Shashi Gupta

The stage was set, the music played
But my heart was heavy, warm tears washed my face
In a corner I stood, hidden from the eyes of all
The pain I felt, I couldn't share with others
Through glazed eyes I watched
As they danced with abandon, to our favourite tune.

You turned your back, and without a goodbye
You left my life and walked away
What was the reason, I still wonder why
The dance of life, came so suddenly to a halt.
The music screeched, deafening my eager ears
Listening for the sound of your footsteps on the dance floor.

What happened to the joyous days we shared
Locked up now are memories that haunt me so
Butterfly wings crushed under the feet of time
Some sunshine remains that dazzles my eyes
Leaden feet that remain fixed to the spot
Though the music plays, I've forgotten to dance.

Shashi Gupta

The Path Less Travelled.

Tired of battling, I paused on the crossroad of life
Not knowing for sure which road to take
For the one that took me down the oft walked path, 
Was lined with immense heartaches and pain.

So I took the path that gave me independence
Freed me from all my shackles and chains
To which Id been bound in my days all along
And so now alone, I walk the path less travelled.

I broke all rules that tied me down and I
Refused to care about what people think of me
And my carefree ways, for I've made up my mind
To walk the path that freedom brings.

I'm a free bird and I love to sing
And fly high in the open sky.
Life is beautiful, a song and a dance
Rich colours now brighten my days.

There is sunshine bright all the way I walk
And because I have learnt to love my life so
I now see love in all that surrounds me
That earlier seemed all sorrow and pain.

There are times when being alone can also loneliness mean
But though I'm alone,
I'm surrounded by love
And that from life is all I need.
So I walk the path less travelled, that for me, independence brings.

Yvonne Kent Pateras

Memories

Memories that travel through the

Revolving doors of my mind.

Never ending corridors, with

Scattered thoughts

Before me unwind.

It must be autumn today in my head,

For the leaves of papers

Billow and blow. I must put some

Order in this chaos, and not let it grow.

Each leaf has as word,

Each word has a sentence,

Each sequence has a method,

Which all starts with a word.

I am so glad it is autumn

in my head today

And words surround me.

Because it is only a matter of time

Until one escapes from my lips.

Yvonne Kent Pateras

A Memory Box

Make a box to hold my memories.

Make it strong and sturdy.

Get a lock and key.

I want to be sure nobody can access,

Nobody but me.

I want to remember everything.

So, come, surprise me.

What can I learn today?

Which flower’s smell gives me pleasure?

Please pray, tell.

Which memory will you unlock

For me today?

All fresh and new.

The memories begin to trickle,

And then they begin to flow.

I fell such relief and utter satisfaction,

As the memory begins to blossom and grow.

We talk and you show me numbers,

I start to remember how to count.

My excitement begins to grow.

How many things have I forgotten?

That’s what I want to know.

Yvonne Kent Pateras

Fighting Aphasia

I tried to think of a word today

And I could not.

The fog had descended in my head,

It would not allow any words to slip through.

It was dense and impregnable,

Not even the light could penetrate

Through this dark.

cloying acquiescence.

Words elude,

Not a word of anger.

Not a word of humour or desire.

Not a word of love or hate.

Nothing what would resemble

The beginning of a word,

To allow a sentence to be molded.

Like clay into something desired,

Anything!

I feel soulless,

Morally bankrupt.

The keeper of a million words,

That was me.

Now I can’t think of a mono syllable –

Cruel destiny.

Shashi Gupta

A trickle down her cheeks so pale
A strand of golden lock dims her vision
Deep blue eyes in wonder open
The sounds of silence surround her so...

Outside the clouds reach down to nudge her
The silvery sheet of rain comes down
The birds take shelter amongst the leaves
As lightening strikes in the world around...

Just why should nature frighten her so
Though life seems so dull and grey
She applies a dash of lipstick on numb lips
And steps out to face life with scarlet lips....