Preview of “Pebbles & Petals”

28/2/2022

Part I
Perspective on people, on society & on self

Pebbles & Petals

Hard, broken, worn out and cold.
Beauty which will ever so softly unfold.

Subtle shades of monochrome hues.
Vibrant blossoms adorned with dews.

Fragmented, shattered, but ever so strong.
Last but only till the end of summer’s song.

Paves the way for your best foot forward.
Adorns the path for those to be honoured.

A game of Tic Tac Toe for the children you chide.
A shower of blessings to welcome the blushing bride.

Helped David bring down Goliath with just a humble sling.
Sweet nectar for birds and the bees that sing.

Hatred, riots, death of the dove.
A gesture of goodwill, from those who come with love.

I closed my eyes and thought from every perspective.
Would two things so different ever meet for a single objective?

So, when the time comes for my soul to finally rest…
cover my grave with pebbles and lay petals on my chest.

Sacrifice

Reflection: “We attribute so many of our decisions and choices to the game of life, only for someone else to pay the price.”

Sacrifices must be made.
Lives must be lost.
If this is a game,
I must win at all costs.

Sacrifices just have to be made.
I’m forced to give up a lot.
With a soul that cries from within,
I offer you all that I’ve got.

I'll take my time,
find the weakest link.
Killed my conscience long ago.
Killing you, I wouldn’t blink.

I’ll take my time,
To cherish you all day.
You’ve always been my dearest.
With a heavy heart, I must send you away.

Manipulation and deceit,
I’ll trap the chosen one.
With the swing of an axe,
my job here is done.

A hug and a prayer,
you go to a better place.
I look away,
to hide the pain and shame on my face.

We’ve all been there,
on someone’s chopping block.
Been hurt and betrayed,
left in shock.

When it’s all said and done,
it’s left to the vote.
Were you the Sacrificial Lamb,
or the Scapegoat?

~ someone who has been wronged

We’ve all been there,
with someone’s head on our chopping block.
Had them hurt and betrayed,
left in shock.

When it’s all said and done,
it’s left to the vote.
Were they the Sacrificial Lamb,
or the Scapegoat?

~ someone who has wronged another

Plastic

Reflection: “While we watch the world around us deteriorate, it does not seem to be much different when we look inside.”

Plastic goods
meant for use and throw,
to be meaninglessly disposed
as along you go.

Plastic covers,
some meant to hide,
others made to protect,
what’s enclosed inside.

Plastic articles,
convenient - for your ease,
to be discarded and replaced
as you please.

Plastic planet,
being filled each day,
with everything we’re trying
to throw away.

Plastic smiles
meant for use and throw,
to be meaninglessly disposed
as along you go.

Plastic conversations,
some meant to hide,
others made to protect,
what’s enclosed inside.

Plastic alliances,
convenient - for your ease,
to be discarded and replaced
as you please.

Plastic minds,
being filled each day,
with everything we’re trying
to throw away.

~ someone plastic

Hammer & Chisel

Reflection: “It is always best to be cautious, aware and certain of the intentions of people whom we choose to trust.”

One sets the target,
the other brings the force.
Each strike, a rhythm –
set to the aim of a tone.

Every chip and chisel endured
…as stubborn and strong
as the rock may be.
The visionary chipping away at the imperfections.
The strategist chiselling at the vulnerabilities.

A mere object subjected to an objective.
The forbearing, have hardships borne.
The goal –
either an exceptional creation
or someone being deliberately torn.

What becomes of the rock
will all depend…
on the ones who hold the tools
and what they intend.

~ someone being chipped away

Beads

Reflection: “Our social stratification was meant to divide us, though we are all bound together.”

A queue of different beads,
threaded together on a string.
All crafted to be unique and different,
holding presumptions of what each may bring.
A variety of shapes and colours…
              …some found by chance, some lent by others.

The unfortunate, the downtrodden,
suffering from lack of a chance.
Ridden with pain and hunger,
pleading in a begging stance.
Reliving their daily fears…
              …crying out beads of tears.

The labourers, the wage earners,
working hard for mere nothings.
Slogging through each day’s work
and uncertainty the next one brings.
No dreams or hopes, only regret…
              …losing life to beads of sweat.

The ambitious, the dreamers,
a cautiously optimistic lot.
Preparing for the best and worst,
when all to lose is all they’ve got.
Being led ahead by only hope as bait…
              …chanting together on beads of faith.

The powerful, the influential,
those who make money move around.
They who fly in private jets,
whose feet needn’t ever touch the ground.
Applauded for their generous charity…
              …wearing beads of prosperity.

Doesn’t matter where you come from,
we’re all stringed together like beads.
Constantly interchanging one for another,
through our daily deeds.
Not knowing which beads you’ll hold tomorrow…
            …unsure which ones bring joy, and which bring sorrow.

                                                                                                                                     ~ someone stringing beads.

None Of the Above

Reflection: “When you are part of political society, staying true to yourself is the toughest choice.”

Pick a side! Pick a side!
Choose who’s right and wrong.
Only cowards stay neutral.
Decide where you belong.

Pick a side! Pick a side!
Don’t you have any opinions?
With me stand the majority.
Come be one of my minions.

Pick a side! Pick a side!
You’re not making any sense.
If not with, then you’re against us.
Pointless sitting on the fence.

Pick a side! Pick a side!
The smart will make the right decision.
Their stories are full of lies,
made up to fool you with precision.

Pick a side! Pick a side!
Doesn’t matter who is right or wrong.
It’s a quid pro quo world today.
Together, we stand strong.

Pick a side! Pick a side!
Remember, you will need me someday.
If the opposition is your ally,
I’ll make your life harder in every way.

Pick a side! Pick a side!
Unless you wish to stand alone.
To us, you’re the common enemy.
We shall unite to make you mourn.

~ someone uninvolved

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Team

Poet
Edlyn D’souza
Proofreader
Sreekar Ayyagari
Photographer
Manohar Koviri

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Cover Photo by Manohar Koviri