
At 40,000 feet above
overlooking a monochromatic
expanse of rocks
I start feeling the effects
of altitude
feel light-headed and giddy;
I sit cross-legged on the
edge of the cliff
clutching the bundle of my
bones in hand
I latch on to the thin
air...;
The high gods are silent; today
I am one with thine
I look down, and shout aloud
the rocks reverberate; I realize
the distance;
I am no prisoner with a physical
body anymore
Away from the greeds, fears,
and hates which boil within it;
Like a rock, I have to be here for eternity…;
I have executed a strategic retreat ;
henceforth
My days will be spent in peaceful contentment
But am afraid to sit lazily upon the
mountainside;
Gravity must not transfer me
back
to that nasty world down
below;
To the world of rulers and
masters
who repulsively burn the
slums everyday
to make rooms for their
limousines and mercs;
Emotions tumble every night;
leaving nothing behind but
ash
This is the stamp on their destiny
the ritual I've seen so many
times
Memory is like burning ash, it follows me
There's no savior except death;
so in search of the inevitable
One morning, I threw a grenade at myself
Dear Panchalidi,
ReplyDeleteThis was like an explosion..! So much emotion, where do you store :))
PS: I just followed you, better late than never ~
Ghaz dear...Thanks a lot, a good start for me!:)
ReplyDeleteThis following part seems a bit complicated...am still struggling with it :D I must follow you...if i am not there already.. !Thanks a bunch.
hmmm.....sad but a true fact told by such powerful lines.....not many of us are happy living in this world of rulers and slave..of power and deprave .... :(,,,,
ReplyDeletelovely poetry....as usual..:)
by the way nice little change of your blog..., my suggestion is plz try to bring the picture on top of your blog in the center....
Saikat...
DeleteThis... coming from YOU....!!!! You've floored me utterly:)) This brings out in detail the soul of an average Indian ... Poverty and indebtedness is all-pervading, reducing lives to struggle! Sorry, I became a bit too emotional....:P
Thanks for the suggestion...see, I stretched the pic a little...and I can't stretch it any further! Hope you like it now :))
Powerful post and photo ~ lots of great points in writing ~ namaste, (A Creative Harbor)
ReplyDeleteArtMuseDog and Carol...Namaste! Thank you so much. I will cherish your words always.:))
DeleteI liked how you described the effects of altitude....End was sad, but powerful poem Panchali.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the compliment, Valli... :))))End was sad...but, you heard the echo, I can see. Thanks! This is actually the story of thousands of poor people of India ...:((
DeleteWhat a powerfully moving piece you 've written. Its like this aurora of high skies delicate, ethereal yet pierces strongly. Superb One.
ReplyDeleteVoila...Anupam,
DeleteWhat a beautiful comment!! Thanks a ton! I am happy you could connect with the them and enjoyed the language and the flow. For a writer (even a wanna-be writer like me), your words are immense encouragement. Thank you.:))
..electrifying! I say live wire, Panchali! ..so much in so little..a mini power house indeed!!
ReplyDeleteWow....that was awesome comment!!Your appreciation is most gratifying. Thank you for your kind words. :)))
DeleteHope to see you many times on these pages!!
..and yes, I really liked the changed look of your blog:))
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am glad you liked the new look !!Thanks for your courtesy Amit... :))I really appreciate :))
DeleteVery powerful ... loved it!
ReplyDeleteAsh, glad you loved reading this..hank you for that lovely comment. :))
DeleteAmazing ! The only problem was the font in which you wrote it, was a bit hard on eyes :(
ReplyDeletePuru@ShadowsGalore,
DeleteLovely...! You've truly inspired me.
Sorry about the font part...shall be careful in future :)))
So good to see you here...:))Thanks a bunch!
Here's something for you. Check it out. You already have it, but I guess you deserve more of it ... Congrats !!!
ReplyDeletehere it lies http://anupampatracontemplates.blogspot.in/2012/07/morning-gift.html
Anupam !!
DeleteThanks a LOT:)))
I am bowled over with your thoughtful commendation.Your AWARD is very very special.Thank you, my dear.
Your and Nagini's approval for my modest effort is great encouragement....!! I didn't know that I have to write a blog answering all those questions...shall come back soon:))
Thanks a million!!
Its awesome Panchali di... Such lovely poetry... U sure know how to play with words!
ReplyDeleteRajrupa! Deeply value n appreciate your response in your Inimitable style.
DeleteThanks a million for that precious comment!
Whoa!!! Simply Amazing and screaming with emotion...Kudos!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jayashree.I am humbled with your lavish comments, which I deeply appreciate. :))) Do visit again!!
DeleteFantastic post.
ReplyDeleteI love it.
Thank you very much for visiting.
I will be glad when you are at my host.
Łucja-Maria
Lucja-Maria,
DeleteIt was a pleasure reading you. I am glad I met you :)
Thanx a million for your being here with your supportive comments.
Please do keep visiting, pleasure reading your comments too!!!
That is a relentlessly overwhelming poem, asphyxiating in in its power, brutal in its proclamations. Must the soul be set free from the filth of cut-throat greed and materialism?
ReplyDeleteUmashankar,
DeleteWOW!Deeply appreciate your supportive comments expressed with such feeling empathy n sentiment. I guess, the lust and greed of the material world corrupts the Soul, hence it should be set free !!
Thanx a million,
Depressing
ReplyDeleteYes, Deepak...it is depressing indeed!Your few words are immensely valuble with sentiment and feelings.!!! Thanks so much!!
DeleteWonderful lines..:-)
ReplyDeleteNagini, Thanks for your appreciative comments, which I deeply value always...:)))Thanks a bunch!
DeleteLot of emotions here ... just wondering how it would feel to be up there floating and looking down at this big bad world ! But then the world is not that bad also :) I loved the way you've written ... and yes I loooooved the new look ...
ReplyDeleteTTT, Some emotions never hurt a story, don't you think so..?
DeleteI feel pained, hurt and helpless looking at these down trodden people:(((
So glad you liked the new setting or the new look, thanks a million:))
It is always so nice to see you here... am so VERY pleased. :)))
Hello Ma'am, you have been nominated for an award. You can collect it here: http://thelidislifted.blogspot.in/2012/07/my-1st-award.html
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work :)
Read again and again..loved the boldness of ur poem Panchalidi..
ReplyDeleteRanita!! Thank you for that delightful comment. You have brought miles of smiles to my lips this beautiful day... :))
DeleteVery meaningful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rajesh. Glad you agree with my POV :))
ReplyDeletevery touching, panchali.
ReplyDeletelike your blog's new look, but the post body font makes it a little hard to read.
congrats on all the love coming your way. the accounting practices of the universe are beyond our understanding.
keep at it.
Shubhorup...I am glad you like this new look !!:)))
DeleteAnd I shall never adapt this font in future. I undestand it is visually disruptive. I tried to change the size...but it was disturbing the whole setting, so left it like that... Thanks for your kind suggestion...
Yes, I feel so good for all the love...feeling smug :)
'the accounting practices of the universe are beyond our understanding. '---true!Perhaps, I have learnt now to awaken the giant who slumbers within me. But then again,I am looking for more proof...through my musings :)
Thanks a ton !!
PS--- I remember the tag game. The site (where most of my blogs are...) is getting revamped; so things are all cluttered, and in a mess there....Retrieving blogs from that archive is simply next to impossible at the moment. I tried to open some links..but, I guess, I need to wait till the switch over is complete.
Thanks so much for your wonderful encouragement. Do come back again..
BUT WHY.. No no no MAM "Thank God.. I’m not living anymore!!"
ReplyDeleteWE should thank god that we got life.. made me sad the poem ..
but the first line sitting at 40,000feet, that was nice I wish to be there some day , been to 14000 only ..
Bikram's
Aha Bikram,
DeleteDelighted to see the incredible positiveness and mental strength that you have within you!! And...I am almost certain you will call me incorrigible.!!!
While I agree with your lofty sentiment... yet resist the urge to get into the fray myself. I do not forget to thank god everyday for his blessings...but, cheap consumerism irritates me and makes me sic..:((
Even I would like to be there one day!:)) The eerie pic triggered the emotions...but am sure the day I'll be there, I will be probably in a different mood altog..:D
Thanks for being here with your lovely comment. Do visit again!!!
Profound work, I was feeling the words. I loved the way you wrote holding my bones in thin air. And the ending couldn't be better.
ReplyDeleteSaru,
DeleteYour appreciation is most gratifying...:)))) Thank you so much for your kind words. :)))
Let me confess, I was waiting for you to come and read this :D Am so pleased...!! xoxo
I'm back here to read an explosion.. God, powerful words, and you threw me down in the last few lines.. Keep writing...
ReplyDeleteSomeone is Special
Someone is Special...
DeleteWOW!........Now I have no words to reply to your comment. All I will say is that you humble me. Thank you, TONS!!!
Thank you for your visit. Hope to see more of you on these pages... :))
Beautifully written..."I am not prisoner with a physical body anymore", simple yet gorgeous....:)
ReplyDeleteThsnks Ashish for the encouragement.Am thrilled. do come back please :)
DeleteThese are powerful words that hit you hard! Beautiful writing, Panchali ji!
ReplyDeleteRachna,
DeleteYou heard the echos of my soul. It just had to be this way...Feeling smug:)) Thnaks so much!!
Please visit again..
Beautiful, and powerful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pattu Raj! Good to have you here!!Your words matter to me more than I can tell you...Thanks a ton :)
Delete...It would be my pleasure to see you on these pages more often.!!
wow...powerful!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/
Thanks Sushmita for being here. Welcome to my space :))Hope to see you more on these pages..
DeleteDid check your wonderful post. Shall be there again...soon :)
could just say wow.. amazing lines..
ReplyDeletewww.coffeefumes.com
Welcome to my space, Prashant. I am glad you enjoyed reading it :))Thank you for the implied Kudos. :))))
DeleteRupam...I am pleased you enjoyed this.. :))...it would be my pleasure to see you on these pages more often.!!
ReplyDeleteThanks a ton:)
Don't you want to kick their butts a little bit before you go?
ReplyDeleteHmmm... That's gonna leave a mark!! Would love it...hahaha
DeleteThanks for the visit... :)))
An amazing poem. So very intense. It really carried me along through it. The grenade ending definitely stunned me. And that picture? Wow! I can't imagine who would have posed out there like that! Yikes.
ReplyDelete
DeleteThank you for the compliments, Mary... :))))End was sad...but, you heard the echo, I can see. Thanks! The picture is terrifying indeed. I got it from the net.
Thanks so much for being here with your wonderful words of encouragement....it means a lot :)
Hope you'd come here again. Thanks a bunch :)
"I look down, and shout aloud"
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the repetition of vowel sound here. Also, I must comment on the strong finish. Quite a surprise!
Jack...welcome to my space :)
DeleteI deeply value n appreciate your response. Glad you enjoyed reading the poem...I agree, the last part was a bit dark,... but that's harsh reality, isn't it?
Thanks a million for being here. Would love to see you more here..:)