Crutches

The fluttering calendar says it has been three months since she lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs, and Francisco has nursed and taken care of her during this phase. “Come on, discard the walker. You can walk on your own two feet.” “These feet don’t feel like mine anymore.” “You need to use … Continue reading Crutches

Jumping the gun

“They’ve set fire to a sacred place”. “Fire can work in two ways. It destroys everything it encounters, converting it to carbon footprints. It can also ignite minds and hearts to do something that has never been done before”. “It sounds good to this point. The point is whether those ignited minds and hearts make … Continue reading Jumping the gun

Shade of the Oak Tree

The imposing façade succeeded in concealing long-standing conflicts in the family. But the patriarch’s death suddenly brought it all out in the open. “Find a place for yourself and your families. I’m selling this house.” The matriarch dropped a bombshell on unsuspecting generations. They had come to take this house and the identity it gave … Continue reading Shade of the Oak Tree

The Brick

The brick sailed through the airIn search of an abodewith honest wallsintegrated roofrooms flowing into othersto explore mindsetsaccept diversityunify improbable mates the brick reached the woodswhere it was accusedof dividing spacespromoting ownershipinciting warbeing immobilewhen opinions need to shiftor minds need to meet the brick – now porousby its own defeatinvites builders for trialthey retract; for … Continue reading The Brick

Gaslighting

I don’t mind being called the Rebel of the Century or a cynic or spoilsport.  But whenever someone who is in power or an aspirant to power highlights a story, I look in other directions. What are they trying to conceal, or divert attention from?  “You fall victim to people’s stories ….” is an oft-repeated … Continue reading Gaslighting

Cold Reception

Maya had no clue what a cold reception meant. But the sharpness of her step-mom’s sarcasm stung like leafless twigs on sore skin. Suddenly, the Destitute Childrens’ Home felt like a better place, where she’d friends and a matron who loved them. She’d to share a dorm with seventeen other inmates, and two washrooms between … Continue reading Cold Reception

Autumnal Fear

Halloween is just a week away. The yellow fall foliage crackling beneath my feet wants to know about my costume. Am I going to wear my younger self or my older one to scare others? The cold nights will soon begin leading to highly misty mornings. The follies of youth have long given way to … Continue reading Autumnal Fear

Obliteration

Turn off all the lights. Do not document barbarism, or give it a place in history. Destroy all records of past enmity induced by colonialist rulers who walked away after leaving nations to consume themselves. Let future generations not know what happened before. Silence the souls that cry for revenge. Invite them to participate in … Continue reading Obliteration

Holiday

It was a vacation from life. I watched friends and foes drown in uncertainty, rise up to the surface, find tools to reach the bottom of the ocean, while I flew around soundlessly. I don’t know why the flight felt like a suspension, like I was a kite - not a bird with wind under … Continue reading Holiday

Horror Island

Archie leaped into the air and grabbed at it with fervour… The fervour is surprising on this island. Archie is a phantom whose identity has been crushed, and his system indoctrinated with the researcher’s notes. Aruna ardently wishes Archie regains his memory and recognises himself. Yes, that is necessary before he recognises her and the … Continue reading Horror Island