Museum of Memories

The days we existed

in the same orbit 

many moons ago 

when our spaces collided 

No trace is left of them 

The sun 

that shone on us 

has set

The moon 

in whose gentle glow 

we sparkled 

is eclipsed

The time we shared 

obliterated 

by the years 

that have since 

piled up 

Who is to say 

it was ever real

But it was. Look,

I tucked every second 

under my skin 

buried all the shared moments 

in my heart 

nurtured the shadows 

of wonderous days 

in the fertile soil 

of my soul   

I bring them out 

when I am alone 

gaze lovingly at each one 

dust them off with my breath 

polish them with my love

They live and thrive 

to this day 

A treasured collection 

of memories 

in the museum 

that is me

© 2014 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved

No Turning Back

My reluctant fingers 
strain against your grasp 
I hear the wind
in your voice 
blow the words away
I try to read them 
on your lips
Sorry, you seem to be saying
Your voice cracks 
I think of lightning 
cleaving my world 
The rain from your cloudy eyes 
fails to douse my anger
Perhaps you see 
the fire in my eyes 
It travels through my skin 
scalding yours
You let go of my hand 
Light-headed, I turn away 
The air rushes to my lungs 
I breathe again 
If I don't look back
I know I will be free

© 2014 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved

Ignorance is Bliss

Ignorance is bliss, they said

But not for her

Fighting for every breath
She didn't know 
the brilliant blue 
of the summer sky
the sweet notes 
of a robin's song
the soothing green shade 
of an oak tree

Waging a losing battle
too big for her frail body
her little hands didn't know 
the wonder of discovery
her tiny feet didn't know
the firm feel of the earth

Hooked up to machines
she didn't know
the warmth 
of a mother's hug
the love in 
a father's kiss

She left too early
and will never know 
how much she was loved
how much she is missed

How could ignorance
ever be bliss?

© 2014 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved

Cold Comfort

Time was 
when my heat 
scorched your skin
Now my touch 
leaves you colder 
than a winter's day

Your fingertips once 
left a trail of heat
I burned willingly
Now I turn to ice
when you draw near

What sends a chill 
through me
is not the lack 
of warmth
I shiver
at the thought
that I prefer it cold

© 2014 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved

Distances

Will putting miles
between us
bridge the chasm
of indifference
that grows wider each day

Will travelling farther
help me find the path
that will bring you back

Will my absence
make you notice me
the way you never did
when I was by your side

Each day that passes
draws me deeper
into a maze of questions
from which there is no escape

Perhaps I prefer to stay trapped
in the cocoon of ignorance
than find the answers
that I know await me



© 2014 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved

Until...

Anticipation a butterfly fluttering inside me 
Joy lights me up like a neon sign
My cheeks glow with the red of a blooming rose
My eyes sparkle like the brightest stars in a velvet sky
My heart drums up an incessant rhythm 
My body thrills to its pasionate beat 
I pick the sensuous burgundy dress that will cling and sway
And dainty heels to strap on
Perfume that will leave an enticing trail
I will paint my lips an irresistible red....

An incessant ringing 
the morning alarm trills 
the time for dreaming is done...



© 2014 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved

Final Embrace

The waves are not alone 
in feeling the moon's pull
Foaming waters 
raise white-tipped fingers 
beckoning me 
Grainy hands of sand 
fall away from my feet 
loosening their hold 
setting me free 
for the long walk into the sea 
Thoughts tumble in my head 
a jackpot machine 
rolling endlessly 
spewing fragmented images 
that rise then fade 
as I slot memory coins 
into my mind 
unheeding of where I step 
not noticing the earth 
go from dry to damp 
the footprints I leave 
for an instant
the wind whispering 
in my hair 
the water lapping 
at my toes 
rising to envelop me 
as I sink into its icy arms 
No joyful death, this 
just the slap of cold reality 
one last time

© 2014 Uma Venkatraman ~ All Rights Reserved