"Even the Rain"

I started to smile, and then the dust came

settling, settling; covering even the rain.

pink, mauve, red I had, control them I did

but they played, colouring even the rain.

a july bride you wanted, framed I stood

for a sari wearing even the rain.

me you demanded, shatter me you would

let it come I cried; ring even the rain.

a pen brings no relief, Vebhuti said,

Shahid replied ink will bring even the rain.

"Jungle of Words"

one tugged at one strand
the other at another
whisper they did to me
about their roots

i called out to them
to sort
to divide
to mark

and
gleefully they laughed
mockingly cried
so you too draw

boxes in boxes
shadows and shapes
you dare order
and prevent play

doll doll doll
do you say i
or name
without us

screech
tumble
slide
glide

did they
and i unable
to hold
to stand

joined their play
you abandoned me
i hold them now
and they me

The poem below, "Courtly Love" was jointly written by Akhil Katyal and Vebhuti.

Courtly Love

Polite mannerisms

Praises of the lady,

or man.

Mangoes, mushrooms, chocolate

Puzzles he gave me,

These were poetry.

A fiddle struck,

Blood-red oranges sucked,

Idle words read by you,

They became poetry.