Adieu 2015

To
The year 2015

Dear me, it is already thirty-first of December and you will be a part of the past from tomorrow. It was a fine journey as I flipped through the calendar month after month. As a resolution, I had planned to be regular with my writing dates and to an extent, it turned out quite fine actually above my expectations so I am somewhat happy.

Though the pace of life was steady in the beginning then somewhere I lost the grip and you seemed to have found wings around the second half of the year. On the personal front, I have to learn more and experiment less but then this year I hope to be even with your successor.

Either Way - It's still okay!

Source

For I know myself better than

what the world may claim.

Calmness in me does not reflect apathy

Silence does not mean I am mute

I have an opinion

That I rather not waste

On deaf ears and 

Shut eyes

So

If you think, I am odd

Not part of the herd

It’s still okay!

#ItsStillOkay

Relative Reality

Source

So, what is the in thing these days?

Trending things you know.

It seems everything that comes on prime time is supposedly called breaking news (even if it talks about lingerie or a pet food).

How do we know if what is observant through the media is actually the talk amongst the masses or just a pastime among the classes?

I saw this advertisement where they are wishfully suggesting paying each other through the app. Well, you see that is the wishful part of it all, as the majority of the population who are daily wagers have a ‘chaloo khaata’ with the grocer or else earn and eat. So are we actually moving ahead for the masses or…? I hope I am a bit clearer.

We cannot measure progress with a certain section of society. It is not about “you’ or “me” it is a cumulative effect of “We”. Few of those who have studied chemistry will remember, “The rate of a reaction is determined by the slowest step”

However, I had no intention to write this stuff but it just flowed through taking me off the path so will probably see next time as to what is trending!

Nothing to Me

Sometimes people come in our lives that create a chaos of sorts and do not let our lives sail through even the silent waves without stirring and jerking us through.

Scheming and plotting they are they are busy mending things for themselves less worried about its effect on other fellow beings.

Pretense is a mask that overshadows the normal lives of other people with its pompous yet false grandeur making prey of other people who are emotionally blind either or have not yet been part of the  venomous effect yet to know its capabilities. As for people smart enough to understand who fail to react, I find are in love or else scared as to how the society reacts to acquaintance hence, keep a blind eye or curtain on such deeds.

Nothing should be the status of such people, but the irony is that due to their brilliant acts in real life they are held high and their fire of wrong doings is given air to keep burning.

May be God-fearing people share space with them however, they should mean nothing to them.

Simply put they exist but are NULL and VOID.

Do you too have such extensions and relationships where you feel there is not space for growth or breathing?

Linking To ABC Wednesday

MOTHER

Juggling through the day with numerous chores

Struggling through the night with aches and sores

She refuses to give up or meet the ground

Determined to rise above life, above the crowd

Waking before the dawn

Sleeping after the house dozes off

She possesses a silken heart 

Is fully aware when her children act smart

She is the lifeline of the family
Full of love and sympathy

She is a MOTHER.

October sky

Sad, but I could not keep pace with the last month blog posting. As the month of October has started, I promised myself to keep alive the posts and bring back into momentum my visits to fellow bloggers write-ups.

October is special as it etches another year of ‘We’. Especially this October it seems breezier and the rains are adding an extra charm and effect after an almost dry monsoon. Everyone thought that the coming months would end up in dry spells but then the rains came to the rescue. Love those clouds and the rains.

Worth Every Second - Success

Sweet, tangy, pure and addictive

Introducing me to ecstasy 

Sensation lingering strong

Erased the difference

Between right and wrong

source

Intoxicated by its presence

I lost control

World turned around

Life no longer stands calm

Still, I declare

Success has its own charm.

Love Unconditional

When you feel loved

Toughest times do not matter

Life just refuses to shatter.

It is a feeling too personal to define

An abstract with no perfect design

Rawness keeps it alive.

source

It is a peck on the forehead

A pat on the back

Clenching of hands

Talking eyes

Wordless times.

Deep within

Invisible to world outside

Love is not just red roses

Not restricted to gifts and poses.

Source

It is a rainbow

Without rain and the sun

A garden in times

When everything appears barren.

Love is without rules

Sans any condition

It is hidden in a quarrel

That can ease the tension.

source

Let your love be your own

Not a showcase

Or exhibition

For other souls.

True love is eternal
With its share of up and down
You just know it is there
When there is no need to pretend
or a reason for your feelings
 to hide.

Kindergarten

The first kindergarten was established by Froebel in Bad Blankenburg, Germany in 1837. He renamed his Play and Activity Institute to a ‘kindergarten’ two years later in 1840; a term coined by him.

Kinder means "children" and ‘Garten’ means “garden" in German. It was set up with the aim of providing the toddlers an exposure to the various facets of life like music, motor skill development, drawing, nature etc.

The first one in England was established 1850 by Johannes Ronge, German Catholic priest; in America, 1868, by Elizabeth Peabody of Boston, Mass.

Fresh Air

Shredded to the last bit

It took away my loneliness

Leaving me empty and light

Without any guilt

Many close relations were lost

As I was busy raising toasts

Reintroducing myself to living

Pacing especially slow

I just tore up my

EGO!

Joker, Juggler, and Life

One-day life visited the circus to find itself entrapped in an act. A Joker stood juggling the colorful balls at the edge of a plank raised quite high for a common person.

Source

The colored balls followed a circular path, while the once at the top half  were prominent each time a ball was lost in his hand; however the act was continuous and fast so it never seemed to hide.

Connection Strengthened by the Sky

What do I have to do if the match is fixed? I am rarely interested in the men in shiny uniforms who are chasing runs and picking wickets. However, this time it was different as some crucial match (I realized that as it the hot topic while he was on Whatsapp or phone or reading paper) happened to fall on the day we were to celebrate our Anniversary. As it is a common belief that men are poor with days and occasions it makes me wonder how they remember the who’s who of wicket takers and the runs made by other players. Coming back to my story, well I was dead sure that I was not letting any match ruin my day so I would let him watch his match! This would be my gift to him (An uninterrupted match session without the wife bickering in the background).

I knew this was going to be a perfect plan. A surprise, which unlike other surprises in the past would not go unnoticed and would have a longer heart life (as in shelf life) and I would Get to spend a lovely evening with him ;). God would not betray me this time I knew. However, as many of my married friends would vouch moments like this are under ill spells (JINXED!) as he told me one evening that on the day of his MATCH some urgent work with clients would ruin the day he planned (read, still no mention of anniversary).

No nothing shall ruin this day was my yearning and I badly needed a backup plan to fall back on. There were still few days left and I was keen to find a way out when the idiot box came to my rescue as an advertisement guided me through.

Almost Perfect!

PHOTO PROMPT – © Jennifer Pendergast

A perfect day I had planned when he asked me to meet up across the lake, by the cycle stand.

A boat ride, followed by snacks and lots of ‘you and I’ time.

Sunny day welcomed me outside; fluttering heart soared to the clouds.

Over a cup of tea, he planned to pour his heart out; say the lovely words drowning out the crowd.

Blind in Brightness

Fatal love blurs sight

Glimmer in dark appears Gold

Impartial bias

Linking To  3WW

Mirror Never Lied

Source

Hidden behind the glittery lifestyle was a soul with dull life.

A fake smile that impressed all, couldn't penetrate the self-created luxury wall, happiness evaded the soul for it alone knew the truth about those skeletons on which the empire stood tall.

42-word response to the question 'who was that masked man?'

Perspective

Source

Blending hues 

Suddenly appear

Meeting far above

Creating a stir

Up here

As I am, near

The colours

I wished to touch

No longer 

Stay so dear

I stare down 

Lush green grass

Never known to exist

Lay with its arms open

Calling me back

Fences 

That appeared resistance

Give me protection

The very height 

I wished to achieve

Showed me 

How small I am.

Breaking News - Back in Two Minutes

Source

Breaking News

They lost her

Probably lost forever

Last time they saw her

It was during her evening walk

Around that corner

Yes, the little soul

Out on a stroll

Must have lost the way

While she play

With her counterpart

Mamma is crying 

Leaving her little girl worried

As the little doggie is missing

From their house

Big house with a lawn

That too, two storey

She was too small 

To be their guard

But, she gave them status

Made them 

The neighborhood star.

Start Fresh for a Refreshing Day

A healthy body leads to a healthy mind and a fresh start. There are things that I have gradually imbibed in my routine to have a smooth sail, a few of them I share with you. I am also trying to inculcate some habits in little ‘P’ so that it becomes a habit for him and not something he has to be reminded about.

Prepare the things for the next day before hand so that the early morning chaos does not interfere with the functioning of a daily routine.

Eat a light dinner and a take ample sleep to wake up fresh and lively.

Avoid going to bed with a heavy heart. Sometimes when things are borderline I sleep listening to music or else pick a book to read so that I doze off without taxing my nerves. Choose your distraction.

What are some of your best tips for getting your day off to a good start?

What the Peonies told her?

Peonies, William Merritt Chase, 1897

Completely aware of what the contents in her bag could lead to she sat with poise at the corner of his fully packed visitors’ room; it could backfire and end as another amusing affair for the public.

“Both their lives were about to undergo a drastic change, but then he deserved it after what he had done to her mother years ago; money was not everything though they had enough provided by him but what about identity,” She thought.

As she sat, looking at the peonies, the fallen petals caught her attention, they no longer belonged to the bouquet that they adorned once and the ripples in that water stirred the essence of the lake but then it added a charm to its otherwise stagnant existence.

 As she sat deeply engrossed in her own world, the secretary informed her that her master was ready to meet her, bringing her back to reality. 

As if woken from a deep sleep she excused herself to use the washroom where she tore the paper into shreds and walking off in the direction opposite to his room.

She was determined to be more than a flower that bloomed in his garden with several others like hers and felt a new determination to create new ripples in her life and start afresh with new dreams and destinations balancing life with her newfound elasticity of hope.

Linking To

Magpie Tales

Six Sentence Fiction
Three word wednesday

Starting School

As for me, the school was never a disturbing element in my life. I was happy waking up in the morning and getting ready for school, so my parents have informed me. However, things are different now, as I have palpitations with each new session. No, I am no longer a student but worse, a mother of a school-going toddler.

He too is fine with the idea of school (probably has my genes) but then the chaos of reshuffling the timetable after a gap of holidays takes up the best of me. As it is that little ‘P’ is too young to look after the books and manage time so mamma has to adjust herself through his eyes.

I am often wondering how my mother ever managed it with two children with her own job. One thing is for sure marriage and offspring(s) made me realize the worth of my mom especially when things were more stringent at the home front unlike now.

Still learning the nitty gritty of a mom, I hope I adjust as quickly to the new school session of my kid as I did with mine.

Breakfast

courtesy 

The table is set for their first rendezvous as today he shall have breakfast with them.

Sunny and bright is an auspicious omen, unlike the cloudy dim sky that stayed until last evening when he finally agreed to meet her parents.

She appears calm for her heart is leaping, dancing, cheering for having finally reached this point where her baby would not be born outside a wedlock.

The table lay set until the noon, the phone she tried stayed out of reach bringing her gloom.

The hands of the clock left her hand to move ahead while she stayed stuck to the day until her end, the day when he had to come.

Linking To

Five sentence fiction - breakfast

Gift

 “Where are you taking me?” Riddhi asked annoyed with him for having forgotten to wish her, leave alone give the gift she had desired for on their first anniversary, an early morning breakfast with him and the sunrise in the background as the new resort in their city claimed.

“Endurance my dear is the best companion at the moment,” Atul replied with a kidding note in his voice.

“Hope he has no despicable ideas,” she recollected the news about the suicide by a young, much in love couple. In addition, she remembered him talking about bringing some Project to its conclusion. “Was it she?”

Temptations

Colourful specks fill my life

I chose a few
Kept them aside
Attempting to preserve
Bottled them up
Alas!
I forgot about them
After a while.

One day I opened my safe
There lay my treasure
Hidden in the dark
While I was, busy
To unravel the future
Left behind

- My forgotten spark.

courtesy

You See it's Time to Switch to 4G

The other day we planned a party for one of our dear friends. We planned everything from the cake, card, gifts, and the place we were to meet. A perfect plan except that we did not book a place and as it was a ‘Friday’ people literally flooded every restaurant.

Undeterred by the negative start the not so young brains coupled and found a solution. One of us picked the phone and called up a few places on the highway and within half an hour had the tables booked for the tribe. Yes, we are a tribe as we are as distinct from the general lot as the fingers on a hand. Just then, the youngest of our group (the birthday girl) entered zipping through on her scooty and as we began to boast about our impromptu plan, something in the smile told us another story.

Never Too Late

What the mind whispered into scared souls, their heart refused to consider for the seeds were sown early when the parents compensated their time with gifts and gadgets.


Nevertheless, it is never too late to teach compassion and love for fellow beings.

Erase

No longer
I wish to erase
Broken dreams
Ugly truths.

Realization has dawned
No longer I let
The sweetness
Take my advantage
Play con!

Mind that Lipstick

He entered the room in haste without even glancing at the people around.

Walking swiftly, he wandered from one room to another; those who knew him continued with their tasks however the people who had no idea about him looked at this tall and lanky fellow with skepticism.

Being There

I can’t get the image out of my head
Your smiling face
Bright lit eyes
Wordlessly
without effort
the way you
Confessed...

Small gestures that say
You Care
Pat on the back
That confides
If ever in distress
I will find you there.

courtesy - flickr.com

Oh, Moon

courtesy - PHOTO PROMPT -© Madison Woods

Oh, moon! 

I know 

You are not 

Addicted to loneliness 

Be defiant 

For once 

Let the power 

Of closeness 

Scrap through your filth 

Lay bare 

Your reservations 

Next time you meet the stars

Deciphering Depths

free

Deep inside the soul

Buried under existence

Lives a raw 'She'

Wanting to spread wings

Ready to shed the cloak

Giving air to her wounds

Befriending breeze

New-

free spirited 'She'.

Linking to

ABC Wednesday

Sore Reminiscences

I noticed an old man 

Sitting on a park bench

Sobbing his heart out

The silent sobs

Leaving a trail

Behind the tears

Pricked my heart aloud.

I stopped a passerby

‘Mister’, one query –

‘Why does this old man cry?’

‘Ahh! A sad story’

He replied.

Unforgiving Past

She was back to the old house after twenty years. Although the world outside had changed drastically within the fences only the colors were lost otherwise the house still owned that haunted effect.

As she retraced the avenue she used to walk as a little girl her, she could feel the reverberation of her heart. Although it was dark inside she could perceive the blue sofa at the corner of that house exactly as the diary had described it.

Bubble

courtesy - pretty bubbles

Transparent, Wispy
Floating sparkles flying high
Life akin Bubbles
Colorless yet reflecting
Fragile yet enthralled with heights

Linking to

Carpe Diem

Calm not Vulnerable

courtesy - hdw.eweb4

Hidden fury

Beneath the calmness

Waits for a challenge

Ready to take revenge

Silence is not weakness

It is endurance at peak

Although they never speak

They are hurt deep

Do not insist –

That they speak

For the turmoil once, open

Shall take one chance

Then it will be –

A clean sweep

Those who inflict pain

Will have no reason to blame

For what they sowed

They shall reap!

Linking to 

ABC wednesday

In search of Warm Snow

PHOTO PROMPT © Dee Lovering

The metallic sheen outside the window tempts me; the polished crystals hanging on the window beckon me to feel them.

I wish to abide their call but then I am a child whose universe is confined to this room. This is the optimal environment for me; conditioned to a particular temperature. I long to play with the snowman; dig into the snow to make snowballs and throw them at friends.

I know I this is tough but cannot the sun for one day give its warmth to the white mushy snow while I play like the others. If only ...

Cherished for LIfe

personal photo

This picture is an interpretation of how my little one sees us. He made the drawing when he had just started his pre-school. The mamma, papa, and baby flowers gave a vista to his world that is confined; his first expression about love.

Although, it is nothing expensive or ornamental but it holds a special place in my heart and is probably the finest gift I have ever received. It embellishes my workstation and in times when low phase ambushes me, it fortifies my spirits.

Sometimes children teach us tough lessons of life in the simplest ways. If a gift has, personal feelings attached to it and a uniqueness characteristic of the person giving it, the memories rarely fade away.

In addition, love needs no words or a decoration if it is there it automatically comes forth in the gestures. The wavy lines and the chaotic coloring gave me a feeling that is unmatched for and beyond words in my vocabulary.

Host Me A Dinner

I simply love dinner parties.  It is a time to socialize,  let loose yourself , free your mind of daily hassles. However best dinner parties are where you are either a host or a guest. One may ask what is left then. Let me rephrase  it. Who is left then?

The 'leftovers' types (If I take the liberty of using this phrase) are somewhat in between the two. They are the ones sent for a toss.

One such example would be a  party thrown by a close radar human. All dressed  and ready for the evening you made a vibrant entry. A few snacks and the trouble  starts.  It is not actually a trouble but then mind was  so convinced  for a relaxing  period that even little work looked taxing. Halfway through your body and mind start getting distracted. The darling that you are at these moments; you are left me in charge of meals and drinks. 

If it is a mutual get together you are ready for a little stir here and a little  pour there but an invite for a formal  party changes the equation. However, on my part I prefer that guests who come to my place or event do not have to toil themselves. I make it a point that enough  help is there to help the people that have come.

A party even if it is held at home should leave the guests with cherished  moments. It should be engaging but not to the levels of getting  to the  nerves  of the  people. 

There is no bigger pleasure than being served  hot food or tea at the end of a hectic work schedule. As for the people  who are tossed at the party  are the ones that are invited  as guests  but end up substituting  hosts at all vacant  positions of host chores. All goes in vain when the crowd is busy chatting and you are supervising a snack service or a drink service.  You are doing all or major chores of the host but the party album has not a single  good shot of the lovely dress you wore or the new lipstick  shade that  had adorned your lips. The few clicks you see were better buried than being part of the album.

To add salt to your burns every group on chat, every few clicks on social networking site are about the party that left you in a lurch.  You are praised  by one or two for what you did keeping your sores wet forever. No one sees the agony of your soul that had accompanied your  body to that invite. You are then left to think  of your status that was neither a host  nor  the guest.

An off the trail event cannot wither the soul. Personally I prefer a group of close people eating together,  chatting  away till wee hours, a little help here, a little argument there over a party with some known and some unknown faces still attend most invitations that come my way.

Love or social obligation or both got to attend one this over the weekend too. 

Long Buried Desire

courtesy - © 2015, Barbara W. Beacham

“The petroglyphs told the story of an unusual event.” said Max.

While all tried to interpret the etchings, little Tim could not resist to put forth his readings; as he interpreted it as trees, spiral, ladders, and funny men, everyone seemed amused and laughed except the old man.

Belief

The word ‘belief’ instantly gives an image of believing in some supreme power beyond our vision and grasp.  However, it should not be restricted to believing in the religion or some power or even the relationships; it should start and terminate with believing in you. The rest should lie amid it.

It is very important to have faith in the power of ‘I’. No matter how tedious a task or how rugged is a path believing in our soul keeps the spirits alive. The Torch of hope never diminishes for those have faith in them. One should not interpret it to over estimating our self. It is about befriending our soul with the spirit of living.

When we believe in our self, it is visible, as confidence to the observer. There is firmness in character that enhances the personality. The firmness is not equivalent to rigidity as belief gives an ease to sort out matters and chose a path. A person with faith is capable of weighing the pros and cons without letting the ego budge in, as inside they are aware of their strength to strive to achieve their goals.

The biggest enemy of humans is ‘self doubt’ especially if accompanied with ego and pride hamper the thoughts and blind the judgments. The path we tread may be wrong but we should not be wrong.

Believe in yourself
Believe in your deeds
However,
Don’t let that turn you wooden
Ignorant when others’ plead.

Believe in your path
Believing your soul
However,
Don’t let arrogance take over
Life is more than, just goals.

Linking To
ABC Wednesday
Monday Musings

Affirmations

Courtesy - leaderonomics.com

I have a learnt a trick to do away with the gloom and blues that take over me. When nothing seems to work and the mind is but equivalent to a void, when the heart loses to spontaneity and intuition makes me ponder I take to affirmations.

I may not get solutions but, gradually the self-doubt starts melting, which may be attributed to diversion and positive vibes that evolve. It relaxes the nerves. My mother introduced me to this phenomenon.

Let's be free for Once

Drowned in the colours of independence

Swaying to the patriotic tunes

People enjoy this day of freedom

As gazette holiday cuts through their busy schedule.

Is this, the independence that we sought?

Is it for this day that they fought?

What freedom are we talking?

Whose life are we mocking?

courtesy - economictimes

Games that Mind Plays

PHOTO PROMPT- © Sandra Crook

Feeling lonely in her den, she took to the roads bearing the brunt of the scorching heat, as she needed a breath of fresh air.

Chasing the Sunset

courtesy -magpietales

Even though it has been years since he is gone, still her eyes keep wandering towards the rising and the setting sun every day of the year.

She never leaves her house; “what if he comes in my absence?” is her fear.

Inception

I sat
Under the shady mango tree

Played hide and seek
With family

Climbed the tree
To fetch mangoes

Saw you hidden behind

 That shrub of rose

Held tightly
 By your glimpse

Missed a beat
Again

While Dreaming - 

How, it all began.

Bent With Humility

courtesy  -  Credits: Weeping Willow (and boat)

Linking to Carpe Diem Time Glass #35 weeping willow

Searching Life

courtesy - 7-themes

My first attempt writing Haiku.

Linking to Carpe Diem #772 Taki (Waterfall)

Let’s Talk About Healthy Balanced Diet, Honey!

courtey - thumbs.dreamstime

Aren’t we all deep into being healthy? Aren’t we scrutinizing literature and sites for that special trick to do away with that flabby look or those love handles? Weren’t we deciding upon a new diet that seems to be trending to get a toned down look? So, should we opt for a crash diet or go on a diet regime with some exercise? 

  

With all the confusion, the body consoles the mind that better start next time than fret over the right and wrong about the way of losing weight. Well, being healthy is not about a particular body size, a chiseled jaw line, or a waist to die for; it is concerned about a healthy body with a wholesome mind and a healthy soul that accompanies it all irrespective of body type.

What, Eyes Don't See #CinderellaStory

Every girl is a princess, in her own sense; so to be her prince, a boy needs to have that perfect pair of heart and mind that appreciates her individuality and essence. Even if Cinderella was ugly, yet virtuous, kind and courageous while her stepsisters were pretty the prince would chose her if he were her true soul mate.

I am pretty, that's for sure.

You may not agree, but I know.

courtesy - disney.wikia.com

Ask my mother what she feels

She will tell you I am her Queen.

Ask my father, what he has to say.

He'll make it clear

Seeing my face keeps his problems away.

Other Side

Bathers, 1950 by George Tooker
courtesy - magpietales

As she waited for her turn in the shower, a silhouette caught her attention. Although the glimpse was short but she was sure.

Bet a Pound - It Bound them Together

It started with a pound.

She thought 

She heard a sound

It was cling

Followed by a clang

It had fallen on the ground.

courtesy - clipartguide

Nature's Song

Singing songs

Some cold some warm

Nature turns the hands

Of the clock.

 Tick tock Tick tock

Move the hands of the clock

Times are changing

Time never stops.

Singing songs

Some short some long 

Nature fine tunes

Man and his wrongs.

That Ant On the Wall

Sad and disheartened
My stare is stalled
There I see it crawling
That dusty gray wall.

I pity the little soul
I know it will fall
I wait for that plunge
When it meets the grunge.

Breaking my pessimism
Reviving my faith in altruism
It has taught me to move on
Hold myself strong.

Fall it is, outside the window
I see dry leaves, naked trees
Adorning these city streets
Forgot it’s their Protection
From winter shadows
 Accompanying chilly breeze.

Fall, I experienced too
Now I know its reason
I know I have the potential to rise
I begin my new season.