There it stood, colossal, towering high
coming in contact with the realm of the sky
surpassing the tallest of mountains by birth,
all was diminished by its mere presence, everything on Earth
It rested upon an infinite sheet of glistening ice,
as sun rays glinted off its walls- a bane to the eyes
accustomed to the dark, kindred shades of greenery-
the verdant views, the gorgeous scenery
On its polished pillars were emblazoned intricate designs
of spirals, mosaic and patterned lines
A scintilla of sunlight poured in through the ceiling clear
emitting a watery light, anything but austere
It possessed the vitreous texture of crying clouds,
by the coloration of stained periwinkle, its structure was shroud
The tower benignly acted as the bright, north star,
glad to guide people stranded in places bizarre,
to those who aimlessly and helplessly roam,
will put them on the right track, escort them back home
As ice, it had that mystic, lambent glow,
while wreaths of mist arising from its depths swayed to and fro
But later augmented the shivery atmosphere,
thus making it no longer approachable, all throughout the year
So it faded from memories, its deserted location unknown,
resting singly, standing alone
It shortly resembled a forsaken, natural spire,
as its spirit of mystery mounted higher and higher
It's aura of charm unfalteringly rose-
it was distinguished from the world, time seemed to have froze
Its beauty remained untouched by human hands
which only highlighted its facet of being glorious and grand
It was positioned imperiously, indifferent to the seclusion,
that it was better off standing isolated, was its delusion
So there it stood
Monday, March 31, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Night Was Falling...
When the particles falling from meteor showers are smaller than grains of sand, they burn up in the atmosphere. However, those larger are capable of penetrating the blanket of air surrounding our Earth, hit the ground with a tremendous impact, and invariably become meteorites. When they fall continuously, the chunks of rock are a bane to those unfortunate enough to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time. Yet, they do create beautiful sights...
It was terrifying. There I was, wandering soberly across a trimmed field I had visited since childhood, with my conscience fixated upon solemn thought. I would intermittently step into a hidden gully, and tiredly shake off the clinging water. Night was falling, yet I had no desire to leave. In the distance, I could spot a small inn, laced with flashing lights. The voices and laughs of content people drifted to my ears. I could hear the dim clinking of glasses, and the faint trail of music. I looked stonily ahead.
And then... one second all I could see was dark, prickly grass... and the next second- it was alight. A few moments later, an explosive sound, diminished, worked its way to my mind. The stalk of grass was momentarily ignited- an orange blaze- and later lost its color, and dropped into a bow. A minute later, several other grass blades met with the same fate. It took me about ten seconds to realize what I was in the middle of. Ten seconds later, my only instinct was to flee. With a gasp of terror, my dawdle broke into a run. I sprinted in no particular direction, dodging any indication of flames. Chunks of rock, the size of large pebbles, hurtled towards the ground. One grazed my elbow, the other narrowly missed my foot. But I was alive. I felt more alive than I had in weeks. I swiftly evaded the meteors, while I unwaveringly trusted my intuition. There were consecutive explosions, each possessing the power of dynamite. At long last, their frequency began to cease. Overcome with fatigue, I collapsed heavily into a massive puddle. I had landed on the outskirts of the field, and was wincing with pain. I got up carefully, cradling my elbow, and surveyed the damage. Parts of the field illuminated the night, and other parts, a mixture of gray and gold, were emitting smoke. An acrid scent hung in the air. The sky and atmosphere had reverted back to their normal state. I could hear screams of delight coming from the inn. Dazed, and overwhelmed with shock, I sat and stared at the burnt remnants of the meadow, a place I would run to even from the tender stages of my life.
It was beautiful. I had gone to the countryside to visit my young niece of seven. She lived in a desolate village- charming, bursting with wildlife, but lonely. The celestial bodies were her companions during the night, as I came to know. After a few hours in her company, she kindled in me an interest in constellations and nebulae. Later, brimming with enthusiasm, she led me to all her cherished places- a clear, gurgling spring, a tree entirely composed of bright, magenta flowers... Our day ended with an exhausting trek up an endless mountain, encumbered with thorns and snakes. Panting, we found respite in a little, merry inn, and ordered our respective beverages. Night was falling, yet I had no desire to leave. My eyes wandered about the fields and valleys, and finally rested upon a shining, golden patch on the grass, that lit up all in its vicinity. Though it was quite a distance from my inquisitive eyes, it was unmistakably fire. But I shrugged off the observation, indifferent, and continued with my drink. A second later, I had spilled half of it over the tablecloth, and so had half the others around me. An explosive sound, reduced exponentially, had been produced several hundred yards to my right. Later, as though resembling immobile, golden critters, tiny tracts of land irradiated a fiery ambience. I looked up, bewildered. Ten seconds later, I realized what I was in the middle of. Ten seconds later, I could only gape soundlessly at the phenomenon of raining fire. Like ignited jewels continually careening towards the Earth. Spellbound, my eyes turned glassy. My feet were rooted in place, while my heart was pounding wildly. Fire was surging from the inky sky, and landing on the vegetation with the strength of a small detonation.
One fell precariously close to my location, and I cringed discernibly. The fire was deep purple at the center, and lightened and mixed with orange as it proceeded outwards. Minutes later, the sparks died down, revealing a crumbling, smoldering mass of rock. My niece uttered a scream of pleasure, which echoed across the hills. The people surrounding me were applauding, stunned.
Fire replaced water as pouring rain, water extinguished fire. It was an immaculate succession of the transfer of power of the main elements. A smile of awe etched across my face, I too, broke into applause.
It was puzzling. Two ambivalent descriptions of the same occurrence. One, with the tenor of fear, and the other with that of respect. Two people, from two different walks of life, at different but proximal places, at the same time, viewing an event from two varying directions. I could detect similarities from their illustrations. The plight of one was the pleasure of another. One experience was devastation, and the second was unconcealed admiration. Perspective was instrumental in shaping and recounting events of historical or any significance.
Jaded, I slumped back on the warm, dew-tipped grass and switched off the lamp. Night was falling, yet I had no desire to leave. So I lay down, and gazed at the stars.
It was terrifying. There I was, wandering soberly across a trimmed field I had visited since childhood, with my conscience fixated upon solemn thought. I would intermittently step into a hidden gully, and tiredly shake off the clinging water. Night was falling, yet I had no desire to leave. In the distance, I could spot a small inn, laced with flashing lights. The voices and laughs of content people drifted to my ears. I could hear the dim clinking of glasses, and the faint trail of music. I looked stonily ahead.
And then... one second all I could see was dark, prickly grass... and the next second- it was alight. A few moments later, an explosive sound, diminished, worked its way to my mind. The stalk of grass was momentarily ignited- an orange blaze- and later lost its color, and dropped into a bow. A minute later, several other grass blades met with the same fate. It took me about ten seconds to realize what I was in the middle of. Ten seconds later, my only instinct was to flee. With a gasp of terror, my dawdle broke into a run. I sprinted in no particular direction, dodging any indication of flames. Chunks of rock, the size of large pebbles, hurtled towards the ground. One grazed my elbow, the other narrowly missed my foot. But I was alive. I felt more alive than I had in weeks. I swiftly evaded the meteors, while I unwaveringly trusted my intuition. There were consecutive explosions, each possessing the power of dynamite. At long last, their frequency began to cease. Overcome with fatigue, I collapsed heavily into a massive puddle. I had landed on the outskirts of the field, and was wincing with pain. I got up carefully, cradling my elbow, and surveyed the damage. Parts of the field illuminated the night, and other parts, a mixture of gray and gold, were emitting smoke. An acrid scent hung in the air. The sky and atmosphere had reverted back to their normal state. I could hear screams of delight coming from the inn. Dazed, and overwhelmed with shock, I sat and stared at the burnt remnants of the meadow, a place I would run to even from the tender stages of my life.
It was beautiful. I had gone to the countryside to visit my young niece of seven. She lived in a desolate village- charming, bursting with wildlife, but lonely. The celestial bodies were her companions during the night, as I came to know. After a few hours in her company, she kindled in me an interest in constellations and nebulae. Later, brimming with enthusiasm, she led me to all her cherished places- a clear, gurgling spring, a tree entirely composed of bright, magenta flowers... Our day ended with an exhausting trek up an endless mountain, encumbered with thorns and snakes. Panting, we found respite in a little, merry inn, and ordered our respective beverages. Night was falling, yet I had no desire to leave. My eyes wandered about the fields and valleys, and finally rested upon a shining, golden patch on the grass, that lit up all in its vicinity. Though it was quite a distance from my inquisitive eyes, it was unmistakably fire. But I shrugged off the observation, indifferent, and continued with my drink. A second later, I had spilled half of it over the tablecloth, and so had half the others around me. An explosive sound, reduced exponentially, had been produced several hundred yards to my right. Later, as though resembling immobile, golden critters, tiny tracts of land irradiated a fiery ambience. I looked up, bewildered. Ten seconds later, I realized what I was in the middle of. Ten seconds later, I could only gape soundlessly at the phenomenon of raining fire. Like ignited jewels continually careening towards the Earth. Spellbound, my eyes turned glassy. My feet were rooted in place, while my heart was pounding wildly. Fire was surging from the inky sky, and landing on the vegetation with the strength of a small detonation.
One fell precariously close to my location, and I cringed discernibly. The fire was deep purple at the center, and lightened and mixed with orange as it proceeded outwards. Minutes later, the sparks died down, revealing a crumbling, smoldering mass of rock. My niece uttered a scream of pleasure, which echoed across the hills. The people surrounding me were applauding, stunned.
Fire replaced water as pouring rain, water extinguished fire. It was an immaculate succession of the transfer of power of the main elements. A smile of awe etched across my face, I too, broke into applause.
It was puzzling. Two ambivalent descriptions of the same occurrence. One, with the tenor of fear, and the other with that of respect. Two people, from two different walks of life, at different but proximal places, at the same time, viewing an event from two varying directions. I could detect similarities from their illustrations. The plight of one was the pleasure of another. One experience was devastation, and the second was unconcealed admiration. Perspective was instrumental in shaping and recounting events of historical or any significance.
Jaded, I slumped back on the warm, dew-tipped grass and switched off the lamp. Night was falling, yet I had no desire to leave. So I lay down, and gazed at the stars.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Circles of Imagination
Hot gusts whistle past in menacing tunes,
unsettling the flawlessly arranged golden dunes
Vivid grains of sand invade the air,
providing the atmosphere with a glinting flare
Listless, I wearily, wearily tread
as the Sun beats down upon my head
In the distance, I can catch an uncanny sight,
perhaps that can rescue me from my plight,
water- cool, consoling, delicious
that can save my soul from the weather so vicious
I extend my arm- it's just a stone's throw away,
yet it decides to keep itself at bay
from my itching throat, parched mouth,
as it annoyingly continues to elongate its route
And in a trice, out of nowhere, I am enveloped my bliss,
a fact my spirits do not let go amiss
My state of mind is imbued by unappeasable delight,
all my fatigue has evaporated, and had soared to great heights
Invigorating drops cascading from the sky- my solace,
they guarantee me happiness, a very reassuring promise
I close my burning eyes, in the euphoria I relish
by the rain, my feelings have been embellished
But when I open my eyes, it isn't glaring sand I see,
my sight had been dominated by a thicket of trees,
that climb their way towards the sky,
the oncoming result of when the heavens cry
Coarse sand was transformed into rich, moist mud,
the green was dotted my several blooming buds
Then arrived the fearful, intense draught,
powerful winds and gale, it had brought
In the comfort of greenery, it did not let me linger,
for the next moment, I noticed a conspicuous lack of fingers
I had grown wings, I was flying high,
past the atmosphere, past the sky
past the soft sunlight pouring down
until I lost sight of the blossoms on the ground
I was being propelled vertically by instinctive wings
basking in the thrill unreachable heights can bring
I could sense a remarkable alteration in the hues
of the sky- dark black from sapphire blue
I continued for days, months and years
till I could tell my destination was drawing near
Sure enough, my pace of movement began to slow
as my curiosity, proportional, began to grow
When I finally halt, I look straight down
to my astonishment, I am levitating over a glimmering ground
Silver spirals arising from its core
where it glistens and sharpens all the more
like glitter shaken perfectly over a dark piece of silk,
emanating a divine aura, its shade resembling milk
The light was scattered expertly, in little immaculate sprinkles,
the mass as a whole was sparkling, in little ceaseless twinkles
And then, before my dazed, searching eyes
it rapidly began to shrink in size
In a drop of water, it could be contained,
water that fell to the Earth as rain
for it was accompanied by dazzling bright
structures, by with the night could be set alight
spreading out endlessly, like a limitless stretch of sand,
was it then could I ultimately understand
I was looking down upon, with my very eyes,
the structures we gaze up at, that govern the night skies
I was looking down upon the entire universe-
enchanting, beguiling, meticulously interspersed
I was momentarily transfixed, until I felt the heat
starting at my head, trickling down to my feet
overpowering my senses; I could perceive the arid weather
with its patches of thirsty, purple heather
the dry sand was staring up at my face,
the cool breeze had reduced to a non-existent pace
hot gusts whistle past in menacing tunes,
unsettling the flawlessly arranged golden dunes...
unsettling the flawlessly arranged golden dunes
Vivid grains of sand invade the air,
providing the atmosphere with a glinting flare
Listless, I wearily, wearily tread
as the Sun beats down upon my head
In the distance, I can catch an uncanny sight,
perhaps that can rescue me from my plight,
water- cool, consoling, delicious
that can save my soul from the weather so vicious
I extend my arm- it's just a stone's throw away,
yet it decides to keep itself at bay
from my itching throat, parched mouth,
as it annoyingly continues to elongate its route
And in a trice, out of nowhere, I am enveloped my bliss,
a fact my spirits do not let go amiss
My state of mind is imbued by unappeasable delight,
all my fatigue has evaporated, and had soared to great heights
Invigorating drops cascading from the sky- my solace,
they guarantee me happiness, a very reassuring promise
I close my burning eyes, in the euphoria I relish
by the rain, my feelings have been embellished
But when I open my eyes, it isn't glaring sand I see,
my sight had been dominated by a thicket of trees,
that climb their way towards the sky,
the oncoming result of when the heavens cry
Coarse sand was transformed into rich, moist mud,
the green was dotted my several blooming buds
Then arrived the fearful, intense draught,
powerful winds and gale, it had brought
In the comfort of greenery, it did not let me linger,
for the next moment, I noticed a conspicuous lack of fingers
I had grown wings, I was flying high,
past the atmosphere, past the sky
past the soft sunlight pouring down
until I lost sight of the blossoms on the ground
I was being propelled vertically by instinctive wings
basking in the thrill unreachable heights can bring
I could sense a remarkable alteration in the hues
of the sky- dark black from sapphire blue
I continued for days, months and years
till I could tell my destination was drawing near
Sure enough, my pace of movement began to slow
as my curiosity, proportional, began to grow
When I finally halt, I look straight down
to my astonishment, I am levitating over a glimmering ground
Silver spirals arising from its core
where it glistens and sharpens all the more
like glitter shaken perfectly over a dark piece of silk,
emanating a divine aura, its shade resembling milk
The light was scattered expertly, in little immaculate sprinkles,
the mass as a whole was sparkling, in little ceaseless twinkles
And then, before my dazed, searching eyes
it rapidly began to shrink in size
In a drop of water, it could be contained,
water that fell to the Earth as rain
for it was accompanied by dazzling bright
structures, by with the night could be set alight
spreading out endlessly, like a limitless stretch of sand,
was it then could I ultimately understand
I was looking down upon, with my very eyes,
the structures we gaze up at, that govern the night skies
I was looking down upon the entire universe-
enchanting, beguiling, meticulously interspersed
I was momentarily transfixed, until I felt the heat
starting at my head, trickling down to my feet
overpowering my senses; I could perceive the arid weather
with its patches of thirsty, purple heather
the dry sand was staring up at my face,
the cool breeze had reduced to a non-existent pace
hot gusts whistle past in menacing tunes,
unsettling the flawlessly arranged golden dunes...
Friday, March 14, 2014
Green- Eyed Beauty
They were captivating, those shimmering, emerald eyes. They danced in the beams of soft moonshine, throwing hints of light. They reminded me of the color of... freshly mown grass, of the springtime creepers, my garden after it rained. It was tinged with specks of aqua, and freckled with wonder. They were stormy, with waves of suspicion rolling off them, hitting me with tremendous force, until they softened- forming ripples. I couldn't unravel the enigma that lay behind those eyes, whose energy just accentuated its beauty. As it stemmed inwards, the shade deepened, only to combine to form an ominous, black pupil. Every time it blinked, it awoke me from my stupor- of conspicuous awe.
Those eyes... they were unimaginable, beyond belief. They dominated their surroundings, as though they were the cynosure of everyone's stare. Pangs of envy pecked at me. For the first time, I could look at one straight in the eye, without blinking or blushing.
I was gazing into the morbid eyes of a spectral bird, the most unearthly in existence. It was only the eyes that distinguished it from a cloud of dust. It was perched haughtily on the railing of the balcony, its unfathomable eyes flashing, glaring.
In sheer desperation, I extended a quivering arm, reaching out, only to arouse the bird's wariness. It took off, its wings fluttering, taking those emeralds with it, and vanished.
Those eyes... they were unimaginable, beyond belief. They dominated their surroundings, as though they were the cynosure of everyone's stare. Pangs of envy pecked at me. For the first time, I could look at one straight in the eye, without blinking or blushing.
I was gazing into the morbid eyes of a spectral bird, the most unearthly in existence. It was only the eyes that distinguished it from a cloud of dust. It was perched haughtily on the railing of the balcony, its unfathomable eyes flashing, glaring.
In sheer desperation, I extended a quivering arm, reaching out, only to arouse the bird's wariness. It took off, its wings fluttering, taking those emeralds with it, and vanished.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Tangerine and Baby Blue
Published in the literary journal 'Apeiron Review'
It was a vast expanse of solemn trees,
It was a vast expanse of solemn trees,
immaculately arranged, splattered with
shades
of gorgeous hues- ocher, teal and baby
blue,
but the ambience was dry, arid, parched,
the rustle of leaves was only to be heard
as travelers paved their path through the
woods
lighting a fire, more than an incandescent
spark
fighting its way to be distinguished in
the dark
A while later, torrential ashes swirled,
blending against the setting of black,
as particles of fire, glittering, surreal,
plummeted towards the Earth, illuminating
all it touched
The world was enveloped by that acrid
scent,
the world was set alight by tangerine
sparkles,
the inky sky shielded by billowing gray
smoke,
which spread out like a billowing charcoal
cloak
The trees, unable to withstand the boiling
wrath
that emanated from its merciless, whipping
flames,
exposed to the lustrous, glowing light
and the scorching heat that warmed the
night
Its rage fortified, with its sweltering
blaze,
and the crimson flares that ruthlessly
beat down
The surroundings were vague, hazy,
pervaded with loss
of the vast expanse of majestic trees,
immaculately arranged, splattered with
shades
of gorgeous hues- ocher, teal and baby
blue
Once the fire ceased, which took many days
the green was gone, to be replaced by
glistening embers
that shone faintly, as though craving the
warmth
of the whirling fumes and quivering flames
Yet, for an observant, passive onlooker,
the sight would have been dazzling,
hypnotic,
of the radiant fire that consumed the
woods
radiating transitory beauty and
transient warmth
only to be extinguished by water or time,
can we appreciate the effects it has,
on modest hues of ocher, teal and baby
blue
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Four Worlds in One Planet
I swam recklessly, swiftly dodging schools of large, gray fish moving at a leisurely pace. Every time I brushed against one's slippery skin, he would exclaim in annoyance, and irately attempt to fend me off. My feelings mirroring theirs, I sighed in relief once I returned to familiar waters.
The sight of my locality was comforting, yet I could feel disappointment welling up inside me. My life was but a... routine, a routine to be strictly adhered to. There was a noticeable lack of adventure, and a gaping paucity of exhilarating memories to refer back to. No accumulation of experiences to proudly recite to the coming generation.
So, this was my philosophy: If adventure didn't come looking for me, I would have to go looking for adventure.
I hope you can comprehend the inevitability of my decision, and the present situation.
Certainly, there are realms laden with thrill. Not far from my neighborhood, exists a conspicuous grotto, much too dark to become a dwelling. Few sea creatures go within a mile of it, for it is rumored to be the dominion of a cackling sorcerer. Others sagely say that it forms a tunnel that leads to an ancient land. The second theory excites me, but the chances of gathering ample courage to even think of the prospect of exploring there, is very slight.
Coming back, I navigated my path through the crystal clear waters, critically eyeing the vividly flashing anemones, the coral-hued starfish, the alluring caves and caverns, darting shoals of minuscule fish, the tilting, drooping seaweed, and... my sister, Kara.
The view was enticing, yet the familiarity of the backdrop intellectually repelled me. The rich, radiant coloration had lost its pure beauty, and the passage of time had dwindled down to a mere cliche.
Kara, probably sensing my hazy thoughts, swam up to me playfully. Putting it simply, she is the exact opposite of me- extreme emotions and explosive reactions.
I waved away her arrival indifferently. Just as I was on the verge of departing in the opposite direction, she motioned her fin vertically, pointing at the blue waters fellow fish call too 'treacherous to venture'. This dialogue had been repeated to me so continually, it became more of a rule than an acceptance.
But now, when I was longing for adventure, it seemed a flawless opportunity. Curiosity aroused, I followed her without complaint.
Swimming vertically was an alien sensation. I had never swum in a direction not tracing the current. I could feel the water pushing against me in all possible directions. I could feel the pressure building up inside me, though Kara seemed unperturbed. As we swam higher, I could identify distinct alterations in my surroundings. The water turned into a pale, warm shade of blue, and the texture felt more... viscous. My heart pumped wildly, and I was debating on doubling back.
No wonder adventure shyed away from me.
After a while, I could see it quite clearly- the air-water interphase, the peak of doom, or in other words, the surface. I halted for a moment, and lingered hesitantly. Kara, sensing my unease, swam over to me, her voice heavy with chagrin.
Are you coming or not?
Irritation was etched on her disdainful face, while fear seeped through mine. Her expression turned kinder.
It's perfectly safe. I've been here countless times.
Her tone was reminiscent, as though recalling all the times she had spent here.
It was enough to reassure me.
As my head broke the surface, I instantly felt like I was being bombarded by ceaseless, gelid icicles. Every part of my body- skin, scales and eyes- felt incredibly vulnerable. My eyes strained under the persistent glare of light. Itching to escape the unfamiliarity of the second, I plunged back into the deliciously warm water, with torrents of bubbles rising above me. Deeply inhaling the blissful, restless water, I rejoined my sister at the surface.
My eyes could then slowly adjust, as could the rest of myself. I spun around, taking in the scene. The water, which was so calm and soothing in its watery depths, was frothy and churning at its tip. Harsh waves crashed down upon me, and the illumination stung my eyes.
The waves, on the other hand, seemed to luxuriate in the glow of the sun. Rays of light glinted off their crests, transforming them into dancing sparkles of gold. The sound was hypnotic. Few words could express its majestic beauty.
I turned to my sister, wondering if her opinions paralleled mine. But when I saw her, I gasped. She no longer looked like a fish. She looked like... a jewel- a flashing, amber jewel, against a lapping, blue setting. She looked like the sun in the sky... on land.
I realized that this was how I must appear to her.
I then focused my gaze to a narrow, white stretch in the distance. I could catch thin, blurry figures moving along its length. Behind them were... I had learnt about them... trees. Bright, green, healthy trees, with a sturdy bark and thick undergrowth. I could identify the colors of red and magenta dotted on their branches.
Overhead, I could see winged creatures- birds- soaring gracefully. Whether it was a flock of seagulls, or a mighty, solitary eagle, they spent a majority of their time in air.
Then it struck me- I operated in water, birds operated in air, and those vague figures... humans, I think...operated on land.
Three spheres of life.
Could there be... another one? One I've never heard of, or dreamed of, or will hear about? Could there be life on the flames of fire, or on a vast, gleaming expanse of metal?
The possibilities are endless.
And, some part of me intuitively knew- there is a fourth sphere of life on the Earth.
Kara nudged me. Surprised?
Very. But I neglect to tell her that I had never known existence could sustain on a domain other than water.
Or maybe she already knows.
Either way, hopefully if I go looking for adventure, adventure will come looking for me.
Four spheres of life.
I relish the thought.
And I know exactly where to begin looking.
As I turned to leave the surface, only one phrase was embedded in my mind.
Four worlds in one planet.
Are you coming or not?
Irritation was etched on her disdainful face, while fear seeped through mine. Her expression turned kinder.
It's perfectly safe. I've been here countless times.
Her tone was reminiscent, as though recalling all the times she had spent here.
It was enough to reassure me.
As my head broke the surface, I instantly felt like I was being bombarded by ceaseless, gelid icicles. Every part of my body- skin, scales and eyes- felt incredibly vulnerable. My eyes strained under the persistent glare of light. Itching to escape the unfamiliarity of the second, I plunged back into the deliciously warm water, with torrents of bubbles rising above me. Deeply inhaling the blissful, restless water, I rejoined my sister at the surface.
My eyes could then slowly adjust, as could the rest of myself. I spun around, taking in the scene. The water, which was so calm and soothing in its watery depths, was frothy and churning at its tip. Harsh waves crashed down upon me, and the illumination stung my eyes.
The waves, on the other hand, seemed to luxuriate in the glow of the sun. Rays of light glinted off their crests, transforming them into dancing sparkles of gold. The sound was hypnotic. Few words could express its majestic beauty.
I turned to my sister, wondering if her opinions paralleled mine. But when I saw her, I gasped. She no longer looked like a fish. She looked like... a jewel- a flashing, amber jewel, against a lapping, blue setting. She looked like the sun in the sky... on land.
I realized that this was how I must appear to her.
I then focused my gaze to a narrow, white stretch in the distance. I could catch thin, blurry figures moving along its length. Behind them were... I had learnt about them... trees. Bright, green, healthy trees, with a sturdy bark and thick undergrowth. I could identify the colors of red and magenta dotted on their branches.
Overhead, I could see winged creatures- birds- soaring gracefully. Whether it was a flock of seagulls, or a mighty, solitary eagle, they spent a majority of their time in air.
Then it struck me- I operated in water, birds operated in air, and those vague figures... humans, I think...operated on land.
Three spheres of life.
Could there be... another one? One I've never heard of, or dreamed of, or will hear about? Could there be life on the flames of fire, or on a vast, gleaming expanse of metal?
The possibilities are endless.
And, some part of me intuitively knew- there is a fourth sphere of life on the Earth.
Kara nudged me. Surprised?
Very. But I neglect to tell her that I had never known existence could sustain on a domain other than water.
Or maybe she already knows.
Either way, hopefully if I go looking for adventure, adventure will come looking for me.
Four spheres of life.
I relish the thought.
And I know exactly where to begin looking.
As I turned to leave the surface, only one phrase was embedded in my mind.
Four worlds in one planet.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Strength Against Strength
The creature lay concealed under layers of the sea
intimidating, frightening, would it grimly scour the ocean
with its omniscient, swiveling eye, as invincible as could be
one bout of incensed rage could set its surroundings into motion
Its prey thrived in wariness of its stealthy approach,
its coordinated movement, its synchronized arrival
living in terror- its land they would mistakenly encroach-
for the creature incessantly hunted down its nameless rivals
Its powers seldom wavered, only enhanced and grew,
until then came that unexpected twist of fate
of ships from the modern world- utterly out of the blue,
which is the reason the creature is not alive up to date
What predicament took place is no big mystery-
man emerged the powerful, brandishing a victory
There it proudly stood, planted at the eve
of the fulfillment of autumn, after an uneventful year,
colored viridescent with its coatings of fresh, tender leaves
though supremely menacing with its size so sheer
It disarmed its neighbors with the rate at which it would grow
and the thick, rough bark, pigmented a rugged golden brown,
it was home to the birds who would rest on its boughs,
it was home to the young animals who would seek refugee on the ground
It had been granted leverage from the time it had sprout
until then came that unexpected twist of fate
and for the first time, surfaced that dubious seed of doubt-
cranes, construction maps, the point when man's influence would culminate
What predicament took place is no big mystery-
man emerged the powerful, brandishing a victory
intimidating, frightening, would it grimly scour the ocean
with its omniscient, swiveling eye, as invincible as could be
one bout of incensed rage could set its surroundings into motion
Its prey thrived in wariness of its stealthy approach,
its coordinated movement, its synchronized arrival
living in terror- its land they would mistakenly encroach-
for the creature incessantly hunted down its nameless rivals
Its powers seldom wavered, only enhanced and grew,
until then came that unexpected twist of fate
of ships from the modern world- utterly out of the blue,
which is the reason the creature is not alive up to date
What predicament took place is no big mystery-
man emerged the powerful, brandishing a victory
There it proudly stood, planted at the eve
of the fulfillment of autumn, after an uneventful year,
colored viridescent with its coatings of fresh, tender leaves
though supremely menacing with its size so sheer
It disarmed its neighbors with the rate at which it would grow
and the thick, rough bark, pigmented a rugged golden brown,
it was home to the birds who would rest on its boughs,
it was home to the young animals who would seek refugee on the ground
It had been granted leverage from the time it had sprout
until then came that unexpected twist of fate
and for the first time, surfaced that dubious seed of doubt-
cranes, construction maps, the point when man's influence would culminate
What predicament took place is no big mystery-
man emerged the powerful, brandishing a victory
Yet, though man and nature are at war through the day and night,
since when has the latter ever given in without a fight?
Natural disasters, collapse of the food chain-
we must comprehend its cause before
its too late, for nature is equal to man, if not more
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Further and Far
While verging on sleep, blearily staring at the glass,
I saw a flash of spectral white pass
hovering, against the pallor of the night,
a solitary, restless, source of light
Whipping, as I could realize, through the window so clear,
I felt a rush of excitement, much too saturated for fear
While quick thought was restrained when in the shackles of sleep,
my mind sought to rejuvenate the concealed metaphor so deep
And as the unearthly mass came closer and soared higher,
I slowly focused my gaze to a flexible, glinting wire
With mild success, I attempted to optically reach its root,
and once I did, to my mind- understanding would bombard and shoot
I squinted and saw- two miniature, silhouetted figures,
the end of the wire of which was firmly grasped by the bigger
Amazed by the negligible speed of intellect during the tedious night,
it ultimately dawned upon me- they were flying a kite
I shoved open the creaking window,
the pleasure of anticipation etched on my face,
to find the hardy, cloth kite employed in a ballet-
levitating with such grace
In the midst of a pirouette, with nothing to support it
but the unsteady, glacial air
creating a melange of dances, so intimately
soothing and rare
The wind was omnipotent at such a time,
coupled with the extreme high rise,
sending wintry shivers down my spine,
evoking tears from my eyes
It was the first that I ever consciously observed the night-
the very first time
kindling feelings impossible to decipher,
near improbable to mime
The hue of the sky was straying from black,
since artificially shrouded by dust
which sent the kite lingering due to currents from
the wind and an intermittent gust
Yet, beyond the sky, when paying utmost attention,
I could catch beings that would spark and twinkle,
through the thickening veil of growing smoke,
with its depleting holes and wrinkles
It lilted its path from civilization and sight,
soaring to untraceable, unimaginable heights
and I could barely, tangibly spot it-
just as whipping structure of white
I watched and stared in evident dismay
as the kite coolly escaped from the dark's wind and its fray
From flaying in discomfort, it commenced a sagely drift,
as its elevation and my awe experienced a rapid lift
Though, by urbanization, the night's serenity has undergone a mar,
and that the dusty, pastel sky is accepted- it's what the shades are,
its beauty was enhanced, as the kite floated further and far,
blending in, camouflaging, poised to become another star
I saw a flash of spectral white pass
hovering, against the pallor of the night,
a solitary, restless, source of light
Whipping, as I could realize, through the window so clear,
I felt a rush of excitement, much too saturated for fear
While quick thought was restrained when in the shackles of sleep,
my mind sought to rejuvenate the concealed metaphor so deep
And as the unearthly mass came closer and soared higher,
I slowly focused my gaze to a flexible, glinting wire
With mild success, I attempted to optically reach its root,
and once I did, to my mind- understanding would bombard and shoot
I squinted and saw- two miniature, silhouetted figures,
the end of the wire of which was firmly grasped by the bigger
Amazed by the negligible speed of intellect during the tedious night,
it ultimately dawned upon me- they were flying a kite
I shoved open the creaking window,
the pleasure of anticipation etched on my face,
to find the hardy, cloth kite employed in a ballet-
levitating with such grace
In the midst of a pirouette, with nothing to support it
but the unsteady, glacial air
creating a melange of dances, so intimately
soothing and rare
The wind was omnipotent at such a time,
coupled with the extreme high rise,
sending wintry shivers down my spine,
evoking tears from my eyes
It was the first that I ever consciously observed the night-
the very first time
kindling feelings impossible to decipher,
near improbable to mime
The hue of the sky was straying from black,
since artificially shrouded by dust
which sent the kite lingering due to currents from
the wind and an intermittent gust
Yet, beyond the sky, when paying utmost attention,
I could catch beings that would spark and twinkle,
through the thickening veil of growing smoke,
with its depleting holes and wrinkles
It lilted its path from civilization and sight,
soaring to untraceable, unimaginable heights
and I could barely, tangibly spot it-
just as whipping structure of white
I watched and stared in evident dismay
as the kite coolly escaped from the dark's wind and its fray
From flaying in discomfort, it commenced a sagely drift,
as its elevation and my awe experienced a rapid lift
Though, by urbanization, the night's serenity has undergone a mar,
and that the dusty, pastel sky is accepted- it's what the shades are,
its beauty was enhanced, as the kite floated further and far,
blending in, camouflaging, poised to become another star
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