Once again, the thirsty moon appears in it's orbed, full shape,
covering the splendid ocean all over in a silver glow, who has no escape.
The only touch is the moon's reflection through the millions of miles,
muddling the ocean, which fails to reach back despite the highest of tides it tries.
The ocean strives all night endlessly, while the moon watches helplessly.
The longing makes the universe's deepest ocean's jealous & her heart swoon,
envious of mountains and even the small hills, for being a bit closer to the moon.
Craving with both silent cries and loud outbursts, leaving it all brine,
afraid of having to wait till the earth, moon, and sun favorably align.
The stars witness the ocean & moon aching to meet since billions of years,
thus is the eternal saga of their love, separation, & galleons of inconspicuous tears.
Despondent and exhausted, it numbs once again at the break of dawn,
dejectedly watching her beloved moon gone.
...until the next time.

~ Ruchi Chauhan

Two siblings sat down after the meal,

it was time to close their deal.

The brother was seven, sister was four,

unaware of being watched by their mother at the door.

Ready with the jars and the book of treaties

“All your marbles for all my candies”

The boy reaffirmed the terms they would abide

but couldn’t resist his favourite, slid two aside.

Barter concluded as they wished Goodnight,

all went smoothly without any fight.

Girl slept peacefully, the brother wide awake,

tossing n’ turning with a thought he couldn’t shake -

“What if she hid her marbles too?” was the grave concern,

neither it could be asked, nor was any way to learn.

He felt his mom, as a hand caressed his head

she knew it all with nothing being said.

She bestowed some wisdom that night,

the boy soon realised that his mother was right.

The cause of his misery was his own deed,

making others appear as reflections of his greed.

That’s what happen when you don’t give your all,

Be it relations, jobs, deals big or small.

This is how mistrust, insecurity and unease,

begins creeping in, robbing the peace.

Next morning there were two kids on the sand,

both giggling, holding a candy in their hand.

~ Ruchi Chauhan

“I will leave tomorrow”, he said.

“Okay.” was all she could manage.

Right in the next room was a little girl,

pretending to be asleep she heard,

her mum sobbing silently.

peeping through the blanket she saw,

her dad packing quietly.

At dawn, with a half-done farewell gift,

she stood next to her mother

imitating the same steel look

she had known quite well by now.

Remembering how she blamed him once,

complained of not understanding, not loving.

Wondered how he missed her mother’s loyal tears,

But now, she knows better.

Trying to prolong the moment as they hugged,

she breathed deeply to register the scent.

Widened her eyes to not to miss any detail on badges,

cleared her throat to say an unbroken goodbye -

which felt that might be her last.

10 years now, as she won her first medal

once she again visited this memory -

the one, when she decided to be a soldier as well.

~ Ruchi Chauhan

Oh Girl, here's the "beauty" icon you celebrate & follow,
with painted eyes that are lifeless and hollow.
Polished, perfect, plastic faces; practiced, precise smile,
the bizarre shade on eyelids? Well, that's a part of the style.
Layers of powder & blender for a mask three tones lighter,
courtesy injections, lips twice as fuller, cheeks & chin tighter.
Forever in one size that's unachievable for your body type,
and zero wrinkles to carry the tales of her life.
Her real colour of lips, you'll never know,
after all it's hours of makeup for few minutes of show.
And did I mention the filters & airbrush?

...Maybe it's high time to end this mad rush.
she succumbed to beauty conventions that the society extol,
but you can still apologize to your body,

and instead nourish your soul.

~ Ruchi Chauhan

“I am so sorry for your loss”, I wanted to say,

But recalled that irritating mechanical chatter, I knew better.

“I know how you feel”, I wanted to say,

But instantly knew, it can’t be more untrue,

I cannot possibly know what you are going through.

“I am right here for you, one call away”, I wanted to say

But gulped this promise knowing it was vain.

You won’t even remember me in the long sleepless night a few days,
months, years from now,

when you realize that one can have nightmares without even sleeping.

and honestly, even if you do, I am afraid I might hurt you more by asking,
‘What Happened, are you okay?’

"It'll get better someday, time’s a healer", I wanted to say,

But realized that I myself had turned into a non-believer.

The pain never lessened, rather still drowns me like...water just released from dam!

Well, I could’ve told that you’ll become tougher,

but that’s something only to be experienced.

“We all are with you”, I wanted to say,

But...!

Instead, risking looking callous, I say nothing sympathetic, just to keep breathing.

‘Coz even if there are words that can ever so slightly help, they must be yours

and I am all ears.

~ Ruchi Chauhan