Exuberant Whirling

by Nalini Priyadarshni

Deliciously daring technicolored dreams
Rub their soft bodies unabashed
Under the canopy of closed lids till
Succulent imagining burst and measure
Scrambling pieces of misplaced identity
Egged on by cheering silver spittoons
Lined up against ochre rocks

Mundane and spiritual in equal measure
Insouciance nestles lightly upon
Confluence of east sea and western desert
Neither of which holds reins of that
Heart beating in tandem with my own
Impertinent kernel, drawn irresistibly to
Miracles brought into existence with
Exuberance of cosmic dance grown more
Radiant with each whirling together

Defining Destiny

Nalini Priyadarshni

When you turn your back
Towards me
And pretend to be busy
I know you smile and wait
For me to run my tongue
At the back of your neck
And lacerate your heart

    Hot tip of your tongue
    Like the tip of a dagger
    Pierces my dreams
    Bringing my sword from
    Its scabbard
    To sharpen it
    On the edge
    Of your breath
       
Like wet muslin sari
Around the curves of a woman
Caught in downpour
I cling to your stiletto
And keep faith.
Dispositions define destinies.