I dream of a house with red brick walls with several windows, and a story behind each window. Who are these people calling out to me? And why me? I offer them a ladder to step out, but they are unable to see beyond the wall. Weeks later, I walk into an art exhibition with … Continue reading Behind the windows
“Speak a lie ten times, and people take it as the gospel truth, but it takes a lot of effort to craft and layer a series of lies to make it credible,” the coach is from the corporate world but is training a bunch of youngsters to enter the political arena. “… and you need … Continue reading Cascading stories
“The light here reflects the power of intent. We’ve seen things change for the better for some individuals after group prayers. A strong will to see something happen was shaping destiny. Each candle here is lit by a different individual. The intent is to eliminate darkness from people’s lives.” Sounds of aircraft flying low swamped … Continue reading Power of Intent
The Maharani graciously announces the name of the winner, who happens to be a commoner. A princess from another kingdom occupies the runner-up slot along with another plebeian. The puppeteer has used the skills of a chess master to get the vote-bank arithmetic right. There is no choice, especially when national elections are around the … Continue reading And the crown goes to …..
“Why are you lazy, Bozo? Read the book Tommy in the Grasslands and learn about his achievements”. “Switch on the heating and go to sleep now. We live in Finland.” Bozo growls. Photo Challenge #494
She dares to venture beyond the limitations of villagers’ thoughts and is immediately labelled a vile witch, for treading unfamiliar ground with incomprehensible intent. A woman who crosses boundaries needs to be punished for a demo effect, to preserve a precious culture holding vintage value, lest other females ditch their housekeeping and child-bearing roles and … Continue reading Anonymity
The shoes were once shiny and new – now dusty and forgotten, buried in baskets, discarded by time. He is unable to throw them away, because of their uncanny resemblance with his life. Some day when he is gone, and his memories discarded in the bin, the shoes will meet the same fate. Till then, … Continue reading Weary
The moose is quiet as the kids count extensions on his two horns. The living room is not familiar terrain, and he is biding time in alien territory. The television screen shows scenes of human brutality, and that has probably quietened him down … as if he is in a simulation, watching the animal nature … Continue reading In-humanity
The darkest nights redefine our relationship with light. The coldest months rebuild longing for warmth. I looked forward to the concert with great enthusiasm, and my companions were what I called my comfort zone. Dressed to the hilt, we took our seats in the auditorium. As someone tested the mic, we looked around for elements … Continue reading The Auditorium
Her guest room feels different, though I’ve spent a couple of nights there earlier. “Have you changed the curtains?” She nods in the negative before saying goodnight. I dream of a garden with long stems of tuberoses. Their fragrance is nocturnal, but tonight is different. Winds have stopped and the garden is silent. I shouldn’t … Continue reading Fragrantly yours
Creative Experiments and More 