Reena’s Xploration Challenge #306

Welcome back! PROMPT #306 Our prompt in this week is the image below. Let the muse take you from dark windows to light, till you see something that resonates with you. So many things keep happening behind windows - of buildings and our minds. There is no restriction on format of the piece. There is … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #306

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

Waiting for Godot

Peace will descend tonight from Heaven, and all will be well with the world. Are you sure of those spirits up there – can they even hear our voices? Well, we need to ask the clouds and the sky about how much permeability they offer…. Then what gives you that confidence of tonight? Actually, confidence … Continue reading Waiting for Godot

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

Thaw the Blues

The holiday resort boasts of having a frozen chamber – in a country that sees snow only on mountain peaks. Her boisterous teenagers come out with shades of blue on their skin. It has been a tough battle keeping them in. Yes, snow would be the easy way out, even if it was artificial. “Mom, … Continue reading Thaw the Blues

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #305

Welcome back! PROMPT #305 The prompt this week is a collage. You are free to use any one or all elements as a muse to write your piece. Bonus points if you can weave the elements together in a theme. There is no restriction on format of the piece. There is no last date either, … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #305

Walk Out

The final walkout was not liberation. It was the realization that she had left doors open for manipulators. She disrespected herself by believing flaky promises, and catering to his desire for control. She felt a surge of relief, a burst of freedom, a spark of joy. She felt like she had reclaimed her life, re-discovered … Continue reading Walk Out

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

If only…

If only I could separate the kith and kin from well-wishers, and wish them well… If only I could interpret well-practised expressions to see the real intent… If only I could convince people to mind their own business and leave me alone. If only I could find un-polarized, inclusive worlds to welcome humanity If only … Continue reading If only…