A brave, new world

My brother looked through an opening in the rocks, into the wide, blue expanse and called out, “Look, Henry! What is that space called?” “It is where the Sun and Stars share their home with the birds and Gods. The sky allows a peek into the world.” “Why can’t we get there?” “Wait till we … Continue reading A brave, new world

Rust on Time

The gate was carefully painted in shades of rust and blue, and then, scrubbed with sandpaper. It looked like what it did ten years ago. One of us had a few snapshots of the house. Pa was being released from the mental hospital today. He had cracked up, when he could not pay the mortgage, … Continue reading Rust on Time

Round the Bend

The old man was reminiscing, “I travelled by train all year for my work, so that I could fly your mother to a holiday spot she fancied every year. I researched all year to find the best place that I could afford, and lied to my boss to manage leave. Those vacations were the stuff … Continue reading Round the Bend

Elusive realities… and an invitation to share your stories

Sue Vincent's avatarSue Vincent's Daily Echo

In 1936, Country Life magazine captured this image said to be the Brown Lady while visiting Raynham Hall, England.

Whether we believe in alternative realities or not, we have no guarantee that we are not experiencing them all the time. How would we know if the man we just passed in the street is real or not? If the sound we heard in the night really is just the plumbing or the creaking of the house? How can we know for certain that the imaginary friend of a child exists only in their imagination? And what is imagination anyway, if not the gateway to another reality?

Almost everyone has a story to tell about some strange occurrence that set them wondering, gave them the shivers or brought them comfort. For many such instances there are undoubtedly perfectly rational explanations and for the rest, there is always disbelief.

Technically, I suppose…

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The Festival

I had looked forward to retirement, but honestly, the empty nest hurts a bit. I wait for the annual visit of my grandchildren, when we have a ‘Paper Boat Festival’, akin to the Kite Festival in Gujarat, and creativity in making a boat is rewarded. I deliberately lose every contest, so that they come back … Continue reading The Festival

Pyramids

‘Do you remember when we lived down there?’ ‘Not really it was too long ago.’ ‘Then you’re lucky.’ “What is that memory which pains you?” “It is embalmed and bandaged, and preserved in a pyramid.” “Why does that pain you?” “You and I were sworn enemies, and you lie next to me.” (52 words)   … Continue reading Pyramids

What is it that binds?

Expectations can be claustrophobic. I need a set of rules to give direction to my life, but the ones that I write, the ones that allow me to be myself. I refuse to carry the burden of their dreams and projection of their unfulfilled wishes. Yet, when I return from the battlefield, battered and broken, … Continue reading What is it that binds?

Ostracizing the Self

The unguarded windows offered a ray of hope, amidst the pale yellow, gloomy sunlight that lit the lawns of this enclosure. It could be the path to freedom, or the end of a miserable life. Yet, none of the women residing there had ventured to do it. The underlying fear of rejection by the outside … Continue reading Ostracizing the Self

I and my voice

I and my voice, would have been struggling to find an identity, without the teachers and mentors who found me would have been an empty whistle, emanating from a deep hollowness, if lyricists had not given it a body. would be lost without the lights, camera, equipment and instruments would have struck a discordant note … Continue reading I and my voice

Demons of Growth

Why worship demons? Growth is a double edged sword, which can cut or carve It is only a measure. There should be a parameter, and it should move. The extent and direction of movement determines the quantum of growth, and the consequences determine the desirability. The elastic band propels or expels in directions unknown Recklessness, … Continue reading Demons of Growth