“Stand away. Those stones can fracture your toe.” “Don’t worry, Ma’m… the stones will not fall.” “But I can feel a windstorm brewing.” “Even then…” I’m in the desert state of Rajasthan, and stone-stacking to build a fence around homes or farms is common practice. “Have you used glue?” “No.” Back home, I make a … Continue reading Un-glued
“I’m addicted to these optical illusion pictures. The website claims the key to my personality type lies in what I see first.” “Why do you need someone else to decipher your mindset?” “It gives an objective view.” “You are actually … talking to yourself, to all those hidden layers whose existence you deny. The picture … Continue reading Optical Illusion
Yes, we met on the high cliffs ages ago. If you think I’ve changed, you ignore what happens as I cascade down. Each rock I touch changes me in some way. I absorb the stories, bringing them to meet the masses. You see the force, but fail to see what constitutes it. Each story ignites … Continue reading Stories
Riots color the landscape red with the blood of innocents. Actually, they’d prefer another color - one they’ve been using to paint mindsets. People do not become followers unless they think alike. And to think alike, they need anger, a common cause, a common source of fire in the belly. It needs to be ignited. … Continue reading Strategic
Having reached there after a long, hard struggle matters. It matters less that only the way ahead is visible, not the destination. Past experience says trouble can follow again. What if this path is not the right one? Is there an exit option available? Should he consult a few experts before taking the final decision? … Continue reading A step forward
The chamber is dark, but she can sense blood trickling towards the door. Her entire life is being streamed live by some unknown source … and yes, she discovers truths she had missed, or rather chosen to deny. She wants to make accusations, seek explanations or correct certain perspectives, including her own. But the grip … Continue reading Finale
“Do we really need this picture for the story?” The editor’s nose crinkled up in disgust, “The front view with lawns is far more appealing to go with his childhood pics.” Our next issue will carry the story of a celebrity recently killed in a shooting incident. “I believe that while dreams are constructed on … Continue reading Back View
A sharp turn on the road, and I lose sight of you. I’ve never liked your ways of manipulating visibility. You appear, disappear and reappear at will. The manner and mode can change. It leaves so much open to interpretation. Do I need to travel to find you at some other turn? And succeed only … Continue reading Expectations Unmet
I refuse to switch off notifications, despite all the lessons on building focus and concentration and effective time management that you keep showering on me. I’ll still manage to complete my book, because I find something to inspire and give my thoughts a new angle. I’d never have been your father, if I hadn’t strayed … Continue reading Detours
The cop came to receive an award, followed by his sniffer dog. “Let the spotlight shine on the real winner today.” https://sammiscribbles.wordpress.com/2022/05/14/weekend-writing-prompt-259-spotlight/
Creative Experiments and More 