Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Beyond Words

Words are deep. Words are poignant, passionate, meaningful. They clarify, they state, they symbolize, they express. But there is a world beyond words - a world so intense and thoughtful that it outreaches the boundaries of language. It is a realm where feelings cannot be stated verbally, where the Maker muted the voices. Who knows if it was a contrivance on His part to let passions flow through a different, purer medium. Hazel had never met this world before, never until she met Scarlet.

Hazel was new in town. She had just moved in. For the past three days she had been busy setting up her things and had hardly left the house. Feeling overwhelmed by the boredom of it all, she decided to go out. The shore was so near that she could hear the ocean. The splashing waves kissed the shore and receded leaving behind wet sand, some pebbles and some sea-shells. Hazel picked up her violin and stepped out. She headed toward the shore joyfully. She looked at the new neighborhood and the house adjacent to hers. The house was quiet. She wondered who lived there. The blinds were open but it seemed that the house was empty.

Hazel reached the shore and immersed herself in music. Violin was her soul-mate. The music that poured out was perfect. It seemed that the waves danced to Hazel's strings. The scene was idyllic in its beauty, blissfully melodious and content. An hour passed. As the sky turned its hue, bidding goodbye to the day, Hazel traced her steps back. She again cast a look at her neighboring house. The lights were on. So there was someone inside. Her talkative self craved to have a word with someone. She decided to knock on the door and say hello. She tapped on the front door. There was no answer. She tapped again. Still no answer. As Hazel retreated, she saw a figure peeping through the window. When the spying figure realized she had been discovered, she hid behind. Hazel waited for a few seconds, intrigued. But there was no movement inside.

The next day Hazel spotted her watcher. She was a tall beautiful girl, almost Hazel's age. Before Hazel could reach her, she disappeared again. It became like a game between the two of them. And it continued for days. The only thing that changed was that the girl would often smile back at Hazel. But she never said a word. She became dauntless enough to follow the violinist to the shore and sit through her performance. Her face would gleam with joy almost akin to ecstasy. But the moment Hazel's music stopped, the listener got up and rushed away. Hazel being of an amiable nature did not mind this at all. The only thing that poked her was that the latter never spoke a word. If only, she said something....just once....just a hello maybe.....!

One day, the bashful admirer wrote something on the sand and left. Hazel hastily read what was written. S-C-A-R-L-E-T! Her name was Scarlet. 'This isn't bad! She seems to have taken the plunge," Hazel said to herself. She felt happy. Very happy.

Scarlet did not come out the next two days. Hazel was worried. She could not play violin. It seemed that she had been playing her music for her lone bystander and without her, there could be no melody. What was wrong? Where was she? Hazel was not sure if Scarlet would open the door if she went there. But she had to find out.

Nervous and anxious, Hazel approached Scarlet's house and knocked. Those few moments seemed like eternity to Hazel. She fidgeted as she waited for Scarlet to answer the door. Then, the door opened. Scarlet stood there. She looked fine.

"Where have you been? Why aren't you coming out? I was so worried? Don't you understand? You never say anything....Do you think I am a fool? What is wrong with you Scarlet?...."

The tirade would have continued but Scarlet motioned Hazel to come inside. Hazel followed her blindly. Then Scarlet pointed at something. Hazel looked around. The room was full of paintings. It seemed like a haven of art, brilliant aesthetic canvasses decorating each and every wall. Each work stood out like a masterpiece, absorbing the onlooker by its beauty and emotional appeal. But amid all the paintings, there was one that excelled beyond measure, one that flooded Hazel's eyes - the silhouette of a girl with a violin in her hand, the azure sky as a fitting backdrop. Yes, it was Hazel playing her violin! Yes, it was she drenched, lost in her music!


Painting by Nitish Sanan


Underneath the painting lay a note. Hazel picked up the note and read it

You violin is my voice. The music you play are my words. When the notes are sad, they speak of my grief. When the notes are happy, they express my delight. They are transmitters of my silent self. Thank you for giving me a voice. You do not know what you have done to me. 

Love 
Scarlet

Hazel did not know how to react. For the first time, she felt that she had no words to convey how her heart felt. The painting had touched a hitherto unknown chord inside her. The note left her speechless, with a heart overflowing with love. She hugged Scarlet tightly. Then she picked up the violin and started playing a beautiful composition, just for the two of them. Since words became inadequate  it was only music that could complement the feelings of gratitude and fondness the immaculate canvas had induced.



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Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Silver Love

A few days back while visiting Walmart, I chanced upon a very old couple. They must have been in late eighties. The pair looked elegant, exceptional, extraordinary. What made them seem so unique was their age and their closeness. In the times that we live, life is short and relationships even shorter. Perhaps that is the reason the couple stood out of the crowd. And I was reminded of a saying I had read earlier that " The most romantic love story isn't Romeo and Juliet who died together but Grandma and Grandpa who grew old together". Growing old is truly a privilege and growing old together....with your loved one, a rarity and a blessing. So here is my tribute to that lovely couple and to all those couples who stay together through thick and thin and hang around till their hair turn silver. After all, it is us who retire, and not love.


Outside the parking lot of a grocery store
A car takes rounds, one after the other
before it stops at the perfect parking spot...
I do not notice the make but the color is silver
The doors do not open at once
They take a few minutes...
Perhaps some important talk
Before they come into view
He steps out wearing suede boots
rich brown in color
the jacket is tan too
He does not go towards her side
She comes out on her own
Her feet wear easy pull-on boots
dark chocolate 
Her coat is crimson and her lips ruby red
Slowly she walks toward her man
The two silvery heads nod, the two stooping bodies hold hands
He pats on her shoulder
Slowly, very slowly they walk
He whispers something in her ears
She smiles and replies
He smiles back
Shriveled fingers clasped tightly
As if locked in eternal embrace
A rare picture of love these days
I keep looking at them 
The beauty of their love
the striking intimacy
the incredible living picture of 'till death do us part'
I wonder if there can be a better way to celebrate love
than to be like them
to be old and to be in love still
to be old and be next to each other still
after all those long years
after all the dreams accomplished
after all the goals reached
after all the tears shed
after all the smiles shared
to still be there for the other
living, loving forever.....




Thursday, January 29, 2015

Let Love Take Charge.....


Painting by Nitisha Sanan

























On an unplanned visit to one wonderful friend's house, I happily discovered her amazing talent. She is a remarkable artist and the paintings she had done were right there in front of me, the moment she opened the door. I stood amazed, lost, speechless. It was a hurried visit so I just managed to have a peek at her talent and on my way home, my spellbound mind could do nothing but think of her paintings. I asked her to send a picture of her paintings and she did that promptly. Words came out, heartfelt words and I poured them down, much like the rain and the love that pours in the picture. I dedicate this poem to you, Nitisha, my lovely friend, who has always made us laugh with her jokes. I was so deeply moved by the skill of your strokes Nitisha, that I really really from the bottom of my heart want you to keep painting. Very few there are who have this ability. You are one of them. Please never give this up. Time we all can manage if we want to. I am sure you will too.This one is for you....just for you.....only for you....Thanks for touching my heart so deeply.....Lots of love to you....

She prances with joy
As he holds her hand
They meet today after so long
He had promised, she had doubted
But he came so she is happy
He brings back the smile she had lost somewhere
And carefully he places it back on her face
She weeps but he wipes the tears away
She has pined and waited and waited and waited
Was going away so important?
Was it really worth it?
All the anguish, all the pain?
She asks, he says wash it all away with rain
The little red roof over their head
Shines like an ornament
Her face is crimson too, flushed with too much excitement
He gives her a jewel, she says she cares for it not
She holds his hand tight and asks Will you not go again?
Will you not chase your dreams and leave me behind?
What if you go again and I am turned to dust?
He panics at the thought, he is about to stumble
But she holds her tight, she does not let him fall
His eyes are misty too, he too has loved, he too has sighed the sighs of loneliness
He too has longed for gentle touch, he too has known the agony of emptiness
The two languishing hearts stand in the rain
Thoughtful about their pursuit of happiness
She will not leave his hand and he will not let go of hers
It may rain all night or all day
She knows, and he knows too
Love brought them back together, 
They let love take charge.......


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Thursday, January 22, 2015

The Red Shoes






For an unfashionable person like me, buying a red footwear took lot of courage. Add to it the fact that being a woman who buys shoes only when there is need (yes, literally!), and who sins against the entire breed of femininity by owning just 3-4 pairs, the act was one of dare. It lay there on the shelf, audacious and appealing, making my fingers itch and twitch to grab it. The temptation was so sudden and so strong that in a few minutes, the shoes that were adorning the shoe-shop were in my house. My son who LOVES red went gaga over them and would ask me to wear them whenever I went out. And I, in Hamlet-like fashion procrastinated, 'to wear or not to wear.' After I had spent umpteen moments on dawdling, I finally took the pair out and wore them. Needless to say they were attention grabbers. Those who saw them, admired them. It really made me wonder about the wonder of the red shoes. 

Sneakers, loafers, flats, slippers, stilettos, wedges, pumps, heels, slip-ons, sandals, boots.....the list goes on and on. We try different colors and styles for different occasions. But what is so special about that pair of red shoes that you have? Why is it that the red one glimmers and shimmers more? What is so catchy about its gleam and sheen? Why is it that the red shoe allures, enchants, captivates and makes everyone literally bow down? What is the secret to the fascination and seductiveness of wearing scarlet? Was Bill Blass, the American fashion designer right when he said," When in doubt, wear red"?

The color red has often been associated with vigorous energy, with impulse and rashness. It is the color of the blood, the color associated with intrepidity, with adventure, with passion and seduction. In ancient times, red color signified status and rank. It came as a surprise to me when I found out that in France, it was the privilege of the royalty and the courtiers to wear red-dyed shoes. The red shoes signified one's rank and status in the times of Louis XIV during the 17th century. The color red was expensive as an imported insect was used in the making of the red dye and only the rich could afford it. The fashion was lost after that, only to emerge in literature with all its sinful connotations. Hans Christian Andersen's morality tale  The Red Shoes depicted red in all its rashness...it was rage, it was sin, it was uncontrollable force. This interpretation took on a different meaning when in the movie The Wizard Of Oz, the Bad Witch of the East became the wearer of the red shoes, or ruby slippers as they were called but when she was killed, the shoes were passed on to Dorothy, the good girl. The ruby slippers were liked so much that they have been treasured since then as part of film memorabilia. 

So much so about the little history of red shoes. They are a rage now. Luxury brands catering to high-end fashionistas know their trade well when they bathe their shoes in red. Louboutin, majorly famous for his red-soled heels, said that he chose the color because it is "engaging, flirtatious, memorable, and the color of passion". Doesn't this suffice enough as a reason? We carry ourselves on our feet and the feet that is tucked in red sure is a winner. It shows independence, it emanates certitude, it speaks authority, it effuses happiness. Red shoes look modish and voguish. They are the style statement of the urbane stylish women in today's vanity fair. They turn heads by mere tip-toeing. Can there a something as powerful as that? The conspicuous visibility of the red color is never lost by the trotting, tapping, walking, dancing, running feet. The spectacle that unfolds with the red stride is a feast to the eyes. Then why wait, GO DARE!


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[Winds of Change: Embracing the Girl Child. Read here]

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Become the One You Write About

I was recently given an opportunity to write a guest post for Deb Hockenberry's Blog KidzTales. Deb is a talented person herself helping others by her insightful views on how to arite for children. Here is the link to the post that appeared on her page. Thanks Deb.

http://www.debhockenberry.com/the-bumpy-road-to-writing-for-children.html



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Thursday, January 15, 2015

The Happy Witch

Image Source here



Once on a spooky, scary night
A happy witch saw from some height
A sad girl sitting doing nothing but think
The witch said
Easy Breezy Magic Drink,
Tickle the little girl 
Pink Pink Pink!!!
The girl got up at once and smiled
And the witch went wild, the witch went wild....

The witch then saw a little boy 
Who was bitter and had no joy
Sadly sat next to his toy
The witch said
Easy Breezy Magic Bread
Paint the town Red 
Red Red Red!!!
The boy jumped up and smiled
And the witch went wild, the witch went wild...

The witch then heard a baby cry
A tear fell from the witch’s eye
Her heart cried Oh my Oh my my!
The witch said
Easy Breezy Magic Hair
Make the baby grin from ear to ear!!!
The baby’s cheeks dimpled and she smiled

And the witch went wild, the witch went wild.......





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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

For My Friend Fly

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My son these days has been reading level 1 books and one of his favorites is the Fly Guy series. The first time he brought one of the Fly guy book, I wasn't amused. It just didn't hit the right chord in me. A few days later, another Fly Guy....this time Fly Guy vs. The Fly swatter. I felt an impulse to pick it up and read it. And how I thank my stars that I did that! While reading the book, I started enjoying and I suddenly remembered our India trip when my son was about three years of age. Having been born and brought up in India, things that were there were just there for me....normal, everyday, routine things. But for my son, it was the first time when he was discovering his surroundings. So, picture this....My son is sitting in his room and a fly comes in. Imagine the terrified look such a common and puny creature brought on his face. Yes, yes, I am talking about the makhkhi....the everyday visitor in almost all the houses in India. Visualize my son screaming at the highest pitch possible.....a scream that made me jump wherever I was and as I came rushing to him, terrified that he might have spotted a lizard ...(yikes! I am soooo..... scared of them...), my son said, "Mama...there is a bug in the room and it will bite me..." I looked up and I looked low. I picked up the pillows. I dusted my bed.....But there was no bug. Then again....the scream....."Mamaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa......It's there...". There it sure was....right on the bed's edge, cozy, lazy housefly. I have to admit that I couldn't help and I started laughing. All this while my son stood petrified, hugging me tightly and really really infuriated at my laugh. My mom-in-law rushed from the other room and when I told her what had happened, she started laughing too....but very mindful laughing it was, mind you. She had seen her troubled grandson and she took him in her embrace and said, "yeh to makhkhi hai....ek makhkhi se darta hai beta.....kaise rahega yahan...."(This is just a fly.....you are scared of a fly.....how are you going to live here... ). 

The little fly had disappeared in the meantime and my son started playing again. I explained to him that flies come and go. 'They will not bite you.....but make sure they don't touch what you eat as then your food will get dirty.' He understood and went on with the day. The next day was fly day again....actually from that day, all days became fly days. When he saw the fly next time, my son exclaimed, " Look mama, my friend makhkhi!". This time I was amused more than I had been when he had screamed. The regular visitor was never seen as one having the potential to be a friend. It never entered the house that way but it came to stay there as a friend. My son would quietly observe the fly from a distance. He would sometimes shoo it away and sometimes keep some pretend food for it to eat. And nobody dared mess with his little friend. I am glad that it is difficult to distinguish one fly from the other as my son always thought that the fly that was there in his house was also travelling with him...actually following his friend wherever he went. I did my part be cleaning the corners of the windows and every other possible place where my son could have spotted a dead fly. It may sound hilarious but for a little heart, death in this tiny stature would have assumed a state of enormity. I smile today as I write this.

My son has read The Fly guy vs. The Fly Swatter at least ten times in these two days. When I ask him to do his homework, he first picks up the book and reads it and then he does his homework. I browsed amazon to find more books in this series and came across a harsh review that just couldn't digest the fly....oops....I mean that just couldn't digest the fact that fly can be a pet too. I myself had been biased initially but after reading the book (and having had a similar experience in life), I felt how mighty is the human brain that can conjure up things inconceivable and unacceptable to a common mind. And how open a child's mind is. I also googled up to find some literary stuff on a fly, and SURPRISE!!!!!.....WILLIAM BLAKE.....THE FLY......!!!

Little Fly/ Thy summer's play,
My thoughtless hand/ Has brush'd away.
Am not I/ A fly like thee?
Or art not thou/ A man like me?

What better way could a fragile fly be immortalized than this.....
Needless to say, our friend fly has gone places. From noses and soups to garbage bins and Fly Guy's pocket and from the corner of the windowsill to the literary gaze of a great poet, the fly flies and amuses.



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