Ms Madhavi Sen is an Asst. Professor of English, Department of English, Mata Gujri Women's College, Jabalpur, MP. She published a number of articles, poems and short stories in English and Indian languages. She attended many Workshops and Seminars.

15. The Moon Rises

Your silent ascent over the horizon of stillness,

cast a spell over my being;

The tumultuous crowd faded,

with their festive mood;

recoiled from my spellbound mind to a far-off world,

and you became the 'only truth'.

Drifting towards the cemetery

you linger over the stark world of resting souls;

The emblem of peace, on the world of eternal sleep;

rising slowly over the cricket ringing earth,

while the soft breeze lulled the night into a placid slumber.

16. The Jubilee Lake

I approach you in quest of the past,

and peep deep into the dark still waters;

Deep into life and the time gone by…..

Smelling the fragrance of the grass

entwined in the mild morning whiff….

I close my eyes and fathom the sound of the yore….

Yet it was missing, the splendor….as it swayed around …

I extended the grip; it evaded….I groped around

To catch those moments

(as we used to catch the butterflies on the grass) ….

But I missed…..

I missed the cheerful grasp of my father on my hand….

the presence of my elder sister.

The high rise beyond the waters obstructed the play ground….

the haven of many a joyful hour spent

with my childhood play mates.

I have come a long way to revive the moments,

Failing that I proceed ahead;

perhaps my dear child waits for me…..