Psst!

Psst!

[Entries are now closed!]

Mandappa KC (107)

"Psst. I love you."

She was seated 4 chairs away. Her silken hair falling across her face. The faint lighting shone from the stage out front. The opera was gaining momentum. Emotion swept through the theatre as Romeo professed his love. Emotion flew. Emotion stirred. The crowd sat in rapture. So did he.

Staring shamelessly at her. She had swept him off his feet the moment she entered. A fleeting thought of all the dirty lechers he'd scorned. Yet he leched. Leched like never before. At her damsel lips, her attentive eyes. The cashmere stole wrapped carelessly, daintily. He leched.

She turned and glowered. "Psst, fuck off."

******************************

Sarang Mahajan (5)

“Psst!!.... Your zipper is open.”

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Willy Wingfoot (119)

Elle led me to the shallow stream.

"There", she squeaked.

I nodded. The stream led into a dungeon.

"You're doing this, Prince?"

One last wink at the mouse, I sneaked in.

The dungeon evolved into a thundering underground waterfall.

Random steps down; I found the beast deep in slumber. Its huge breathing form created ripples in the water.

I hooked an arrow. Aimed, pulled, released.

STRIKE ONE.

The giant FROG woke with a cry.

Lunar eyes found the tiny rebellion.

Long tongue lashed out. My bow fell apart.

Not done yet, fat arse.

Shield and sword, I ran towards it.

It leaped high....its flight covered the distance...and fall about to squash me...

"Psst....FourB.....pleeeassse???"

I looked down.

4B. Define Photosynthesis?

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Kavish Sinha(120)

"Psst!"... Dreams Calling

Mutihued multitude, bright purple balloons, dazzling bangles, ornamented kites, saffron turbans, modest camels and a desire to buy all of these.

"Be quiet or you'd be lost", the customary response to my demands….and then I was. Lost and unmindful in the fair.

"Psst!" and a come-hither look from bright, wrinkled eyes. I turned away. "Psst!" and again.

"Want those twinkling stars?" I nodded. He swooshed them onto my palm… curling it into a fist. "These are dreams", said he with twinkling eyes, “…don't cost anything."

Dad found me, clutched my right hand while in my left sat those stars…

The old man faded, not the stars. I still dare to dream and they call out….. "Psst! We don't cost anything".

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Rush.me(120)

"We are Open-Minded, Beta... Tum dono Baat-vaat karlo..."

The New Sari Ruffled...

The Shirt Crumpled & Straightened...

Stilettos Got Muffled On The Carpet With The Quiet Eerie...

Slender Copper-Hued Nails Piercing Warm, Shaky Flesh. The Reminiscences Clouded, Expanding, Blinding Her Vision... One Short Breath, An Eye-Contact & The Truth Came Stumbling Out...

"Listen, I Don't Wanna Keep You In Any Sorts Of... I Mean... There Are Few Things You Should Know About Me..."

"Hmm... I Don't Think That You Should..."

"Please Lemme..."

"Its Really Not Required... I Like Someone..."

"OH!!"

(Silence)

(Fidgeting)

(Sweating)

(Nervous Smile)

(Giggles Galore)

"Kya baatien hui bhai... Chalo, Baaki Baad mein…"

"Excuse Me... Ummm... Err... Psst, Psst!!"

(The Eyes Replied)

"The Someone I Like... Is..... You!!"

*********************************

Heady Concoction (114)

Heart 'n Ache

"Why don't you listen to me baby?"

"Now STOP crying...Shhh Shhh"

The mother was valiantly trying to calm down her wailing child.

He had hurt his finger while playing with the door. The tender finger had gone all red, was slightly swollen and the mother's heart wept with the aches the boy must be feeling. The wetness in her eyes threatened to spill over...at the vision of her little boy's trauma.

Psst psst...

The boy turned around...jumped from his mother's lap and scrambled down the stairs wiping his eyes with the back of his hands.

"Mom I'm going to play with Arnav...", tossed at the mother.

A slight smile curved the mother's lips...

****************************************

Juhi the Fragrant (116)

Eyes wide open,

and a bit of

her mouth too

Charu watched as,

Leena jumped off

her trained kangaroo.

When her snowy trail

had finally reached them,

Charu couldn’t resist

and enquired of Hem

“psst..did you know,

she’s lame?”

His glare quieted her,

but again she piped.

This time to the

lady in white

“psst…are you aware,

of her false hair?”

When the lady

quietly withdrew,

poor Charu,

looked anew.

She spotted Rai,

sipping his chai.

“Psst, did I tell you

she fired her crew?”

“No, how’s her ship?”

“It’s taking a bad trip!”

Hem materialized, and

Charu was quiet.

She informed

a girl’s back,

“psst..Leena lies.”

When she turned,

There was shock

in her eyes.

**********************************************************

GSV(118)

Days with you seemed so brief and nights were somehow spent in your dreams. Swinging on the jute rope beneath that banyan tree, we learned together that life is like a song. And then one day you didn’t come to meet. They told me that you had left the town and would never be back. I screamed whole day and wailed all night but my screeching didn't reach you. Months, Seasons, Years passed away and I haven't slept for long, so that night soil immersed into soil. But my wait wasn't over yet, Born again I sprouted through the soil.

Psst.. Hey you! Where are you looking at, sweetheart! Pluck me for your pleasure and release my soul.

*****************************************

Dok Saab (120)

Psst….Psst….hey Garima!
-Don't make noise, Mom's asleep
Please come to my house.
We'll play Snake n Ladder.

Psst….Psst….hey Garima!
-Shut up, Sir is looking this way.
Please Garima just tell me,
What's the capital of France?

Psst….Psst….hey Garima!
-Go away, Dad's at home.
Please come to the terrace.
I want to show you my new bike.

Psst….Psst….hey Garima!
-Not now, Didi's very angry.
Please meet me at the CCD.
I have written a poem for you.

Psst….Psst….hey Garima!
-Keep quite, Papaji is still awake.
Please I want to be alone with you.
Why can't we go for a honeymoon?

Psst….Psst….hey Garima!
-Ssshh…Munna has just slept.
Please ask Amma to look after Munna.
I have two tickets for the night show.

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Krishna (119)

[Vernacular entry, not up for competition]

Befikar si basanti hawa ne nayi kopalon se kaha
psst psst

ankurit beejon ne dharaa ki kokh se kaha
psst psst

jhurmut peechhe thand se siharti premibala ne krishna se kaha
psst psst

ugte sooraj ki aarunim kirnon ne sarv-vyapi chitrakaar se kaha
psst psst

sarson ke peele phoolon ne us paar dandelions ki peeli baharon se kaha
psst psst

har saal aur buland hogi wah psst psst, aur ek din...
ek din uske sureele swar main woh rakt-pipasu aatmain bhool jayeingi

woh mandir ke jhagde aur masjid ke vivad

Aisa Iran, Waisa Korea: chup ho jayenge woh Shankhnaad

Aur Dharti se ambar tak, Uttar se Dakshin tak, Poorab se Paschim tak

goonjegi pyar ki ek aawaz

psst psst

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Richa Gupta (120)

"Psstttt, pssttt, here. Why have you been ignoring me?? At least look at me!"

"Why don't you leave me alone…stop bothering me"

"ohh I bother you now…I remember differently"

"Stop it…stop tempting me. Its not right"

"It is…just reach out, touch me"

"Are you crazy??? I have been working very hard to ignore you…leave me alone" I implored

"What is with you women? You reach and I tingle in anticipation of your warm mouth but then you pull back! You reject me! You are ruining my self esteem"

"And you are ruining my diet" I scowled at the chocolate fudge cake as I straightened my back and walked off…

"Pssssstttt" I heard as he tried to entice another susceptible female!!

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Nandini Sen (118)

“Psst” she said, “don’t eat too many sweets”. I didn’t listen and got worms in my tummy.

“Psst, staying up late with storybooks will give you a headache.” She was right – headache and scolding from teacher for being inattentive.

“Psst, just smile, he’ll like you even with the braces”. I didn’t, and went unnoticed by him.

“Psst, ring her up” I did only after two months. She’d moved away. A connection broke.

“Psst, hug him & say sorry”. I didn’t and lost an emotion.

My conscience always whispers in her low pleasant voice, but I act belligerent.

Ohh there she goes again “Psst don’t write in Klash this week .You’re out of ideas”. As usual I’m not listening.

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Mickey the Monkey (120)

Psst…Psst….
Who could be there at this hour?
Jane, thinking I was asleep, sneaked out.
I snooped and found Mowgli waiting for her under our tree.
Why was she meeting this chaddhi-clad boy clandestinely?
Soon she came back and slipped in the bed quietly.
Throughout the next day I was disturbed.
I wandered aimlessly in the jungle, and retuned home quite late.
From a distance I saw my tree glowing.
It was decorated with candles and balloons.
Jane was talking to Mowgli excitedly.
I wondered what were they up to.
"Happy Birthday, Mickey" they exclaimed.
"Thanks buddy, but when did you plan all this."
"Mowgli talked to me while you were asleep, Honey, he wanted to give you a surprise."

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Priyanka Chakraborty (119)

"Psst..psst..!! Anil..psst.."

"Whaaaaat??"

"We'll meet after class, and decide.."

"Shh..Rishi sir'll hear.."

"Psst.. Sahil please pass this note to Anil."

"Marwayega kya Nitin!!"

"Sir's not looking, pass kar de."

Rishi was not oblivious to what was going on behind his back, but he tried not to react. He chuckled to himself. He was remembering his schooldays when he and his friends used to pass notes in class and whisper endlessly.

But this was military school. Discipline had to be maintained. With a heavy sigh, he turned from the blackboard and said, "Sahil, Anil, Nitin! Out of the class, right now and three rounds of the field."

Sahil gave Nitin a dirty look and said, "Ab kar psst, psst.. Idiot..!!"

*******************************

Coffee is my poison (120)

Pssst...whats that voice i hear?

Psst...Sweta, it said,
from the deep confines
within my head.
heres free counsel
you'd normally dread.

pssst...always be polite
to the seemingly small
thelewala,plumber,watchman et al
everyone deserves respect!
no job's that abject.

psst...you're free
do what your heart says,
you alone reap eventually,
the fruit of your inabilities,
to say no, trying so hard to please.

psst...take time
smell flowers, pet dogs,
feel the sunshine!
pittering pattering raindrops...

psst...wrong decision!
but the textbook says so,
listen to the inside,
on which you can rely,
proclivity's magic wand….

psst...whos out there?
its a dark night, i'm alone,
say something
sounds seem louder
shapes odder.

psst... have faith
listen to me
I’m the real you
hear me out
see yourself fly!

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Konfessioner Singh (71)

This sight is tender:

A plump peach blossom
snuggles,
with a blush,
into a brown bosom;
peeking every now and then--
from under dew tickled
tapering green leaf tips
magic green carpets on billows of dawn breeze.


And another,
now embraces velvet pink pale sunshine,
yawning luminosity…

And this one here,
is quivering softly,
so softly...
Hidden in chiaroscuro--
before flighty spring,
kisses sweetly;
its pursed pink lips…

“Psst… I’m here.”

Sugar

Sugar

[entries closed]

GSV(120)

Ek baar fir se
Vasant ne mere ghar par dastak di
Darwaza khola to paaya
Woh dur khada tha
Badalte risht.on, kadwi baat.on se bahut dur...

Dekhta hoon
Wohi rangon ki chashni mein mehke huye kuch phool
Wohi thandi pawan mein ghuli dhoop ki mithaas
Wohi ganne ka ras, Dahi cheeni ka swad

Aur wohi kadwi yaad
Jo namkeen ansoon.on se dhulke
Pheeki ho chuki thi
Vasant ki shakkar mein shayad
Madhur ho chali hai.

Sochta hoon
Meetha itna kyon sabko bhata hai..?
Vasant ye kaisa prem geet gaata hai..?
Kyon jisne jitney vasant dekhe
Utni uski umar hoti hai..?

Ek baar fir se
Poochh leta hoon..
Meri baat sun wo
Kuch nahi kehta
Bas huns deta hai, muskurata hai..


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Coffeeismypoison(119)

"Didi, I know you've exams, but Roma’s depressed… could you write her one of your stories, with her in it?"

"I’m not some candyman handing out candy comfort!"
"But didi, you are soooo much sweeter than candy... you're nice, encouraging and you give out hope...you said we can be whatever we want to if only we become brave enough to just...be.”

“But life is not a sugar-spun fairytale.”

*******************

"I don't know why you waste time writing nonsense. It’s not going to help your education. In your spare time learn some housework and complete that practical journal!! Ufff! if you must drink coffee at least take sugar-free!"
"I thought you said aspartame was carcinogenic!"
"At least its not calorigenic!"

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Hummingnerd(120)

Untitled (Song)

I think of the day when our kite lines first crossed.

We tied them into knots, many years passed.

Then you wanted to fly away and you cut my string apart.

You're always on my mind and I see your deluded smile;

Pretty plastic, Tied to a wind, giggling about a new boy.

I can hardly sleep now, I can't stay away.

It hurts to breathe in, you know, I didn't think you would betray.

Am I illusioned by the play of my words?

Or is it that your skin now has the scent of foreign flowers.

Look at my face now, I look like I was killed in a dream,

your love was sugar-coated and topped with a cream.

Truth Dude (116)

Listen here to a story,
a tale of passion and intrigue.

Where many young men laid their lives,
for a maiden as fair as thee.

In her honour they cast their lots
to slay a giant mighty

But soon it was known
all across the land, the giant killed with glee.

Neither sugar, nor spice, nor anything nice
would bring a smile to her face.

But along came one fine prince,
who led they giant astray.

And with just one swipe of his enchanted sword
He slew the giant, hurray!

She laughed and smiled and said to him,
"Take me…as you may"

With a sheepish smile, our prince thought a while
And then declared" I'm gay.

Trapti Mishra (130)

The Bowl of Sin

The bowl was brimming with Sugar. White, translucent crystals. Making my jaw drop open.

My heart skipped a beat. I furtively looked around...no there was no one there.

I was all alone...alone with a bowl of those tantalising crystals.

A fine bead of perspiration broke on my upper lip. My hands were already clammy. My throat dry and legs shaking.

A feeble inner voice was struggling to come to fore...’run away’, but my thudding heart roared in my ears as if to drown it out.

Should I? Uh...should I go and ...??

‘NO!’, that inner intruder tried to gain control...I looked back and then back again at those perfectly crafted gems provocating me. One last spoon, I thought. And caved in...only to break my diet plan for the umpteenth time.

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Pinchi(120)

As I listened to a long speech
neither in praise nor in reproach,
addressed to my achievements
my life set me thinking.
I had been a victorious sailor
keen to explore the world - and did so
and what did I gain? Sweet words.
Is that all they could give me for all I had done?
Life is short, mine was shorter still
overtly rigorous... I gave myself to the world.
variety was never my cup of tea, I did what I had to.
even though, now, they just had sweet sugary words for me.
Yes! A long speech! No! Just words
Oh! what words! "Sugar with honey, tastes bad" I thought
unheard words of my soul eventually melt away.

Santonu(56)

Ting tong

Sugar free…

Morning rush rush

calories on the up

figure bloating up

Try this

Its Sugar free

Fitness concern

Life mein hain tension

Office on the turn

biwi paresan

Try this

Its sugar free

We have a life

No fun, no joy

Dreams limited

Money unlimited

….Have it

Its just

Sugar free

Ting tong

Priyanka Chakraborty (119)

"Daniel…Sara.. Come inside!"

The sound of two pairs of pattering feet and then Michelle felt a great weight collide with her. She smiled and looked down at her two angels, Daniel, aged three and Sara, aged two.

"Mom, what are you doing?", asked Daniel.

"I am making pancakes for both of you, honey.", Michelle replied.

Sara was looking at the preparation in wonder. Michelle asked her, "You want to learn how to make them, sugar? See, Danny will help us. Won't you honey?"

"Yes mom"

"We first mix the flour with sugar. I have put the flour, now Danny will put sugar in the mixing bowl."

"How can I do that mommy? She's too big for the mixing bowl."

Juhi the Fragrant (119)

I just couldn’t wait anymore. I edged my fingers towards it… “Aeeiii!! When they are done, you will get them, beta.”

“Mmmmmnnnnn…mmmmmnnnnnuuuuuuuummmmnnnnnnmmmnnn…”

“Mini, mini come here.”

“Noooooooo….”

“Come, I’ll give you a sugar cube.”

“Sugar?!” I took it from her and licked it, lightly, so as not to damage its shape. As I did so, the fine grains tickled my tongue, and its sweetness filled up my mouth. After a few more licks, it did get a bit rounded, so I bit off the tweeniest chunk. The grains traveled through my mouth in a sugary stream, chattering to themselves. I sucked at the leftover chunk, making it sing. Finally I licked off the grains on my hand and lips.

Rush.me (116)

Auntie, Auntie, mummy ne kaha hai, ki, auntie ko bolo, ki, unko..mummy ko Cheeni chahiye..........

Honeyed voice perfected with Honeyed Curls, looking at the Honey Eyes. That was 5 seconds ago..... That was a long 25 years ago..... The Smirk answering the smile..... The Blinking Lashes answering the Querying Twinkle.....

The Words were never Spoken, the Touch wasn't there..... He sighed with each Grain of Sugar that exchanged the Steel.....He looked at the Reflection of the Curls that were Light-Years away, The Eyes that were a part of his Own.

Chiming away, Yesterday said a hi to Himself.....

He heard again.....

Auntie, Auntie, mummy ne kaha hai, ki, auntie ko bolo, ki, unko..mummy ko Cheeni chahiye..........

===============================================================

Cauchy (120)

Eyes moist, I sat besides the window, staring vacantly into the
grayness of the gloomy autumn sky. Bitterness was all mine and the
cold breeze etched deeper into my soul, my pain and emptiness. The
whole world appeared like a giant chess board and in it stood my love,
a pawn. Her naivety manipulated, seduced by me and other players
alike.

Was I any different from the selfish world outside? Why did I care
about this lowly pawn when there were waltzing queens and bishops
around? An unintelligent sentimental attachment over an expendable
unit, it could loose me my whole gambit. I sighed, it was time for a
sacrifice and to me she was just sugar in my morning coffee.

The Red Ronin (79)

the world on its haunches,
eager for the coming of the diva.
in preparation of the ceremony,
the hands tremble and tongues mumble.
the spark is lit as the fire glows
in anticipation of her
she dissolves hesitatingly
urged by the boiling water
threatening to spill but
for the trembling hands
skillfully drawing her inside
a clear prison only to release her
into the waiting arms of her lover
leaving behind a fleeting scent of
her bitter sweet symphony

Dok Saab (82)

"How much sugar in your coffee, Honey"

What a syrupy voice, you pretending bitch.
You robbed all that's sweet from my fucking life.
You filled my whole bloody soul with bitterness.
Only I know the hell I am living in since I married you.
You are offering sugar, in front of your friends.
I would have thrown this coffee over your ugly face.
But our separation plea is still pending in court.

"Oh Sweetie, keep mine black. I've had enough sugar already."

Mandappa KC (107)

A Sugar Sweet memory

It all started out at four

in the morning with the birds out chirping

as she slid under the covers of reality.

Slipping an arm around

Me so casually, my Mexican beauty

Really sparked me to insanity.

But I woke to realize

It was all a sugar sweet memory.

A liposuction dream.

So pretty that smile

Curving her lips as she touches my hips

And makes me want her so

Draggin’ her fingertips

As she seeks my heart, like a fawn in the dark

I fall as I want som’more

But I wake to realize

It was all, nothing but a sugar sweet memory.

A liposuction dream.

Mickey the Monkey (120)

Someone was stealing sugar from my kitchen.

I told Mickey about this.

"Must be those ants, Jane.

There's a big anthill down the roots of our tree."

But how could ants enter my jar.

I always kept the lid tight and placed the jar on the highest branch.

Next morning I woke up early to check the jar.

The lid was closed tightly, but much sugar was stolen.

I went to wake up Mickey.

He was looking so innocent in sleep.

The first rays of sun fell on his face.

And then some brilliant pure white crystals shone through his moustaches.

So here was our ant.

Poor Mickey, I will talk to DokSaab to allow him at least some sugar.

Nandini Sen (120)

“Spoonful of sugar helps medicine go down” sang Dadima, coaxing me to have the medicine with the solitary English song she knew.

Though, Dadima didn’t know, it was her Bengali accented rendition of the song, and not sugar, that made me have the medicines.

Childhood passed Work took me far.

One summer, between jobs, I visited ailing Dadima. We made a pact, I’d cook and she’d have all those medicines prescribed. After every meal, she spread her medicines. I sang coaxingly “Spoonful of sugar helps medicine go down”. Obediently Dadima would have them.

Soon holiday ended. As I was leaving, Dadima said “I had the medicines to hear that funny British accent of your song - not because of sugar”.

Mowgli (118)

The craving

Gelatin

Sack in

Bit-ween

The legs,

Forms fluid wet thoughts

Surrender the snake flesh

In search of the dark purse

Beneath the salty forests

“Oh! sugar pie,

Come! Dance

The dance of death

Between your legs

Let’s stain the beds”

Born to suffer

And surrender

Yet she refuses,

They wonder!

“Come now sugar

Surrender to our guilt

We are the mob

From despair’s pit”

Held her wrist

Put a gun under

Yet she refuses

They wonder!

That pain.

The white sheet.

Touched and torn.

Jaws of the moon,

Jabbing at the ivory.

Sweet sugar melted

Screaming; rising tide

Blood moon pelted

With lust as its guide

We need to learn;

This Night!!

We Should…!!

We Must…!!

Konfessioner Singh (144)

[not up for the kompetition, but here :)]

Behind the banana trees
Dries a withered green
Terrylene
Sari
On a wire
A pink wire
A shocking pink wire

Jugnu, then three
Stands under this shocking pink wire
Bare legs far apart
Toes turned inwards
The smell of Rin-water
Itching his nose
Plugged with a stubby finger
He squints

“Maaaaiieee!!!”
And he’s bawling
One eye is red
The other’s dam breaks
And she rushes to him
Dropping the katori
The katori of sugar
Not looking back
But running fast and forward

“Jugnu!!”
“Maaiieee!!!”
And in the chaos
The crystals lie forgotten
Refracting light from a laughing sun
To the blur of images
In the face of shining steel

Jugnu lies in the hollow
Of her yellow
Bright basant yellow
Sari
Gurgling happily
With his one red eye
And his halwa smeared mouth
Squinting
At an ant
Whisking away
One crystal of forgotten sugar.