Standard deviation of ZERO
I clear my throat and produce a note
A long, persistent resonating note
I imagine my swara to be
Straight as a tree, firm as an oath
While the reality stands
The note takes a stroll
A wandering cloud afloat
I look at the candle and then at the flame
To and fro it sways
And sways the brilliance, just same
A tightrope walker, stands tall on a rope
Unwavering looks his gait, balanced is he
And so is his hope
A look closer reveals
All the fear he feels
His unshaky walk and the lateral movement 'nil'
Is actually a product of several deviations
Which average out due to his skill
To empty the room of wind, I failingly try
The tremulous candle-flame dances
Much like a lady shy
The tightrope walker continues, to fear: averse
Craftily concealing, his disbalances transverse
My note goes on again and again
Saaaaaaaaa is uttered with a patience faked
Rift with tremors, the swara toils like a hero
With the dream of attaining
Standard deviation of zero
-by Lalit Naidu
