Category Archives: musings

There were qualities and possessions I had admired There was much that my impressionable mind had desired Everything I lusted after eluded me As I chased my desires passionately Since those goals never seemed to be in sight Gradually I started giving up the fight.. I kept my head down and did what I neededContinue reading “Don’t you desire…”

I’m either a church mouse or too aggressive If I appear bold I’m too progressive If I stay on the sidelines, I am regressive Emotional, hormonal, are adjectives for me if I am too expressive.. ** If I play nice, I am too lenient If I am stern, I’m trying to be dominant There’s noContinue reading “Glass ceiling”

You thought there was just one of you The version that was authentic and true To your soul, reflecting your values core.. How come you did not realize before That you have two faces, two sides The tongue-in-cheek, irreverent one, that’s hidden inside And the other- the public one coated with a veneer Of proprietyContinue reading “Two faces..”

To the issue of language I rarely pay enough attention With both Hindi and English, I have an equal connection But subtexts hidden in the way language is used may Have political and social relevance, as I learnt one day… I was reminded of our colonial legacy That still influences our behavior unfortunately… It wasContinue reading “Translate Me Not”

Fear does not prevent death. It prevents life. – Buddha Somehow I know life would begin one day At the end of my comfort zone where the way Familiar to me would abruptly end And I would no longer be able to pretend That the status quo satisfactory has been I would have to jumpContinue reading “Fear…”

I look younger than my age Why would you think that would be a cause for rage Ageism is so deeply ingrained Looking old should be a cause for pain So why am I disturbed when I am called Young like a teenager, why am I appalled At being told to be a doctor IContinue reading “You look too young to be…”

Random thoughts and ideas I find Are eager to be transformed into words in my mind Forming unconnected lines that I try to string Together in verses that help me make sense of things Placing thoughts on paper in rhyme Makes me solve conundrums many times Alas, these verses often interfere With obligations in everyContinue reading “Idea-verse”

How do you suppress Ambition that wants to possess Every fiber of you, enslave you in every way That burns like a fire every day Powerful enough to paralyze Intimidating enough to immobilize Such that it is never translated Into meaningful action, never lets you be satiated.. ** Ambition that wants you to leap aheadContinue reading “Consumed by Ambition”

To yourself you must not draw attention You do not know about the intention Of people, known and unknown, who are looking at you All attention has negative connotations, regard this as true There are only two times you should get attention First, when for academic prowess you get recognition And second, the day youContinue reading “Attention”

When people tell me to be strong, I don’t understand What made them think that I am weak? I have survived despite patriarchy on this land Why should validation from men I seek? * I can withstand labor pains I have seen my own blood flow Though men may hold the reins Of my life,Continue reading “Strong Women…”

Why do I feel the need to seek permission As if alone I cannot make the decision To curl up in bed, leave chores incomplete Sleep with abandon, no deadlines meet At work, at home, children’s assignments from school Maybe for a day, forget all the rules.. But the idea of loosening up is scaryContinue reading “Permission”