Are you in the Present?

Randy Tarampi@unsplash

The mind travels without an agenda

awakening the memories of the past, from its slumber,

hijacking our today,

 into the unknown fears of the future.

 Oscillating between the two ends of the spectrum

our “now” sacrificed at the altar of this tussle.

The key is just a simple choice we make

from the millions of moments that weave our life

lease not, your present, to yesterdays and tomorrows

for they are tenants who only add heartaches and anxieties.

In this transient world, all that matters is “Now”,

for the living in the present is the best gift to self!

Dodoggocafe’s poetry prompt : Key, travel, choices

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Artistry!

Dusk explodes across the horizon

as the waning rays of the sun, bids adieu for the day,

 with a burst of blazing orange inferno,

as the aqua waters, drink in its feral beauty.

Standing by the silhouette of the lighthouse,

I scan the horizon till its periphery,

to absorb the beauty of this ephemeral artistry,

before the tableau of hues,

is devoured by the inky darkness.

Sadje’s WDYS prompt # 79

V. J’s weekly Challenge : Peripheral

Delighted to share…

Cover by Terry Susi

I am so honored to be featured in the anthology produced by The Short of it along with 41 other amazing poets and writers. It is the brain child of Susi Bocks of I Write her. The 120 brilliant pieces are the best of those submitted and showcased on The Short of it online magazine.

Thank you Susi for this wonderful opportunity. Absolutely delighted!

Please click on the link to purchase the paperback or ebook .

For Amazon.in, click here.

Haiku – Dance of the Dawn!

Chris Barbalis@unsplash.com

Promising prelude

layers of colors celebrate

 infinite sky glows

Nascent rays glide down

spectacular dazzling show

the dance of the dawn

Eugi’s weekly prompt : Dance

Reena’s exploration challenge : Layers

Who’ll feed me?

Image credit; Gabriella Clare Marino@ Unsplash

A small café out in the suburbs, I owned

sunshine hues ushered in a happy mood

regular clientele stayed loyal

life was modest, yet I was content, until last year.

Life has never been the same since,

with the doors of my café forced shut

the pandemic’s shadow cast a gloomy spell,

 lockdown came as an inexorable curse.

The affluent, whine about being confined indoors

but think not about the many like me.

I, who once served meals to so many

today, struggle to feed myself!

Sadje’s What do you see #78

V.J’s weekly Challenge : I’m Bored

Reflective Space!

Denis Oliveira@unsplash.com

The second wave of the pandemic has gripped many parts of the world.  With a steep spike in daily cases, an untold anxiety and fear cripples the mind. A home today has a wider purview to be more inclusive. With members of the family confined indoors, working from home, online classes, everything under the same roof, there is bound to be some amount of mayhem…. a clash of schedules and tempers. Bedrooms and living rooms converted into office/school, the table is strewn with many gadgets, paper and all kinds of accessories. The video call at odd times, demands the voice decibels to remain low. Imagine one’s own room has restricted entry today.  A great deal of tenacity is required to cope up with the deluge of mental stress hitting us from all directions.

We all have, to some extent found our own mechanisms to handle the uncertainties surrounding us today. My sacred space is a small alcove in my home, where I have silent conversations with myself, indulge in some self-love, heal my pain and calm my mind. Believe me, this quiet time with myself in my cozy corner, is helping me a great deal to maintain my sanity, in an otherwise cacophonic home today.

Empower the mind to deal with turbulent emotions

created by the ripples of life.

Diffuse the torrent, channelize a path,

indulge in holistic living.

Spend solitary moments in mindful silence,

ruminate on the breath.

 Let the receptive ears soak in the serenading

 harmony of nature.

Allow the incessant tears flow from the closed eyes,

cleansing the impurities from the system.

With focussed reflection,

the confluence of the body and mind

transcends beyond the realm of universe.

Feel the abundance of divine energy manifest within,

cradling the self with a healing light.

As a benign balm of spiritual ecstasy fills it,

a sense of empyreal peace pervades.

Finally the,

mind is empowered to deal with the turbulent emotions!

Reena’s exploration challenge #181 : Sacred space

Eugi’s weekly prompt : Reflections

Etching Our Destiny!

Image credit; Andrew Morris @ Unsplash

The ruby sun readies to dip

into the shimmering waters,

Horizon curls into a speckled band

as twilight kisses it,

The panoramic seascape changes color as

the saline breeze whispers softly

Gentle darkness descends to the rhythm of

the receding tide

The glowing luna enters the timeless expanse

of star studded sky.

We walk hand in hand watching the ebbing

waves wane our footprints,

The tangerine glow of the fairy lights

sets a perfect ambiance

As we etch our dreamy destiny of togetherness

in the fragile sands of time.

Sadje’s WDYS #77

Life’s Milestones…

popnzebra@unsplash

Bubbly baby’s progress defines

growing up milestones

painted in playful contours

in a blissful innocent world.

Teenage years chart a new course

mark the many firsts…a date, a kiss

romantic crush or rebellious streak

friends and ambition play a pivotal role

zeal to accomplish inks the milestones.

With a step into the professional world,

life ebbs into a comfort zone

many settle to the society’s norms

honor the events that unfold in due course

targets at work and family goals, outline the milestones.

Fading twilight waits for the ebony sky

to move on, into a destination unknown.

A glance into life’s rear view mirror reflects

  celebration of life with its many milestones.

 The heart whispers a thanksgiving prayer!

Reena’s Exploratin Challenge #180 : Milestone

Eugi’s weekly prompt : Playful

From Reel to Real!

kellierae@pixabay.com

As an actor, my career spanned decades

with many characters portrayed on screen.

Some I molded into seamlessly,

others tested my abilities intensely.

A few, I am proud to have essayed

while regrets defined others.

I grew…

as strands of yarn from every script nested into my thoughts,

crocheting patterns into my core.

Their fragrance wafted into my breath,

slivers of joy and sorrow, filled in my emotional palette.

A fragment from each portrayal, scripted my growth…

I grew from a reel actor to a real human!

V’J’s weekly challenge : Nesting

The Scribbles!

pixabay.com

She refused to paint the scribbled wall. “I love you Mom” stared back at her. She missed her little daughter!

Akansha’s twenty word tale prompt #31 : Colours