Dreamberg

(Published in the UGC Approved Journal ‘Re-
Markings’. September 2017. (Reference No. 48352). ISSN 0972 – 611X. Volume
16. Number 3.)

DREAMBERG

——————————————————————————————-

Bonded with

my daytime drill

and standard procedures,

crucial as they may be,

I own a dream world

that follows from my quintessence …

a sphere where I find

pictures of you

in every brilliant boulevard,

a thriving reverie

fills every dwam

I roll through,

several entire planets

balloon from

the colors in me

turquoise blue-greens

sweet tangerine yellows

ashen greys

pearls and snow

come out as marvels

when up against ebony,

all manifold hues

germinate

into ink and light

filling perfect crystals,

 rain drops

glinting shyly

stock-still in space

emanating blinding rays

at sudden angles

that catch you unawares

and strikingly amaze.

My phantom domain

is not all smiles

I see tales narrated

in myriad styles,

nightmarish streets

form the unfailing corollary

to fairies and nectar

by abounding in phobias

and all macabre states

where I am a witness

even as I see myself

unravel in guises and roles

for the benefit

of interested eyes

that can never

ever pin down

the puppet master

the mastermind

who does not miss

to spawn any

sentiment or sensation

all mindscapes are covered

all arenas are me,

to a burgeoning degree

all times find place here

new places come to be

paces vary from

frozen to lightning

faces come altered

masks, hats, warts,

solid or crooked trees,

tigers made of talc,

scars, crowns and tails

form but a mere tip

of my dreamberg

half of my hours

here I dwell

the door is always open

for I have drowned my key.

-Manasvini Rai

PANOPTIC

(Published in UGC Approved Peer Reviewed Journal – VOICES: Voices of Interdisciplinary Critical Explorations. Volume 7. Number 1. March – April 2017. ISSN 2230 – 875X)

PANOPTIC

Twenty-two feet

from the Cerulean blue alley,

the amber sky

and the luncheonette meet,

setting the arena

for another fleeting duologue,

tentatively freshening up

the fading memory of

the assemblages in question –

The double date,

brown glowing dress boots

tap urgently against

jet-black kitten heels

made wonderfully ornate

in juxtaposition,

Stubbed out fags dying slowly out,

Parleys in a huddle

across a striking red table top,

Tete-a-tete above,

Consultation below

amidst rapid empty palaver,

deliberate or desultory

folks stream in and out,

resting elbows at the chestnut table-tops

in passing,

discreet murmurs escape

from painted lips

brushing the outer form

of dainty ears

adorned by vain piercings

rosettes and mermaids

etched in agate

are privy to disclosures

divulged in a hushed tone,

A hinted report

adequately concealed by

the clink clank of cups and saucers

graceful porcelain put to fine use

chic china of the haute haunt

mingles with the noise,

gentle receptacles of purpose and poise,

emblems of the meeting point,

No big picture,

Costumes, sets, and props,

Miniature portable dolls,

Chieftains of their own volition,

Clandestine messages move,

Here an affected smile,

there a phony nod.

-Manasvini Rai