Category Archives: musings

A hummed melody not searchable on the internet The extra ingredient in a recipe that’s a family secret The half-remembered lyrics of an old song The heirloom jewelry that has for generations belonged To the family- notes fragmented from a storied past Inveigle their way into a new life, relics that outlast Their replacement- stayingContinue reading “Fragments of culture”

I came across the title of a post that said You’re looking to get angry when you browse the internet As I recalled all the content I had consumed that day I realized much of it had stirred my emotions in a way That I felt annoyed, outraged, perturbed, or plain angry There were strongContinue reading “You’re looking to get angry..”

In a world hyper-focused on self-expression Being ordinary gives a negative impression Whether you are meeting new people or writing a résumé Something unique about yourself you are expected to say An unusual interest, hobby or achievement Something extraordinary that makes a statement A stable life, working a regular job and raising a family MakeContinue reading “Ordinary..”

Stacks of envelopes I retrieve from the mail Wondering why I receive paper communication on this scale Too many organizations vie for my purse-strings But I’ve set up online payments for the most important things At the end of an exhausting work day Sifting through snail-mail seems a ridiculous way To spend my evening, besides,Continue reading “Mail-fail”

I know none other than Confucius did say If you love your job, you wouldn’t have to work a single day Millions of people have taken this quote to heart, they try To find jobs that they love, so they can apply Their skills such that work does not feel like work indeed It isContinue reading “Work should not feel like work, or should it?”

(In many places around the world, curricula in history for schoolchildren are being “modified”. This poem reflects my take on this issue..) It starts with an innocuous substitution Or with a seemingly irrelevant omission The language keeps changing in a manner insidious With each iteration, until it becomes obvious That the interpretation has changed dramaticallyContinue reading “My history book now says…”

Let me start by saying that I had no option but to choose It was a hard choice, I knew I would lose One thing or the other, and the choice I made Reflected my priorities at the time, therefore I stayed With my newborn child, put my promising career on hold Working part-time fromContinue reading “Comeback after a career break..”

So many have fought and found A seat at the table, it is an accomplishment profound Women, people of color, persons with disabilities Are all supposed to find at crucial tables, seats with ease Then why does representation still fall short? Why are they missing more often than not? There is a table to whichContinue reading “A seat at the table”

Is happiness a person, a thing or a place? Or an abstract concept that exists in mythical space? Or an elixir in the depths of my consciousness Should I dive deep within myself to find happiness? * How, I wonder, should happiness be defined? Is it a state of contentment of the mind A mindContinue reading “Because I’m happy”

(This poem started as my reaction to a news segment on Greek wildfires that have claimed the lives of some asylum seekers.) No one likes to let outsiders in And that is where the argument begins Against immigration, an issue that evokes Strong reactions, often provokes Resentment, anger, marked division Among citizens in terms ofContinue reading “What does it mean to immigrate?”

In a vacuum you cannot write You cannot come up with ideas bright Out of nothing, your writing you have to base On your experience, you have to face Issues unresolved that float inadvertently To the surface, forcing you to see The untold secrets you harbor, once again Stir up feelings that cause intense pain..Continue reading “Writing is difficult..”

(Self-prescription) How did we go wrong on something so basic One of the key factors making us sick Is lack of quality sleep- we tend to equate Productivity to staying up and working late Sleep is for the weak, those who are destined to succeed Must be able to thrive with few hours of sleepContinue reading “Sleep to heal…”