Shashi Gupta

I leave behind the woman I was
Thankful for the day that was
Under the cloak of the falling night
The darkness in my soul I leave
Mingled with the dark of the night.

I wake up to a brand new day
Bright thoughts and eyes, joy in my heart
That match the bright new day
A woman new thats ready to go
Full steam ahead to live the day.

From the sunlight warm on my skin I take
Strength to fight off dark thoughts
From the breeze that ruffles my hair
I take the cool to calm down my anger
From the ever moving ant I learn
That life is one long loving labour.

I hold up a mirror to see the person here
I want to see the worst and best I am
Shed off all that darkens my world
And polish the good that inside me lives
So face the world as a woman new.

Shashi Gupta

i climbed up a tree all yellow and gold
no sign of the green of a week ago
soon the boughs will be bare, leaves
cascade down, and cover the earth
with beautiful leafy carpet and gown.
i sat amongst the coloured leaves
to weave my own midsummer dreams
peep into empty twiggy nests
as the birds have flown to warmer zones
how diligintly did the little birds work
to build a home and then desert it thus.
i shook the branch and watched in awe
as showers of gold go floating down.
wish i was down there to recieve the fall
cover my body and soak my soul
in all the colours that Nature on us bestows.

Shashi Gupta

I stole a few moments
From my life today
To air some memories I had stored
From my yesteryears.
I tiptoed my way
Through the dusty lanes of my heart
Wiping away the cobwebs
That coated the shelves.
I brought out some albums
Turned each decaying page
Went back into the past
Where happiness dwelt.
Faced with the smiles
Grown dim as time passed
Heard echoes of words
That spoke so often of love.
Tender moments that I knew
My life is now bereft of
But when I close my eyes
They creep out and capture me
In a deep loving embrace.
Time has passed and I've moved on
The edges of pain sharp no more
I live my life now knowing
That the distant past
Was just a beautiful dream.

Shashi Gupta

wait a few moments, i said
to the fading light as i walked home.
why are you in such a hurry
to crawl into your bed?
i still have a long walk ahead of me
and every moment i live in dread.
there are shadows deep
wherever i look
and as i walk, my spirit shrinks
thinking of the lurking threats ahead.
each breath i take
is sharp and short
clutching at my heart is
a hand so cold.
what lies beyond that bush i see?
but all is dark now
not much do i see.
The night birds screech is no relief
Even the dogs bark out a threat
I clutch at my coat and hold it tight
But that too is no comfort tonight.
i walk a few steps then break into a run
the neighbourhood is
still not a familiar one.
dont you have somewhere else to go
i ask the clouds
why block the light i need right now
as alone i trod on my way home?
ah, there is the cherry tree i see from afar
(the best sight ever so far)
arms spread wide to welcome me!
a sigh of relief, a sob escapes
im home at last
into the warmth of my hearth.

Shashi Gupta

Ill fly like a bird high up in the blue

Touch the clouds and kiss the sky
Far from this place that holds me prisoner
Intense and deep, here in my mind.

Move on i will from the negative pattern
That ive lived in all these years
Away from the prison of my mind
That holds me captive every day.

I seek peace and joy in my heart
A quiet place where i can live and cry
A change i seek from the set of my mind
A place where nobody can pierce my soul.

Shashi Gupta

You showed me the moon and the stars so bright
Such beauty my eyes had not seen before
My mind had been numb my eyes unseeing
Now struggle i do to fight the blues.

You took my hand and led me on
Into the wilderness where flowers grow
I saw not the thorns that pricked my feet
Just felt the joy of being with you.

Slowly the darkness melted into day
The pain i felt shed away from my life
The path i walked was no more alone
For the stars and the moon shone on for me.

Now far i am from from the demons of pain
So far that nothing can touch me again
You came into my life and made it bloom
There's nothing more i wish to dream about.

Shashi Gupta

Im done with tears, I will shed no more
May choke on them but hold them back
Tears that froze on my eyelashes long
And stained my cheeks and made me weak.

Im done with tears I will cry no more
Stand up and smile and brave the storm
No more will I let the pain pull me down
No more in the dark will I my pillow wet.

Im done with tears so help me God
Make it through the day so grey and cold
The strength I got from each struggle new
Is what will now keep the tears buried.