Dwarfed

I feel dwarfed by the opulence of art. I watch the ceiling float away as the artist’s conceptualisation and expression rise into the sky, and place them next to the Creator. They are fractals of God. The power packed in minuscule forms makes me strike off the “small” words from my lexicon. Nothing in the … Continue reading Dwarfed

To my son

We’re living in the Wi‑Fi century, but somehow the signal still drops when you need it most, like when I wanted to share an important update. From the mountain top, the sky wasn’t just clouds— it was war trending live, no filter, and he was not aware... Try telling an unborn kid his dad was … Continue reading To my son

Sign-Off

I condensed a piece I'd written in 2017 for this prompt. This is Reena Saxena signing off. If your world thrives on manipulation, multiplespeak, and mindless evil, I refuse to be part of it. I do not accept your authority, nor will I bow to Satanic rites disguised as insight. You wear masks, gather protection, … Continue reading Sign-Off

Coincidence

He licked his fingers, unfazed by his wife’s consternation. “This tastes exactly as my mother used to make it.” “Enjoy the food you like, but don’t let go of manners.” His wife’s coiffured head shook in disgust. The family recipe was thought to have been lost ages ago. Suddenly, he froze on seeing a familiar … Continue reading Coincidence

Idealists

A face would appear on the fence after he received her message. They will get into a waiting car and drive to an idyllic world free from crime, corruption, bigotry, and evil social systems. The escape looks well-planned and easy. Except that it was not. There were no mobile phones or waiting cars when they … Continue reading Idealists

Artistry

Sugar ropes entwine to create visually appealing shapes that invite a bite. The shapes will be destroyed, but the sugar will enter the victim's system. What are we talking about? Oral doses of morphine will be used instead of injectibles in the party… The sugar artist continued in a daze. What will you gain by … Continue reading Artistry

Shenanigans?

The audience was spellbound by the derisive smile and smouldering eyes, as the screens on both sides of the stage magnified his menacing expression. He was not an actor, but a politician in the throes of election fever. He aspired to break thespians' records with his histrionics and ring voting machines. He was disappointed to … Continue reading Shenanigans?

The Compass is Me

Can the Sun rise in the West? To the extent of our knowledge, No. We place immense trust in Nature. Sometimes we also trust human beings we see as infallible and supportive. I felt a pillar fall that morning when I saw a change in someone’s stance. More so, because the reason for it was … Continue reading The Compass is Me

Silence

We won’t talk about this. They did not sayjust indicated with dark indifferenceShe wondered about the change of stanceIt was something she always knewThey disliked her impudence, or maybefeared she might cross boundaries again-boundariesshe had never stayed within… Why did she come around? they thoughtwhen she knows her unacceptabilityWhy does she peep into their inadequaciesor … Continue reading Silence

Forgotten Stories

The whistle pierced the silence as the train slid into the deserted platform. No lamps glowed, no voices stirred—only shadows stretched across cracked tiles. From the carriages stepped passengers cloaked in mist, their eyes shimmering like distant stars. They were not of flesh but of memory, spirits of forgotten stories, inviting curiosity about their unseen … Continue reading Forgotten Stories