Cadaver

Cadaver

By, Kaushik Paul

When you... Saw me... Lying
On the floor.

Ripped... Apart... Around
Blood galore.

In your own hands,
You see the blood stained steel.
You realise your act,
And down your spine, runs a chill.


You didn’t... Trust me... But you
Thrust me deep.

My last... Sweet breath... You are
Safe to keep.

And you stand on the crimson pool
Of the one you once adored.
Tell me, how sweet the taste of my blood is,
That you savoured?


Silent... Dead cold... Me, a
Cadaver.

Now I... Am your... Lover
Forever.

So why shed your tears,
When you yourself crossed the line?
Use that blade again; a little pinch
And soon you too will be mine.

---------- xxx ----------

Was it worth to dream?

Was it worth to dream?

By, Kaushik Paul


All my dreams felt like ether,
They vaporized and blended into the air.
Astonished at the sight, I stood petrified there.

I find myself, stripped of all fantasies,
Coz now I see the cruel face of reality.

And I ask myself the question; I thought I’d never ask...
"Was it worth to dream?"


There stood the citadel, my dream town,
The quake shook it and it slowly battered down,
Shattered at the sight, I watched with a frown.

In the horizon, the sun sets upon me,
Coz now I know what I wanted; I’ll never be.

And I ask myself the question; I never wanted to ask...
"Was it worth to dream?"


I walk down the lane, with disgrace,
The shadows circle around me, expressing their grimace.
With dewy eyes I look at the moon, but she hides her face.

My heart, this pain, can no longer bear,
My eyes can no longer hold these tears.

And I ask myself the question; and I ask it again and again...
"Was it worth to dream?"


The stormy night spares no spark,
The twinkling stars, on a vacation, did embark.
Broken and grounded, I sit forlorn in this hour dark.

I look at the horizon and see the sun shining bright,
It warms my heart and fills me with new light.

And I tell myself the answer to the question I did ask...
“Yes its worth to dream.”

----------xxx----------

I Want to Sing a Song

I Want to Sing a Song

By, Kaushik Paul

I want to sing a song,
And sing it through this journey long.
A song from the inner soul,Entrapped in a mundane roll.
I want to sing a song,
While I grow big and strong.
Learn how to be wise,
And against the wind to rise.

I want to sing a song,
Be my friend and you can come along.
Together we’ll set out for ventures,
And share our won treasures.

I want to sing a song,
And sing it as a cradle-song.
Soon on their own, they will sing,
Their song, smiles to us will bring.

I want to sing a song,
And I’ll sing it lifelong.
When my time is up, HE’ll ring the gong,
And I’ll return to where I belong.

----------xxx----------

Redux

Redux

By, Kaushik Paul


All my dreams,
Turn into screams,
I miss the bliss of light.

Only left a few,
Of all that I knew,
Rest have faded into the night.


Wishes of mine,
With the tide of time,
Have swept away into the sea.

Now I cry,
Under the heartless sky,
Things weren’t how I wanted them to be.


My tears fall on the sandy shore;
It sucks them up and asks for more.
I gaze, baffled by the hunger of the land.

I wipe my tears,
Curb my fears,
And to begin anew, up, I stand.

----------xxx----------

Evolution

Evolution

By, Kaushik Paul


As a potent being, I used to live
In my sanctuary of bliss.
But now, my senses, I can’t believe,
Such changes are in my niche.

My skills are no more apt;
The tide of time has turned.
Awestruck, to see how others adapt,
In my rigidity, I’ve burned.

On the list of endangerment,
My name, clearly, I can see.
I fight my estrangement;
Extinct, is what I can’t afford to be.

Let there be alterations in my DNA;
Let some organs turn obsolete;
Let some instincts sandpaper away;
Let my mutation be complete.

I place myself in this venture,
For evolution is the order of the day.
Heeding to the call of Nature,
I will arise as a beast of prey.

----------xxx----------

Compass

Compass

By, Kaushik Paul


When I walk looking down, I can’t see the sky,
I trip and fall, when I look too high.

When I look towards the East, backstab is my fate,
When I’m busy looking West, from East there is checkmate.

One who walks on my South, if I hold his hand,
The person from North, this view, cannot withstand.

When I look at This Corner, That Corner’s opportunity, I miss,
If I look at That Corner, how can I enjoy This Corner’s bliss?

Hither, thither, I look in all directions,
Maintaining all sides, gives me confusions.

When and where, my vision should I focus,
Please tell me, oh my dearest, compass.

----------xxx----------

Ode to the Brothers

Ode to the Brothers

By, Kaushik Paul


Brother, O’ brother,
Why worry rather?
I come from a faraway place,
Far upon the hills.
To see your handsome face,
And together feast great meals.

I'll tell you a fact true,
The truest fact ever.
I won’t go without meeting you,
Coz we are brothers forever.


Brother, O’ brother,
Don’t worry rather.
I bring you fresh apples,
Sweeter than honey.
And supplies in such ample,
That’d make a treasure look funny.

I've men from great castles,
With swords, bows and spears.
When we rode our saddles,
Gals bade us good with tears.


Brother, O’ Brother,
We are nearly there.
We rode fast, galloped firm,
All through the night.
Now that we can see the flames,
It’s our time to fight.

As a raging thunderstorm
Roaring we come.
When with skill, we perform,
I’m sure our foes will be done.


Brother, O’ Brother.
In your name and honour,
Our swords clanged, bows sang,
Spears went through.
Suddenly a bolt sprang...
And everything went blue.

She’s our Mother, I tried my best,
Our promise we did keep.
I’m tired now, need to rest;
Beside my Brother I’ll sleep.

----------xxx----------

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy

By, Kaushik Paul


My situation, now, I understand,
On the edge is where I stand.
I’m in the last stage,
My life is about to be a wastage.

I’ve been walking like a blind,
I wish I could unwind.
Syrups and pills heal no more;
It’s time to hit the core.

It’s too long I’ve been stiff,
I must turn else fall of the cliff.
Stab the dosage into my soul,
The pain; I’m ready to bear it whole.

This is my last chance, I got no choice,
I must listen to my inner voice.
My last resort is chemotherapy,
From my scourge, I’ll break free.

----------xxx----------

Her Twilight

Her Twilight

By, Kaushik Paul

She stood there as a silhouette.
Her locks wafted with the wind.
She stared at the horizon,
Ever without a blink.

The sun was slowly drowning
In her burning eyes.
On her crimson cheek,
A drop of gasoline vaporized.

In her moist eyes
Was the beautiful gleam;
As it was on the day,
She first saw him.

As it was on the day,
She danced in the rain.
With the touch of love
He gave her a sweet pain.

And it is, as on this day,
A bouquet of sorrow did he bring.
And left her with
His excuses for everything.

She looked upon the people
So far beyond her reach.
Their screams and requests,
Her stupor did not breach.

She looked up into the horizon
To seek a final light.
Only to find,
A dying twilight.

The sun had given away,
And so had she.
Her eyelids shut;
She breathed free.

Despite a great effort,
She moved slight.
Just one little step,
And she plunged into the night.


---------xxx--------

The Hangman’s Tree

The Hangman’s Tree

By, Kaushik Paul


Up on the hill I stand,
Under the bare blue sky.
Calm I stay, as seasons change
And ages roll by.

I’ve seen the Sun rise in the east,
Scorn brightly at noon.
I’ve seen it sink in the west
Followed by the dance of the moon.

I’ve heard men curse,
Put upon me all their blame.
And heard the village children shiver,
When their mothers called out my name.

I’ve always provided shelter
To the weary vultures.
Only to bear sharp bolts
From both, man and The Maker.

I’ve seen the tyranny, the conspiracy
And the sceptre, that six-feet under lies.
I’ve seen the invasion, the flames
And I’ve seen dynasties die.

Yet, all these things
Weren’t painful enough;
As it was to see,
Love, choke at the hands of Love.

-----------------xxx-----------------

The Golem and the Jasmine

The Golem and the Jasmine

By, Kaushik Paul


Allow me, to tell you a tale,
From which you might learn.
Alas! If you wish not,
In vain, my efforts shall burn.

Once upon a time,
In a forest so dense.
There stood a Golem
Wrapped up by a Jasmine’s presence...


Golem, “I’m a Golem, with a heart of clay,
Motionless and silent it does stay.
Devoid of emotions, devoid of ache,
There’s no heart-beat, there’s no heart-break.”

Jasmine, “I’m a Jasmine tender,
With a warm, passionate center.
I swing in the breeze
And sing with bees.”

Golem, “I stand as a sentinel,
And guard the weak.
I keep all your secrets,
Without ever a leak.”

Jasmine, “I creep round your grey,
And bloom in white.
You are the ‘Dark Lord’,
I’m the Mage Bright.”

Golem, “Born from a boon,
I’m your enemies’ doom.
With my prey, I play,
I crush and I slay.”

Jasmine, “From boon or a curse?
But with a bunch of flaws.
You repel the others,
While my fragrance draws.”


...And such they always fought,
Friends they had never been.
One day, after a long restraint,
It was time for me to intervene.

Gaia, “My dear Golem
And dear Jasmine.
Why fight you silly,
When you are kith and kin?”

Gaia, “Blind in false pride,
You bring shame to me.
Happily you should live,
Together in harmony.”

Gaia, “Conjured by the same mother,
Little do you know.
To me you’ll return,
With the times flow.”

----------xxx----------

Tussle of the Twin Dragons

Tussle of the Twin Dragons

By, Kaushik Paul


According to a hypothesis, in every being,
The twin dragons reside.
A tussle awakens betwixt them,
Before something we decide.

This story is about a little child,
Who is happy and gay,
And about the tussles among the dragons,
In a single day.


Morning...

In the garden, was a rose,
Planted by his elder sister.
Looking at it bloom,
He gazed with eyes sinister.

He plucked it off,
And tore it asunder.
The White Dragon sighed,
“You won. I surely have made a blunder.”

Noon...

In school, during recess,
When everyone was having fun.
A friend in need, sick with fever,
Was crying for homework undone.

The child stopped by,
And stretched out a helping hand.
The Dark Dragon was surprised,
“What! How, I don’t understand?”

Afternoon...

On his way back, stands the mansion
With the Evil Professor’s name,
Who once wrongly put,
This little child to shame.

Cold with revenge, filled with rage.
At the window, he hurled a large stone.
The Dark Dragon shouted,
“Hell Yeah! Make that bastard groan.”

Evening...

Returning from play, by the road,
In a pitiful gait, crept an injured pup.
Seeing it, the child’s innocent heart
Filled with unconditional love.

He picked it up to care for it,
Towards his home he did run.
The White Dragon chuckled,
“Ha ha, this victory was fun.”


----------xxx----------

Father to Son, in the deathbed

Father to Son, in the deathbed

By, Kaushik Paul

A time will come,
When from among you I will be long gone.
Then don’t forget together we sang this song.

A time will come,
When I won’t be there to crack funny jokes,
Then don’t forget the things we once spoke.

A time will come,
When I won’t be there to support you from the side,
Then be wise and place carefully your stride.

Cough, cough...

A time will come,
When my existence will be replaced by a shade,
Then don’t let my memories to fade.

A time will come,
When I won’t be there to lend a helping hand to your Mother,
Then walk up, hold her and say that you care for her.

A time will come,
When I won’t be there to encourage you after you fail,
Then be cautious before you choose your damsel.

Cough, cough...

A time will come,
When I’ll sail out to a distance so far,
Then look up and search me in the stars.

A time will come,
When you’ll have kids like once you were,
Then tell them the stories that we used to share.

A time will come,
When you’ll be busy in the work’s flow,
Then make some time and watch them grow.

Cough, cough...

And a time will come,
When for you the Heaven’s bell will ring,
Then with your children, this song you’ll sing.

----------xxx----------

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss

By, Kaushik Paul


In such days of life,
When a way to live you can’t find.
When you are taken as worthless,
By the people of crazy mind.

When your existence is endangered,
By the killer pain.
Grounded by the inflictions,
You think your life is vain.

Neglected and dejected,
Let you turn care free.
For a rolling stone,
Is what you have to be.

From the pillaged corner,
Try to get the good out of the ruin.
And wake up your dormant spirits,
To get yourself going.

And set on a journey for the gain,
Or for the loss.
Or just for being a rolling stone,
That gathers no moss.

----------xxx----------

Invierno

Invierno

By, Kaushik Paul


Lonely and tired,
This causeway I stalk.
With none to share feelings,
With no one to talk.

The lake by the bench
Lies frozen beside.
Where in each other’s arms,
Sanguine dreams we fantasized.

Seeing it deserted,
Old memories I draw.
Trapped in this invierno,
I wait for the thaw.



White snow gathered
On evergreen pines.
Without you they seem,
No more as divine.

You asked me to wait,
Here on a sunny Friday.
Its Friday, and chilling,
Yet you are so far away.

Devoid of warmth,
I hum this rhyme.
Trapped in this invierno,
I wait for sunshine.

At the place of our tryst,
I waited all day.
But I never saw you,
Disappointed, I return to where I stay.

Pale is the sidewalk,
Pale are the meadows,
Pale are the treetops, and
Pale is my shadow.

Cold in my grave,
I long for your touch,
Trapped in this invierno,
I need you very much.


----------xxx----------

Superpower

Superpower

By, Kaushik Paul

Sometimes I really wish,
Had I some super power.
I’d fly in the blue sky,
And swing by the high-rise tower.

I’d be as swift as lightning,
And hear a butterfly’s wing beat.
I’d be cool enough to make ice jealous,
And hot enough to melt even heat.

I’d be invisible, walk through walls,
And teleport to distant places.
I’d be bulletproof,
And save the damsel in distress.

I’d meet my girlfriend,
Before I leave home for date.
I’d turn time back,
For office, never again be late.

If only, I had some,
Duper-super power.
Your blessings, on me,
O’ God, please do shower.

----------xxx----------

The Halo Around The Sun

The Halo Around The Sun

By, Kaushik Paul


There was a lot of anxiety,
In the minds of people of my home town.
Some went to roof-tops,
While on the streets, some came down.

I went out,
To let the clothes to dry.
When my neighbour asked me
To look up into the sky.

I saw a halo,
A halo around the Sun.
Was it a miracle?
Or the Maker’s cruel pun?

Some called it Doomsday,
Some called it rainbow.
And some said, “What the hell!
To work I have to go.”

I’ve read in books,
I’ve heard many theories.
But I had seen none,
To satisfy the queries.

It was divine,
It was Nature’s beauty.
With it ‘round,
The Sun sure looked a bright cutie.

I dunno if the world will end,
And I don’t give a damn about it.
I’m gonna live
And enjoy life’s treat.

I show my middle finger,
To Apocalypse.
Life will rock on,
There’s not a moment I want to miss.

----------xxx----------

The Last Fight

The Last Fight

By, Kaushik Paul

Arm me with all my weapons,
Like I was armed never before.

Let me confront my foe,
Like one rivalled never before.

Set us up for a duel,
Like one held never before.

Let me put up a last fight,
Like I fought never before.

Let me receive a wound,
Like one inflicted never before.

Let me die a death,
Like I died never before.

Or...
LET ME WIN A VICTORY,
LIKE ONE I WON NEVER BEFORE.

----------xxx----------

The Arrow, an autobiography

The Arrow, an autobiography

By, Kaushik Paul


They say, “Every arrow bears
The name of its target.”
My story is about my search,
For a touch that I could never forget...

Head of obsidian,
Shaft of maple.
Fletched and notched.
Born on the craftsman’s table.

My maker’s hands
Were old yet supple.
Their touch, so warm and cozy,
The feeling was ineffable.

He handed me into the harsh hands
Of a merchant, for a penny.
My old fletcher looked sad.
Was it because he was parting from me?

The merchant was happy.
Myself, to a fort did he bring.
In the arsenal, a knight said,
“We need more for the king.”

The knight had a hand
Made of steel.
It was hard, rigid,
Seasoned to kill.

He took me up and gazed deeply
In his eyes there was a spark.
Then he put me upside down,
Into a quiver dark.

Where I waited long
For the moment right.
Until a blue-eyed mask-man came
Underneath a shadowy night.

Some called him traitor,
Some called him patriot.
To slay the tyrant,
He climbed the walls of the fort.

From the heights of the watchtower,
His approach, I saw.
While being pulled out of quiver,
By a hand as cold as death’s claw.

My notch pressed against
The elite archer’s bowstring.
One push, and through the air I sang,
As I went gliding.

An old feeling tingled me,
As I tore the mask-man’s heart asunder.
Just like the hand of my maker,
His heart was warm and tender.

The body was dumped in the nearby woods,
Mangled in his chest, I still stay.
I know now, it is very true,
When they say...
“Every arrow bears the name of its target.”

----------xxx----------

The Digital Doll

THE DIGITAL DOLL

By, Kaushik Paul




I’m your old friend,
Silent and dumb.
Disposed and discarded;
Loneliness has turned me numb.

I stay in your closet
Sit in a corner,
Watching you all day
Astonished by your new manners.

Your age has changed
And so has your needs.
Holding someone else’s hand,
You walk the streets.

Once lavished with lustre,
Now I’m dusty and dull.
Unlike a living,
An I.C. chip numskull.

To get me,
A fortune you ventured,
Together we fought great battles
And rode for adventures.

I recall the golden days
When you were young.
Dreams that we saw together,
Still remain unsung.

Since you played with me,
It has been so long.
My only wish is to be with you,
To the one I belong.


----------xxx---------

Ringtones

Ringtones

By, Kaushik Paul


Beware: - Written in a funky mood,
No pains, it will soothe.
You might find this to be super-crap,
But please, after reading, do leave a scrap.

Ok, here goes...

The mobile rings, when She calls.
The music fills me with joy.
The mobile rings, when my boss calls.
The same music does me annoy.

How strange!

The mobile rings, when Mom calls.
The music fills my heart with reverence.
The mobile rings, when my Mother-in-law calls.
The same music makes me pray for deliverance.

How strange!

The mobile rings, when a colleague calls.
The music makes me speak with all my decencies.
The mobile rings, when the salesman calls.
The same music makes me mouth obscenities.

How strange!

The mobile rings and rings and rings and rings.
Sometimes makes me cry, sometimes smiles it brings.
Damn! I need to sell my age-old phone.
And get a new one with more ringtones.


---------- xxx ----------

Blasphemy

Blasphemy

By, Kaushik Paul


The sun had set long back.
The moon had concealed her face.
I staggered the thorny track,
Leaving crimson footsteps.

The sky was overcast, horizon bleak.
My companions have abandoned me.
With no one to share with or speak,
I treaded my way, tired and lonely.

My burden is too heavy,
My journey, too long.
My soul is sleepy,
My will, no more strong.

And then it came...

In such an hour of darkness,
As divine as a white dove.
From the high heavens,
Like a harbinger of love.

A beam of light came down,
Upon me from the sky.
And...
It hurt my eyes.


----------xxx----------

Resolution

Resolution

By, Kaushik Paul

Time cycle goes round.
Time and again,
Destiny keeps you bound.
Your efforts are in vain.
Destiny; desperate deeds; dying
To avoid the dishonour of failure.
Its illusive, it’s fleeting,
It won’t let you be sure.

Why does this thought make you rattle?
Who did ever win without a battle?
Destiny was what was done.
Your efforts will fruit in the long run.
Let not the unseen do you torture,
For Man is the architect of his own Future.

----------xxx----------

The Shipwreck

The Shipwreck

By, Kaushik Paul


One fine morning
The postman dropped me a mail.
An invitation it was
To the “Paradise” with sails.

The scent of the letter
Made my spirits yell loud.
Packed and prepared,
I was ready to set out.

On the ship of carnival,
Everything was so much fun.
But fate had a different plan,
And I faced the wrath of Poseidon.

The gale grew wild.
The vessel tossed and turned.
Like a playtime toy,
In a child's hand.

Thrown into the sea,
To survive was my whim.
Alas! My efforts were worthless
As I could not swim.

Cold with fear,
I prayed more and more.
The waves took pity,
And swept me ashore.

Perhaps, the next day;
I woke up, only to find out,
There was no one else
To answer my shouts.

The breeze was calm.
The clouds were giving away.
From a little corner,
The Sun was peeping bright and gay.

Up on a nearby hill,
Its beams did fall.
Where, savaged by time,
An ancient temple stood tall.

With high hopes,
I stepped inside, looking for aid.
Suddenly, a mysterious voice
Called out my name and said:-

“I sit on this altar, day and night.
For ages long this has been the trend.
I’m lonely, I’m sad.
Would you like to be my friend?”

----------xxx----------

The Lady in the Hood

The Lady in the Hood

By, Kaushik Paul


Walking down this alley,
I often see this lady in a hood.
Whenever I see her,
I don’t know why I feel so good.

I never see her face,
I never hear her voice.
Yet, whenever I meet her,
I know not why I rejoice.

Maybe because we both,
Tread this dark lane.
Maybe because our pains,
Are quite the same.

Maybe loitering in the shadows
Have made us both meek.
Maybe because a ray of light,
Is what we both seek.

I don’t know what,
This lady thinks of me.
All I want is...
The lady to come out of the hood,
And live free.

----------xxx----------

Puppy Dog Eyes

Puppy Dog Eyes

By, Kaushik Paul

Puppy dog eyes gaze
Through the closed window pane,
Towards a kid in tattered gown,
Playing down the lane.

Out in the sunshine,
Bright daffodils bloom.
Puppy dog eyes look around,
Only to find a deep dark gloom.

Puppy dog eyes are trapped
In a prison of curriculums and books.
While birds fly in open sky,
And paper boats float down the brook.

Trees are rocked by the storm,
And leaves get drenched in the rain.
Puppy dog eyes hide themselves,
Behind the Grade Card, in pain.

Puppy dog eyes study hard,
As they have to go a long way.
While every child takes a leave
And enjoys Children’s Day.

In the park, children swing,
Have fun and yell loud with cheer.
Puppy dog eyes never blink,
Somewhere in them has long dried a tear.

----------xxx----------

Goodbye

GOODBYE

By, Kaushik Paul

I trap my dreams in so dark a cage,
Where they don’t even dream to fly.
Babe, your love was a camouflage,
And all your promises, lies.

In your diary there’s still a page,
Where you wrote: “You are my...”
And then from love you did disengage,
Tell me you did it why?

He had an unfair advantage,
My treasure did he pry.
I fought back all my tears of rage,
Coz a man should never cry.

With a heavy heart, I set you free.
May his home you dignify,
And build up a healthy family tree.
Stay happy and satisfied.

I’ll not see your beautiful face,
And I’ll not ever try.
But I’ll never put your name to disgrace,
And this is how I say “Goodbye”.

-----------------------xxx-----------------------

I Don't Care

I DON’T CARE

By, Kaushik Paul

One day to my surprise,

I woke up to find out,
Music didn’t touch my heart anymore.
Friends say, “What do you mean? It’s a hit.
You can listen all day yet not be bored.”

I say, “I don’t care.”

One day after the cinema,

Friends say, “Filled with love and languish,
This sure is a great movie!”
I say, ”What an emotional crap,
Pure waste of time and money!”

I say, “I don’t care.”

One day in the library,

Friends say, “The Mysterious Murder.
Wow, a scintillating suspense thriller!”
I say, “Poor thing suffered a lot.
Forget victims, I side with the killer.”

I say, “I don’t care.”

I remember the day,

When I loved, I cared.
At your feet, my heart I laid.
Though amused by attention,
You turned away and said,

“Oh! Whatever, I don’t care.”

I remember the results,

I cried, “I know it’s not enough.
I’m sad, I’m sick, but I always try my best.”
They said, “Do whatever you can.
Get better grades. About the rest,

We don’t care.”

I remember myself,

Standing in front of the mirror.
I said, “Who cares if I live or die?
It doesn’t matter,
To care I say Bye-Bye.

I REALLY don’t care.”

--------------------xxx--------------------

The Nightmare

The Nightmare

By, Kaushik Paul

With the wind under my wings,
Through the blue heights I glide;
In the glory of my flight of freedom,
There are no rules to abide.
I’m the King, the conqueror,
And the cultivator of dreams.
And all of a sudden
Songs change to screams...

I lose it all in a flash
Into the abyss of darkness, I crash.
Things have come around,
What was free is now bound.
And in my mind rings a rhyme,
“Wake Up, It is Time”.

----------xxx----------