The Silver Oak

A dew washed morning,
The last whiffs of Winter, still unyielding,
Even as Spring readies itself,
To cast around its Midas touch,
And paint the sprawling hillside lush,
A reckless riot of colours.
Dainty sunshine, playfully dancing,
On dew drops cradled by the grass,
Pageants of butterflies, on scaffolds of flowers,
And adorning the fresco, like a masterstroke,
Its virgin buds raring, to burst into blossom,
Is the regal, sublime Silver Oak.

All I want, is a smile,
To play on your lips,
Not just when I'm around,
But even, when I'm not,
And if the tears, feel hard to stop,
Place your hand, over your heart,
And know that I've been,
There all the while,
And even through the tears, you'll see,
Finding its way to your lips,
Is a tiny little...smile.

Toothless Smile

You snuggle into my arms,

And flash at me, that impish grin,

I feel my heart flutter within;

Your tiny nose crinkles up,

And I catch that twinkle in your eyes,

My heart, it now soars to the skies;

Your gurgles and your oohs and ahhs,

And that oh, so charming, toothless smile,

Reassure me everyday,

That life is beautiful and worthwhile.

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I bury my head in your lap,

Lovingly, you stroke my hair,

I forget all worry and care;

And so it has been all this life,

My burdens that you shouldered, forever with grace,

I see them now, in the lines on your face;

In the silver of your hair, in the gray of your eyes,

And in that angelic toothless smile,

I see all the love I need,

To run yet another mile.

Comments from Muse India:

Dear Preeta, Your verse is engaging. The images are refreshing. Infants and their smile give us happiness beyond words. I liked this very much. Hope, your days are gleeful with your little prince. Regards.

K Pankajam, Chennai
Oct 18, 2011

Lovely Poem, Preeta. I could easily relate this with the activities of my daughter, Tanmayi when she was an infant of 60 days old...the portrayed images are very refreshing.

Ramesh Anand, Malaysia
Oct 17, 2011

Life is indeed worthwhile with the toothless smiles around.....thanks for sharing this.

Hema Ravi, Chennai
Oct 17, 2011

Reassure me everyday,

That life is beautiful and worthwhile... what a preeti pure feeling in poem.. so nice

There is no other way than to reassue

life is so lovely and hence to be made sure

I confidently look towards and offer a smile

you may be joyous and happy meanwhile

love is such a beautiful thing to feel

it is never dying feeling still

you may feel it often and quite close

if trust and confidence repose

hasmukh mehta, Ahmedabad
10/16/2011

Preeta, what a beautiful composition! You have attained a 'motherly peak' to script this divine poem.

Kumarendra Mallick, Houston
Oct 17, 2011

A beautiful motherly affection and love expressed with infant like simplicity and full of realism. I liked the verse much, Preeta, best wishes.

V Ramabrahmam, Pondicherry
Oct 16, 2011

The Emperor's Dance

I feel on top of the world, the words echoing in my mind,
“You dance like a dream…” “Grace personified…”
My heart swells with pride;
I’m oblivious to the overcast sky, and to the gathering clouds,
Still full of myself, recalling the applause,
A rumble in the skies jolts me to the present,
It is then, that I sense the excitement,
In the heady fragrance in the breeze, and the murmur of the trees,
In the chirping of the birds, as they return to their abodes,
All around me, I sense anticipation,
As if, the Universe is in preparation,
Of what………….I wonder?

And then I witness his grand entry,
Head held high, gait befitting his royalty,
Resplendent in robes of blue and green,
The murmur, the chirping, they all die down,
And the first drops from heaven fall to the ground;
I see him starting to tap his feet,
The plumes now beginning to shiver,
As the drops now come down quicker,
He does a perfect pirouette, as I stare wide-eyed,
And spreads out the plumes, I’m mesmerized;
He sways, he dances, moves perfectly timed,
To the rhythm of the falling rain,
The chirping, the murmur, they begin again,
They build up, and now reach a crescendo,
I stand rooted, drenched from head to toe,
The lights, the drums from the Heavens above,
And on the Earth, a stage so pristine,
In the dancer, a grace, a divinity unseen,
The courtesans, now without restrain, they sing,
For today, the dancer is none other than the King,
Today, he dances, One with the Universe,
A celestial marvel, divine and glorious,
“You dance like a dream”, so meaningless the words seem,
“Grace personified”, so misplaced was my pride;
Blessed am I, to behold you, O Supreme Dancer,
I bow before you, O King, O Emperor.

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Also at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/preeta-chandran/the-emperors-dance/2233173502328

Comments from http://www.museindia.com/viewrep.asp?id=37137

And on the Earth, a stage so pristine, in the dancer, a grace, a divinity unseen, >>>> Oh, so lovely and nearly divine... loved it

Only responded to call forever
As an duty of courtesan or dancer
Who finds best tune from the nature
Dances to the best of ability for sure

No perfection is founding human being
Not even man in street or adoring the place as king
Only you dance to the tune of almighty
Show to the world you can do it in its nicety
Hasmukh Mehta, AhmedabadAug 22, 2011

Ms Preeta Chandran, The remarks at the end of the poem are not necessary. Please delete them. They kill the heights of emotion a reader reaches after reading your poem. If one can't understand who the Emperor is at the end of the poem with such brilliant exposition as yours ... with an excellent beginning, a dramatic contrast for effect and the catharsis... he will never. There is great poetic craft in your poem. This is one of the best poems I read of late. My hearty congratulations to you for an excellent poem. best regards,
NS Murty, BangaloreAug 22, 2011

A very fine description of natural beauty of the dance. Liked it much Preeta, best wishes.
V Ramabrahmam, PondicherryAug 21, 2011

I could see the wonderful vivid images while reading your lovely poem! with regards,
Shigufta Hena Uzma, PatnaAug 21, 2011

Lightning, blitzkrieg, terrible thunder
I fear and hide Rain cover under.
Peacocks undaunted dance and dance
Life really is a farce!
U K Atiyodi, Kandangali, Payyanur 670307Aug 21, 2011

nicely written, the poem kept interest throughout.
rm shanmugam chettiar, chennaiAug 21, 2011

It is time...

Confined to the hospital bed,
I breathe fear, anger, dread,
Eyes brimming with unsolicited tears,
Mind reliving a turbulent year,
The road has been rough, the journey tough,
Few peaks...and countless troughs.

Heart shutting away the sounds of a bell,
Chiming in the ancient temple,
The endless prayers, the incessant chants,
The priest's words, the crowds rants,
Now, a strain of melodious songs,
A corner of the heart, now slowly longs,
To open up, let in His radiant light,
To hold His hand, trust Him to guide.

Once again, I hear the bells chime,
And somehow, I just know it's time,
To let The Light dispel the fears,
To let The Hand wipe away my tears,
Breathe hope, let go, and look ahead,
Forget the pain, the anger, the dread...

With tears once again - this time, of gratitude,
I thank Him - for getting me safely to the hospital bed.

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Also at: http://museindia.com/viewrep.asp?id=36235

Lend Wings to My Dreams

I look up at the skies,
With longing in my eyes,
Searching...
Ahh! There...I see my friends,
And I dream once again,
Of conquering the heavens,
Behind these bars, my wings ache,
For the flight that they long to take,
I pray to Him for a kind soul,
To come my way and open the door,
Set me free from these iron beams,
And lend wings to my dreams.

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Also at: http://www.museindia.com/viewrep.asp?id=35928

Oh God, I am in love!

I take him into my arms,
And the world around me, fades into oblivion,
I ache all over and pull him closer,
Little fingers curl around mine,
In a moment so eternally divine,
Perfect little eyes and nose,
Perfect little fingers and toes,
The heartbeat, the rhythmic breath,
A lease of life, sprung from my own womb,
And I think again,
That all the pain,
Has been worth it,
If there's pure bliss, it is this, it is this, and it is this,
Oh God! I am in love...smitten...besotted.
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Also at: http://www.museindia.com/viewrep2.asp?id=35319