Sreoshi Mukherjee; Mid Term Assignment

Prompt #1 

(i) Kaikeyi’s Guilt

I remember

When Ram was exiled,  

It was because of me. 

I was looking 

Out for my child, 

His future- 

Is what I chose to see. 

I ruined my ties with my

Loved ones, 

Including my only son. 

If I could 

Take it all back, 

I would. 

I would run 

Back to the past;
To the day Manthara 

Entered my room, 

And convinced me that

My son 

Should be the heir, to the throne. 

I wish I could turn back time,
and go back to the past.

Alas! 

There’s not a day that goes by, 

When I don’t think of that night. 

I was trying 

to help my son out, 

Hoping to make 

His future bright. 

Did I have to ask for 

My two wishes, that 

I was granted,
For saving my husband’s life? 

Perhaps if I wasn’t 

So gullible, 

I would have been better

a mother and a wife.

(ii) Durga’s Arrival 

The lovers don’t notice,
but my eyes are everywhere
I notice the quick glances,
the shy smiles
and the subtle flick of the hair. 

The evening comes alive,
with bright lights. 

On the streets,
People are chattering  

Through the night,
having a feast.

I love how a massive gathering  

Marks my homecoming.

Calling me home, 

with the Dhunuchi and Dhaak,
and the Shiuli flower blooming. 

Ahh, the scent of Shiuli,
so sweet and so divine,
Oh, how I love being back 

In this warm home 

Of mine. 

Prompt #4 

i) Let sleeping dogs lie 

I watch my dog, 

Lying down
Weaving in and out of sleep. 

He has come back home 

From a long walk. 

Time now,
To start counting sheep.

He’s lying next to the sofa,
looking at me 

from time to time,
His eyes are droopy, 

Heavy with slumber, 

And laced with a bit of slime. 

What an effort it is 

To stay awake! 

He can’t keep up anymore. 

He has flopped down 

Beside me, 

We’re together on the floor. 

I watch him breathe,
calmly, 

His body is relaxed and loose. 

His belly rises and falls 

With every breath. 

This is his hourly snooze. 

Sometimes, I find him

Dreaming,

I wish I knew 

What the dream was,
All I hear are

Muffled woofs,
and pitter-pattering of his paws. 

Is he trying to ride a bike?
Or maybe
Catch his tail? 

Chasing the birds,
Running after a ball in the park? 

Or perhaps,
Blazing a trail?

It is soothing to watch him 

Sleep. 

I wish I could tell you why,
But for now, all I can tell you 

Is let sleeping dogs lie. 

(ii) Plumeria

I spy with my little eye, 

the clue is ‘something white’ 

Is it a cloud? Or is it this paper? 

Is it a bird in flight? 

It’s a beautiful flower 

I can see it from my window 

The tree is lush green, 

And the buds are hanging low. 

The middle, is a cheery yellow- 

A colour so happy and bright. 

The petals, like velvet, soft to touch 

Their colour is snow white. 

So delicate; it is smooth and thin. 

You can feel the texture on your skin 

I think it’s very clear 

I’m going to tuck it behind my ear. 

Prompt #6  

I have this habit of zoning out whenever I commute. I plug my earphones in, and get lost in my thoughts. However, there are a few days, when I look up from my phone and look around. Much to my surprise, I end up finding quirky things around me. Here's me, documenting some of my travels to the University. 

 

These two stops have the maximum number of people getting on and off, 

when it comes to  the violet line. 

While heading towards Kashmere Gate, I get a seat every single time at either of the stations. 

But I also get squashed on my way back.

A play of words on the title of Robert Frost's poem- 'The Road Less Taken'.

'The Wolves Will Come Again'

I often sonder about the women in the metro. All of us have our own stories. 

We are all going through something or the other. 

 

The quote is on the right of 'Labour Laws' 

I always carry my backpack in front of me while travelling, rather than on my back. 

A. It's safer 

B. It's comfortable