Tag: conflict

It’s the Time, to –

It's the time

I have had enough.

Enough of peer, and enough of pressure.

More than enough of awareness.

And also of social conformity.

 

It’s the time, to step down

From the pedestal, and accept

the harsh truth. For acceptance,

is the first step to recovery —

or so they say.

 

But —

I have had enough.

Of pointing fingers, and

of ‘sharing’ responsibilities

I respect family — they adore tradition.

It was my duty, they said

To care, and cure — and nurture

The future of our country.

 

Why should I make a home —

When my richer counterparts

party? After all —

We are all 19.

 

It’s the time, to make a stand

To step up — and step out

To a future of my choice.

Giving Thanks, the Tamil Way

I am a South Indian and my mother tongue is Tamil.

I just said that, because today is a special day for us Tamils. It’s called Pongal.

Pongal is also a famous food item prepared with rice. It could either be sweet – prepared with jaggery, and ghee roasted cashews, or savory – prepared with lots of black pepper.

It’s the day farmers thank the Sun for a good year’s harvest and pray for a better harvest the following year. It’s like Thanksgiving Day for them. It’s only their special day, farmers who work so hard to fill our plates – but as things go on the real world, we all get a public holiday.

Ironically though, while the rest of us relax and rest, farmers spend the day making pongal and offering it to the Sun god. The following day, is a celebration for the cattle that helps in farming. They bathe their cattle, feed them grandly and thank them too. The following day is when they take meat – and in grand fashion too! Generally, it’s a week-long celebration for farmers.

Students celebrate this holiday as much as the farmers; all schools and colleges close for a whole week. And with the weekend just around the corner, most people have gone home to family to celebrate the holidays. They make pongal early in the morning, offer it to the various gods they worship, and spend the whole afternoon watching the back-to-back movies telecasted on TV. A typical holiday at a typical (modern) South Indian home.

Did I mention Pongal is one of the most auspicious days of the Tamil calendar?

Thought you ought to know.

Whatever it is…

Now that the holiday spirits are slowly dying down, people have began to talk of the next big thing: Valentines Day. I know it’s too early for romance talk, but it never is too early for poetry! Besides, I’ve been posting a lot of short stories lately, and I’ve been missing the poetic touch.

With this poem, it was love at first sight. Yet again.

And for all those folks who wonder what the hell love is, here’s what the German poet, Erich Freud has to say.

Was es ist

Es ist Unsinn
sagt die Vernunft
Es ist was es ist
sagt die Liebe

Es ist Unglück
sagt die Berechnung
Es ist nichts als Schmerz
sagt die Angst
Es ist aussichtslos
sagt die Einsicht
Es ist was es ist
sagt die Liebe

Es ist lächerlich
sagt der Stolz
Es ist leichtsinnig
sagt die Vorsicht
Es ist unmöglich
sagt die Erfahrung
Es ist was es ist
sagt die Liebe

Translation

What it is

It is nonsense
says reason
It is what it is
says love

It is calamity
says calculation
It is nothing but pain
says fear
It is hopeless
says insight
It is what it is
says love

It is ludicrous
says pride
It is foolish
says caution
It is impossible
says experience
It is what it is
says love

Never mind what
anyone says –
It is confusing
says I. ;)

Ultimate Fitness

He was not going to allow the cold, wind-driven rain to change his plans. Today’s Author

He replayed the motivational speech in his mind.

“Fitness is everything.”

He took one look at the wet street through the window, heaved a sigh and turned to his unmade bed.

What wouldn’t he give to cuddle up inside those comfortable sheets?

No. He had to go, it was his destiny.

He imagined the roads calling to him. With fierce determination, he walked, away from his bed, to the front door. Opening it, he stood on the doorway.

Squared shoulders and head held high — a perfect silhouette. As he took the first step onto the rain-lashed road, the camera zoomed to his shoes, and on it was the logo, bright and shiny.

“Yolker: Dare or Dare?”

Applause broke out as the advertisement ended, and up on stage, Richard’s face glowed with pride.

He thought of that wet morning. Motivated by a fitness advertisement, he had run uphill on a cold, wind-driven rain — only to slip and dislocate his spine.

That day, he realized: lying sells.

Smiling serenely, he accepted the award from his wheelchair.