For this week’s Sunday Trees I have a really bindaas one 😀
Covered
from top to toe
They cry foul
As they do
when uncovered
turn
a deaf ear to
the unpleasable world
take a leaf
from me
dance
to your song
as you like
however
you like
Month: April 2018
Faith & Fury
Faith & Fury
Words 101
“Khushiiii!” Heart in his mouth Arnav ran towards the edge.
Sweating and panting, bit-by-bit, he pulled her back and into his arms, for an infinitesimal second, before going on a verbal rampage. “What the hell Khushi! Can’t you do anything right? What if something had happened dammit?”
“But nothing happened!” Khushi inspected her scraped arms. “In any case, it’s all Devi Maiyya’s* wish. If She wants me who am I to fight Her?”
Arnav’s face grew blacker.
Khushi held out her hand. “Help me.”
“Ask your precious Devi Maiyya.” He snapped.
“I did.” Khushi twinkled. “She told me to ask you.”
***
*Devi Maiyya: Mother Goddess
Side note: Just a snapshot of my favorite couple Khushi and Arnav. I didn’t mean to write about them (100 words is not enough) but they have a habit of inveigling themselves and not letting go – apologies if it didn’t make much sense.
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Jan Wayne Fields for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
WPC: Life Lines
The Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge this week is Lines. And guess what suddenly all I can see are lines 😀 I had to draw a line at the number of photos I dumped on unsuspecting visitors 😉
Let’s start on a high note okay?
Lines of wine bottles and delicacies to soothe the sugar cravings
Night lights and lines in a typical Indian Metro city. Any guesses as to exactly which city? Nope not Mumbai or Delhi 😉
Petals lined up in a neat circular pattern. That reminds me, enough of interiors! Let’s get hot and dirty.
The bare branched of the Plumeria or the Frangipani trees draw intricate lines in the hot summer sun.
One such tree though not of the trees which whiled away the time drawing lines 😉 This one is busy shooting lines at impossible angles that are in the process of being smothered by a green rash 😀
These Canna leaves have such interesting lines and am enjoying watching them blossom and grow with each watering.
This caladium leaf could easily be mistaken for playing host to a giant pink spider. Don’t you think so too?
Not just in life but in death too the leaves leave messages for us. What do you think it’s trying to say?
I think it is saying C you Soon 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend unmarred by any lines on your brow 😀
SPF: Life Notes
Life Notes
Words 200
“Cheers!” They clinked glasses of preferred poisons.
“When did we last meet?” Priya asked.
“Rhea’s wedding.” Molly winked at Priya as she raised her glass in a toast to Rhea. “So Rhea, did our advice help?”
They giggled at her blank look.
“The birds and the bees.” Priya prodded.
“Oh please!” Rhea smacked her forehead. “Couldn’t you girls have given me some better advice?”
“Like what?”
“Like how disastrous it is to have a joint bank account with your spouse.” Rhea shuddered. “If only someone had told me to keep our accounts separate.”
“Money sweeter than honey.” Molly giggled.
Priya poked Molly. “What would you have done differently?”
“I would’ve prayed harder for my children to ignore me.”
They stared.
“When my children left home and promptly forgot about me, I was devastated.” Molly said. “After several tragedies, broken hearts and late night calls I realized the harsh fact of life.” She grinned. “If your loved ones don’t miss you, they are in a happy place.”
“Your turn.” They looked at Priya.
“I would’ve stayed connected.” Priya looked at them. “I would’ve stolen some time for my friends.” She swallowed. “Invested more in myself, my constant and often only companion.”
***
This photo prompt was one of my earliest (second or perhaps the third) attempts at flash fiction. You can read it here if you wish and let me know which one you prefer – if at all!
Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Alistair Forbes for hosting the challenge and the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Just 4 Fun #84
Don’t forget to pack it no matter where you go and even more importantly keep it handy – like your mobile.
Hmm not exactly what I was trying to portray, anyway
Yeah this is more like it 😀
Err how about an ice cream or two?
This one was too good to pass up 😀
Very creative dont you think? I just wish I had known about this a week ago – while attending a one week intensive workshop on how to save the world. Or something like that 😉
Before I sign off with these pearls collected from the internet and forwarded messages (i.e. none of these are mine) here’s a notice which may be of interest to at least some of you 😉
SUMMER CAMP FOR MEN
Evening classes for men. Starting this month!
Summer camp
Note: due to the complexity and level of difficulty of these contents, each course will accept a maximum of eight participants each.
Topic 1
How to fill ice-cube trays and why to fill water bottles before putting them back in the fridge.
Step by step with slide presentation.
Topic 2
Differences between the laundry basket and the floor.
Pictures and explanatory graphics.
Topic 3
Learning how to find things, starting with looking in the right place instead of turning the house upside down while screaming.
Open forum.
Topic 4
Health watch: bringing her flowers is not harmful to your health.
Graphics and audio tape.
Topic 5
Real men ask for directions when lost.
Real-life testimonials.
Topic 6
Is it genetically impossible to sit quietly while SHE drives?
Driving simulation.
Topic 7
Learning to live: basic differences between mother and wife.
Topic 8
How to be the ideal shopping companion.
Relaxation exercises, meditation and breathing techniques.
Topic 9
How to fight cerebral atrophy: remembering birthdays, anniversaries, other important dates and informing when you’re going to be late.
Admissions are open.
Which one do you think is most important or any that may have been missed?
Oh wait! One final tip…
View From the Top
This week, I have this really tall one for Becca’s Sunday Trees
the young uns
rustle and strain
eager to also
brush shoulders
with the sky
buffeted by winds
engulfed
in icy silence
bare branches
send a whisper
on a leaf
the sky
is just as far
from here
as from there
it is not about
how high you are
it is about how
deep you are.
Another Dead End
Another Dead End
Words 101
“I hate them! I’m never going back again.” She smashed a cup.
Granny continued rocking.
“I don’t matter, only society matters. Just because Rahul’s poor….”
“…Unemployed.” Granny cut in. “Just think! No money. No roof.”
“I… we’ll stay with you Dadi. You’re lonely.”
“I don’t mind. Not now. Would Rahul like to stay so far away…? ”
“…. He would! He can draw and paint in peace.”
“And you?”
“I’ll be with him.” She giggled. “Whispering sweet nothings.”
“What’ll you eat?”
“Whatever you cook.”
“I don’t cook anymore.”
“Why not?”
Granny gave a cackle and vanished in a puff of smoke.
***
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Yarnspinner for the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
Just 4 Fun #83
Warm bright colors of spring and the coming summer season 😀 And today I bring some minion (among other) fun – for some strange reason (and much to my frustration) I have been unable to access Pinterest from my home internet. But today since I am traveling things are better and here are a few of my favorites. Hope you enjoy 🙂
Hhahah aint that true 😀
It does work and even better if you work out along with it. Trust me!
Ins’t that right? Now she not only has to keep track of her glass slippers, the kitchen cinders but his socks too! Ahh well such is life.
Fellow nillionaires raise your hands!
And I am frequently surprised 😀
But it’s not shutting up. I really am starving and I need to go on a diet. Any suggestions?
Great idea. 🙂 Thanks……hey!!!!!
So true and the worse part is I just got to know it! So many rules to break and so little time…
I am not particularly fond of cocktails so perhaps the laptop and wifi?
Now I know!
Unless I have been sitting for too long then even they dont fit – yeah I am at that age.
I could go on and on but I am sure you have loads to do – have a wonderful week! And as usual none of this stuff is mine and is all borrowed from the internet.
Do let me now your favorite one!
Hark! She Speaks
This week for Becca’s Sunday Trees I bring one that has probably witnessed history that continues to hold significance today – from the precincts of the famous Chittor fort. I have previously shared several visuals from this place earlier as well but this particular tree overlooks the Sati sthal on one side and Jauhar kund on the other. I could not bear to take photos of the place where women burnt themselves along with the dead bodies of their husbands or jumped into it for fear of rape and slavery by plunderers and victors of wars.
Hark! She Speaks
I can tell you
tales of brave
helpless women
Sending off their men
to wage battles
of honor and pride
Fasting and praying
for his victory
and
his long life
They were but
One soul,
one body.
If he died, she would
burn with him
if he lost, it was Jauhar,
for her
and her children
As the spoils of war
it behooved her
to embrace death
to protect her
dignity and honor
and
save them
the dishonor
of failing to protecting her.
Times have changed
The world has progressed
They educate her
indulge her
pamper her and
cheer for her as she shatters
One glass ceiling after another
But under the sheen
lurks a beast
that seeks to
subjugate her with
attitudes and mentalities
that are passed off
as our culture and
sanskriti
All said and done
it is still her duty
to uphold their honor
And his right to defile hers
it is her duty to bear it silently
to shield their bestiality
so that they can continue to
hold up their heads in society
She is still blamed
and shamed
Be silent
Or be silenced
remains the
unsaid mantra
Since the beginning of time
they have
hacked my branches
stripped me bare
And with cruel knives
carved out love notes
on my body
over and over
again
but did I die?
Did I hide nakedness?
Did I hide my face?
Why do you?
Silent
unyielding
unflinching
unapologetic
existence
is my DNA
What is yours?
SPF: You’ve Got Mail
You’ve Got Mail
Words 202
Five-thirty! All of a sudden Rhea was energized. Her day at the office had ended. She couldn’t wait to get home and switch to her Rheal personality. Technically a copyeditor but relegated to proofreading, she had found succor in her secret alternate universe.
Scifi world here I come her heart sang as the whole weekend stretched before her. Quickly grabbing her weekly essentials so that she wasn’t forced to move out for supplies she let herself into her apartment. Shedding her baggage, kicking off her heels, plugging the kettle, she pulled open her laptop.
The notification button glowed like a welcoming beacon. Yes! Her blog was finally making waves. The act of writing itself was cathartic and fulfilling yet it was lonely. For fear of ridicule she hadn’t shared her newfound passion with her fellow beings and she was resigned to being unnoticed and unread.
But things were changing. Random page views blossomed to a like here and there. And even (gasp) a comment or two. Gerkle was a particular fan. Obviously a fake name but where on earth was Zeutron?
Hi! Could you tell Zoe on Earth that her Dave’s fine? We could arrange a one-way trip for her and you.
***
Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Thanks to Alistair Forbes for hosting the challenge and the photo prompt. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt click here.
This story is a sort of a continuation of a previous flash 😀
Any fans of IPK but more importantly readers of Silver Streaks? Here's a little weekend gift - hope you like.
Stories and more 