Madhu Sriwastav

Tug of war

To do list...in front
raring to put tick marks on them
all work sorted in there
cheerfully I begin...
Minutes turn to hours
morning to noon
evening finds me on the terrace
Bindings of mundane work
I carry along up there...
Still under the crimson sky
alluring sights of free birds’ flight
lifts the spirit up high!
I come down refreshed
 my mind now refuses to be chained
it's restless and mushy...
Memories trickle down
absences make their presence felt...
Good times like roses among thorns
spread their fragrance among fog
Like our shadow that stays within us
popping out when there is light 
Memories of things that’s touched you
in some ways leaving a mark...
pop out when longings take over
the perfectly ironed lives
we try to lead
free of all the creases 
of disturbances, anger and disputes!
It’s a dilemma we often face
Moving away from things
we often find 
pulls of the familiar strings
There seems to be a tug of war
Between the seen and unseen!

<strong>Madhu Sriwastav</strong>
Madhu Sriwastav

Madhu Sriwastav is an Assistant Professor of English and a creative writer, based in Kolkata, West Bengal. She is a poet, translator, and short story writer. Her poems have been published in National and International journals, magazines and anthologies both print and online.  Her debut book of poems Trips Climbs Circles has been well reviewed. She has been invited and participated in Poetry festivals across India. She received the Jury Award 2022 for her poem in the Panorama International Literature Festival.