Reena’s Xploration Challenge #443

Welcome to yet another week of a weekly routine! PROMPT #443 This week, I would like you to focus on the MUNDANE and make it sound as boring or as interesting or as value-adding as you want. Would you give it up if you can? Is it the baseline for your existence? Do you see … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #443

From Ivory Towers to Melting Realities

Businessman leaning on balcony railing watching colleagues hurry on sidewalk

Discover the fable of an Indian CEO in a multinational corporation whose ivory tower was made of wax—an allegory for leadership illusions.

Calendar Efficiency

Calendar showing October 2024 with October 20 circled and a decorated anniversary cake with marigold flowers

I love chocolate truffle cake-yet I drive a knifedeep into its hearttill it bleeds brownand mouths droolto taste the latest version the names spelt in sugardo not always evokesweet memories-mindlesslyI pierce creamy layersin search of a sensationon the tongueephemeral; yet desirable I count the engagementon social media postsannual ritualsof remembranceall those emojiswith folded hands and … Continue reading Calendar Efficiency

Out of Order

Tiny slivers of historical evidence cannot withstand the scrutiny of critics and the superimposition of meaning by those in power. Books are written, rewritten, translated, interpreted and destroyed till approved textbook versions take their place. Children memorise those not out of curiosity, but to pass exams. They have been programmed anyway, unwittingly and unconsciously. The … Continue reading Out of Order

Molten Gold

edging close to hibernationshun all thoughts of colder nightssublime beauty cuts chlorophyllgolden, soft lingering light Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge #76 - Celtic Autumn

Flight

Readthe right stuffupdate your thoughts write the wrongsexpel from your bloodwhere do you think“expletives” come from? jump so highyou can’t stop yourselffrom falling or flyingchoose the landingcatch grounding instinctsfloating mid-airbereft of meaning Lead! Quadrille Monday

Rapids

Arjun, Khushi, Sammy and Anshula had just stepped out of the calm waters of school life, their marksheets still fresh, their dreams of becoming doctors glowing like lanterns. It was their first week in the medical college hostel. At night, the seniors gathered like shadows, their voices echoing through the corridors. “Sing the anatomy song!” … Continue reading Rapids

Glamour Meets Gloom

Young woman with disheveled hair and smeared makeup standing in a doorway at night

One glance was enough to say she was not her usual self – dishevelled hair, runny mascara, lipstick in ageing lines around the mouth. “Another late night, I presume … you slept without removing your makeup?” She made an effort to adjust the strap on her shoulder, but the slip hanging below her knees was … Continue reading Glamour Meets Gloom

Reena’s Xploration Challenge #442

Welcome back! PROMPT #442 We have a few common words to ponder about this week, and use those to write something. It is not necessary that the word is the theme of the piece. Just a mention speaks a lot about how you treat it. Light — What truths emerge when the weight of light … Continue reading Reena’s Xploration Challenge #442