Vineyards (From the Vault)

The rising sun peeked through my windows,
Waking me up, I wanted to curse the source,
But I felt a warmth in my heart as I looked out,
I was so glad that I just wanted to shout.

There out lay the most beautiful sight ever,
My uncle's vineyard, nothing more beautiful; never,
Pearly, ripe grapes hanging from glistening boughs,
Leaves sparkling with dew, how? No one knows.

A glistening stream making its way through the vineyard,
Bubbling with glee, with many fishes in the backyard,
A silver bridge to cross this stream, standing quite out,
The stream, bordered with roses, breathtaking; no doubt.

As the vision before me slowly crept through my heart,
I remembered yesterday when the vineyard played its part,
And therefore bringing forth, the longing for someone special,
Her fragrance in the air, holding onto her would've been special.

One by one a shiny grape she popped into my mouth,
Holding hands had we sat facing the beautiful south.
A tinge of sadness crept through me as I missed her,
And the sight before me simply amplified her lure.

To enjoy it while it lasts, I made my way to the vineyard,
French wooden gates creaked, as I slowly entered the yard.
This was not heaven as it was something more,
So beautiful, I wished I had spent my days there before.

My holidays coming to an end, I had to leave that day,
My heart was heavy, really wished to stay everyday,
I would miss my cute princess, a story that had started,
I would miss this vineyard, it felt sad to be parted.

I stood there for a while, hearing a nightingale sing nearby,
When I felt a hand clutching mine, the feeling, oh sigh!
One look into her eyes, told me she never wanted me to go,
But Romeo had to go home sadly, Oh! What a huge blow.

As we stood there silently, watching the beauty around us,
I understood why my uncle care about this with so much fuss,
We slowly walked around reviving our last moments,
Finally sitting on the bridge, clutching our last moments.

The birds were with still with us, singing the softest melody,
The trees were there, swaying to the beautiful melody,
The fishes began their rhythmic dance only for us,
Two doves started chirping just above us.

I saw those pearly tears roll down from her eyes,
I wished I was her very tears flowing down from her eyes,
So that I could kiss her blushing cheeks,
And die on her lips, remembering it for weeks.

Finally it was time for me to go, leaving me bereft,
I felt loneliness creeping through my heart, as she left,
There I sat on the bridge waiting for my uncle's summons,
Enjoying the beauty as I would never see it for months.

Nothing could have ever replaced the sight before me,
Giving me moments that I would never forget quickly,
Wishing I could have had a few more weeks or days,
I slowly made my way back, saying goodbye to my days.

Leaving behind the very epitome of love I treasured,
Those undying moments in the vineyard I pleasured,
I bid adieu to my heaven on earth, with tears in my eyes,
I felt slowly my heart break, like, like the ice.

Power of Women

 Power of Women – Pages from a Writer’s Life

 -    Gorby George

THE INSPIRER:

21^st May 1997

Dear Diary,

My name is Kenny and am 5 years old. My Mom telling me to start writing diary so I can also write stories one day like the ones my mom tell me. I will love to be a writer one day. I really love my Mom for helped helping me. I love writing the letter ‘O’ and therefor writing it like a ball. I like playing football in school and I always win by kicking the ball. My Mom tells me stories every day and I also want to write. So I am writing in diary my stories and my life. My favorite story is Three Little Pigs where the wolf comes and says ‘Huff and puff and I will blow down your house. I am glad the little pigs escape. I asked Mom for a pig or puppy as pet but she wouldn’t allow. But she boght me this diary in which I will write and write and write.

Me here,

Kenny

 *****

THE ENCOURAGER:

14^th October 2002

Dear Diary,

Today is one of the best days of my life. From a small age I have been writing to you but I wrote my first story recently. I just wrote it simply based upon an idea about how a man and a tree grew up together and how they their lives ends together growing old. You cannot bear my sister sometimes but she actually took my story and submitted it our city’s children’s short story competition. I had no idea anything about this except when my friend told me that my name had come in the paper today for winning the second place. I was shocked, I rushed back home and opened the door just to see all of them smiling with Mom telling me my Sister had submitted it. I am always angry at her cause she touches my stuff but today I was willing to forgive. I saw her and I ran and hugged her. She just said, ‘Mom, I think your son needs a mental check-up’. I just ignored it as I was really happy.

Me here,

Kenny  

 *****

THE MOTIVATER:

7^th Jan 2010

Dear Diary,

Something very interesting happened today.

My 12^th standard classes are about to be over and well my school years are finally coming to an end. One last annual day. Oh well! As a tradition we would be doing a play usually one of those scripts or plays from our text books. I am sure students know the words of Mark Antony’s speech by heart by now. Well, we were discussing regarding the cast when Biji Miss asked a question, ‘Kenny you have been winning prizes from time to time could you write a new play?’ I almost scoffed at the idea. Stories are one thing but a play? I looked at her and well she was serious and she was my favourite teacher too. I am giving it a thought and well the more I think about it the more excited I am. When I write short stories I can bring the characters to life only through imagination but here I am presented a chance to actually see them perform. I am going to start writing…

Me Here,

Kenny

 *****

THE CRITICIZER:

9^TH March 2016

Dear Diary,

Arya just eats my head. Oh my God! Sorry Diary! Too busy with work to write it down hence typing. I will print and paste this page on you later.

Arya has been my friend for a long time now and she always finds mistakes in whatever I write. The reason I get so irritated is because of the fact that she is true every time. Today basically I entered a short story for a competition in my company as part of the Women’s Day thinking it was one of my best efforts and well she has come up with a hundred things which could have been improved.

I guess being silent would have been even more painful and I have begun to cherish the points she make as it only makes the stories even better.

Anyways, have a call tomorrow. Too tired. Later.

Me here,

Kenny

 *****

THE SUPPORTER:

4^th July 2043

Dear Diary,

Today we celebrated our 25^th Wedding Anniversary together. My life after leaving a stable job to become a writer has never been easy but she has always been there for me. My decision to quit my job to become a writer was looked down upon by everyone but she was the one who stood by me and believed in me. Her belief has led me to become one of the most recognized and successful writers of my time. No words could describe the support I received from her.

I wish we live to see our 50^th Anniversary together and many years more.

Me here,

Kenny

 *****

THE END:

21^st March 2078

Dear Diary,

I guess this would be one of my last times I would be writing to you. I began my journey writing to you and it is only befitting to end it with you. My life has always been inspired by many people but reflecting back I can quote James Brown’s song –

This is a man’s world but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl.

Me here

Kenny

*****

Lost Innocence

A flickering candle flickered on the table,

As I reflected back to all that was a fable,

A tale, a lie to protect my sweet innocence,

I slowly realized, what they did made sense.

My childhood used to be a very happy one,

No worries, no cares, simply filled with fun,

But somewhere down the road, my path did change,

For the better or for the worst, as a mountain range.

The wicked trickery of life had tricked me too,

As the wick of the candle fell, I had no clue,

That life was meant to take away my innocence,

It was never ever protected by a simple fence.

Blowing away the rhythm that had my heart beating,

I knew that this act by life was somehow cheating,

Winding down the road I had taken, I felt sad,

Cause life would’ve been so good and not so bad.

My thoughts kept flickering like the candle before me,

Here & there, I was tossed like being in a sea,

With the loss of something so simple, pure & real,

I had suddenly grown up to face the world, so surreal.

I learnt the hard way that Santa wasn’t real,

That I had been taught the world without its peel,

That reindeers & elves were simply a cooked up tale,

And my Dad had actually never set on a sail.

Time always had something new in store for me,

But this wasn’t something I wanted to be,

A meteor had crashed, leaving me upside down,

And all I could do now was look back and frown.

The realities I learned had shaken me to the core,

My life would never remain the same, no more,

Realising that the source of all my pleasure and fun,

Were simply lies piling up under the scorching sun.

The candle had almost lit up, an inch or so left,

Penning down my thoughts, before it becomes bereft,

But somewhere, deep within, I had accepted the fact,

Between nature and man, it was a simple pact.

My life had already synced with this new found life,

Which is double-edged, as sharp as a butcher’s knife,

People, who would, given a chance, push you away,

Leaving you alone, lonely & bereft, ending your day.

My ally, the candle was slowly breathing its last,

My time was up, to finally relive the past,

With the last flickering glow of the candlelight,

I give up my innocence, resolving in my plight………..

Drizzle in the Desert....

DRIZZLE IN THE DESERT

The scorching sun simply bore down upon me,

With its red glaring rays, as hot as it could be.

Drenching me with sweat, taking away everything in me,

 Pushing me towards the ground, disregarding my head’s plea.

Not a shade in sight where I could rest for a while,

The bandits had left me with nothing, but for a pile.

A pile of sand, for every single thing they took from me,

There was no escaping my plight, as far as I could see.

The occasional thorny cactus, kept me for company,

And a great many bones, the destiny of many.

I walked and walked, each step filled with a weight,

As I slowly and humbly started accepting my fate.

One small peek towards the horizon, before I give up,

But what I saw next made my eyes suddenly lit up.

A small wave of dark clouds moving towards me,

Reigniting within me, a fire of hope, a hope I could see. 

The new found surge took me a bit further, Alas!

I could not walk anymore, my energy drained out at last.

With one last look at those hopeful clouds, my legs gave way,

And I fell down, mildly conscious of the happenings away.

I could see darkness around me, though it was day,

The heat reminded me of hell, I never thought of dying this way,

When  suddenly I felt a few drops on my neck, I could feel,

A sudden coolness, I turned with effort, almost ready to kneel.

The joy in my heart knew no bounds, as I felt each drop falling,

The feeling within me racing about me, feeling a calm, a calling,

Fast as sweet as nectar, it gave me a new light, a vision,

Never to give up and to go on as far as possible, became my mission.

Few drops was all it took to totally totalle my life,

Just as my love changed me, my plans and my whole life,

That drizzle in desert gave me a new found hope to live,

And for years I searched for that drizzle in my life, a way to live.

I realised this drizzle could be found in your love’s life,

It could be found in every heart, hot passionate, hot enough to melt ice,

In a baby’s smile, In a mother’s care, In a silent cove,

For that day, He had sent me not just a drizzle but something more….LOVE.

Time Stood Still

Two gates opened to my new world. Filled with anxiety I entered into it. I looked back and I felt the weight of leaving behind all that was a part of my life, all that I had been comfortable with until now...
College!!! A word that had expectations and fear written all over it. I looked around me and all I could think was how hostile everyone looked. It was the day of admissions and the auditorium was jam packed. My eyes swept through the room and it rested on one person. There was no way anyone could describe that feeling and yet there it was as if I had been searching for her all my life. I closed my eyes as the time stood still...

******

I opened my eyes and I looked outside the window. The dawn was just creeping in and the night hadn’t bid goodbye yet. I got out of my bed and went to the balcony. I had drunk too much last night and I was having a splitting headache right now. I lit a cigar and I checked the time. It was only 4am. Two hours till my daughter Kate woke up to go to school. I stood there watching the new day come into life and it began to drizzle. The wind had become stronger but the rain was still too light. I stood there feeling the touch of it, hoping against hope that it would wash away my pains. A gentle breeze brought me a scent I was familiar with and among the wind's howling, I heard her voice and suddenly I felt as if…. the time stood still.....

*****

"Excuse me". I had somehow lost her among the crowd and I was searching for her blocking someone’s way. Irritated I turned only to see her frowning at me. All I could bring out was a sheepish smile enough to make me look like an idiot. It was our first encounter and we parted only to realize later that we had ended up in the same class. I smiled at her and soon we became friends. I simply sat there watching her, her words simply washing over me as she went on rambling about her siblings, her ambitions, her life, her school...

******

It was time for school. Kate had to get up. Just in time I heard the door lock click. Elsa had come. She was our neighbour and a very close friend of my wife's. She had been looking after my daughter after my wife had left us. She greeted me with a huge scorn clearly written on her face and went to wake up Kate and get her ready for school. If it wasn’t for Elsa my life would have been utter chaos. I idled my time with the newspaper and slowly dragged myself to do the daily chores and got ready just in time to drop Kate to school and rush to office.

"Good morning" Kate wished me and it dawned on me that for some time this formal greeting was the only conversation that me and my 9 year old daughter had. I didn’t even know her teacher's name let alone her favourite subject and I was about to start up a conversation with her when suddenly she had a strange request.

"Dad could we drive by the post office, I have a letter to post."
I could tell from her voice that it had taken her sometime to ask this question but rather than taking the long winding route to her school I told her that I would send my peon to post it. She seemed a bit hesitant but gave me the letter. I dropped her at school and went to my office. After settling down for another long day at office, I called for the peon. I was tapping the letter waiting for the peon to come when the address caught my eye.

To
Mr. God,
Up in the sky,
Heaven.

I waved off the peon who had just come and opened the letter..

Dear Mr. God
I have learnt from Aunt Elsa that you are a good man who likes children. Even my Mom used to tell me this. Please take me with you to heaven so that I could be beside her. I don’t want to live in this world without my Mom. I used to have a very happy life when my Mom was around. But for the past 5 years life has been horrible. My dad used to be a very cheerful and a funny person. But now I hardly get to see him. Aunt Elsa tells me that my Dad usually drinks a lot and comes home hours after I have gone to bed. Please God take me with you. I promise that I would be a good girl and will not trouble you. I always do my homework on time and drink my milk daily. U can ask Aunt Elsa about that. Please God send me my mother back or take me with you. I do not want to live in this world all alone....
Your little girl
Kate

Suddenly I wanted some fresh air. Tears rolled down my eyes and I simply wanted to get out of there. I saw my boss, took a leave and drove to an old park which had a huge banyan tree overlooking a lake. This had been our favourite spot where I and my beloved would spend the evenings. I sat below the tree and read the letter all over again crying. It had started raining. Drenched in the rain and my tears I sat there thinking... Thinking about the life I once had....
   

*******

It didn’t take us much time to understand each other and though the whole class knew that we loved each other, we weren’t ready to realize that. We were good friends to the core and we didn’t want to spoil that. But finally one day I had to tell her.

My heart was thumping loudly... Too loudly I guess... She had a hard look on her face which slowly turned into a smile. And my heart leaped in an uproar. College life went by quickly and before we could know it we had ended up in the same company. Fate! Destiny! Kismet! You can call it whatever you want but it was as smooth as anything. It was like living in a fairy tale and we continued to live happily ever after until one black day when my world collapsed around me.

We had been married for some years now and one night we planned to go for the new SRK film 'Rab Ne Banadi Jodi’. Our 3 year old daughter Kate was also with us. I saw my wife coming down the steps and I felt... I felt the same way I had felt the first time I saw her. After all these years nothing had changed between us. We got into the car and she insisted that she wanted to drive. I let her and we started from our home. I almost fell asleep because I was really tired of that day's work when I was sprung into reality by the loud screeching of the tyres. I opened my eyes in time to see two headlights heading towards us and BHAM!!!

I could feel pain all over and I was covered with some cloth probably the air bag. I turned to see her looking at me. I could hear Kate crying but I was helpless. I looked into her eyes and I watched as the lights just slowly went off... The smile was still etched to her face as she told me 'Take care of Kate' and she closed her eyes... forever... I felt my world vanishing before me and the next thing I knew I was in a white bed with a couple of tubes injected into my arm. I heard the doctor saying to my brother that they couldn’t save her and I fell unconscious again... Finally when I regained my strength, the doctor told me that I had a couple of broken bones and I could discharge from the hospital in a week's time and while my daughter had escaped without a scratch on her my wife had died. As I watched the rain outside me I realised that she had left behind a gaping hole in my heart....

******* 
6 months later....

A thunderbolt woke me up. It was pouring cats and dogs outside. I looked at the time. It was just past 5. Half an hour left before I woke up Kate. I quickly refreshed myself and made some black coffee for me and some hot cocoa for her. I checked the clock; it was time to wake her up. I went to her room and I was about to wake her up when I saw a familiar envelope beside her bed. It was again addressed to God and I opened the letter...

Dear Mr. God,
I know that you got my letter and you didn’t send mom back or take me with you. But you did give me something even better - a brand new Dad. He is the best ever. He takes me out for jogging every morning. After coming back from school he helps me with my homework (though in maths he did get half my answers wrong and I had to correct them before the classes start...please don’t tell him cause I do want to spend every time I can with him). After that we play games and if possible catch a movie. I hope you didn’t scold Daddy to change him. He is a. Sweet guy. He reads me bedtime stories too. Please God don’t take my Dad away because he is a good person like you took my Mom. Thank you God for heeding my request....
Your little girl
Kate

Tears rolled down my cheek and I realized that somehow I had reached the balcony. I looked up and felt every drop falling on my face. From somewhere far afar I heard her voice... as the time stood still...