Mango (മാങ്ങ)

Kerala, South India. 

The blazing Sun in the backdrop, 

balanced by the cool monsoon air, 

showed mangoes gently dancing, 

glistening sunlight on its skin, hanging.

After a competitive cricket game, 

makeshift paddy field bowling pitch, 

wooden bats chucked to the side, 

a volley of stones shoot like arrows, 

at the unsuspecting mango tree. 

My aim is impeccable, 

as I fell the fruit, falling in dozens, 

only to be relished, 

with salt, chilli powder and vinegar. 

Then, arrives Toronto,

the swaying paddy and tender coconut, 

replaced by bustling Downtown and falling snowflakes,

the flair of tribal living in the village, 

replaced by the surge of technology, 

wild, sapphire blue, roaming peacocks, 

replaced by black, sophisticated squirrels, 

leaping with a city poise, 

weaving through cascading frost flurry. 

Saris and lungis, that flow in the wind, 

turn to sharp suits and bright dresses, 

the KSRTC is now the TTC. 

There are no shovel wielding farmers, 

sun tan smile, trudging along the road, 

whistling old, evergreen Malayalam songs. 

as the greenery creeps into the snapshot, 

reminding me, 

how far I truly am from home. 

My sweetheart Nature, 

sleeps far away, 

under a bouquet of bananas, 

as I swim in the refinement, of the Canadian landscape, 

spellbound by cheese curds, 

sinking a daily Double-Double, 

enraptured by the Niagara Falls,

observant of those tall Yonge and Eglinton buildings, 

not a fan of the Beaver Tail. 

Heaven, 

is a mango, 

who I receive with open palms, 

half raw, half ripe 

fully delicious. 

I devour it. 

about the poet

MOKSHA is a devotee of Shiva and a multidisciplinary artist, expressing the art of connection to the Spirit, through poetry, prose and music. His art combines influences from the traditional, ancient religion of Sanatana Dharma with modern contemporary undertones. Passion, destruction, adoration and the exploration of the sacred and profane are also key themes explored in his work. 

Born and brought up in Kerala, he proudly includes South Indian influences in his art, inspired by the rich tapestry of personal experiences that organically flourishes in his personal style of creativity. He is also an avid listener of Indian classical music, including elements and techniques from the genre in his own work.