The journey is scary. … from closed to open, from narrow to wide, from ceiling to sky, from tangible to sublime, from thought to just being. I find myself disintegrating, but then each tiny piece blossoms into a different being. Epiphany strikes. It is scary, for it brings out parts of me I did not … Continue reading Sublimation
I was so busy tending the gardenfailed to see what's growing on the fencecreepers that eventually made inroadstouched whatever was sacrosanct failed to see what's growing on the fencethey peeped, creeped and learnt the ropestouched whatever was sacrosanctWelcome messages they carried with them they peeped, creeped and learnt the ropesI learnt over time to assimilateWelcome … Continue reading Integration
“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
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
Maya had no clue what a cold reception meant. But the sharpness of her step-mom’s sarcasm stung like leafless twigs on sore skin. Suddenly, the Destitute Childrens’ Home felt like a better place, where she’d friends and a matron who loved them. She’d to share a dorm with seventeen other inmates, and two washrooms between … Continue reading Cold Reception
Turn off all the lights. Do not document barbarism, or give it a place in history. Destroy all records of past enmity induced by colonialist rulers who walked away after leaving nations to consume themselves. Let future generations not know what happened before. Silence the souls that cry for revenge. Invite them to participate in … Continue reading Obliteration
It was a vacation from life. I watched friends and foes drown in uncertainty, rise up to the surface, find tools to reach the bottom of the ocean, while I flew around soundlessly. I don’t know why the flight felt like a suspension, like I was a kite - not a bird with wind under … Continue reading Holiday
“I salute you.” The surgeon smiled at his mother’s expression.” “But why, Mom, you are an accomplished actress yourself, and have won many awards.” “I learnt knitting long before I learnt acting. If I got a stitch wrong, I’d had to dismantle and re-do the whole thing. It induced discipline in me. Then, theatre performances … Continue reading Discipline
I stop in my tracks with squeaky sounds from Angel’s bedroom. But I remember having locked the door properly. I switch on the lights to see a few toys displaced. A toy car comes rolling towards me as if the driver has lost control. Teddy’s face looks crestfallen, and all other soft toys look deflated. … Continue reading Missing You
His thoughts turn to his first visit to a candy store with the 500-rupee note his aunt gave him. Greedy is the only label he can put on that version of himself. He ate too much too fast, and landed in the doctor’s clinic with a stomachache. Sania’s message causes heartache. She is the best … Continue reading Too much too soon
Creative Experiments and More 