Flights !!

Each time a bride steps out of her secure warm family, she hopes for just one thing. A safe, loving, and a happy wedded life. Does everyone get what they wish for?...this was one story I had written in response to the prompt at Writer's island . Its over here, and you'll find the answer.

Trust empowers!!

In response to the weeks prompt at writer's island "Empowerment" The second one was rivalry.
In the regular humdrum of a marraige, where one spouse tries to make a rival out of the other...to show their power...there can only be one thing said...and I chose to put it down in these lines!!

Oh! woman, you are'nt so weak
pray tell me
what makes you seek?
The pain of sacrifice
or the joy of compromise?

Do you feel the need
to live out your dreams?
or do you think
its all in the reams?

I'm sure there is a way
to make your needs be understood
You don't need to squabble
on all things assumed.

You have to make him think
or just plain talk till he's pink
He's as soft as butter
oh woman! He sure loves ,
the love that you bring.

Don't ponder on your thoughts
Give him all the respect you've got.
Trust him to take your hand;
But let him give you a free hand

He's a gentle soul
you've known that from before,
So what makes you imagine
He'll not support you from within

Live on! Its your dream
Live it with him
and watch it blooming
As the bud blossoms,
so will you be glowing!


Empowered as you are
Enigmatic beauty within.
Walk alongside to know
That there is ecstacy with him

Love does not seek to dominate:
it only seeks to surrender
Relinquish the supremacy called-ego
The need will arise,
And you will let go!

It cuts like a knife - give me a second chance!

Papers folded, screens shut down
fingers splayed on tired eyes!
Am I tired or am I excited?
My eyes look beyond!
I’m going home to see you smile


Crowded trains, mucky platforms
Sweaty odors, nudging past!
An air of joy
For me to behold,
I’m going home to see you smile

Keys pushed into the slot
Door swings ajar,
Anticipation brushes past the knob
The lights are on,
I’ve come home to see you smile

Worries left behind,
Meals to be had on time,
Aching to hear your voice
Leaving my pains with time!
I’ve come home to see you smile

You hear my footsteps
Turn around to acknowledge
Nod your head and turn back to time
Click on the keys to watch the characters’scene
I’m waiting to see you smile

Silence! You say,
Can’t talk for a while,
Am I an intruder to keep me aside
I ache to hear your voice
But do you want to see me and smile?

They say ‘Silence speaks louder than words’
Am I not hearing those voices,
Or have I gone horribly wrong?
Give me one more chance
I just want to see your eyes smile.

“Spiteful words can hurt your feelings but silence breaks your heart.”

Yes, she always will remember that!!! He had said it it was her perspective...but was it really?

Writer's island had its prompt as "second chance" and this sounded a good time to post this

Changing past patterns!!

The clocked ticked on and on. However much she looked it refused to change its mind. It went ahead and tick tocked…

She woke up with a start and looked at the clock yet again…hoping that it was lying. It showed 4.30 AM, and she knew she had to wake up. But there was something not so right. The space beside her stared like a lonely bird out on the tree. She thought she was in a dream…it couldn’t be. He was always back by this time.

She tried her best to trample on her suffocating thoughts, that were drowning her sanity. He had always come in late, but had slowly slipped into the soft, sun dried sheets, and spread his warmth . So today she knew that she should be scared.

She thought back to the times, when she was young….darkness , had haunted her. She had always wanted to hear the voice of an adult- her mother, before she closed her eyes.
She wanted that memory to last. But then she had moved on, in life and in age. Now she was the adult, but her heart still reached out to her childhood wants. She had wanted to say ‘Goodnight!’ before she snuggled under her blankets.

Times changed! Her heart stayed in the same track, but her life went ahead. She was happy when she married, now she needn’t be afraid. There would be a strong arm next to her, keeping her smile on, even after she said her goodnights. Early nights blended into dawns…but her mind still wanted. Her life had changed and so had her strength.

She looked at the blank space next to her, and got out of bed. Her fingers went out and dialed his number.. her sleep laden eyes, didn’t have to see what her hands were doing. She had gone through this action so many times, that it was so natural for her. She dialed yet again, only to hear the constant ringing of the phone. Her mind swirled with generous thoughts. She tried yet again, this time a sleepy voice answered…

“Where are you? Why aren’t you home yet?” she nearly tripped on her tongue.

His answer sent her into a fury, but she chose to be silent, as silent as her home. She hated confrontations.

She started on her chores, tears threatening to fall, but her resolve holding them back. She heard a beep beep, her phone said it had received a message.
She read it through and sighed
“Pea brain, when do you need the car to be sent. The driver will come there by 6.00 AM get the kids ready by then.”

She sighed yet again….how times had changed from her being called “the brain” to being called “pea brain”

In response to Writer's island prompt

‘Life is difficult!’...

She looked at the phone in her hand, she wanted with all her might, to not say the words, she had thought to say. She had all her life spoken the truth. Dreading that a lie would break her apart. How could she break the news to him, without hurting him.

She saw ahead of her …two diverging paths. One led her to lie and keep him happy, but she would live a life of regrets. The other more painful for her. She had to keep her life going forward, on smooth well-oiled wheels, or should she chose to ruin the happiness he was living with, and tell him the truth.
If she chose the first, there was every reason that she would be in misery and he in bliss, living a lie? The truth would hurt him and her too, but at least it would give her a will to carry on, knowing that she had tried….and learn to live through forgiveness and the wishes for him to carry on
What could she chose?

Writer's Island put up a prompt "Fork on the road" and I thought of this that could be go well into that

Hunting for hidden treasures!!!

The gift of security, the knowledge of being there

Can it be the treasure, of having your parents there?

The laughter you share, the colors that’s yours to care
Are you the friend, to whom my thoughts will lay bare?

You teach me math, physics and geography,
Is there a gift inside your methodology?

The treasure that I see when you smile,
Your gurgle lifts my spirits in a while

The fragrance of the flowers in your grandfather’s garden
Bringing memories, so cherished and unforgotten?

Those pages browned ,dog-eared with love and age
Are these words so loved and priceless?

Melodies that bring a song into your heart

Reaching those eyes in a sparkle and a tear

I lay down at night, with thoughts left unaware
Are you the support, leaving my side n’ere?

These muses I hold
Love and joy to behold,
Moments of pleasure
To cherish and treasure
.


Written in response to the prompt at Writer’s island. "Treasure" and then, a song to listen while you go through this space, that brings back those days so treasured

Treasure brings forth so many thoughts and so many memories. When I hold treasure hunts for kids I love to see their eyes sparkle each time they come away with their solutions to the clue. The last time I had organized one such treasure hunt…I had put up the clues here. Thought I’d share that too along with these few lines that cropped up in my head the moment the word TREASURE passed by my mind.

Cherishing moments!!

4 years!!! and we had been dreaming of being together,

the dreams of building our lives, our hopes that could entwine.

The days of making up excuses to meet, those simple gestures that we would cherish.

Those stolen glances, that we could decifer,Whatever they conveyed

Those calls made late into the night...We wanted to be together..

The parents gave their approval, the friends made their plans

to take their days off from work

The preparations began, in full earnest...invites printed, some posted, some personally invited

The appointments were made for the beautifying rituals

Each time , it made us smile

We were that much closer into realising those precious dreams..

Packing up...stuffing all the childhood into those few cases..

nothing could take in all those moments

Those moments that made up the walls

Those minutes that tore down the posters, each one trying to compete with the next hero

The little notes tucked into the drawers of memory

Each memory brought me a smile albeit a slightly sadder one this time

Closed the case down on those cherished moments in that room

Hoping that no one would turn it down into something else after!

Did I have a right?? Yes I thought, but the mind said No!!

You'll make your own space in your new home

Give this for the next one to love

Leave behind, love and hugs...

Smiled through the tears and waited for the moment

The moment when I would be another

A title added, but the same person inside nevertheless

A wife to one, a sister to another

A daughter yet again, I'll have to start all over

Make my beginnings and learn to love
Isn't this what we waited for!

We smiled as we sat through the rituals

Every word absorbed...each guest acknowledged

Each minute awaited!

And then the moment arrived!!

I sat on the lap of my maker!

He holds my hand and gives it away

to the one he prays will love and cherish forever and ever

His daughter he has always held dear:

I can see smiles all around me...but its so blurred the faces merge into another

I know my father is holding back tears

While his daughter steps across the threshhold of yet another...

And then I know...I can't let go!!

I want all of it!!! this and that, today and ever.

I smile through streaming tears

4 years I waited...

and NOW is what WE wanted!!

The moment had come and brought smiles for each other!

In response to the prompt at Writer's Island, bringing back memories...and smiles those precious moments as I celebrate my 13 th year with my loved one..

Thanks to the Lord!!

It is Thanksgiving Day, the one day of the year when you're expected to be grateful. But according to an army of psychologists, writer's and talk show hosts (even Oprah) giving thanks only today is a lost opportunity (lost, why??!!!). You should be grateful all the time they say, and one of the best ways is in writing- by keeping a "gratitude journal" - TOI

Could this mild exercise, jotting down a few grateful thoughts, really be the key to contentment??? I thought i'd try it out....I thought i'd write a letter, and started....but then realised it is the prompt for this week at writer's island.

I give thanks to...

God! He's the power above, who holds my hands and leads...( thank god, he sits above, just imagine what he'd be, if he were to stay with me....?? one more to the asylum!!! )

My family...they have given me such wonderful moments to share and shed tears around....(the salt loss, has kept me away from raised BP levels :) )

My husband for reminding me always that I have a voice that sounds extremely good within the bathroom walls....( imagine the scene, if he'd said I sang well...I would have been burning stage floors and your ears too...)

For all the plentiful occassions that we decide to throw a party....drink, eat and be merry...( Vijay Mallya would have not built such beautiful bungalows all over the place, if not for us...and I wouldn't want to be responsible for his "Don't have a roof over my head" status)

For those simply colorful and amazing festivals we Indians celebrate....( the malls would never have made their profits without these...) and the shopaholics their dose of pastime

This city I live in..its weather and its people...you must live here to know it. ....( Where else can you smell the fragrance of the Jasmine, the Sampige, the Rajnigandha, the Margosa,and lots of trees and flowers, amidst the smoke of the terribly noisy autos, the "I think I'm the king, give way" BPO vehicles, the idlis and dosas that you can get anytime anyplace...yeah even 3 in the morning...go to the market are you'll see one lone man pettige angadi {tin shop}open...)

The people of this city. They have been so hospitable....they opened doors to so many that now I get to see how tall buildings can be built and how a crowded street can look like..

The locality I live in...so peacful and serene...that I can hear the swish of the 'madisaars' ( the nine yard saree tied by women), hear the suprabhatham ( the early morning devotional number to wake up the umpteen number of God's waiting above) and also get to smell the idli's and paratha's and the cereals

My children's school, without whom I would never have known the capacity of my sons' shoulders to carry heavy loads.

My friends without whom I'd have never known the meaning of support and unconditional love!

My fellow bloggers....(thank god its virtual !! I'll never get to see them curling their 2 hands around my neck or even closing the window quickly :) )

The endless rallies held in our city,right next to Mahatma Gandhi's statues...(i'm sure he's crying so hard...he doesn't get time to tell his Hey Ram's!) I'd have never learnt the art of patience!!

The malls that have cropped up all over our quaint city ( I didn't say it, the coffee book guys have said it!! )...our students and overflowing population would never have fitted into the small MTR'S, Vidhyarthi Bhavans', SLV'S, Coffee House, Koshy's and Lakeviews...

The inflow of the giant food chains, like McDonalds , etc, without whom the new age parents would never have had an idea how to feed their children..

The beautiful temples, some so old, dotted around the city..(our students would never have realised their religious fervour or else...go to the poplular ones, like ISKCON, Dodda Ganesha Temple, Maruthi Mandir, Ragi gudda...during the exam season you'll know what I mean....)

My most wonderful kids ( yeah inspite of the pre-teen issues and the sibling wars...) I would have had such dull boring life, with no stories to smile about!! and who taught me to scream my guts off in a very calm way...

The most brilliant weather....the jackets would never have been put to use would they??


My parents, without whom i'd never have known the art of respecting people, though they maybe strangers...

the list goes on and on...and I can't see the stranglers and hear the tsk tsk.....but i'd love to thank everyone who brings the smile on my face, gives me their shoulder, wipes my tears and listens patiently to all my rants...
THANK YOU.

Wool Gathering!!

The lips lifted
eyelashes caressed
eyes drifted close
feeling the dream

Fingers splayed
on the expanding
tummy

butterfly softness
pitter patter
thy feet

Can you feel it?
They asked
I just smiled

Those tiny kisses
inside of me
bringing with it
dreams lovely

Will it be a bubbly girl?
or a bonny baby boy?
Should it matter
for I want it anyhow

Black eyes or brown
nose puckered
up in a frown

Kindhearted or moody
will there be
a beauty?

Once more the kick
lopsided smiles
with me feeling
special

There's no one
that can tell
how it can be so
special

The bundle of joy
makes the presence felt
He looks like his aunt,
no, he looks like my grandaunt

Everyone's given
their precious
resemblances

Isn't there a dream
within all those
watery eyes

I want to grow older
I want to be
Give me the milk
and let me be!!

Dream on and on
my momma's gone
Into her reverie
and I need to move on


Once more I dream on, and this was in response to a prompt so lovely at writer's island

Dreams!

This is in response to the latest prompt "Dreams" at Writer's Island. I had posted one earlier, so thought i'd just re-post it here...

Dreams!!!!
Oh !! To feel the luxury of not having to worry about routines, schedules, deadlines, kitchen.....

Would always believe that this could be found only in dreams....Been so caught up in hectic hustle bustle of life....kids, school, home, family.....it was getting smudged in the detailing.....each one blending into the other, that, only this small piece of heaven could bring me back to reality...

That life is meant to be lived!!

While I was younger and had the liberty to shirk, duties at home....I had this huge sticker stuck on my walls, which said " Life's a Beach!!"

Each day I used to have different interpretations to it...
One day it would be its expanse, on another, its mystery, its serenity, its wildness, its sounds...and in the end, its just being!!. I remember there were these friends of mine who would come up and scribble their bits on my posters, on every bit of writing material they could find ...

There used to be small comments or their very own quotes....some were so cute...thought I would always hold on to them...but

Years passed, those small pieces of paper, were all saved, read and re-read, millions of times....all my friends had set out on their journeys, just as I had done...my house had taken a ghostly feel...( this is where they all congregated to take their calls from home, to have their lunches, to just come home, after a movie...or better still to eat the 'gojju', that used to be prepared just in case they did land up....and then my parents would keep calling me by my friends names....cos they were all muddled up...they too were part of my entire being, staying up nights, standing on reams of sheets of paper, acting as paper weights, supplying endless amounts of tea, food, snacks, and lots and lots of love and encouragement....

I used to have many sets of parents....2 sets at home...Appa and Amma, my uncle and aunt,
then M's parents who believed I was one of their daughters too....and I remember uncle used to always tell the whole world..." U need any info, just ask P, she'll know.....she's a dynamite..." A's parents who each time they visited our city, decided that their daughter was set up in our house, so they just needed to pour all their love for me too...I was so blessed...but then this dynamite had slowly fizzled out...had become flat...

There was a transit house ...we called it that cos, we always used it like that, but never thought of it like that...spent more time than at our own homes,but this ,a beautiful home, was filled with so much of love, outstretched arms....lots of food.....the food platter never would know who would be the recipient, but stand it did, quietly, till late nights ....knowing full well, that there would be at least one taker. Uncle had the biggest heart life could create...They had 2 sons and a daughter, and lots more who used to follow their sons into their house....and he spread his wings to 2 more girls, their daughters in law....and none of us were made to believe that we were not theirs....he's not with us anymore, but each time I remember love, he's my example for it...they still spread their arms....thru their sons, daughters in law, grandchildren, nieces....and uncles and sisters, and all.......

And then there was this huge family of friends....each one who stood for each other....we still do, I realised that yesterday...we still land up in the other homes and demand food...shame notwithstanding...but in the end, we still r the same teenagers....wanting the same things out of life.....and they still pull us up when we r slipping, give us those strong hands, give us their endless 'I'm there for u's'

Was reading thru some really immature scribblings we had written during those days...not realising that we would be reading it together after many many years....we all had dreams, we all had goals, and we all had the will to do it...but when I read them , I realised, I havent lost out on any of those dreams....it still exists, its just waiting for me to finish with all my previous goals that I had set....i've done most of them....and I am proud of what I have done so far...and one of my dreams was to be around kids , lots of and lots of them....and when I was with them, I wanted to have the feeling of love for each and every one, equally...I achieved it....they all are just like my own...and now I realise it was a silent dream while we used to spend time at this friends house...I wanted my arms and home to be always welcome to everyone...its a slow process....but i'm getting there...

And now i've begun to step out on my journey to achieve what my most important goal was, my dream........until then its hoping that my determination is as powerful and strong as my DREAMS are........

This song, was one of my favourites , and I wanted you'll to listen to it too