Unparalleled

My train of thought moves at jet speednot on parallel tracksbut all over the space words break out of neural pathwaysto seek relevance in the world.They lull me into a somnambulist statebefore I incarcerate them on a page. I wake up to find they havedisappeared into the sky-my page is blankDid a star employ themto … Continue reading Unparalleled

Turtlemoves

For how long has he livedlonger than rivers remember,longer than the starsthat fell into the first ocean’s cradle.He survived the weight of worlds,carrying experience like continentsbalanced on his sturdy back. Why does he move so slow?Because each step is a prayer,each pause a meditationon the burden of memory.The grim expression tells mehe is an empath,absorbing … Continue reading Turtlemoves

Baptism

I wish you would askbefore I hold my breath tightbeliefs drowning meMy core struggles to break freefrom weight of imposed dogmas Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge

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

Clocking Life – Snippets

He was an avid collector of clocks and watches. He bought the pieces from junk shops, online shopping sites, chain stores and luxury outlets he could afford in all the cities he visited. His living room was a kind of museum with many conversation pieces, and the line he repeated often was “Good things happen, … Continue reading Clocking Life – Snippets

Flagged

The quarterly review meeting had the tension of a courtroom, every slide a potential indictment. When you flag a concern, take care to not expose someone's manipulation. Arjun knew this, yet his report on “phantom revenue streams” cast a shadow across the CFO’s polished smile. The room fell silent, executives shifting in their seats as … Continue reading Flagged

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #427

Welcome back! PROMPT #427 Here's an image prompt for you this week. Image: AI-generated There is no restriction on the length of the piece. There is no last date unless you wish to be featured in the Weekly Wrap. We will not include any posts that are found to be offensive, vulgar, or that hurt … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #427

You know when …

When you struggle to reach up there and findThe gods have turned their faces away,You know it was an error of judgment—to trust the vision from afar. Between the halo and the face lies shadow,a gulf of silence no prayer can cross.The smile you worshipped dissolvesinto the cold indifference of apathy. Yet from that fracture … Continue reading You know when …

Patriarchy and Empowered Women

Patriarchy

A woman faces patriarchal judgment while caring for her terminally ill husband, challenging outdated gender roles and calling for change.

Line of Control

Slang conveys a lot about culture. One word I repeatedly heard while growing up was “advanced.” They meant to say "modern" or "cool," but the slang term was never used positively. (They have become ‘too advanced’ to follow customs.) “They” were the target of ridicule or sarcasm – You are not one of us anymore. … Continue reading Line of Control