chewing sums--3WW

Compensate
Modern
Radio

radio plays on my favourite songs,
i tap my feet on the cool surface-
chewing on my ball point pen.

scattered mathematics books beckon
my attention. i carefully chose sums
for the next assignment, taking care

not to repeat. modern algebra has
made my mind ancient as of now.
scrawling that final question to paper

i relax on my chair, closing my eyes.
soothing music compensate for
difficult problems of trigonometry.

~radio plays on those sad old songs~

planted tales-----Writers Island

serrated leaves, blossoming out towards light
slowly unfurl to its warmth, soaking it all in
filtered light through branches forming a mesh

protecting the tiny green chlorophyll structures,
from the harshness of beating heat of red-hot sun.
seeping water from the soil, floods the veins

photosynthesis takes place, plants prepare food
for you and me, keeping not one bit for their own
use. shedded flowers fall to the ground, fruits

bear sweet aroma of rains, sunshine and soil.
newly formed seeds prepare for the next cycle,
renewal of life so familiar yet unforgettable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now for the very famous song by Nat King Cole. I heard it for the first time in the early 80s. It remains one of my favourite songs till date. It still reminds me of my teenage crush....:D

Unforgettable, that’s what you are
Unforgettable though near or far
Like a song of love that clings to me
How the thought of you does things to me
Never before has someone been more

Unforgettable in every way
And forever more, that’s how you’ll stay
That’s why, darling, its incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too

Unforgettable in every way
And forever more, that’s how you’ll stay
That’s why, darling, its incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too.

~~~Nat King Cole

sociology is no cakewalk----Monday Poetry Train

day in day out, struggling to educate those for their dignity
in the present, why am I being judged for past demeanours-
meanwhile I try to right, mess left by my long gone ancestors.

deep seated, grained, it is not easy as a few think otherwise.
one needs to live and see for oneself to comprehend it fully.
silence does not mean apathy. study of sociology is not a

cakewalk, believe me. asking questions is useless. taking
the task head on helps, however horrid, is a way with those
who know, what works. wind might seem to drift initially

in wrong direction. changes are taking place and in a fast pace.
nevertheless, expecting overnight miracles is not practical.
do not think, do not dwell but go ahead and do it, is my motto!

~~~~~~~~~
In the Hindu Hierarchy, caste system still plays a role. How and why it came about is not fully comprehended even by me. It is not as easy to understand it as a few seem to think. The hated concept of Untouchability is something which is abhored by any enlightened Indian. I do accept that it is very much there and education is the only way to uplift. Our political leaders encourage casteism as it gets them vote banks. Most who really work for the upliftment of the so called lower castes, seldom speak out either way as it is a very volatile situation.

Whatever said and done, it is not easy to wish for overnight changes for what has been going on for 5000 years. We, the present Indians, are no way responsible for what our ancestors did. We can only try our best to set it right. However, we have made progress in the last 60 years, after Independence. Believe me, we are doing it. Not that I owe anyone any explanations. I had to write this as my reluctance to speak out, was taken for apathy...

no one's child---cafe writing

scrawling nonsense on a back of a torn envelope,
he keeps away from his mother who is busy in the next room.
a gnat lands on him biting hard on his lips.
perplexed at first, the child howls with pain.

barrage of questions start
as soon as his mother arrives to check on him.
his loud cries continue even after the sting is gone.
after a moment’s hesitation, his mother holds him close to her,
soothing his agitated mind.

his bawling subsides.
enticing him with a piece of chocolate,
his mother retreats again- leaving him to his own devices;
for a night of debauchery with a faceless man.

~tired, the child falls asleep~

Loosen those purse strings---Sunday Scribblings

Now I like that. Money. Who does not! I like to earn it. I like to spend it. Talk about it?

Maybe I should. This prompt came at the right time. A week or so before, I was undergoing some sort of financial crisis. I suppose it was due to my own fault. I had some money to invest. I contacted my financial advisor. Trusting him, I signed up a few papers. I wrote out the cheques, double-checking those but did not realise that he put my money where I had not wanted it to be put in the first place. Now my money is locked for three years and returns are not what I had expected. He put my money in insurance, which is not going to profit me. He is going to earn a hefty commission for it. The result is, I had a few sleepless nights. Now I have accepted the situation after reporting him to his bosses.

One thing I learnt from the whole episode is to be aware of the best of investment instruments. I am taking interest in the share market. This way I am keeping abreast with the latest trends. I am getting to the hang of investments. I am even checking out loan rates for buying a house. I find it very interesting too. I am surprised I did not take much interest before this. As they say better late than never.

Money..lack or plenty of it…both cause problems..in different ways. I would rather have the plenty problem rather than the lack of it. I believe in earning my money and not by buying lotteries. If I need something hard enough, I have to work towards that goal. Just fantasizing or dreaming about it is not going to make it happen. Same goes for money. If you want to earn more, work for it. It always pays. In more ways than one.

Do I have an unknown uncle who is going to leave a hefty sum of money? I wish..:D

out of nothing--[Fiction] Friday

[Fiction] Friday Challenge for November, 2 2007:

Have a character explain an odd hobby they practice.

sequins lined the pouch in her hands
her deft fingers had sewed those with meticulous care
beads so classically matched, no blemish anywhere
unseen threads enhanced the velvet sheen,
resplendent to the beholder.
pearl buttons peeped out of nowhere
enhancing the beauty.

she turned it this way and that
proud of her accomplishments
why was no one looking her way
ignoring what she displayed with so much pride?

she had the ability to conjure up images for herself
where none existed;
a hobby of hers.

atrophy----Totally Optional Prompts

after a stinging bite,
blood oozed out of his arm
it did not jerk, staying
in that still position.
he watched the mosquito
with complete detachment.
only his eyes moved
breathing too was minimal.
the red coagulating fluid
trickled slowly, falling
on the gritty floor.
he observed it with
closely hooded eyes

shifting was alien
for that prone body,
smiling too was a waste
why make that effort?
bones had taken the shape
of that lumpy mattress,
which was grimy too
with sweat and dirt.
he stared at the ceiling
resigned to his atrophied fate
his alert mind itched to work
battered body could only
refuse with deep regret.