One Drink

One drink to the champ,

Forced in the ring with his hands tied 

One drink to the tears unseen,

The ones pride couldn't hide

One drink for the striving lark,

Flying, to an empty nest

One drink to the unhealed wounds 

The bleeds, time can't mend

One drink my friends

To those who drink,

One drink to those

Who understand why

- Sanket 

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Shadows

The flowers have withered,
And their scent is past
The evenings once spirited and bright
Are now shadowed and overcast
Meet me soon, Alas just like them
My smile too is lost ...


 - Sanket

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Safar

तपती रेत पर चलते कोसो दूर आ गए है 

मंजिल तोह दूर अब घर भी भूल चुके 

इस बेरेहेम सफ़र पर हम खुद सिफार हुए है 

लेकिन कोई कसक है ओढ़े हुए 

शायद मिल जाये एक तालाब, काबिल ऐ प्यास 

और उस ही के दर्पन मे तुम्हारी एक झलक भी

- संकेत 

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Moment of truth

This conversation we began

I know not where 'd we start

Threads of thought forked in-numerous

Broke down walls 
And we talked.

Through evenings and nights and hours unheard

Through tears and anger and ecstasies untold 

'Til now that we stand in this net

And wherever I see,

Are tracks of our footsteps

I cant imagine how I travelled alone.

The footsteps are etched,

As tough carved in stone.

They reassure and yet, terrify

For I fear, the winds I once loved

Could erase our marks forever.

Or that you might walk away

And leave my heart severed

We've morphed our likes

To suit one another

And now they are so changed,

Even wanting we can not avert

Alas my friend,

It is the moment of truth

And I have to ask,

Shall we trudge snow and sand

And climb and fall together ?

Or shall you now let go,

And into this earth

Should I disappear ?

- Sanket

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Floating Visions

The earth is soft and cool beneath, 

I can feel the blades of grass

Gently pressed under me, 

Green, young and slightly moist

 Still yet breathing

And I see shifting shadows through closed lids 

Playing - capering - laughing 

As I nestle my head deeper in her lap

Treasuring and preserving

The warmth under my hair

I follow the act and listen to the shadows 

I can hear the merry and begin to smile

A shy, scented drop awakens my skin

And I open my eyes to hold her face

Words elude and sounds fade off

As I marvel a new meaning to beauty

I drink with thirsty eyes

The oval that is my world

Circled lovingly in dark flowing hair

Velvet like silk and soft as silence

Coy and demure

I drink with thirsty eyes

The delicate curve of her neck

Just within reach and yet not

The contours, sensuous and tempting

I nestle my head and smile back

I see myself reflected

In liquid pools of light

See myself anew

Alive and well

Through her eyes

I trace the exquisite lips

Longing their flavor 

Craving through parch 

I want to lift myself

But the warmth lets not

Oh it is such a strife

Painful yet nurturing

An impish pleasure

A sight devine

I drink with thirsty eyes

And I beg life

If this is a dream

Don't wake me up just yet

- Sanket

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Conversations with the Mirror

[Image from - http://www.johncomeaux.com/2006/12/the_path_least_taken.html ]

I washed my face and looked up

Whats worrying you I asked ??

But, you already know - said the reflection

Its been long since I have heard you speak

Speak please and help me now.

Questions - it said - I have questions on my mind

I braced myself and gave a nod

How long since we've seen home?

How long since you last laughed ?

Time has flown fast

And the shadows of worry 

Have faded the ambers of your heart.

You are tied now

Tied with chains of responsibilities

You have travelled far and are walking still

But the journey has long stopped

Where is the spark that once shone these eyes 

Where is the hope that eclipsed all in flight 

Where is the boy - bright and fiery

Sure as an arrow on its mark 

I know all that needs to be done

And I know all that you must

But you can not go further on this path

Green pastures and certain meals

Are not for the wolves at heart

Act now and change the course

Or life will flow as it has flown 

And we will yet speak once more

And many years would have passed

The journey will in deed draw to its end

And you will have only this mirror

Mourning the regrets of your past

- Sanket

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Rains!

I woke up and looked out the window. I looked out the window through half shut eyes and I sighed. It was going to be a difficult day. It was raining outside! As I slowly claimed my conscious, I could hear the faint rumble of clouds and a familiar drizzle outside. Ribbons of liquid stained the glass - twisting the images and distorting my reality. I woke up and stepped out to the patio and let myself be soaked - soaked with wave after wave of cold water. And against my will the water washed away my numbness bringing afresh the longing, love and lust - I had so carefully buried away. 

[Image used in accordance of copyright regulations - http://commons.wikimedia.org]

Rains have a way with me. I was born and raised in Bombay - where rains are the life of music and music is the life of our bodies. The bond between rains and our rhythms is deeper, more mysterious and more intricate than anyone can fathom. It reflects - in part India's dependence on monsoons and in part its need to create art. Art to express that which we wish but we can't. Over thousands of years of evolution the rain drops have absorbed themselves into our culture. They fuel the breaths of our soul as much as our blood fuels the beats of our heart. 

In the west as the countries industrialized and reduced their dependence on seasons so did they lose their connect with nature. In India, that connect survives as a faint but distinct hue in our identity. Hence while people in the west have lost their fascination with rains - in India - they still hold sway. 

Years ago the farmers from barren villages gathered and prayed to the skies. They begged and pleaded - they scolded and cajoled the clouds above. To this day the first rains are celebrated with the same relief and joy  as those parched voices did upon a barren soil. The rains are an innate part of our films and our songs. Even today they behold and move us - a whispered reminder of a time when masters like Tansen would sing Malhar and command the heavens to cry. 

I stand drenched and wet and cold and let myself go. The rains have a mind of their own ....

Rains, Rains - 
These rains carry with them many memories and times. 

They have  a way of entering your hearts
They thrill you and play with your thoughts

Drop per drop they symbolize and encapsulate the elixir of life.

They fall from the sky and unite on the earth.

They are precious they are dear.

They are transient they are immortal. 

Some drip as scented pearls from a girl's hair. 

Some glisten as beads of sweat in passion. 

Some trickle as salted rivulets of sorrow 

Some remain untold and veiled behind silent eyes

Some relish, as drinks of pleasure from a lover's lips 

While some are drunk as poison in anger, anguish and hurt 

Rains, Rains these rains, they have a mind of their own

I am swept clean now, I stand exhausted, spent 

The rains have brought me back to life 

They are my repent, and they have let me absolve
A part of my past ....

 - Sanket

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How are you ??

The phone has messages says the blinking red light

I should probably check - they keep gathering

The laundry is past due - clothes overflowing the basket

Strewn wrinkled worn but not touched

Hunger knocks but I'd rather make coffee

I head to the kitchen and then withdraw hastily

The sink is filled - when was the last time I cooked ?

Oh yeah! That dinner with friends …… a faint memory

I head out to get food

They stare at the world outside

These bugs on my windshield 

staring at the world 

This world - moving changing 

moving on till everythings changed 

it is night now - a sunday night 

work is tomorrow - I should sleep

yet I am fascinated with the clock

4:05 AM tick tick tick …..

I get into the shower - the water is cold 

I shiver and yet, wish to feel it more

Oh it has been so long 

The numbness has begin to hurt 

I run the water harder 

Hoping it drowns the sobs 

Monday afternoon and I take a break ..

"Hey! How are you?" says a friend

I didn't notice or may be I refuse to

"Are you ok ?"

"I am fine" -  I say 

I am staring at the coffee 

It is going cold ..

 - Sanket

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Don't you know!

Too long have I searched for you

And now there aren't more places to look

Yet I will hold strong, 

I remember the promise I made

The promise you took

Through the words of a poem

The colors of a canvas

Through the works of art

And the notes of music

I have sought you

It is all a charade 

The anger, the apathy

The laughter and smiles of pain

The ice cold exterior

And the nerves of steel 

Though honest I am 

I have lied to myself

'Make it through one more day'

Did I not say that yesterday ?

I have lost myself amidst friends

And worked sleepless nights in vain

I have drowned intoxicated 

And found myself alone in a crowd

All over again

I remember what I said

Do you not know I lied ?

The wait is unbearable, 

The anguish intense

I may not hold strong 

Did it never cross your mind

That I might break ?

Too long, it has been too long

I want you to come

I want you to come now 

 - Sanket

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The lonely road

He walked alone upon the feared road, deserted and discarded,

Toward the forbidden, where the night was black, the day been grey

His footsteps unspeaking, for the sound reached no ear,

His shadow one with the body, 
For even the moon dithered to come near 

The air stagnant except for a wolf's warn

It grew cold, till all warmth was but a memory 

He walked toward hell, he walked to the Satan

He walked without fear, for fear would not stay,
Where hope abandoned

At last he reached his quarry,

In front of him came an abyss

And, into this dark he spoke,
'I come today, to sell my soul

Thus, the Satan was called forth

'Souls are not to be sold, they are fared anew, or taken in a claw, he said

His voice was harsh, though the words, a hiss

'I have made up my mind, and have traveled afar,

Come take my soul, said the man

And so the Satan held his soul, 

'This soul is fair, there is much yet left, why do you wish it to sell?

'I sell, for its cost I can't bear, said the man

'Its not enough to despair,

'Virtue is rare, it is not forfeit at will, replied the Satan

At this the man saddened

'There is a sorrow, tears can't shed

'Some shards of memory, don't lose edge with time

'Few echoes do not fade with distance 
'Such a person sells his virtue, a soul such as mine , cried the man

  

'Even if I wanted to, there isn't a wealth that would buy

'For with every moral inside, suffering is certain

'Go back to the living, and forgive your soul - said the Satan

At this the man smiled, a smile upon his own, the most painful smile

'What use is the good, if it can't even fetch a dime - cried he

'Think not this way, said the Satan

'Pain alone can burnish a soul
'And only the worthy are given the pain

'Such a soul does not fetch a price

'For its value, is beyond any price

And so the man walked again
Back from the dark and into the light 
Upon him, a new wisdom dawned

He made peace with his pain and embraced hope

The one whose soul won't fetch a price

Priceless was his soul!

 - Sanket

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How Long ?

How long will winter last for the young seed

As it dies alive, its spring denied

How long will the storm rage for the bird on edge

Waiting, for its wings to fly

How long should the capers halt before they lose step

As the child grows up and the boy dies

How long should the strings bear stretch

Their tunes mute, craving a master's hand

How long do the corks stay shut, as the wine waits

For a celebration to come by

How long should the secrets search a ear

Before they lose scent, And their mystery spoils

How long do the eyes fight sleep, their lust longing a touch

And desire succumbs to its own cries

How long do the lips hold shut, And silence the screams

Before they forget how to smile

How long should a heart seek love

Before it fills itself with ungiving sand

How long will the winter last, for the frosted seed

Why was its spring denied ??

- Sanket

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Beauty

Its amorphous, its abstract, its simple and yet not
It lies in the eyes of the beholder, some say ...
What is Beauty? Who can define ??

In the strange delusions of my mind,
I seek the answers, one step forward and two steps back
I find the answers, or just call them that

And I see Beauty,
In soft sounds of waterfalls,
When water hits itself
From just the right height
Its innocent clarity, powerful and fragile

Or in the muddled light from clouds
Grey and cool, before a rain
Neither evening nor night or day
Just clouds making their way
Yet claiming a piece of time
Making it their own, distinct and aloof
I see Beauty, in clouds of grey

And sometimes it springs, so hard to miss
I seek and find Beauty
In sunlight upon lips of red
Or the scent of wind caressing a waist

As a lover so often can
Walk across a room in flowing grace
And in a moment , the thousand thoughts of your mind
She can make you forget.

When I am sad, it does go away
Yet always comes back like a good friend
In derivations of math, or in notes of music
In the warmth of a touch, Or the wet of a kiss

What is Beauty? Who can define??
No one can tell, Yet its yours to find
If you keep an eye.

- Sanket

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Whispers in the dark ..

Oh Sleep, O dear Sleep
‘Tis been a while, I last heard you talk
I know what happened, I know it’s hard
Dreams lost color, Dreams went mute
My heart longs to hear again
Your whispers in the dark

Oh Sleep, O dear Sleep
So bitter, So sweet
You have been a friend for long
You have heard the screams
The Nightmares, And seen it all

O Sleep so bitter sweet
Do you remember me?
The little boy you cared for
And the sweet lies you told me
I never let know, I knew
I knew they were lies, the truth concealed

Oh Sleep O dear Sleep
Don’t get me wrong,
Would you rather have me pretend
That you never lied
Tell the sheets, I never cried
Truth hurt the day enough
Lest my nights be spared
I needed your lies

Oh Sleep, My dear Sleep
Remember me
I am a Man now, It’s ok
We know it was thrust upon
A rude harsh day without morn
Such a cold winter without the fall

My dear Sleep
Long have you cared me
‘Tis time I repay now
I fell in love and relinquished you
I’m not naïve now
The guard is set and the resolve strong

O Sleep so bitter sweet
Do you believe in God?
Run along and tell him
I call him a myth
With no use nor excuse
I am now my own God

My dearest Sleep
‘Tis the price I pay for a good heart
The bad ones go to hell they say
Why all the worry, Why all the bother
The good ones are punished alive
Enough is Enough

O Sleep, Hear me well
By Heart, Nerve and Sinew
I will bend this Destiny to my Will
And take what is rightfully mine
I deny the Fate, neither aid nor abide

O Sleep, Don’t be alarmed
That my words lose rhyme
Rhythm has many paths
Some walk on built ones
I just choose to build mine

O Sleep, My Dear Sleep
‘Tis been a while, I last heard you talk
Lets hear them again...
Your whispers in the dark

- Sanket

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Questions unasked ..

Will you hear the story of a man

The man who once set on a search

He searched for water in an unforgiving land

Through relentless heat, In an endless desert

Till he saw mirages in vain, Mirages on the searing sand

Will you hear the tale of a beast

Tied by a chain to a rock at birth

He tried to escape but fell at each try

Till he forgot the sound of wind and mirth and  joy 

A beast he grew to be, Yet convinced once more to try 

Will you listen to the whispers of a child

Left in a stormy sea to find his own 

Without a guide and without an oar

Listen to the whispers of that child

A child he remained, no more

Will you understand when I ask you

Can you see the child my friend 

Beyond the harsh black of the mans eyes

Can you hear the beast in his spirit 

Hear the heaves and cries he tries to hide

Will you quench the thirst of that man

The man who gave up hope

But could not give up his pride

An unknown destination he seeks

A quest through pain, on a faltering stride 

Will you believe me my love

That I searched for you day and night

Alas! I am now a lost man, Lost on the desert sand

Will you lend a hand or let it be

Will I be forever lost, Or will you find me?

 - Sanket

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Seagull!

I've wandered far and wandered wide,
I've shunned and cared, And loved and hated,
And treasured a love, Only to cast it aside

Alas! my search is sour
And my footsteps lead me back...
Though dark is the night and late is the hour
Sometimes you've to be lost
And be lost to find your way back..

Like a seagull seeking a horizon
Across seas vast, And large beyond par!
In this ever changing world, In an ever changing sky
I search my beacon, I seek a North star.

On halting steps and impatient breaths, I come
Come to rest a night, One moment, One pause
I cease the thought, Of worries there might
To tend my wounds, My scars my cause...

Through rain and storm I sleep
Till a sun rises, with clearer skies
And winds calling promises to keep..
Of smiles and joys, And buoyant bird cries


And so I rise again, And fill myself with hope
I say I am healed, I say I am fine
I forget the pain of a past to mourn, A past to cope
I say I am healed and I say I am fine
Though some wounds there remain
I know they will heed, Heal in their own time...

Yes, I'm healed. Yes, I am fine.
I've lived another day, Another day to fight
Like a seagull with stretched wings
To face winds with will, And storms with might

- Sanket

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Regret

A promise I was asked

And a promise I did make

It changed things a lot

And many decisions I was to take

Would I make the same promise?

Or will I refrain?

Will I do it the same and just the same

Do it all, All over again?

The struggles I do accept

And the pain I do agree

Its the price I paid

For my soul to breathe free

If love is the cost of freedom

Then so it shall be

No one shall rob it, Nor shall one protect

My freedom was my own

And mine alone to defend

Would I make the same choice?

Or will I refrain?

Will I do it the same and just the same

Do it all, All over again?

There were mistakes, there had to be

Success was sweet

But it was failure that taught

That the ones to forge a character

Are the falls not caught

I trusted and was betrayed

It led me to conflict - led me to strife

I loved and was burnt

It unknowingly shaped - the contours of my life

Would I make the same choice?

Or will I refrain?

Will I do it the same and just the same

Do it all, All over again?

I think I will, for it was worth it

For one smile of her eyes Or one kiss of her lips

I would happily take eternal agony

For a touch of her hair on my fingertips

I think I will, for it was worth it

For a fair lady once asked of a little boy

Promise me will you, That you will

"Listen to what your heart says

And have the courage to follow it"

And I had promised

"Yes, my lady - I will"

- Sanket

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तेरी याद में

एक जमाना था जब तुम्हे चाहते थे

एक जमाना था जब तुम्हे चाहते थे

तुम तोह छोड़ कर चले गए

मगर ये प्यार भी है कैसा ....

अब तुम्हारे गम से भी इश्क होने लगा है !

-- संकेत

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The Wincing Heart!

Soon a year would have passed

Since the time you last held my heart

The streets have changed

The people have changed

And yet my mind searches ...

Wandering down familiar paths

Long have I bled and hard have I suffered

I should feel anger,

Or I should feel vengeance

And yet, I feel neither.

The days have been numb

And the nights, sleepless

The eyes remain moist,

The Breath, restless .

Nothing can be changed

And Nothing can be done

Yet the heart listens not,

It asks Why and It wonders How?

It doesn't know the answers will never unravel

For questions not be asked

When the day has wound down

And the world is quiet

In the silence of the night

I can still hear your voice.

So fair, so clear

As if you were in my bed - still besides

With the body still living

You took the life out

In return of love, I might have expected many things

But this, I did not imagine

This, I could not

They say forgive and forget

I know not where to start

Should I forget the way we fought?

Or the way you laughed?

How do I remove the scent of your hair

Still coursing, the veins of my heart

I do forgive you

In such a way as I can.

Yet this I promise,

Though far away you may be

Now, in someone else’s arms

On some unexpected evening

In an unguarded hour

You will see the sky turn crimson red

And remember me in that hour.

Remember the smiling eyes

Of a mischievous, yet innocent boy

The boy who gave beyond giving

The man you widowed, without marrying

And you will have to return into his arms

For your sake, I hope truly

He can love you as I once did

As love should be, As I would have!

- Sanket

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Summer Times!

Hear one Hear All - A tale of Summer

Summer time is a time

A Time for money
A Time for work
Only I sit all day doin nothin
Working hardly an hours worth

Ah! Its too hot outside ...
The hot breeze makes me tired
I wanna sleep and I woulda sleep
But for the fear of being fired!

Summer Times Summer Times
Easy Easy Easy times
Lazy Lazy Oh! Lazy times

Summer time 's a time

A time to swim
A time to play
A shame its only three months
I want it to Stay Stay Stay!

No snow, no rain ......
The trees green, the skies blue
The days longer,more fun more fun
I don't need another clue!

Summer Times Summer Times
Easy Easy Easy times
Lazy Lazy Oh Lazy times

Summer was a time ...

A time when I went runnin
Time when I learnt guitar
Run and Sing, Run and Sing
Sing with the wind, just sing along.

Guitar and Tennis and movies and partyin
Me was havin fun, Me jst kept goin....
'Til my advisor asked one day ...
"Hey! You - How you doin?"

Summer Times Summer Times
Easy Easy Easy times
Lazy Lazy Oh Lazy times

I pulled this string and I pulled that
Sometimes a note and sometimes a chord
Nothin sounded good....
Seemed the guitar itself was giving - tit for tat

I thought I was learnin
'Til came a day when Kris said himself ...
"You've been a pain and an ache in my head!
Why don't you go, try something else instead!!!"

Summer Times Summer Times
Easy Easy Easy times
Lazy Lazy Oh Lazy times

And so the times are good
And all seems so nice
Yet life 's taught me 'nough
Be strong Be wise

Treasure the memory
Hold the warmth
For there might come a night
So so cold - and so very dark ...

But I Fear not ... the warmth remains inside ....
Of a time so wild - a time so nice ....
Of the Summer of '07
Such sweet times ....

Summer Times Summer Times
Easy Easy Easy times
Lazy Lazy Oh! so Lazy times

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A Fall Wish!

From a naive fresh green - they turned a bright yellow, some went orange, some went crimson - as I ran over those fallen - the ones on the trees spoke .....

" Nigh! Is the time, Full is our blossom,

O' Dear friend - Don't run alone

The wind gets colder....

Soon - there will be snow - and off we go

O' Dear friend - don't run alone ...

The clouds are low, the rain is soft ...

The chill air - asks more warmth ..

Two souls, two hearts, two bodies

O' Dear friend - don't run alone ...

True is your heart and strong is your stride

Don't throw your youth - set worries aside

Stop for a moment, you need a pause

Take natures call, sieze the time

And such tricks the nature plays ... I catch my breath, slow to a trot and speak back ...

Great is your beauty and your thought is devine,

But amidst countless duties, in a cruel world

Love is a luxury and Truth is hard to find ..

My heart shares your wish,

But my pride wont yield

Wait I will - until shes truly the queen.

... they russtle with the wind - as though in response

Your words bleed us

But pray we will

We must leave now

But come back - we will

Don't be saddened now

Learn from us and take our hope

Our colors are rare - see them clear

We give you strength - know no fear..

And so I pick up my pace again .. stern are my eyes ... and I run with the wind - till my breath dies.

- Sanket

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