Sky in Transit

I pull my pet away as she proceeds to smell soggy leaves after the first monsoon shower, and keep her on the concrete path. The people who vouch for walking barefoot on grass or sand have their feet clad in shoes. I wonder what has gone down with the dust into wet soil, and what … Continue reading Sky in Transit

Not a horror flick

Ghost-faced balloon tied to a grave marked Silas Vance 1893 under full moon

I walk through the graveyard on a moonlit night. It is not a horror flick, but a silvery land of surprise. Multiple faces pop out of graves – some sleeping in serenity, some hanging from a tree, and some brandishing a weapon. I feel the earth move beneath my feet as my hands explore the … Continue reading Not a horror flick

Expressions

I recall the launch of a book, “My Daughter’s Mum” by Natasha Badhwar. She addresses inter-religious marriages in her book. A sentence she spoke stayed with me: “There was so much silence around the topic at home that I needed to break it with a book.” Silence helps us buy peace by sitting on the … Continue reading Expressions

Windows

I commuted to college in the local trains of Mumbai, back when they were not closed and air-conditioned. A window seat was a morning prize; standing at the door in the evening, the wind rushing against your face felt like a release. Road traffic drifted below, and the rectangular windows in buildings became silent openings … Continue reading Windows

Painted Boat

I painted the silhouette of a boat on the ocean of despair. Its outline was fragile, yet it carried the promise of passage. My hands found the oars, hesitant at first, then steady. Each stroke disturbed the depths, raking up opportunities, buried like pearls in the silt. The boat was no miracle; it was a … Continue reading Painted Boat

Is it a fish or a culture?

 “In my mom’s house, the dining table did not groan with food when there were guests. We served the same simple meal that we eat every day.” This was an eye-opener about how deeply food is entrenched in our culture and actions. Given a chance, everybody in the family complained about her limited culinary skills … Continue reading Is it a fish or a culture?

Sensory

Women pride themselves on being more intuitive than men. Then I read somewhere that they actually have strong lateral vision. It helps them capture expressions before people can resume ‘on guard’ looks. I sustain my innermost core on books and art. What would I do without vision? How will it affect my relationship with the … Continue reading Sensory

The Compass is Me

Can the Sun rise in the West? To the extent of our knowledge, No. We place immense trust in Nature. Sometimes we also trust human beings we see as infallible and supportive. I felt a pillar fall that morning when I saw a change in someone’s stance. More so, because the reason for it was … Continue reading The Compass is Me

Letting Go

Once upon a time, I made sure that doors did not close behind me. The future was exciting, but uncertain, and I wanted my support systems to stay intact. Today, I don’t turn back to look at the footprints I’ve left behind. Some are blown away by the winds. Some leave an impression on wet … Continue reading Letting Go

Somewhere There

The body loosens its grip on struggling organs, and what we call death is but a shedding of cells. The soul, lighter than starlight, drifts beyond the familiar orbit of grief. Planets hum in their silent revolutions, each a reminder that endings are only pauses in a greater rhythm. Saturn’s rings shimmer like gateways, Jupiter’s … Continue reading Somewhere There