calm exteriorsbelie fire within- volcanoesaren't so forgiving RXC #397
Volcanic
When Walls Speak
“Walls have ears” is a saying she’d often heard. She was back in her grandfather’s crumbling mansion to check if the walls had memory. They had eavesdropped on and absorbed family secrets for decades. The portrait of her exquisitely beautiful great-grandmother fell as she came near it, revealing a hole behind. It was a path … Continue reading When Walls Speak
Festive Cinquains
We celebrate three festivals in India today.I have dedicated one cinquain to each. TEACHER'S DAY Teacherpatient handsplanting minds with lighttruths bloom in silence, shaped by careThank you! ONAM - NEW YEAR IN KERALA the callof traditionmigrants remember rootsflowers, food and decorationsNew Year EID-E-MILAD recallof the Divinewhat did the Prophet saymessage of love and peace appliedtoday … Continue reading Festive Cinquains
Survival Strategy
I fell several timesand walked again -somehowpeople choose to remind meof my fall -I choose to runaway from themtowards lifetowards the future -all it takes to surviveis eliminatingnegativitypeople or ideasor both Poetics Tuesday: Life's lemons and lemonade
Reena’s Xploration Challenge #397
Welcome back! PROMPT #397 The theme this week is Compressing an Emotion in Few Words Write a piece—poem, microfiction, or even a single sentence—that captures a profound emotion using minimal language. The challenge is to evoke depth, resonance, and imagery with as few words as possible. You may choose one of the following emotional tones, … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #397
Exorcism
it takes lifetimesto cross the thresholdsof imposed values I move on the peripheryof concentric circlesgetting mired deeperin intricaciesof a strange cultureunknown, unacceptablewith a vice-like gripon breathing patterns it takes maelstromsto deplete the lungsof life-force I practice Pranayamto cleanse my existencetrapped in ritualsnot of my makinglong-limbed shadowsencircle every moveto exhale carbonspread darkness it takes an exorcistto … Continue reading Exorcism
Career Preparedness
She had never met a person as toxic and abusive as her boss. The girl in the next cubicle gently warned her to be circumspect in her speech, as the femme fatale who was her boss was rumoured to be close to the CEO. It wasn’t idle gossip, since the boss herself mentioned it in … Continue reading Career Preparedness
Peace Within
whirr of a mixerfestive drumrolls tear the windforlorn trees count leavesmy dog snuggles up to mea moment of peace beckons Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge
The Lone Leaf
I learnt to decipher what’s happening in my body with the help of emotional intelligence. I’m not sure if I’ve learnt to manage those, as I sink deeper into an emotional abyss every day. Anger and pain dominate. No one needs me in the sunset years of life. We have set up household gadgets to … Continue reading The Lone Leaf
Butterfly at the Window
I’ll let you in.Don’t fold your wings tightor hide beneath umbrella leaves,or search for crevices in bark-you are safe beneath this roof. I need you to feel strong in vulnerability.I’m not as pretty or frail as you,nor am I a muse for artistswho chase fleeting grace.But I know storms. I’ve watched skies bruise and break,felt … Continue reading Butterfly at the Window
Creative Experiments and More 