Kozhikode – the City of Literature

Posted on by Reena Saxena

UNESCO declares Kozhikode (erstwhile Calicut) in Kerala, India, as a literary city. The city commemorates its writers by installing their busts on public squares. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ the essence of a writercompressed into stonesaved for posterityHail the City of Literaturea cultural situation I wonder how the travelogue writerJohn Gunther of Indiaprocesses facts in stoneI can sense his … Continue reading Kozhikode – the City of Literature

Death of a Patriarch

Posted on by Reena Saxena

the walls were stunnedto see the roof fall silentand the ground movingunder patriarchal feet My grandmotherrecently widowedspoke…“I was never happy with him.”-thirteen days of ritualsnot yet overbut a truth spokenamidst the encomiumsbeing showered by mournerson the one that migrated the daughters-in-law contradicted“He always supported her.”In conflicts with other women?Yes, he stood by his wife…but imposed … Continue reading Death of a Patriarch

Enablers

Posted on by Reena Saxena

It is a place where relationships lived, revived or died with conversations. Connectedness was the keyword. Plants in the same space are watered regularly, but are starved of oxygen. What kind of oxygen are you referring to? I remember how I felt renewed and invigorated after hearing your voice. Texts do not have the same … Continue reading Enablers

Acorn that I am

Posted on by Reena Saxena

Aren’t you surprised to find me shivering in the backyard, when cherry blossoms adorn the season outside? My breath is icy when windows open to welcome fresh air, and kitchens smell of seasonal delicacies. As a seed, I was shot out the back end of a blue jay when, heedless, she flew over the meadow. … Continue reading Acorn that I am

Never-ending paths

Posted on by Reena Saxena

blessings dropa miracle reveals itselflight in darknessI walk closeto redeem pain and thenThe light moves-it is not finalneither the end of lifenor troubles nor pain It just guides meto hitherto unseen pathswhich just mightlead meto a miracle-or maybe not What Do You See #284

Sammi’s Prompt

Posted on by Reena Saxena

Fierce instincts often make me introspect. Where is that broken part of me that I want to defend, heal or conceal? Is it something I deeply value, but it has garnered a negative response from others? Weekend Writing Prompt #411

Farewell

Posted on by Reena Saxena

The female protagonist of Ayn Rand’s novel, Kira, says in a farewell note, “If we live, and if we want to meet again.” The words have remained with me ever since. FAREWELLS There are the long-awaited farewells where we wish we would never meet again. There are others we lament then, but later realise that … Continue reading Farewell

Not-so-smart use of smartphone

Posted on by Reena Saxena

I’m weary of using too many apps as apps steal data from the phone, with or without our consent. I prefer uninstalling unused or rarely used apps and reinstalling them when necessary. I do not store identity documents in the Gallery, as certain apps have access to the gallery. I deleted transaction alerts from the … Continue reading Not-so-smart use of smartphone

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #376

Posted on by Reena Saxena
Writing Prompts

Welcome back! PROMPT #376 We have a picture prompt for this week. Image Credit: Aela Labbe Image description The image shows a child with a head superimposed on it. The girl's expression is pensive, while the superimposed head has observant eyes. The format of the piece is not restricted, and there is no last date … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #376