…..wonderfully framed! Thanks so much 🌹🌹
👌
🙏❤️❤️
Beautiful emotional lines thanks for stopping 🎉😊💕
Superb writing. I really like this.
Thanks Jim, I’m glad the words resonated with you 🙂