Kaleidoscope

Real dreamscapes

Goa, 2020

Tapping in the energies of a strange world,

Where indigo birds fly in tangerine sky,

Where fishes float in stomach at dusk

and butterflies swim in watery eyes.

A piece of cloud reflect myriad hues

Magical moments unfold with scent of musk,

and butterflies swim in watery eyes,

Where fishes float in stomach at dusk.

Vermillion hues paint the moonlit night,

When world turns upside-down, and sighs,

Where fishes float in stomach at dusk

and butterflies swim in watery eyes.

Midnight rings the pink charm,

Like a dream of a seed secured with husk,

and butterflies swim in watery eyes,

Where fishes float in stomach at dusk.

The day veiled with dark clouds subside,

Fresh perspectives emerge in the vast sky,

Where fishes float in stomach at dusk

and butterflies swim in watery eyes.

-payal

16/10/2020

This is my poem for Day 16 of OctPoWriMo.

The Mirrored Refrain is rhyming verse form constructed by Stephanie Repnyek.

The poem is formed by three or more quatrains where two lines within the quatrain are the "mirrored refrain" or alternating refrain.

The rhyme scheme is as follows: xaBA, xbAB, xaBA, xbAB, etc..

x represents the only lines that do not rhyme within the poem. A and B represent the refrain.

Tolerance, with age, I'm struggling with it. It hits home, and piled up emotions, slowly and gradually come up to the surface. With forgiveness, I let them all go, step by step, and like a newborn step in a new world with acceptance and knowing the value of time, I ignore the matters that never really mattered, for my own happiness. Every breath is precious, and I wish to live in gratitude!

Tolerance, I look for it, with the alchemy of love, I find it in me, right here, from where I see. Not allowing the triggers to affect me, if internal damage happens, external forces can easily affect me. For I've learnt, huge vessels too can sink, no matter how luxurious they appear to be.

Enjoying the luxury of life, tolerance reflects in eyes, as I close them, and take a deep breath, connecting to the core of my being, where all the events are interconnected. Sometimes, it drips from the eyes, and at times it lovingly restores me, and I sing and dance.

-payal

15/10/2020

It's day 15 of OctPoWriMo. I've written a prose poetry.

The truth

Captured some bleeding hearts, Goa, 2020

On my path I wish to stay.

I am just a speck of dust,

Symbols within me float and sway.

Magical moments unfold throughout the day,

Live those moments, I must,

On my path I wish to stay.

I seek, I find, within me answers lay,

Built with unshakeable trust.

Symbols within me float and sway.

Strength I find in prayerful way,

Absolute and infinite fine shining crust,

On my path I wish to stay.

We are indeed made of clay,

With reason and fortitude, I adjust.

Symbols within me float and sway.

True to myself, I shall stay,

With universal guidance, and stardust.

On my path I wish to stay.

Symbols within me float and sway.

-payal

14/10/2020

It's Day 14 of OctPoWriMo.

A Villanelle is a nineteen-line poem consisting of a very specific rhyming scheme: aba aba aba aba aba abaa.

The first and the third lines in the first stanza are repeated in alternating order throughout the poem, and appear together in the last couplet (last two lines).

Break-free

Goa skyscapes, 2020

Mind,

Wandering.

Wrapped in the chained thoughts,

little boxes of burden.

Tied

In shackles of own making.

Break-free, be ready,

Judge nothing,

Trust.

-payal

13/10/2020

This is my post for day 13 of OctPoWriMo

written in oddquain butterfly format with

1-3-5-7-1-7-5-3-1 syllable pattern.

Twist and tango

Art by Payal Agarwal, 2020

Trying to tango with tongue twisting tale,

trending take, twinning to the tune,

Time to travel, to timelessness

talking tones, turning to the truth,

trained thoughts, tell the tale,

tend to team, twisted in this twisting tale.

Twisting and turning,

trimming the tail.

-payal

12/10/2020

It's Day 12 of OctPoWriMo and I've written a tongue twister.

Inspiration

Goa, 2020

To find inspiration I go around,

Amazing nature plays the trick today,

My silent inspiring muse lost and found,

In pleasant weather, it is here to stay.

Now breathing freely, I talk to my muse,

It instills hope, and wash away the blues.

It reciprocates gently with a smile,

With all my heart, I stay there for awhile.

-payal

11/10/2020

While losing the track of the thread,

Like leaves in autumn the trees shed,

I asked my muse, that was left unsaid,

This is what it truthfully said.

Look

Look around,

Look and observe the tiny details,

Look within yourself, divine will prevails.

Listen,

Listen to your heart,

What does it say, what do you see?

Let it flow into your creativity.

Surrender,

Surrender in the moment.

On your muse, your trust you lay,

Your muse will show you the way.

-payal

11/10/2020

It's Day 11 of OctPoWriMo. I tried both the forms. Part 1 is written in Rispetto, and part 2 in Didactic

A Rispetto, an Italian form of poetry, is a complete poem of two rhyme quatrains with strict meter. The meter is usually iambic tetrameter with a rhyme scheme of abab ccdd. A Heroic Rispetto is written in Iambic pentameter, usually featuring the same rhyme scheme.

Didactic Poetry is a form of poetry intended for instruction such as for knowledge or to teach.

Smoke

Goa,2020

Bruising,

Fooling,

Burning,

Cooling,

Insensitive, bruising, fooling, games

Smell of smoke from burning, cooling, flames.

Longest

Wrongest

Strongest

Modest

This has been the longest, wrongest year.

We shall come out strongest, modest, dear.

Wounded and shattered

with shards of experiences,

Diverted from the path,

Falling into abyss,

Light found on the way,

Celebrating victory

over the demons,

that kept holding back,

Me, from myself.

Prayerful

Careful

Dareful

Thoughtful

Indulging in prayerful, careful ways.

Walking through the dareful, thoughtful, days.

Letting go of steam,

with forgiveness,

Smoke rises up in spirals,

finding new facets of

Life, and filling the space with love!

-payal

10/10/2020

It's Day 10 of OctPoWriMo, and I have written a free form with Tyburn in between.

Tyburn

A six line poem consisting of 2, 2, 2, 2, 9, 9 syllables.

The first four lines rhyme and are all descriptive words. The last two lines rhyme and incorporate the first, second, third, and fourth lines as the 5th through 8th syllables.

Ripples of thoughts

Goa, 2020

Thoughts create stories in the mind,

Ripples form, one of its kind.

Unmatched words and acts for momentary gains,

Heart knows to endure and heal pain.

Pain made her stronger,

Stronger since she opened her eyes,

Eyes reflected her soul,

Soul never believed in lies white.

Quality of thoughts govern the life,

Raising vibrations in moments of strife,

Change of perception helps when stuck in time

Reality might differ, freely we rhyme.

Rhyme and rhythm flows in heart.

Heartfelt words touch the core,

Core of being is serene and calm.

Calm is the feeling that picks us up.

Hearts hold the secrets deep,

With faith we grow and take a leap,

The shining core, frame the solutions,

Practical spirituality dissolves whimsical notions.

-payal

9/10/2020

Day 9 of OctPoWriMo

Loop Poetry is a poetry form created by Hellon. There are no restrictions on the number of stanzas nor on the syllable count for each line. In each stanza, the last word of the first line becomes the first word of line two, last word of line 2 becomes the first word of line 3, last word of line 3 becomes the first word of line 4. This is followed for each stanza. The rhyme scheme is abcb.

Variations:

1. Stanzas, writers choice on the number, no rhyming, the last word, first word scheme is maintained.

2. One long stanza, no limit on number of lines, no rhyming scheme, the last word, first word scheme is maintained.

3. Couplets mixed with 4 line stanzas, the last word, first word scheme is maintained in the stanzas. It can also be used in the couplets. Rhyme scheme is ab, cc, defg, hh, ii, jklm, nn, oo.

Breaking the boundaries

Goa,2020

Entrapped,

In a closed chamber

Overwhelming emotions

kept seeping in

through the closed doors.

The unusual trends

and patterns created

and broken,

like those boundaries

that never existed

in the space of time.

Filled with gratitude,

Improvising the ways

Centred and connected

Listening to consciousness,

Evolving through life,

The journey continues....

-payal

My poem for Day 8 of OctPoWriMo.

Mixed emotions

Thank you for the reminder, Deepti.

Memories of the days bygone,

A baggage of mixed emotions

Strange pain engulfed draped in chiffon,

Memories of the days bygone,

Learning to let go, or hold on

Heart fails to feel,churning oceans.

Memories of the days bygone,

A baggage of mixed emotions.

-payal

A little late though. My day 7 entry for OctPoWriMo. Ok, yesterday was quite a challenging day, it was my birthday. Last year, I had cut the cake in hospital. Mom had a surgery, and was recovering. Mom's death this year in February took a toll, much of the time was spent remembering her. Thanks to my friend who sent a beautiful message. Wishes kept flowing the whole day long. Appreciating the extra efforts by family and some friends to make my day. In gratitude, I stay.

Form for the day, Triolet. Make each line 8 syllables in length (4 metrical feet), written in iambic tetrameter (the more common way), or try it in pentameter (English version) where each line only has 10 syllables (5 metrical feet).

Simple desires

Goa, India, 2020

With my heart I wish to write,

Books full of life filled with light.

I wish to paint black and white dreams.

On the canvas of time, hope beams.

Refreshing long drives on a smooth road

Breathing in fresh air boredom unload.

It all comes alive dreamscapes built with feathers.

Happiness in hearts and pleasant weather.

Desiring acceptance of the new normal

Staying at home becoming habitual.

I have simple desires,

Oft I put them on fire.

Glazed outcome of burning passion

Flows in my nerves like sensation.

Travelling afar on wings of hope

Craving for freedom, fears elope

Love-filled world with sprinklers of cheerfulness.

Life created to live with artfulness.

Humility and patience in attitude.

Helps to move on with blessings and gratitude

-payal

6/10/2020

Going simple for day 6 of OctPoWriMo. Still managed to write double Converse.

The Con-Verse, created by Connie Marcum Wong, consists of three or more 2-line rhyming stanzas (couplets). The meter of this form is in syllabic verse.

Rhyme scheme: aa,bb,cc,dd,ee

Meter: 7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11,11

(Syllabic verse only counts the number of syllables in a line.)

This form consists of three or more couplets which ascend by one syllable up to and until you reach a syllabic count of eleven which would contain ten lines.

This process may be repeated for a longer verse. If repeated, you must begin your first couplet with the syllabic count of seven again and continue from there.

Clarity of thoughts

Stardust falls and sprinkles on entangled knots,

The grip loosens and give clarity of thoughts.

Amazing reflections in season of change,

Reflecting empowered vision in world strange.

Confined in the clutches of sensitive tales,

Walking on the edge of long nettlesome trails.

Finding tranquility in noise all around,

A moment of silence in my heart I found.

Walking in the nature feeling the cool breeze,

Vibrant colours all around, moments I seize.

Stardust falls and sprinkles on entangled knots

The grip loosens and give clarity of thoughts.

Amazing reflections in season of change,

Reflecting empowered vision in world strange.

Yellowed autumn leaves fell and scattered on ground,

Like scathed memories and notes in closet found.

Golden glow of inner truth word weaver weaves,

Like bright sunlight falling on Ashoka leaves.

Hope shines through baring heart,this season of fall,

Healing through serene, trustworthy nature's call.

Letting it all emerge from depth of the sea,

Enriching experiences filled with glee.

Stardust falls and sprinkles on entangled knots,

The grip loosens and give clarity of thoughts.

Confined in the clutches of sensitive tales,

Walking on the edge of long nettlesome trails.

Headed to the center, flowing like a river,

Intuitive senses slides like a sliver.

Crisp skyflakes like unattended memories,

Kept seeping through the glass prism of reveries.

While restoring sanity through forgiveness,

Transformation brought in feel of aliveness.

Painting canvas in innumerable hues,

Refreshes the senses, and wipes off the blues.

Stardust falls and sprinkles on entangled knots

The grip loosens and give clarity of thoughts.

-payal

5/10/2020

It's Day 5 of #OctPoWriMo and I have attempted shape poetry as well as Licentia rhyme form.

The Licentia Rhyme Form, a poetic form created by Laura Lamarca, consists of at least 3 12-line stanzas with 11 syllables per line. Of course, the poem can be elongated adding on to the following rhyme scheme: aabbccddeeAA, BBffgghhiiAA, CCjjkkllmmAA

Moment of peace

Goa, 2020

Capturing the falling light
Capturing the moment
Moment full of grace
Moment full of choices
Choices that bring smiles
Choices affect our life
Life is full of promises
Life is full of learning
Learning to let go
Learning to live
Live in the moment
Live life fearlessly
Fearlessly create
Fearlessly keep moving
Moving with passion
Moving with faith
Faith keeps us going
Faith makes us stronger
Stronger world
Stronger self
Self care
Self love
Love life
Love nature
Nature awakens the senses
Nature heals
Heals the body
Heals the mind
Mind is mysterious
Mind is beautiful
Beautiful soul
Beautiful words
Words of wisdom
Words that touch
Touch gently
Touch the heart
Heart knows it all
Heart dreams
Dreams of better tomorrow
Dreams do come true
True to oneself
True to the core
Core of being
Core mantra
Mantra of happiness
Mantra of peace
Peace of mind
Peace is beautiful
Beautiful
Mind
-payal
4th Oct, 2020

My Day 4 offering for OctPoWriMo. Blitz being a wonderful form of poem, sets you on a journey into your own being.

The Blitz Poem, a poetry form created by Robert Keim.

This form of poetry is a stream of short phrases and images with repetition and rapid flow.

Begin with one short phrase, it can be a cliché. Begin the next line with another phrase that begins with the same first word as line 1. The first 48 lines should be short, but at least two words.

The third and fourth lines are phrases that begin with the last word of the 2nd phrase, the 5th and 6th lines begin with the last word of the 4th line, and so on, continuing, with each subsequent pair beginning with the last word of the line above them, which establishes a pattern of repetition.

Continue for 48 total lines with this pattern, And then the last two lines repeat the last word of line 48, then the last word of line 47.

The title must be only three words, with some sort of preposition or conjunction joining the first word from the third line to the first word from the 47th line, in that order.

There should be no punctuation. When reading a BLITZ, it is read very quickly, pausing only to breathe.

Beauty in chaos

Intuitive art by Payal Agarwal. Beauty in chaos. Charcoal and soft pastels. 20

When times are chaotic,

thoughts fly to distant land

on intuitive wings,

in black and grey.

Oft feelings form

a criss cross pattern.

Bridging the gap,

between words,

that seperated from origin,

through time, and distance,

a beautiful world

found in chaos,

add colours to life.

A piece of

used, broken charcoal sighs.

Broken pieces can create wonders.

-payal

It's Day 3 of #OctPoWriMo and I've written a free verse.

Wordless tales

Goa, 2020

Silence engulfed, when words churned in the heart,

Salty ripples in lakes drenched wordless screams.

Eyes spoke a million tales, lips just smiled,

Eons passed by, within the comfort zone.

Aroma of coffee filled blank spaces,

Music filled the room, in wait of few words,

Knocking at the doors of turbulent heart,

Footsteps of nostalgia calmed it down.

Words stuck in throat were choking the senses,

As faith emerged, slowly words found their voice.

It needs courage to speak, and to listen,

Holding hands, with understanding and love.

Writing these silent tales in love's embrace,

Words dripped from my pen out of comfort zone.

-payal

The Lannet is a form of sonnet.

The Lannet consists of 14 lines - presentation of such piece is to the poet’s preference. There is a strict syllable count of 10 per line. The Lannet has NO END-LINE RHYMING SCHEME. Only internal rhyme is allowed. There is no stipulance of Iambic form, pentameter or tetrameter for a Lannet.

It's day 2 of OctPoWriMo.

Shining your light

Moon, star, and the lights 2020

Smile, and get rid of all the doubts,

Shine like a star in the dark night,

Hidden at times, behind the clouds,

Stories evolve, and come to light.

Caught in jars, kept on pedestal,

Fireflies on a rainy night,

Like washed leaves, and shining petals,

Stories evolve, and come to light.

Hope emerges, twinkling with glee,

Forming constellations, on a starry night,

Sitting in silence, worries flee,

Stories evolve, and come to light

Smile, and get rid of all the doubts,

Stories evolve, and come to light.

-payal

1/10/2020

Kyrielle Sonnet

A Kyrielle Sonnet consists of 14 lines (three rhyming quatrain stanzas and a non-rhyming couplet). Just like the traditional Kyrielle poem, the Kyrielle Sonnet also has a repeating line or phrase as a refrain (usually appearing as the last line of each stanza). Each line within the Kyrielle Sonnet consists of only eight syllables. French poetry forms have a tendency to link back to the beginning of the poem, so common practice is to use the first and last line of the first quatrain as the ending couplet. This would also re-enforce the refrain within the poem. Therefore, a good rhyming scheme for a Kyrielle Sonnet would be:

AabB, ccbB, ddbB, AB -or- AbaB, cbcB, dbdB, AB.

I am participating in OctPoWriMo 2020 and it's Day 1.

Random thoughts #Mondaymusings

handlettering

instagram.com/texturedexpressions

Hey, I have something to say. Have you ever found yourself asking, “My intentions were good, then where did I go wrong? Why can’t people understand me?”There was a time when I used to ask myself this question, a lot. All I could think of it was that I write,I express. People understand, and grasp as per their understanding. Situations are not the same for everyone. When we value people, we start believing that others value us the same. Often it drives us insane. A little expectation is obvious when we love and trust, but we can’t depend on others for our happiness. Listen, we cannot and should not take anyone, or anything for granted.

How I wish, I could tell some people,” Love yourself enough to live your own life. Stop comparing your life with others. You have no idea of their struggles. You are breathing. You are alive. When you are living your own life, with acceptance, you are at peace. Take care of your health. Stay mindful, and make healthy choices”.

-payal

1/10/2020

linked to #Mondaymusings at everydaygyaan

Grace #MondayMusings

It's a rainy day today. Parijaat blossoms are scattered all over on the sacred path. It feels like walking amidst nature on a blessed morning, into the greens of the heart where fresh perspectives emerge, and fills our life with joy.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. With a calm mind, I go within, contemplate, and relax into my being. Clarity seeps in naturally, and the way lights up. My footsteps lead to my destination, by God's grace, where I am standing in the here and now.

I am writing on my blog after a long time. Thanks for staying connected. Linking to everydaygyaan.

Sunday

It's Sunday again. It's the first time, I hear of a death, and I'm not bleeding tears. Am I in shock, or have my tears dried up? I ask myself, "Why is it?" Some answers are simple. Maybe I've evolved beyond life and death, as my Guru said once,"You have become a divine soul.You are now attuned." I couldn't believe. I know, I'm just a human. I feel a lot!

A few minutes ago, a friend shared a video, of a homeless lady, amongst the migrant workers, seventy years old, who lost her husband, beaten up by her son, whom she took care, and was thrown out of the home, wanting to go to another son, whom she knew would throw her out too, for her children thought that she was mad. I heard someone say, "Thank God, she has a new family." I felt like saying, "She's a mother! If it's convenient enough, to live with lost faith and love, I hope she survives in a new family, and the pain doesn't affect her."

But I kept quiet. I knew, I'd be misundertood, amidst a bunch of people who were busy cracking jokes. .

No, I am not that serious kind. I do crack jokes too. We're taught to write humour in a bad mood. My mother taught me, "There's a time, and place for everything." Maybe, she meant for death too, and she chose my place. It was Sunday, and I cried a lot! ~payal

Love letters

. Now tell me, from where do I bring all that love to write love letters to "my imaginary you," and how do I write the replies when I don't even expect to hear from you. Do I even know you? . So, now tell me who are you? and you want me to be true? I don't have time to write letters Call me, I'll spare moments few. . What would you say, what would you hear, How do I know, Will you make it clear? . I don't write letters now a days It takes a second to make or break Relations happen in just a click Ego is high, and love at stake. . Oh yes! Love is overrated these days, Words might create misunderstandings Patience is lost, and expectations more, Then tell me how would I deal with it? . I don't want any mistake to repeat. Let's not write about vows, and promises to keep Best friends often topped the charts, Everything else took the back seat. . Maybe, some other day, some other time, If you write to me, I'll write to you. With trust and understanding, we'll build a relation new. Starting with dearest, and ending with love. But I doubt in this era, Would love rhyme with dove? Whom should I write love letters now? I wrote a few to him then. But, he is my husband in the now, And face of love has changed. . Ah! it looks better now, There's no cold war going on, Why should we write letters now? Era of letters has long gone. ~payal

P.S. Thanks to Nikhat for prompting us to write love letters along with the replies. Check out the other parts too. Gratitude.
*********
Teenage turmoil
"Hey, I designed this paper with the new set of pens that I bought specially for writing to you. I read your words again and again, and I can hear you speak from behind them. Everytime, I remember you, I pick up the letter and you start talking to me. I purchased a collection of poems, and one of them I offer to you. P.S. I found a girl, who stays next to my house! She's beautiful and true."

written, erased, trashed, all that was meant to be said.

"Hey, Not again! Anyway, congrats! I hope your love story goes a long way! We'll party when we get to catch up! How is she? By the way, I saw this movie XYZee. So, what else is new at your end? I too read a poem that would blend."

" Hi, Catching up with life. Every word smells of you. I wish you were here. She is fine. A little busy though. Yes, our poems rhyme."

"Hi, I saw you that day in the market. Wanted to tell you, you know that guy, he proposed to me, and seems quite serious. What do I do, would you tell me?"

Written, erased, trashed all that was meant to be said,
"Hey, follow your heart, it knows it right. P.S. I found another girl. Nothing really happened. Don't go."

"I'll have to."
****************
Years later..
"Love often does that"

"Tell me how to address you? Tell me, why do I feel those butterflies in my stomach when I see you, and my heart beats faster when I hear your name? Tell me why do the mornings bring the fresh scent of your breath, and when the birds sing, I recall your name?"

"Love often does that. It picks you up and helps you rise. Well, being too much into someone makes you insane. I live in your heart, down the memory lane."

"Tell me why when you held my hand, it was all calm and quiet? Tell me why when we met, a thought crossed my mind, and strange quest did arise? Tell me why all the answers we found suffice, and why that thought of first kiss brings a sweet smile?"

"Love often does that. Well, in togetherness the purpose of life is found, and everything falls in place. In absence of words, gestures speak. Let love overflow and let it heal."

"Tell me why in a negative situation, I miss you when the Sun rise? Why do your feelings for me I feel without looking in your eyes? Why do I initiate a conversation instead of heaving a sigh?" "Love often does that. Just like offering water to the sun, brings in positive vibes. Love, It just wants to see you smile."
~payal