THE CADENCE OF THOUGHT
Dear Readers,
This piece is in response to a request made by two
avid readers of my articles. They expressed the hope that poetry also be
included as one form of my written word. Frankly speaking, I am a little
apprehensive of this idea. Not many people appreciate poetry. Even fewer read
it. In my view, its readership can be divided into four distinct categories:
1. A select group who are really fascinated with the cadence
of thought - 1%.
2. A few others who ‘think’ they like to appreciate the
strokes of the word, since it makes them look more ‘intellectually inclined’ - 6%.
3. The general public - the bhadralok to wit, who actually
feel it is a painful process to go through, yet pretend to enjoy it, so that
the sensitive soul who is the cause of it is not hurt - 80%.
4. And finally, those that never tire of listening to or
writing about the incessant outpourings from their hearts- the poets - 13%.
I sincerely empathise with the unlucky last lot,
because wherever they assemble, they always manage to be in a class by
themselves- and I mean it literally. So, what is it about poetry that makes
people want to vote with their feet?
I did my own mental survey and came to the
conclusion that, like all arts poetry is multidimensional. Anyone with an ear
for simple language and plain rhythm can easily perceive its one-dimension
approach. The two-dimensional factor can be felt by those who also care to
listen to the pulse of the world. To get into the roots of the other dimensions
requires a much broader spectrum of thought. Something like those finer nuances
of classical arts of paintings, dance, cinema, theatre or music that often goes
way above our unclassical heads.
If anyone cared to examine the various forms and
expressions of these arts, what once seemed tedious may soon turn into a
pleasure. ‘Classy art’ is perceived to be something inscrutable-outside the
pale of the common soul. And in poetry, it becomes all the more difficult
because interpretation depends on the individual. If ten people read one poem,
you get ten different interpretations. Over a period, this interpretation often
dons the garb of ‘research’ and everything except the ‘essential meaning’ of the
poet remains! Not all poems do, but many have gone through this process- of
either being martyred or idolized, depending on the mood of the critical
appreciator. I, for one, would not like my poems to be considered either too
simple to be swallowed or too difficult to digest. No poem is simple- even a
‘London Bridge is falling down’ has a depth that springs forth multiple
fountains of historical facts and wisdom. No poem is difficult either. Even the
most tricky of them, becomes simple, if you have the patience and
perseverance.
Perhaps,
I too would have carried on with my riddling of words, often leaving behind an
element of mysticism, had I not received a mail from one of my nephews.
‘Believe me auntie’ it said, with an earnestness I simply cannot forget, ‘it
took me three readings to understand the depth of your writing. Please spare a
thought for us lesser mortals too’. I then realized that it takes either guts,
innocence or plain honesty to point out the “emperor’s new clothes”. And that
is when I decided to remove my enigmatic mask and try to reach out to the
public. Of what use is art if it is not broadly shared?
By this I do
not in any way suggest that I am the only intelligent being on board this ship
of foolish earthlings. On the contrary, what I mean with all humility is that,
since poetry springs from the heart and only then branches off to its other
tributaries, if the origin of the poem is explained, it would be so much easier
to grasp. Thus, before my every poem, I would like to present a short preamble
in prose. I would term this the spine of my poems. For a layman this might
prove to be the strongest form of support to get a better picture of my
creation. For the wiser, this could become a link to its heart and mind. For
the wisest it can even lead to its soul.
What follows next
is my first experimentation with a melding of prose and poetry. I sincerely
hope it is successful.
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PREFACE
This
poem was written in response to a mail sent by a dear friend of mine. It was
after I received a letter from the President Mr. A.P.J.Kalam, appreciating my
book ‘Daddy’. The friend was so genuinely delighted, that the happiness was
conveyed with a simple but profound statement. ‘May I hug you?’ it said. I then
started to wonder, what a hug was all about. I speculated on its different
shades- the pure, the perverse and the platonic. And about all the types of
hugs I had been subjected to in my life- as a child, a teenager, a woman, a
sister, a friend and a mother. Thus, from the seeds of an innocuous but sincere
utterance, this poem blossomed.
A TOUCHING EXPERIENCE
What is a hug?
An all- embracing salutation
of profound feelings.
Spoken with the senses
it is
a pluralistic dialogue
between two thinking hearts.
When coupled with pleasure
it can be pleasing
when coupled with sorrow
it can be soothing
when coupled with desire
it can be demanding
when coupled with lust
it can be loathing
when coupled with a welcome
it can be bonding
and
when coupled with a farewell
it can tear you apart!
What is a hug?
A simplistic secret
of sweet sentiments
spoken and valued
by two sensitive souls.
Nargis.