On A Day Like This

I have tossed the afternoon sun,

Down from my terrace...

Through the dusty air and city smoke

Somewhere.. i don't care.

I like the evening,

Its grey color and tall shadows..

I like the way it rushes

To its end... in evening trains

And rain-washed streets.

In the little pocket

Of my sweat stained shirt...

Time lies still..

Beating slowly with my heartbeat..

And just as meaningless...

I have peeled the layers of grey

From the aging face of sky

And left an ugly scar

On the naked beauty of moon.

This is my night..

And i own it..

Its every moment

Is held still in my breath

And released with a shy..

The distant Sun conspires..

What do i care?

For the brick red mornings...

The school going kids

And their stolen innocence..

I close my eyes

To the haste on some bus stand

Breakfast news

Crisp white uniforms

And the city clock...

My time sleeps quiet

With my dreams..

And we dream ..

Beyond this tired day.

(c) Ankur Srivastava

BEAST

Beast
The rusty shackles of last night's dreams
Melted away in the flaring sun.
In a never ending dusty afternoon,
He woke up, almost reborn...

Some remembered him,
"Ah! the boy with the sad smile."
Others believed,
He had risen from the grave.

For, his face was blank...
A smile hauntingly pasted.
He hummed a strange tune,
Staring into nothingness.

He was never seen before,
Or perhaps went unnoticed.
But then he set his thumping feet
On the empty streets
And dust kicked off.

As the Sun bowed to his feet,
Looking up at the heavens,
He rose a toast,
To the mourning for strangled dreams.

He seemed sad and yet so strong,
Grief embarrassed;
And guilt was set free
Naked, in the chilly evening breeze.

The innocence of a full moon,
Was put aside with disdain.
He played with the shadows of night.

And painted the dark
On his face.
Mask of sanity scrapped.

He walked the road,
The beast he always was. 

(c)Ankur Srivastava