Back View

“Do we really need this picture for the story?” The editor’s nose crinkled up in disgust, “The front view with lawns is far more appealing to go with his childhood pics.” Our next issue will carry the story of a celebrity recently killed in a shooting incident. “I believe that while dreams are constructed on … Continue reading Back View

Inclusion

I clearly see the reflection of outdoor greenery on the television screen, but can’t see her.  Her handbag lies open on the couch. Where is she? Am I turning voyeuristic? Yes, but into people’s minds. I want to see if she turns towards the books or the long-stemmed giant red rose. The last three visitors … Continue reading Inclusion

Shobhaa De – in 100 words

Shobhaa De is a 74 year old pulp fiction author with a long series of books, and Starry Nights is one of her titles. She attracted attention for portraying the sleaziness of higher echelons of society. I've just played around with her book titles for this piece. Snapshots of Sultry days Socialite Evenings Starry nights … Continue reading Shobhaa De – in 100 words

Freshness

adore freshness, understand transitorinessanything that's fresh has a short spanfrozen smiles in sub-zero climesas good as Egyptian mummies anything that's fresh has a short spantheir value shifts on a long rideas good as Egyptian mummiessalute them for joys they spread their value shifts on a long rideknow where they started, how you metsalute them for … Continue reading Freshness

Minimalist

There is so much parking space, but she is not in her car today. Delicious lunch in a small cafe, buying a glamor magazine and an intellectual book from the roadside vendor, followed by a lazy afternoon in the salon getting a facial done is her idea of pure bliss. The road still looks deserted … Continue reading Minimalist

Kitsch

I am the first to see his secret chamber - art created, never sold. “Where does the money come from?” I’m curious. “I migrated to the city in search of a living, to keep body and soul together. Anna invited me to see a certain spot in the city. The Queen of Kitsch had just … Continue reading Kitsch

Onboarding

“Each time I extend my hand of friendship, he reinvents himself, leaving me unsure if I want to go ahead. It seems too much to ask for revelation, with masks and gloves taken off. Maybe, he fears the vacuum within as much as I do. I see his all-pervasive desire to control by checking, hacking … Continue reading Onboarding

Packing a life

“I can’t leave this behind”. She wailed. “But why? It’s not easy to lug it around, when movement is uncertain.” “My grandma enjoyed the outdoors with us on this chair - in the garden, on the beach and wherever our fancy would take us.” “I’m sure you don’t want her to see fire raining from … Continue reading Packing a life

Fantasies

fantasies mushrooming in shell-shocked minds suspended underground by power play in the skies it’s the only way to escape doom, to plant hope in a child fingering canned food thinking of tomorrow in an alien land and come back the day after under a clear blue sky events push different buttons in different people -immortalizing … Continue reading Fantasies