The second journal which published two of my poems - Two and Singular and These Rains, arrived yesterday. Its launch took place today and luckily the venue was near my place. To say that it was an incredible moment, would be an understatement. I was almost in tears to see my mother and my best friend so proud as I walked towards the stage. I couldn't have asked for more.
No wait!
I also got my book signed by Irshad Kamil, a very renowned poet and lyricist. Ah! What a struggle it was but I would't have missed the chance in any case. :)
So now, I couldn't have asked for more. ^_^
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The haiku has been written for: Haiku Heights - Prompt of the week is 'Dusk'.
Now that I'm through with my semester exams, I should optimally utilize the three-four days that I have. Yes, we don't get any semester break. =| Here is the plan of action:
Start exercising.
Shop online.
Snuggle more in the cozy blanket as winter has begun retreating.
Learn new words.
Clean the room. And bury every trace of course books somewhere deep.
Enjoy being idol and remember the days I dearly wished I'd nothing to do except relax.
No silent kisses for me No perpetual dismay here This void is filled with mesmerism Of mature beliefs and warmth of the winter sun I love sunshine, today The silly shadow art that we make I love the kiss on the forehead Because this is mesmerism And because its a wonderful world So again, no perpetual dismay As now is the time To paint the white roses red, Just how Alice suggests To be the love more than I can take And to flash the familiar, buoyant smile Beneath this gorgeous white crust Erasing all the ugly things said And the thick dark rust. ______
The veins have become achingly black and numb. The pain in the mind as well as in the soul is desperately hunting down a way to vent it out. This air that I breathe, that I'm taking in involuntarily, brings along the cries of those two withered souls. It brings along the whispers of those who were nothing but thick-skinned mute spectators, who stood there, right there in front of them and indulged in extended conversations instead of covering the victims with a piece of cloth. Of the three PCR vans which were busy fighting over the jurisdiction for the case while they both lay in a pool of blood, on a chilly winter night. And above all, of those who are but demons in guise of men and who have wrenched the mind of every citizen with their gruesome and heart-aching act.
All such people, everyone, not just the accused, have blotted the term 'humanity' for me and for us. They have ruptured the small, little, tiny yet strong assumption which we had that 'we walk among respectable people and that the society wouldn't eat us alive'. They have ruptured it oh so badly.
It's such a shame.
Goosebumps? Ah..they have become a settled part now. The appalled and frightful look is losing its shade and sadly turning into an expressionless dead face. A face which is an overt portrayal of shame and disgust. An expression of helplessness which perhaps every woman in my country is wearing right now.
And yes, in the end, it is the society which has died. The beliefs. The values. The perception. The patriarchal norms. The blame-the-girl looks. The look-down-upon-her behavior. Everything! Everything has been crushed to death, along with that young brave girl. Because this time, it is so not about just that one girl. This time it is not like change-the-news-channel-and-move-on-with-your-lives. This time, it is about me, you, your sister, your wife, your mother and your daughter.
I wait and watch As the clock tik tok Step by step Closer to be held Held tight by you On this cold winter night With biting shivers In a while, it'd be true You get sweetness I'll get spice Oh dear twenty thirteen Hug me tight!
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News of the month, or year:I received three complimentary copies of my first publication a few days back. It's a literary magazine, kind enough to publish my poem (Haiku) Light Empowers which I wrote a little more than a year back. Needless to say, I am ecstatic beyond limits! =]
Here is a picture for you.
Now waiting for the next one to launch. It is almost hard to believe what I'd dearly wished a few months back has come true so soon. Like my wishes were strongly heard. #Touchwood
Time to strike off another entry in the list. BLISS!
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Image source: Phone camera. Picture quality makes it pretty clear. :P
I have heard people say that one should live each day to the fullest. I have heard dialogues in inspirational movies guiding us to make every day count, for life is too short. And as a child, teenager and an adult too, I have always had this strong will not to have any regrets in life. That regrets wouldn't fall on our way if we do what our heart seeks and if we give every little opportunity a shot to comfort us and to immaculately craft new memories for us.
And as I write this post, all I have is sheer amazement in my heart. I am amazed how immensely my belief is now resting in the most unfathomable part of me.
There is a huge difference when you hear such heart-warming teachings of life from just another person and from someone who is facing death right in the face. The impact is deep! So much so that it makes you feel pretty small and all you can do is admire the person's strength and caliber while innocently trying to grab a look at life from his mettle eyes.
And he says that even if he has a year left, he can make every day count and live longer than those who die at 80 or 90. Because 'it's not the years in life, but life in those years that counts'. He says that one should not fall in love with one's body but with one's soul, the beauty that prevails forever. For his soul shall always be with his loved ones.
He is not afraid of life or death. He is not afraid of anything! For he has stepped onto a higher level where he is able to comprehend the absurdity in chasing the shadows of dented desires. The dented desires which we all keep on bringing out from our baggage, thinking that this is what we are supposed to do, uncovering the disturbed thoughts and cursing the life. I too get indulged in issues of everyday that I forget my own pledge. And this is what I have planned to change. Not that I am going to give up my studies and go on a world trip right away. But I will definitely work on things like me getting too much affected by stupid little matters.
I will smile more, laugh more and love more. All in all, I'll live more. And this is the final plan.
Because I too want to step onto that higher platform where my brother believes that trivial qualms cannot penetrate the walls of peace, where he has gathered contentment with the undying and unflinching support of his wife and where he smiles when he watches his little daughters sketch some amazingly gorgeous pictures, telling him how much they love their father who is but a hero.
So the next time if somebody asks me have you ever met a real life hero....
Just a small update dear reader: This is officially the 100th post of Mirage. YAYYYIIEEEAAAOOO! =D
And I am more than delighted to share that this perfect haiku is not the articulation of my thoughts but someone whom I have adored for so long. The person took an effort to step into my shoes and enjoy what I enjoy and presented me with this gorgeous surprise, perfectly packed in three lines.
Thank you my dearest friend. It means a lot.
I am not amazed at the falling apart of uncased pieces which hung in symmetry for so long. I am astounded at the fact that all this time, they were hanging in the void baselessly. There was not a single string attached. I am astounded how imbecile someone can make you feel under the facade of honestly and mush. The change of the whole picture is absolutely horrendous. And all I could wonder is when did this happen. Ha...imbecile, I really am! It was a slow and gradual process, I know. But the late realization makes it extremely tough to adapt, extremely tough to blend with true colors.
Sigh!
There is a lot of betrayal going on in this world. Beware people!
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Diwali always comes with novel things, be it materialistic or not. This year, it brought along some realizations, very hard though. I don't have any grief because whatever happens, happens for the best. And this is one thing which can never lose its meaning nor it can be deprived of my belief. So I am not going to indulge in sadness and caress pain and hatred. Instead, I will make use of these realizations and mend some mismatched pieces.
Thus, I will make my Diwali good. Like it always is and it always will be.
For it's not about the colors I have lost, it's about the picture that has been formed in the process of losing them.
It is pungent. The after smell of escapism. It sways all around. Teases, smirks and plays. But oh it attracts. Strongly! Some artificial sweetness. Should I give in? Who knows? The greened breaths? Nah! Act smart and forget it. You are not a bitch, dear life. So don't be one. _______ Nothing much to say. Surrounded by bliss and gloom at the same time. Total confusion. And thus the above lines. Mere lines! Haphazardly crawling in indecipherable patterns. Uh...total confusion.
