What is one to do?

Mar23

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Leaving when not yet done

Little time left for saying good bye

Sudden departure

Unexpected

Leaving a very special spot

 

But isn’t that how the world works

Our plans are often interrupted

Sometimes we are blindsided

And then we have to say good bye

To things, people or plans close to our hearts

A beautiful building we had built in our mind

Crumbles and falls

 

And what is one to do but endure the pain

Of separation from a loved one

Or a plan not fulfilled

What is one to do but accept the situation as it is

What is one to do but to be thankful

For what remains

 

March 23rd, 2020

Waiting to grow up

Mar9

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I sometimes feel like I’m still waiting to grow up

That other people (those who are grown up)

Are doing the important things

I sometimes feel

Oh, in a few years I’ll be better at this

I should keep practicing

I sometimes feel others are far more experienced than me

They have grown up and are the real deal

I sometimes feel like I’m eighteen

I feel insecure

Not ready

Watching others do things more competently than me
But then I realize

This is it!

It’s as good as it’s going to be

That I’ve already done a lot of practicing

I will obviously not be good at many things

Many people will surpass me in different fields

But this is it

I have grown up

Even though I feel like I’m eighteen and still practicing

 

March 9th, 2020

 

Vaccine

Mar5

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The world is in the grips of a deadly virus

The evidences of which are clear for all to see

Every one is told to be careful

And follow instructions to stay safe from this virus, this disease

But what about the invisible virus of prejudice and greed?

Of injustice and materialism?

Who is looking at the ramifications of these?

Who is giving instructions for our safety?

We see the result of prejudice and greed

Why don’t we look for a vaccine?

We see what injustice and materialism have led to

Why don’t we try to prevent these?

The diseases of the body get a lot of attention

But not the diseases  of our soul and our spirit

March 5th, 2020

The strength in our scars

Feb28

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My friend told me very matter of factly

That she had had a double mastectomy

I had to take a minute to digest what she said

And yet she is the one who had gone through such an invasive surgery

 

She didn’t seem to feel sorry for herself

She had a serene look on her face

She said some things had actually improved in her home life as a result

 

I’m sure what she had gone through could not have been easy

Where did her strength come from?

 

The mystery of sacrifice

We give up something to gain something else

 

Is it fair?

Perhaps it’s not about fairness

It’s about our response to the challenges of life

 

If through suffering, we didn’t gain strength

That would be unfair

 

Our scars are the symbols of our resilience

Our fortitude

Our victory

 

February 27th, 2020

Words soaring

Feb27

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The scene is beautifully painted with words

Words, subtle

Words, descriptive

Words, powerful

Words, booming

Words, colorful

Words, soaring 

 

And this tapestry composed of words

With threads of gold, silver and silk

Is a feast for the eyes

Puts a smile on my face

 

The craftsmanship is second to none 

Created with love

Telling a story 

 

Words, magnetic

Words, magical

Words, intricate 

Conveying the complexity of the mind of the artist

 

Words are the emanation of the soul

Creating the most exquisite tapestry

 

February 26th,  2029

Writing

Feb21

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Do you know how you anticipate eating a delicious meal that’s waiting for you?

How you can almost taste it?

How you can smell the aroma?

 

Do you know how you anticipate seeing a friend you haven’t seen for a while?

Basking in their company and catching up?

 

Do you know how you anticipate entering your warm house

When you have been walking outside in a cold winter night?

 

Do you know how you look forward to sleeping in your comfortable bed at the end of a long day?

When you can’t keep your eyes open any longer?

 

That’s how I feel when I haven’t written for a few days

When I know I’ll soon have a chance to put to paper again

 

My thirst will be quenched

My hunger satisfied

My fatigue will disappear 

And joy will take their place

That’s what writing has come to mean to me

 

February 21st, 2020

Labyrinth

Feb11

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Life is a labyrinth

We meet people as we navigate it

We walk together for sometime

And for different reasons

We choose different paths

 

We keep walking down this labyrinth

With its wonders, surprises, challenges and all

And one day we suddenly come across an old friend

That we had walked with long ago

 

Such reunions are most wonderful

We have each grown in our own ways in the meantime

But when we meet again

We walk together as if we had never parted way

 

February 11th, 2020

Today’s coffee shop

Feb7

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Going places I’ve not been before

Asking for directions several times

Destination: pharmacy 

Waiting for opening hours at the coffee shop

 

A lively place

People starting their day

Antique objects everywhere 

An old cash register 

A dial phone 

An old red fridge

A scale from years ago

 

Checked brown and white tablecloths 

Patterned brown ad beige tiles on the ground

Red lipstick on my coffee cup

My phone by my side

My glass of water in front of me

Yellow artificial flowers in a small vase

Music in the background 

And me busy writing

 

Everything looks a little old

But full of character and history 

This is not a new cafe

It has been here for a while 

 

Two ladies walk by me

In headscarves and fancy suede shoes

A gentleman on his cellphone

People talking behind me

A European lady sitting across from me

Tomorrow I’m leaving this town

Bringing with me precious memories 

 

February 3rd, 2020

Grateful

Feb2

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When bounties descend on me

My heart sings a joyous melody

When I’m surrounded by beauty 

My spirit soars

When I hear the melody of praise

My heart trembles

When emotions overwhelm me

The intensity burns

When life comes full circle 

I feel grateful

When love surrounds me 

What more can I ask?

 

February 2nd 2020

Hidden

Jan16

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A layer of soft fresh snow covers the ground

The white snowflakes settle on tree branches and shrubs

The scene is dreamy and serene

But what is under the snow?

What has been covered up?

There are other things in life that have a pretty, shiny surfaces

But underneath them there are things that are not beautiful

Wealth and power and fame seem very desirable

But what is below the surface if we look carefully?

What is the cost of these coveted things?

Similarly people’s demure faces and carefully crafted words

With smiles that are not genuine

Can hide a dark reality they don’t want us to see

Their misdeeds are theirs to deal with

But let’s not be fooled by what they profess to be the truth
January 16th, 2020