Winter

Winter, you are the queen of all seasons

Ethereal and beautiful for so many reasons

The shedding of leaves beckons your birth

As the joyful wind gently whispers in mirth

When you grow stronger, with age and time

All things witness, your splendour, sublime

And even the mighty sun, forced to relent

Rests hidden aft the clouds, humbly bent

Then comes along, your fair sibling, snow

Making all things exquisite, pale and glow

Transforming this world, into a realm divine

A glimpse of heaven in an earthly confine

Tired and old, then you gradually, wane

But even at your loss, there is very little pain

For winter, you benevolent harbinger of spring  

Even in your demise, rife blossoms you bring

And once you depart, your return all await

As, with time, summer and rain also abate

Then one day, the miserable shower is gone

Lo and behold!  Winter, you arise again, reborn

-Kartik Shastry 

The Ward

Such a wicked place, I wonder

A silent witness to lives asunder

Wretched stench of death in the air

Mingled with cries of pain and despair

And helpless Angels, in fluttering gowns

Floating, bearing sombre frowns

Who often upon me, bestow a glare

Stressing my pointless presence there

With immense strength, I barely quell

The urge to flee, this embodiment of hell

For forced, I am here to stay

As a dear friend, withers away

Sorrow and fear in thoughts abound

Born of suffering that thrives around

And as towards sleep, I begin to stray

For swift respite, I quietly pray

Awoken at midnight, by a ghastly wail

Cringing, as I sense myself turn pale

I open my eyes, feel fear rebound

Seeing, my friend’s, panting mound

As I stare, with a gasp, his earthly bonds sever

Weakly I watch his soul, depart forever

Trailed by a lifeless gaze, profound

A sight which, my mind, shall eternally hound

As they gather his earthly remains

I hope, salvation, his spirit attains

Then solemnly, walking out the door

I cannot help but, myself, abhor

For as my friend endured torment

All I did was, shamelessly lament

And, suddenly I realize, pain swelling my core

His death granted, my loathsome wish of before

-Kartik Shastry 

The Martyr

There was once a young man

Whose life with violence, was fraught

Overflowing with regret and anger

Vengeance, his distressed heart sought

But latent his hatred, within him, lay

For he lacked the means to attain his end

Though, very cunningly, biding its time

To avenge his pride, that was yet to mend

On his way home one early morn,

Accosted he was, by a bigot in disguise

Saying he was a messenger of God,

Claiming himself to be wisest of the wise

Preaching a sordid lesson of death

He alleged, damaged pride could be mended

Wanting the man to be a martyr

He declared, “Only with violence, can violence be ended”

With the sermon over

His hatred fiercely incited, the man found

Reasoning against reason,

He sensed rage within, vigorously begin to pound

His judgement clouded

Accepting the bigot’s words, as solemn truth

To silence his seething heart

The man impulsively resolved, to martyr his youth

Then resuming his walk home

He came across a crowded market place

When arose a flicker of doubt

As he rested his eyes on a baby’s untainted face

Suddenly his heart melting within

He stopped in his tracks, compelled to wonder

Was vengeance truly necessary?

Or was he just committing a dreadful blunder?

Slowly realization dawned

That such revenge was a worthless fate

He finally understood

That all hate does is breed more hate

His mind, at ease

Heart at peace, he decided to move on

A sudden flash and thunder

The light from his eyes, was forever gone

- Kartik Shastry