Life, when it gives you choices 
Schemes to make it difficult 2 go with the heart or the mind 
Only if singing the right notes were silky and easy 
But then again that would not be Life..  

Caught in a dilemma 
Having nowhere to go 
Looking into the mirror 
Hoping to find some answers 
Gazing long into the soul.. 

Dark is alluring 
Exciting, Enticing, Forbidden 
Yet also bringing with it lonely nights 
Tears and unsatisfied emotions 

While the safe haven spins carefully 
Calm, Stability, Tranquility 
Soft smiles & meaningful glances 
Ripples on the skin slowly spreading 

The struggle again 
Silent debates with the self 
Me not knowing how to win 
The strong battle so deep within 

So then I try, to take a leaf from your own book 
Let time takes its own pace 
And with it, the decision unfold 

Till then I can simply wait and feel 
How much dear you are to me 

-- Devikka Bantawa..

Serenade

I serenade you not with music or flowers
But with eloquent words and meaning..

The stones come alive and talk to me
Of poets and singers and lovers in frenzy
Of both gloom and glee that have passed through thee.. 

-- Devikka Bantawa

Life comes in phases
And I am truly grateful that some have passed over
but saddened that some beautiful ones haven't yet unfurled for me.. 
With every dying day the hope gets deeper that, that day is near !! -- Devikka Bantawa

Empty and Meaningless..

There is sound even in silence

Tranquil Moments

When lights are a mere illusion
& no longer guide the way..


-- DEVIKKA BANTAWA

Things that make me go.. "Umm..!!"
Love to explore such places, take in the unique aroma as soon as I walk in, feast my eyes on the tempting pastries on display, as if they are enticing you like the alluring sirens do..
And it is with relish that I sink my teeth into the fresh soft pastry with the gooey chocolate all oozing out..
Its easy to transform into a child once again, licking tenderly with my pink tongue the sinfully dark stained fingers, close my eyes and taste every little bit of it.. from the icing and flakes on the top, to the chocolate chips in between..
Once gently devoured, I lie satiated.. thinking how easy it is for that small piece of beauty to bring immense happiness and a touch of the heavenly feeling in me !!
Really.. I say.. Thank God for the small mercies of life !!


-- DEVIKKA BANTAWA

The dramatic skies, the vast expanse
Unsolved mysteries, gentleness and power
The heights we reach, glory and fame
One day to all turn to dust and weep


We are but a tiny speck in the universe eye
Running behind transitory baubles flitting in the sky
Yet you cannot deny
That in our own small significant ways
We are but hero in our days !!


-- DEVIKKA BANTAWA

The joys of being together and starting with love a whole new life ..

Hey Mom !!

Just a simple note

To tell you and let you know

That from the deepest cockles of my heart

I Miss you dearly !!

I know the things that you have gladly sacrificed for me

Though you thought I was too young to notice and realize

And I even know the anger that at times flared towards me

Was just an outpouring of your concern and insecurity for me

From that tiny toddler into a mature woman now

Almost on that threshold of beginning a new life myself

I simply want to convey to you

That for all the things said and done between us

To me You Are Still The Best Mother In The World !!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU once again !!

Love you now, Love you always, Love you Forever !!

-- DEVIKKA BANTAWA

I walk down the cobbled stairs,
Steadily the noise and the din rises,
Some scream out the names at your face,
while some yell the prices down your neck
A few sing out in their time-withered voice
Assuring you they have the fish of your choice


The big and the small
The fleshy and the thin
They have all the variety that you can think
Many cut, some whole and a few even wriggling in their tiny watery holes


Yet its not like the usual market place
No doubt the flies are plenty
And fishy smelly water dripping everywhere
The lanes are narrow, the space limited
Yet no border lines on the table sighted


Each call out to you to check their wares
Once there, the price might just catch you unawares
Its fresh, its out of season yet available, they argue
The best of the variety and quality and it's for you


But we also know the tricks of the trade
We haggle and bargain like a pro
But its only when we pretend to go
That they come in tow and happily
Into my bag the fish goes !!

-- Devikka Bantawa

It's not happened in a long time
But I'm glad it's stirring up now
Me, you enthrall, surprise, amaze!
By the things you do and say
Jokes you share, feelings you accidentally bare


Have just met you
Surely don't know you much
But yes, there is intrigue in the air
This uncanny desire to always be there


You say your busy
You do not even call
I really want to understand
Play it along slowly and all


Yet the impulsive impatient Arien in me
Can't steady herself for long you see
You double faced Geminian
Can't you keep aside this pattern of yours for a little while?


All I ask is for you to remember me
In between your unending meetings and messy excel sheets
I'm curious to get to know you better sooner
To scratch the surface and dig down deeper!


Strong is the pull, a perfect match I sense
The puzzles finally seem to have fallen in place
But as I draw closer
To the end of my crossword maze
I suddenly wonder
"Are these emotions simply playing in my fleeting mind?
Or do you also ready the subtle fugitive signs?"


-- Devikka Bantawa

HAPPY LOHRI !! (2012)

Furious Fire, Flickering Flames

Burn bright & hot, All the same


Coz soon all that will remain


Will be simply dust and ash


To be mindlessly swept away ..

Serene Sunset

Life.. As you see it..

The Lone Soul

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Liquid Gold