The road to power

I find him gasping for breath under the bridge. He could barely keep his head above water. “Who threw you under the bus …er bridge?” I feel almost like a monster when asking this. “Pull me out first. I’ll spill the beans.” I haven’t asked for a scoop. I recall his speech in a conference … Continue reading The road to power

Navigating the Unknown

When the soul’s lease agreement with the body nears its expiry date, I see the irrelevance of other contracts. Duality has never been so transparent and evident as in the almost posthumous messages invading my fading consciousness. The internet enthuses me as a carefully orchestrated image stares back at me. Mirror it is not, as … Continue reading Navigating the Unknown

Enablers

It is a place where relationships lived, revived or died with conversations. Connectedness was the keyword. Plants in the same space are watered regularly, but are starved of oxygen. What kind of oxygen are you referring to? I remember how I felt renewed and invigorated after hearing your voice. Texts do not have the same … Continue reading Enablers

Acorn that I am

Aren’t you surprised to find me shivering in the backyard, when cherry blossoms adorn the season outside? My breath is icy when windows open to welcome fresh air, and kitchens smell of seasonal delicacies. As a seed, I was shot out the back end of a blue jay when, heedless, she flew over the meadow. … Continue reading Acorn that I am

Choose what grows behind your back

“18 years, and I still remember what happened that fateful night. It is a sight that hasn’t left me ever since.”  “A lot of good things happened after that. Do you celebrate and commemorate those?” “I lived through those like many other people do. But whatever happened that night, happened to me alone.” “And yet, … Continue reading Choose what grows behind your back

Relationships

"Barbie is such a cute name. I had no idea your speech would be laced with so many barbed comments." "Don't forget you came after me and owe me your fame, Ken!" "Relationships are not a child's play." "Aren't we both just that - a child's play?" <Sigh> They both walk away, leaving the burgers … Continue reading Relationships

Peace

“This is not my country”, the old man sighed, “but I’m afraid of saying so, because I will be asked to leave my birthplace.” “So you belong to X party…” “I don’t belong to any political party, but have been a proud citizen of a democratic country. Equality and mutual respect were highly rated here. … Continue reading Peace

52 Aces

The targets for each quarter are set; the balance sheet is pre-signed; now, the business and numbers need to align. He never meets a client or industry colleague, or anyone who is not obliged or dependent on him; he is known for his rough edges and whims. He incites internal rivalry, and teams work in … Continue reading 52 Aces

Muse or Terror?

The city that never sleeps fascinates me. I walk under the streetlamps like a model walking the ramp under arc lights. I drape a scarf around my frail shoulders in different ways. One night … an invisible force tugs at my scarf. I’m pulled up to the bridge above the lights. It is a new … Continue reading Muse or Terror?

Whose life is a picnic?

The birds haven’t come yet, and we stand disconnected from the world. We stand weighed down by the burden of a bird utility, and I’m sure my knees will start bleeding soon. You are no Atlas, so give up the idea of shrugging. It’s an incredible life out here, uninterrupted by the vagaries of the … Continue reading Whose life is a picnic?