Photography and image editing by Kavita
Long after the days and nights
have merged unceremoniously
into an eclipse of hardened truth
Long after life has perished
and death has vaporized
into a cloud of tearful smog
Long after voices have dropped
like insignificant pennies
into bowls held by callous hands
Long after dreams have realized
into bittersweet delusions
catalyzed by an ambitious cocaine
Long after the feet have run
beyond those thorny pinnacles
coveted by many a faraway eye
The city still breathes
in her million pulsating hearts
The city still bleeds
into a million curious minds
Mostly thriving
Sometimes conniving
But always striving
To seduce the unknown
To accompany the lonely
To hold back her own
And she lives…
like none other…
*Posting this for OpenLinkNight @ d’VersePoets… my favorite stop for inspiration! *
As usual, I read these words of yours and the place they take my mind is magical, serious, tangible but always beyond me – all at the same time. I love it. thank you. Jayne
Thanks, Jayne… Cities can do that to you (and to me too)
A very intriguing poem Kavita….found the imagery very powerful.
This is great. I love the imagery, and it does seem that cities have a personality and life of their own.
You are soooo right in saying so, Teresa… they have a personality of their own indeed…
Glad you liked this tribute to my favorite cities of all time!
Reblogged this on Diary Incarnate • Jayne Ayres and commented:
for anyone to read and think
Absolutely fabulous! Image and words! In awe here!
<3 thank you, Bee dear… twas fun concocting up that picture.. and the words to go with it… ofcourse, I mean them!
an eclipse of hardened truth…nice…like that up front…also like that the city breathes in its heart and bleeds from the mind…really nice…and great to see you friend…smiles.
it’s always good to see old friends here, brian..thanks for stopping by.. glad you liked the poem..
The city is indeed a place of wonder…like where your words took my mind.
Glad you liked the poem.. thanks for your encouraging words… they are much appreciated!
i want to surround her with trees =)
awww…. more trees won’t do any harm…
Loved the poem!
Really beautiful, and thought-provoking. Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
Gee…thanks, Roshni… So sweet of you to stop by. Am elated about being Freshly Pressed!!!!
Excellent rhimes, takes time and a smart brain to do this, nice work!!
I certainly enjoyed reading this. I have never seen the cities in the light that you present them. I never imagined them to be inspiring like the woods and rivers I write about but you have opened my mind to a new perspective. Thank you.
Thanks for the nice words…
I guess an everyday dose of staring into the manhattan skyline rubbed a little bit of inspiration into me
And you say woods and rivers, eh? Oh my! That sounds MOST inviting… Gotta visit your neck of the woods sometime soon then…
I found your blog on “freshly pressed” and started reading it . The city is my love too ; right now missing it after finding it in your beautiful words.
Aww… Archita, first of all, thanks for stopping by and reading my post!! And secondly, PLENTY OF HUGS for being a co-cityholic!
Please don’t miss the city too much… just revel in its glorious memories and images… it’ll take you to the MOST amazing places!
I love the title of your blog! Nice poem, though I’m not a fan of city’s myself…I’m a country girl.
Well well well.. Inspite of being a country gal, you took the time to read and appreciate this post… Thank you sooooo much for that, Harula (?)
And HUGE GRINS for liking the blog title..am especially proud of that, ya know…
Beautiful words.
Thank you so much, Sara…
Beautiful metaphors of the city that make it vibrant and alive.
I suppose the City never fails to inspire!
Lovely! Kudos on being FP’d!
Woohoo.. Thanks!
Glad you liked the “urban” poem
Kavita, I can see your nature in your prose. You’re expression of a city is so real. I’m currently sitting in my car in Brooklyn. My son is sleeping soundly in the back seat. The city bustles around us. Albeit slower than Manhattan, bustling none the less. What a joy to find a poet of your caliber. Amanda
After watching a sun set peacefully over a beautiful Manhattan skyline, I walk back to my seat, to my iPad, and what do I see?! This AWESOME comment from you! But I had to head someplace in a hurry (talk about the city bustle..right?) So I couldn’t reply to your comment right away..
Thank you soooooo much for your kind words, Amanda.. You have no idea how nice and proud you made me feel by writing what you did… And it’s the way you expressed your thoughts and reaction that made me feel REALLY nice to have a reader like you for my work… thank you once again for that…
And have a LOVELY weekend ahead in the ever bustling Brooklyn!
Beautiful poem, I like the visual you picked for it
Why thank you, Andy!!! Made the visual myself from a few pictures I clicked, along with some Art Studio editing on the iPad
Glad you liked it!
Very, very wonderful! That was a great way to end my Friday night.
Oooohh..reading that felt good, Susan…thank you! A great way to end my Friday night as well..
Honestly, your rhythm is awe-inspiring.
Gee…thanks, Dylon…
Your words are much appreciated!!
Loved the poem! The picture looks great too
Yaayyy…thank you sooo much! Glad you liked them both!
Haunting words. Works well with the art. Great job.
Gee.. Thanks!! Enjoyed the process of composing it all
I love poetry, I feel it’s a tiny glimpse into another’s soul as I’m taken along for the ride.
I wanted to add that I especially like this: “How I write is mine, how you read is yours” so often when as writers we write with our breath, but to read is to combine the writers with the readers, a creative synergy can happen.
Yaaay!! I too believe in the freedom of OPINION, if nothing else and in the beautiful magic that happens when a written piece is read and interpreted by another…
Am so happy you like the title to my blog.. thanks again!!
That’s a real lovely thought..and I kinda agree with you… Poetry is indeed a sneak peek into another’s soul, albeit just momentary..
“voices have dropped like insignificant pennies”
i love that metaphor the moment i read it. then it got even better when you continued with “bowl of calloused hands.” love the imagery.
Thank you sooo much, Sophia…
I guess life is a busy world calls for some attention to these “insignificant pennies” as well.. no? Glad you liked the way this poem turned out..
Hey Kavita…how’s it going, girl? Still remember me?
I had been away from WP for a long long time and I sign in today to see your post being freshly pressed. Boy, am I glad 
Congrats!
This was such a wonderful piece. I’ve always imagined cities as having lives of their own…long and inspiring lives that have seen so much in many years. I loved it!
Lots of love
‘course I remember you, girl! Why the sudden disappreance from WP, I wonder… All well, I hope..
Thanks for the wishes and the nice words, babe… It does feel good to see comments from long lost blog friends, ya know
And as for the city, like you said, they have a life of their own, with a story of their own, woven like a fine thread into the stories of all its inhabitants and lovers alike!
Love and hugs right back at ya, Asmita… <3
Can I say I am in awe of you as well now…beautifully written (as always)…Rishtedaar se tite jhappi kubool kijiye
Thankoo, T… Any number of tight jhappis from you are always welcome around here
))
Kavita,this poem was splendid and i liked the soul of this poem very very much…great readL:0
Gee..thanks, Gautam.. glad you liked it so much.. I really appreciate your thoughts and words here..
is ther any inspiration for your poetry?? (only if u want to share
)
If the mood is “right”, anything and everything is an inspiration, Gautam… Seriously!
is it?? mayb…..i’m no big poet like u:)
I’m no big poet myself.. I just write when it feels right
This personification of a metropolis has a novel structure, opening as it does with open-ended lines that lead the reader to follow your trail of lexical breadcrumbs. Your concept and penetration, language and phraseology, give it a delightful voice and tone, calm throughout and closing a little more intensely as it speaks of life. What really sets it apart are your engaging metaphors; they are rich and vivid, literally running into each other in continuity and competing with each other for greatest effect. I very much enjoyed reading this. Thank you and well done.
Well, when it comes to the cities I love so much, I can but try to capture their magnanimity in words (which is quite hard to do, if you get what I mean)
But I really am humbled by your comment, and it makes me very happy to know that there are indeed people to take the time to read and appreciate my efforts… thank you so much for that, Mike..
Love this..
Thank youuu….
this city gave me what i am now… it gave me love, it gave me pain, a cute girl from this city teach me how to live life without her… i selute to this city ……
any way m a bit senti.. but “Kavita” u r a good poet..hats off to you …..
Well well well.. Many a story of life was made – frayed – swayed – greyed in this amazing city! But I guess it’s all an experience..some better than the others..
Thanks for your insights and your kind words here, Mayank.. Have a great week ahead!
Beautiful poem! And I have always loved the name Kavita because of its meaning =) Keep on.
Aww.. thank you
Kinda gives me one added thing to gloat about 
Glad you liked the poem, AND my name…
Amazing poem!
Thank you so much @DivineRush.. Very kind of you to say that..
hey kavita,
loved your rendition…a perfect tribute to maxima…i have always loved bombay…the city of my dreams…my reality…my mirage
“Mostly thriving
Sometimes conniving
But always striving
To seduce the unknown
To accompany the lonely
To hold back her own
And she lives…
like none other…”
just gorgeous!!!!
Thanks a heap, Neha! The very thought of Bombay gives me goosebumps, both when I used to live there, as well as now, when I’m here in NYC.. and the latter is no less
Glad you liked the poem, girl.. <3
well NYC is the only place which feels home after bombay…
was there for a short bit…miss it…
look forward to your words!!! <3 <3 good luck!
you said it! NYC is just about THE ONLY city that comes close to Bombay (IMHO)
Whew.. had been to Bombay last month, and Goddddd, I miss it so much!
touché!!!
loled on IMHO bit…hope it brings you here for happier times again soon
as long as it’s either of these 2, I’m alright.. *fingers crossed*
god willing…let the love remain, grow, foster..always…
Stopped by to say “Hi” Kavita
so easy to get caught up in “life”
wanted you to know you are appreciated for your well stated, beautiful words
It’s so sweet of you to stop by, Moon… Thank you…. Sure brought back good old OneStop memories
)
Glad you liked the poem… A small tribute to the big city(cities)
Wow I stumbled upon this in the “Freshly Pressed” section. (Congratulations!) Your words really spoke to me in a way I don’t usually experience reading poetry. Your imagery is quite beautiful. Hope to read more soon!
-Maribeth
Why thank you, Maribeth.. It’s really kind of you to say that..
It’s always a proud moment for me when I see such a special comment… And I’m gonna celebrate that with a nice cupcake!!
Thanks again…