Let me be...

A Long Wait...

2009-03-04T05:35:00.000-08:00

A Long Wait…

Savera misses her childhood friend, Vivaan and each day she visits the lonely island where they first met. She thinks of every moment spent together with Vivaan. She talks to the plants and the winds as if they were messengers and wishes to remind Vivaan of all the lovely days spent together. She conjures the universe to send back her Vivaan, the one for whom she pines every day, every moment.
Savera’s soliloquy:
I know not the worldly ways nor do I wish to, all want to know and remember are the meadows where we, as kids, ran, kissed the dew drops on the petals and chased the colorful butterflies. Those fun filled days when we would play hide and seek and hide behind the trees and you would scare me, I would scream and you would laugh loudly! Remember how wonderful it felt, when we would lie on our back, on the bed of soft grass and watch the azure sky for hours and play the game of guessing clouds? I still remember how we gently plucked the small flowers and sucked nectar and I laugh thinking, how we ate mangoes, not bothered about staining our clothes and how delectably we licked our mango pulp smeared fingers.
Time literally flied. I still remember that day…The day when the meadows were luxuriant with soft greenery. It was still dawn, we ran in the fields with joy to reach the swing that was laden with creepers and sweet roses and you reached the swing first. How much you teased me and then we both swayed on that beautiful swing. It was so windy, and when the winds tousled my hair you came close to smoothen them back and suddenly some strange desire rose within us and you bent forward to caress me. The soft winds and the rustling of trees were like music in the air. The picture enlivens when I am reminded of the way you smiled and softly whispered those lovely words in my ears and how we both blushed for the first time in life.
Remember how we rolled in the meadows and the passion that swathed us, the first time that we realized ourselves as man and woman. What bliss, what an exploration of ourselves, which we didn’t realize all the while. How blessed we felt when the soft sun arose and radiated its warmth and graced our precious day bestowing on us its holy light. Have you forgotten it all, all those lovely and divine moments?
Don’t you even remember the little sapling that we sowed together? I see it grow day by day into a tiny tree, which will grow strong and sturdy one day. I rest on its trunk and find you close to me. I roam in the meadows, yes the same soft green meadows, but now all alone. The swing still sways teasing me and the leaves of the trees rustle to make me happy, so many seasons have passed, but you show no sign. Sometimes the wait is so long that it seems it might take eons for you to be mine.
I drown in the dreams of desire, the longing grows stronger and stronger and every moment appears to be a thousand years. All this while, I wander in my dreamland and unite with you each day. I miss those days of togetherness, the companionship, to be very honest, I miss you. I wait everyday hoping that someday, you would return. I anticipate an inexplicable excitement for the days of reunion.
Spellbound am I, with my desires, trapped am I in my dreams; is it a time warp that I am living in?

Written by
Shilpa

Naughty at Forty

2009-03-04T05:31:00.000-08:00

Naughty at Forty

Forty is such an age when the good ones become naughty and the naughty ones become good. Well, they have their fill in either of the phases of life! Maybe they are just tired of being what they were and wish to bring a change in their life. The good ones are, kind of bored in refraining themselves from all temptations and now wish to break free from the shackles of the so called “forbidden” especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Those who have been naughty somehow become tired of all the pranks they played and overgrow their “flirting around” attitude and mellow down to be more somber. Well, that’s the way of life! At times, consistency sucks!!!!!!
Ask the women, they feel more lovelorn than men at forty! It is said, the heat is strongest at 40, no matter whether male or female. Well, some of the women prefer men above forty because they find them more matured, wise, and settled, no- nonsense, and less- fussy, experienced and silver tongued. They find them smooth, as the smoothest of Vodka. Well well there are some who prefer the young dudes too! Although 90% women will flutter around but will still be a homing pigeon. Society, responsibility, family etc. the same blah… blah… blah… will not let them live (or should I say “love”) at peace!!! Heck! History and Holy Scriptures are replete with instances where Kunti, Draupadi, etc. etc. had more than one husband or lovers, then why all the rules imposed on the women of this generation???? Not fair…

Ask men, they would do anything to relive their youth once they turn forty! They have had enough, enough of running around, responsibilities, running crazily after career and accomplishment and also enough of wifey’s nagging and parents rod on their head! For them forty means “Rebirth”. They wish to be a boy at forty who would love to hopelessly fall in love once again! Women suddenly appear to be more beautiful to them and if asked to start an affair then they wouldn’t want to waste time gifting Roses etc. baaah! You think I am a fool? Who has the time to beat around the bush? Apparently, they finally seem to have gathered courage to talk straight and more candidly! Their range for loving a woman varies from 20-60 years of age, ideal range for a man at forty!!! Ask them about women at forty and they reply, hmm, “A woman at forty doesn’t yell, doesn’t swell and is grateful as Hell!!!!!!” (Hey that’s a pretty naughty answer! But boys will be boys!) Anyway, men have a good excuse for their changed persona, as they can easily blame it on their testosterones!!!!!!
Mostly all men and women wish to fly freely but at the end of the day they find solace only in their nest! Believe it or not, that’s the way of life. Be easy, live it, love it and enjoy the years left in life.
But what do we do at the age of sixty????? Well, well, Charge up your batteries then! How do you say!!!!!
P.S. I still have few more years to reach forty but I hope I guessed it right...

A Candle

2009-02-25T05:41:00.000-08:00

A Candle

I am a candle. I roam in darkness showing light to others but myself, I fervently search for “The Light.”
I radiate hope, love, happiness but all I get is a blow that snuffs me out!

I glimmer with happiness on birthdays and glow transcendently on a gloomy peace march day.
My flame glows in all holy places and auspicious occasions spreading warmth and divinity among all the spiritual beings.
I blush, on a candle-lit dinner and my flame flickers when lovers get nearer.

I help a child study by my light and my flame stands steadily so that he doesn’t miss any line.
I bless those who seek my light and also those who rejoice when I silently sublime seeing the budding minds.

I epitomize honesty, simplicity, bravery and “Light” but myself I still roam in darkness, in search of Truth, the truth of Life!

My artistry is reflected in the shadows I form and also when my wax melts to take the shape of a unique sculpture.

I am humble, I am generous but I am fatal to all those who mishandle or treat me with disrespect.
I glow valiantly till my last breath and shine brilliantly when I breathe my last.
I smoulder myself just to give you light but myself; I die without finding the “Light.”

A unique love affair

2008-12-15T05:26:00.000-08:00

A Unique Love Affair

When the night falls and the moon softly touches the sea, there is some restlessness in the waters of the sea. Its waves peel from it, spreading its arms to embrace the moon but the moon mischievously hides behind the cloud only to leave the helpless waves to shrink back in the sea.
“Ah, Sea you are too bold, have you ever seen women proposing men?” questions the moon.
Oh! He hardly sees my generosity, murmurs the Sea.
Then the Moon peeks again from the cloud and the Sea spreads its arms again to hold it but the distance is so much that its energy fades and shrinks…
The Moon continues to tease the Sea by playing hide and seek from behind the cloud but the Sea smirks and says, “The clouds that you are hiding behind are also mine.”
“Huh!” the Moon says, “Then why those tides?”
The sea winks and replies “Darling, these are just my ways to entice.”
“Hah! Entice the one who itself is so mystical?” says Moon, with pride.
“Darling, why so much pride? It is my faith in you that makes you so mystical,” replies the Sea.
“Hmm, you are right, what would my brilliance do if you did not have faith in me? You have so beautifully broken the pride in me!” confesses the Moon.
“Now, why do you make me yearn so much and keep disappearing behind the clouds?” questions the Sea.
“I am just trying to feel you, through a part of you—the clouds!” winks the Moon.
Smiling, the Sea says, “It’s your wit and brilliance that always wins me and makes my waves throb for you.”
“And it is the charisma of your melodious music and your dancing tides that fascinate me and invoke me every night to come and meet you” rejoins the moon.
“When the whole world is asleep, I am overjoyed to see you welcome me with your scintillating tunes and ballet. And then it is just so difficult for me to resist a single moment and with the strike of twilight. I come stealthily just to meet you” sighs the Moon.
“And I spend all day banging against the boulders and rocks in desperation, especially when I see lovers sitting by my shores; I become impatient and ebb and flow on the shores. How much I wait for the night, you will never know!” says the Sea.
“I know it all dear, had I not been the captive of the centripetal and centrifugal forces, I would have come straight down to embrace you and live with you forever” sadly states the Moon.
“Yes, and had I not been the captive of gravity, I would have flowed straight up to you and wrap you with all my love and care” utters the Sea desolately and smiles.
“I wonder when will we get out of this time warp or the curse and meet forever”
“Don’t worry darling” replies the Moon and suddenly the sky gets darker and clouds begin to clear, leaving the moon alone in the sky. And then the Moon spreads a silvery hue on the sea as if embracing it. Then gently it caresses the Sea with its reflection. There is a wild ecstasy with this unique reunion and then the lovers dance in unison. It all appears awesome!
So lost are they in each others arms that everyday when the Sun comes, it winks at the Moon and says, “Time’s up Buddy!”
And then farewell the lovers bid, promising to meet again. The Moon diminishes in the clouds and stillness in the sea dwells. And they eagerly wait for another night to fall, and then again they start with the rhapsody of their unique love affair!

-Shilpa

What beautiful creatures are we...

2008-11-28T04:37:00.000-08:00

What Beautiful creatures are we…

What beautiful creatures are we- The Human Beings!
We have the power of vivid imagination, of love, passion and compassion
We have the power to make others happy, gloomy and sad
We can be someone’s inspiration, victory or just a sweet dream!
We can sense the pathos, shed tears in sorrow and also laugh aloud
We can resist, we can yield
What wonderful beings are we!

We can use our limbs and body fantastically for gentle and strong emotions
And also for good and bad deeds
We can touch the sky, while on ground, our feet we keep
We nag, we brag, we complain for so many things we lack
We can hurt others still nothing can soothe us better than human beings
What amazing creatures are we!

A gentle touch, a sweet nuzzle, a bear hug or a little peck
Can brighten us all…
Some us of have the power to do wonderful things in a quickie
Some may lag behind and choose to go slow and steady!
Though we are same skin, bones and blood
But still, we all are unique in our own special way!

Some seek perfection, some compromise
Some leave it on destiny…
And wait for a magical wand to make their future shine
What marvellous creatures are we!

We can be humorous, we can be witty, and we can be intelligent
But at times also dumb as we can ever be!
We can appreciate, we can criticize
We can spit fire and also be kind
We can love the invisible and also
Love the virtual
And of course all that what’s real
Oh my God, what fascinating beings are we!

We can trust, we can betray
We can fight and also make peace
We can forgive and forget
We have the power to vividly imagine
Anything that can be…
We can experience spirituality
In certain bonding and also in simplicity!
Wow, what spiritual creatures are we!

We are always kids at heart
Whatever age may be
We love to love and be loved
At any age we be!

We bite, we sting, we fight, we kill we also show love
We all have animal instincts
We blossom like a flower
We patiently endure like a tree
We bear fruit, we attract butterflies and bees
We provide shelter and comfort
We love nature
And Mother Nature says
What loving creatures are thee!

Our emotions are like seasons
We are warm like summers
Cold like winters
We cry like the rain
Make merry like spring
And like the thunder we show our fury

Satan amazingly looks at us and says:
Eh God! What an artistry!!!!!!

A Ripple

2008-11-02T06:12:00.000-08:00

A Ripphttp://blogs.rediff.com/agarwalshilpa1/2008/11/02/the-ripples/

A ripple in the still waters, the waters though calm runs deep. It’s the ripples that animate the surface of the water with joy, sorrow, excitement or grief.
The ripples indicate the turmoil on earth; they also signify the victory of the kingfisher that dexterously dives to catch its prey.
It’s an awesome sight when waters dance whenever someone tosses a stone in the river. An amateur may form just one ripple but a maestro may form several such ripples in a row that too with a single throw!
How wonderful are these ephemeral ripples, each ring forming a face …happy, gloomy, angry, ugly, beautiful or smiling, the way the onlooker perceives!
The good and bad times in our life are just like these short lived ripples…see how beautifully the water balances them both and maintains its tranquillity and when again the wind does softly blow, the water again enjoys the ballet of these small and big ripples.
What a lovely sight it is to see a dried leaf bid farewell to the tree and ultimately caress the river that flowed down its tree. Its undying romance for the water, which it always ogled at when on the tree …Now is the time to finally find solace in the arms of the water, which humbly offers her the coffin (ripple) on which it will gently float its last journey…

Let me be...

2008-09-25T18:12:00.000-07:00

Let me be…

Let me be the soul
If you, the body

Let me be the heat
If you, the Sun

Let me be the rainbow
If you, a tear

Let me be the world
Where you would love to wander

Let me be the aura
If you, the smile

Let me be the melody
If you, the song

Let me be the wings
If you, an angel

Let me be the air
That you always breathe in

Let me be the heartbeat
If you the heart

Let me be the warmth
If you, the hug

Let me be the passion
If you, the kiss

Let me be the sensation
If you, the touch

Let me be the Light
Whenever you need

Let me be your dreams
When you sleep

Let me be close to you
Till we last breathe

Let me be thine, if thou be mine - in mind n ...'
Just for the reason, to let me be ‘Me’.

- Shilpa Agarwal