CHANTINGS OF THE HEART

As my alarm ring each morning I jump out of my bed Only to realise I am still sleepy eyed  And still yawning I shut the alarm And sleep back again  It's the new normal  Everyday is a Sunday.  I like this new normal I have the privilege To wake up late And walk to the gate I don't have to embark on a journey Of sixty miles from one end the other. I wake up late, to have a relaxed morning With a cup of coffee, I open my lappie I check my mail, play with my doggie Then relax and relax Water my plants, prepare a breakfast Sit in my cozy, comfortable corner Meetings are via Zoom or Cisco I log in and snore off  Or forage the refrigerator for delicacies My doggie comes and licks my face I get him his collar and leash We take the lift and go for a feast Me and my doggie in the lawn Oh, I never knew life could be so fun So, what if it's COVID time We can still have our share of fun Life was not so easy in the past Morning seven I always had a blast Cleaning, eating, rushing  Oh, li

Hiya was busy flapping the pages of the travel magazine which she picked up sometime back. The magazine finding it's place in the beautifully decorated corner table, amidst statues and flower pots was something she didn't expect- atleast in the living room.  Hiya carefully turned one page after another lest she mishandled and tore the glossy pages. She remained glued to pictures of the majestic mountains, the clear blue seas, the bountiful isles, laughing children and wild flowers, indeed nature's beauty was captured so perfectly that her thoughts moved to the pristine surroundings. How she missed her long vacations and trips to those mystified places.  The living room which was always entertaining some guest or the other was literally empty for the last couple of months. The room which was always abuzz with activities was also having its share of the lockdown. Riya sat on the recliner and glanced at the artefacts and pictures adorning the racks, shelves or corner tables of

One evening sitting on my balcony My mind was in cacophony I sat reclining on my chair Remembering all that I saw at a fair Of all the things that I saw Almost all had a flaw I still kept recollecting  What could be interesting  Oh, yes I remembered! It was a piece treasured..   Several succulents grew  Which I never knew I stood staring  Wondering if it was worth caring Suddenly, I saw a butterfly flutter Which made me mutter Yes, I need the piece unique So, I made the decision quick  I brought a terrarium  And placed it near the aquarium My table had a piece Which was without a crease  It was a beauty  Without much duty I was carefree As my little tree It was my dream But now we are a team As I cared My tree fared! I stood looking down  At my terrarium brown Oh, I killed you dear Without being near I am sorry  For the lost glory My terrarium dear Please don't fear I know it is strange But I promise to change!

Thou art so mystic So dignified; yet so sober I look at your endearing beauty Months after months, Years after years I look at you... Untiring, pragmatic... So full of life.. I yearn for company On nights when your beauty Incomparable, untouched, pure Shine on the silent waters I can just admire you  Now and forever. You bring forth happiness, You bring forth dreams Of better tomorrows How I can spend a million years Just admiring your beauty.. The unfathomable beauty You my namesake is mystic!!

Just going through the title ' Great Expectations' many of you might think it has got something to do with Charles Dickens novel bearing the same name. The character Pip was an orphan and he had to face tremendous struggle though he considered himself lucky at one point of time.  Well, I am not contemplating anything on the novel but rather an act which has created shock waves in the hearts of many animal lovers. Imagine you are terribly hungry and want to grab some food. You land up having a plate of food only knowing that it was poisoned. What would be your condition?  I am not talking about you here but that innocent elephant which was brutally murdered by a group of savages and morons who could think of the cruel idea of planting a bomb inside a pineapple. Oh! how disastrous!  I can't even imagine the plight of that pregnant elephant which was running and then dipped it's shattered mouth in the water. Oh! how cruel humans have turned. How pathetic to know that over

" Aurat jaat ki sundarta uski rang main hoti hain ." (The beauty of a woman is judged just by her skintone) said Ram Avtar - the village head of Mukundpur even as Ramla and Mukesh were crying and seeking help. Ramla was weeping and amidst sobs muttered, " Uski kya galti thi?" "Daswi pass hain meri beti." "Kya hua agar sawli hain toh?" "Woh ladka toh teesri class tak padha." Yesterday was the most important day in Saroj's life- that's what pot-bellied Mukesh and his malnourished wife Ramla felt.  Ramla's brothers Kanu and Amritlal and their wives had made all the arrangements. They decorated the courtyard with mango leaves and flowers. A beautiful Rangoli was made at the centre and chairs were set under the shamiyana  ( a tent like structure). Aroma of delicacies prepared in the backyard could be smelt from as far as five houses in each direction. Vimla kaki( aunt) had applied mehendi on Saroj's hands and feet. She looke

Tania once again adjusted the pallu of the seafoam colored saree. This is the seventeenth time, she adorned sarees in over a period of three years. Well, she lost count of the times she wore a saree prior to the day when she started counting. Just then Mrs Dolly Sachdeva, Tania's ever enthusiastic mother walked in the room and said, "Tania, are you ready yet? They have turned up." "Come out when I send in Anya." This time also Tania nodded her head and looked at herself in the mirror.  She was looking beautiful, infact she was glowing.  Tania was an MBA from a reputed University and was working with a NGO which looked after children with special needs. Tania's thoughts went to the day when she sat for the interview when Mr. Richards remarked, "Tania, you are an epitome of kindness and talent." "Congratulations, you are hired!" Tania's heart knew no bounds, she wanted to shout out loud and clear. She wanted to answer those who had judg