The Maestro's Whims

Let’s just be friends instead, we said

As if we might simply

Pause our dance–

Before the strings could swell

And the lights were dimmed

(After which time we’d be too far in

To stop)

And we’d be stuck with each other.

Like all of them.

Two more struck by the Maestro’s whims.

by Navi

Young love spoils too soon—

Its freshness forgot,

That sickly sweetness

Quickly turns to rot.

by Navi

Old Perfume

First published in Gypsophila Art and Literary Magazine, Vol II, Issue II

---

Even still

Every instant is imbued with the

Essence of you

Like old perfume on

Shirts I peel off my floors

(Because laundry is too boring

To do on my own)

So that

Even a blade of grass

Will take me back

To who we were

That sweltering summer day

Of “Where do you want to eat?”

And “Don’t go just yet, please stay”

I can’t

Visit my favourite haunts now--

The haystacks hint at you

So I resolve to remain

Holed up in this room

Until this world is just that and not

Youyouyou-

Beside me in every long lineup

The source of every sharp quip

Your hand over mine with every

Pancake flip

Even still

by Navi