General

Before my sleep addled mind could align with my lazy bones

my hands would reach out for the crisp black and white

morning tea was incomplete without

worldwide view sans sentimentalism or sensationalism.

There was a time I used to carry a newspaper

while waiting at the post office, metro station or at the doctor’s

to avoid engaging with people

for the daily told the truth at a slant.*

That was the time when a fire in California could undo the reader

or a Wimbledon match energise everyone

burning issues of the far-flung world

condensed in 600 by 750 broadsheet.

Now the world has become smaller

our vision narrow and parochial

mired in local political concerns

narcissism triumphing over the canopy of universality.

Fires of nationalism fan fragile feelings

real news hidden in small columns on page 18

journalism on sale to the highest bidder

newspapers don’t carry the onus

In response to Reena’s Exploration Challenge

Thinking of that day, I burn in rage
That fake news that maligned my image

She cried #metoo and tarnished my name
With a false story she quickly rose to fame

Just her gender gave her an upper hand
My truth, my story, had absolutely no stand

I have to forgive her to heal myself
I have to let go to bring back my own self

As the fire brings down this paper to ashes
I wish my hatred towards her vanishes

In these bright flames, I see my darkness 
The prints have burnt, and here i am, wordless

I want to let go, I want to forget
I want to rise up, Be free with no regrets!

जलते हैं अरमान, जलते हैं अल्फाज़ मेरे
तुम तलक पहुँचती नहीं तपिश मेरी

पहले मुझमें चाँद नज़र आता था तुमको
बेअसर कब हो गयी कशिश मेरी

सहेज कर रखा है हर एक दर्द तुम्हारा
महबूब है मुझको अब ख़लिश मेरी

देर तलक देखी थी हमने राह तुम्हारी
इश्क़ से पर जीत गयी रंजिश मेरी

अब क्या यही है तुमसे मिलने की सूरत
कोई तुम से कर दे सिफारिश मेरी

In response to: Reena’s Exploration Challenge # 164

Noxious intent brews

rampant callous endeavors

toxic news flare up

flames of greed engulf mankind

theworld burns, inhales vile ash.

A tanka for Reena’s Exploration Challenge # 164

Apparently, this word is a portmanteau of the words Internet and citizen, so that fits me quite well, because I am often involved in online activities.  ‘Paper in Fire’ was a hit single from John Cougar Mellencamp’s ninth studio album The Lonesome Jubilee which was recorded in 1987.  This song reached #9 on The Billboard Hot 100 and it got to #86 in the UK.  Mellencamp’s Uncle Joe had died of cancer at the age of 57 the year before this song came out and ‘Paper in Fire’ is about Joe and the family’s ingrained anger.  John Mellencamp came from Seymour, Indiana and this is where his father, Richard Mellencamp, met his mother when he slammed into her on the street one day in the late 1940s.  Richard and his big brother Joe were running from the cops after pummeling four guys in retaliation for a whupping that his father…

news travels faster than ever
the accessibility of evil at our fingertips
through social media, print, radio
all grinds the blackness into us

fair and balanced reporting
what a joke
where’s the tons of good stuff
it happens daily too, probably more

i’m tired of being tainted grey
dulled from the nastiness of life
disenchanted with the news
exhausted from being set on fire cerebrally

people wonder why i’m a hermit
preferring my four walls
leaving society and culture to its own
in my world i prefer to cull balance

Inspired by Reena’s Exploration Challenge #164

Reena is the host of Reena’s Exploration Challenge

PROMPT #164

We hadn’t done a picture prompt for quite some time, so here it is

The piece you generate can be fiction, poetry, essay, art, photographs, or anything else that your creativity brings forth.

➰➰➰➰➰➰

You sit here calmly while the world burns

Everything looks normal to you as it all implodes

Not a crease on your forehead nor a tear in your eyes

As this beautiful world is being divided up, torn apart

Brother against brother, walls of lies separating, segregating

When will you wake up from your lethargic apathy

And try to save your world from the beasts that are savaging it?

➰➰➰➰➰➰

#Keepitalive

#ReenasExplorationChallenge

Our locality is seeing a sudden surge of Covid cases and the anxiety among people is so evident ! We stay in the same building as a few front line doctors and so, totally avoided non essential stepping out , even after Unlock 1.0 in our city. People known to us , few of our friends and relatives , are now fighting this disease and we pray they get well soon !

Have just penned below the many changes we all witnessed, in the last few months !Sharing with my blogger friends here ❤️

Little did we expect this

Less Homo sapiens on streets

Masks on everyone’s face

Greets n glance, no long meets.

Stepping out only for essentials

Avoid the crowd, avoid the mall

It’s safe to stay indoors

It’s the fear of covid in all.

My little one turns five soon

Had promised her a big celebration

It…

Lock down changed life forever

redefined many facets.

We tasted virtual reality bites

embraced a minimalistic approach,

nature rejuvenated, when we were caged.

Emotions came about in a mixed bag.

Familial bonds recharged with great vigor

skills honed, connections renewed.

Some had to endure the pangs of separation,

mental health issues rocked a few.

The health workers are true warriors

fighting an enemy unknown.

The harsh plight of migrant workers

brought to fore, many kind souls amongst us,

reaching out with helping hands,

 the blessed, bowed down in gracious thanksgiving.

Now all masked up, as we unlock our cages,

this question continues to torment me…

Will man emerge wiser from the pandemic?

will we respect this freedom now

or

will we go back to our old ways?

Reena’s exploration Challenge #163

V. J’s weekly challenge #123 Warriors