Self-defence

She grew erinaceous—spiny, sharp-tongued, unyielding. Alone in her flat, she snarled at kindness, mocked warmth, armoured herself in sarcasm. Monsters wore smiles, knocked politely. She answered with venom. Better rude than ruined. Better feared than fooled. Her solitude wasn’t peace—it was survival. And her thorns? Her defence. Weekend Writing Prompt #437

Associations

My father-in-law had a large cupboard filled with trophies and plaques won by him. He would scoff at any suggestion of eliminating outdated stuff. The family has retained it so far, after his death, because the house is locked. I'm not sure if the trophies will survive a renovation or sale of the property. I … Continue reading Associations

Light in the Attic

there is another wall between you and meBrute Powerwith all its ignoranceand megalomania I think we’ll let the wall goand adopt some other mediaLet your wisdom shine throughbite-sized contentGenZ revels in itothers get used to ityou can destroy a blocknot tiny particles scatteredthrough the stratosphere maybe we will reach somewhere,we did not intend tomaybe someone … Continue reading Light in the Attic

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #402

Welcome back! SPECIAL MENTION Michelle Navajas My Coffee Could Be My Friend or Foe my coffee could be my best friend—or my foe,it offers peace, a pause, a gentle glow.a quiet breath, a moment’s sweet escape—yet often sends me back through time and shape. to days when people carved their names in spite,their words like … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #402

Words need no Tongue

Silence needs to be a relaxed space Yet, I toss and turn in the gaps filled with gravel, spears and spikes Fear and Memory hold tight – Yikes Words hang from walls like serpents in caves they don’t need a tongue; they come in waves Six Sentence Stories

Spaces

I was told water finds its level, but no one warned me that the subconscious does not. It fills up uneven places—behind the eyes, beneath the lungs, blocking oxygen, struggling to find its space in speech, in the silence between words. It disregards all the logic I was raised on — logic that connects me … Continue reading Spaces

Arches

“Arches in architecture always fascinate me – under a bridge, on doorways or elsewhere. At another level, the arc tempts me to complete the circle and let people jump in”. “Passing through an arch brings good luck”, chimes in my mother as the temple bells ring. “Then why do you pray for good luck after … Continue reading Arches

October

the soil breathesparched a littlebut devoid of wetness-So does my dogas he prances around carefreekicking his feetand moving in circles I like wearing sunglassesumbrellas are back in drawerswith the cloudsand here comes alongwarnings and a red alertthe drawers vibrate with a rumbling soundin an attempt to regain life Cyclone Shakti is on the waycan keep … Continue reading October

The story goes on

He realized that she had seen him and he couldn’t let her get away. This is a hackneyed story plot for a thriller, and the author decides to ditch the familiar today. The protagonist follows her to see what she is up to after seeing him. He is ever grateful to that momentary thought. He … Continue reading The story goes on

Boos and Baes

A glittering inviteto Baes and Boosfor a nightof fun and boozeflummoxed me for a whiletill I called my Beau to escort methe old-fashioned wayand he obliged with a smile"Of course, dear, you comeBefore Anyone Else" Quadrille #233