SELF-DECEPTION

The withering tree lying to itself 

The leaves know its self-deception 

But their tongue is dried up 

They no longer utter meaningful words

Except whispering  through cracking  bones  .

The trunk  is most deceived 

It holds its hope still green 

Entrenched in clogged soil.

A life of illusions 

Encouraged by a line of ants 

Witnessed by a crippled grasshopper. 

In my child hood 

I used to clean my teeth with its twig .

Its gum has thickened my blood .

Now 

We resemble each other 

मछलियाँ

सर्दियों का प्यार 

गर्मी 

और गर्मियों का प्यार 

नहीं टिक सकता सर्दी में 

परस्थितियों के प्यार की सांस 

मुड जाती है कंठस्थ से 

खड्डों के पानी में  

 नहीं पैदा होती 

 मछलियाँ 

SALT

we did our best .

i compromised with carrot 

she with broccoli.

but there are things

inescapable .

you can slit  your throat 

but cant hold your breath for a long time  .

she wanted in vegetables
salt 

should match her bitterness 

i was escapist .

my expectations never betray me .

a small amount of salt 

strained our relationship.

you

you  are everyone yet nobody 

faceless 

like chopped lettuce 

just like a tennis ball

every side is a top 

every side a bottom.

just like a bartender 

u exist only in your language .

height

make a pile of illusions 

call me 

and lift me with your voice .

if u cant give me Ur shoulder 

ask someone to create a mirage 

the  height was infinite .

i fell from my own eyes.. 

JUDGEMENT

u are expert in judging people .

you look through the interstices of my words 

and call my tongue 

 my character .

you look through the  small cracks of my ancient wooden door 

and judge the wall papers of my room 

and claim 

there is  dust in my lungs .

thank god !!!!!

you haven't seen me naked .

you might have linked

the withering pubic hair to a  dearth of life 

A POEM BY PROF. Akshaya Kumar

Tail-piece

Tail is animal’s advantage

over man.

A wagging tail is a dog’s

dig

at man’s unprotected back.

How vulnerable

a man is from behind!

To save the embarrassment

of total nakedness

and unguarded back

I end my signatures

with a long tail.

You are free to

discover art in this

long flourish of the pen.

To me it is a cover up

Exercise.