You Drive Me Crazy

So, the Christian population in India is less than 2%. And within that 2%, the subset of Bombay Catholics is a fun bunch;) You see, most Indian weddings have the bridal couple stand on the stage in heavy traditional wear adorned in gold and jewels, while people queue up to wish and gift them. Then guests go and attack the buffet. Done! Of course, this is just the reception. But most Indian weddings stretch over many days including the engagement, sangeet, mehndi, etc. But Catholic weddings in Bombay are very similar to Western weddings with just one day for the main reception. And depending on the location and families involved, you’ll see women in plunging necklines, backless gowns, and stilettos. There’s a very rigid sequence of song and dance after the initial entry, toast, cake cutting, and wedding march. It’s always like this: first dance, foxtrot, waltz, jive, maybe a little cha-cha and salsa, new popular dance tracks, classic dance hits, Hindi and Bollywood dance tracks, Konkani or Marathi tracks followed by the quintessential ‘Catholic Masala’. Bombay has a 10pm loudspeaker deadline since the past few decades. So planners have to fit everything between 8 or 8:30pm until 10 only. Music selection is critical. You get to choose 2 or 3 jive numbers at max. I love ballroom dancing. It’s something you’ll see only at a Catholic wedding in Bombay and Goa. I’ve been to a gazillion of these since my childhood days and ‘Crazy’ is such an awesome jive track that it’s never left out. My friends from other faiths who’ve attended one of these really enjoyed and tell me ‘it’s wasn’t a wedding but a party!’

It’s so fun getting all dressy for these occasions. There’s something about men in suits; it separates the boys from the men! Formal clothes are so fun! Somebody please get married soon …and invite me! I miss attending these. Anyway, when I entered my teens, I was a guest at this wedding and there I saw a handsome boy. He wore a black suit like everybody else. But, I still remember his pale yellow shirt. He danced so gracefully alternating with his two sisters who were equally gorgeous, by the way! I was way younger and simply crushing on this dude whose name I didn’t know. The next day, I went to school and described him and his moves to all my girlfriends and we came up with a name, like a code for him. I know you’ll ROFL, but we christened him ‘Tarzan’. Innocent little girls that we were, we played those hilarious love games where we calculated things based on letters, paper folds, and all kinds of immature formulas. But back then, it made all of us girlies blush, not just me! For the record, I never did get to see Tarzan again but we discussed him every single day in class …for many months!

Like all my music-inspired poems, I suggest playing the song in the background as you read; it truly elevates the experience!

Crazy – poem by Ruelha

You know baby when you're in my arms
My heart skips few beats and goes into song-and-dance
You drive me cray-aye-zee
And I begin to see hay-aye-zee!

And when I gaze into those droopy eyes
I start tingling like it's fire-and-ice
You drive me cray-aye-zee
And I begin to see hay-aye-zee!

Heaven must have sent you here
You're more charming than Shakespeare
And when words flow out of your mouth
I'm enchanted without a doubt
Although I know most of it ain't true
Mesmerized, I melt like fondue
There's just something about a man who speaks eloquently
And if you look dapper in a suit, you won't need to chase vehemently
All you need is impressive diction
To create an addictive obsession

Every time you touch me
I'm unable to disagree
Cause you drive me cray-aye-zee
And I begin to see hay-aye-zee!

I love you baby; I know you see
The passion and flames within me
You drive me cray-aye-zee
And I'm seeing hay-aye-zee!

Wine makes me think all kinds of things
Makes me believe that I can dance and sing
And with a setup this perfect
You don't really ponder to reflect

I love jive; it's in my blood
When I hear these songs, my system floods
And when you find
Another of your kind

It doesn't seem that cray-aye-zee
Cause we just clicked, bay-aye-bee
Then we had quite the journey
And now, the rest is history

A night full of ballroom fun
After ages, with this one
Waltz, jive and cha-cha
Even a few jabs of salsa

Thoroughly enjoyed the whole adventure
Returning to reality was a soul crusher
Can't wait to see you again
Such an awesome trip, no complaints

Thank you for being you
And all the kind things that you do
Extended family, sister, cousin or friend?
Unsure, but with this one, I like time to spend!

- RUELHA
www.ruelha.com
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Disclaimer: This poem is purely literary. Please read it with an open mind and out of respect for the written word. To me, writing is my life. There is nothing I love more. I have a very creative imagination. Most of my poems do not hint at my life/situation. Kindly refrain from drawing such parallels. Much of what I write is purely fictional. Situations and examples may be hypothetical. I have always written about topics I am passionate about – Christianity, makeup, melancholic poetry, food, romance, women’s issues, soulful music, narratives, etc. Given the circumstances, my gender, situation, geography, etc., I feel the need to put up a disclaimer every time I write a romantic/melancholic/intense piece! Everyone is entitled to an opinion. But, please don’t interpret this poem in a disrespectful manner. That is just my humble request. Please extend me the grace of excusing typos if you notice any. I seldom ever edit due to time constraints. My writings may contain material unsuitable for children

Lyrics to the original song

You know, Baby, when you’re in my arms
I can feel your loving magic charms
You drive me crazy
You drive me crazy
And when I’m looking in those big blue eyes
I start a’floating round in paradise
You drive me crazy
You drive me crazy

Heaven must have sent you down
Down for you to give me a thrill
Every time you touch me
Every time you hold me
My heart starts speeding like a train on a track
I love you, Baby, and it’s plain to see
I love you, honey, it was meant to be
You drive me crazy
You drive me crazy, oh

Heaven must have sent you down
Down for you to give me a thrill
Every time you touch me
Every time you hold me
My heart starts speeding like a train on a track

I love you, Baby, and it’s plain to see
I love you, honey, it was meant to be
You drive me crazy
You drive me crazy
And when I’m looking in those big blue eyes
I start a’floating round in paradise
You drive me crazy
You drive me crazy
Oh crazy
You drive me crazy

Oh crazy
You drive me crazy
Oh crazy
You drive me crazy
Oh crazy
Oh crazy