Imerging women-hood

Without her conscious awareness, she started to lean into letting her long hair loose and flowing. This brought a deep sense of comfort and a peculiar sort of freedom... perhaps rooted in acceptance and being at ease with the present moment, without unnecessary manipulation.

 

(Picture from FreePik)

Her tightly-wound bun had become a part of her identity. She held an underlying belief that it kept her grounded and focused amidst the uncertainty and inexplicable chaos of life. It was also a matter of convenience, requiring little to no maintenance.

Ironically, much of this chaos was self-cultivated; it stemmed from unattended fears that drove her to seek security with a foundation of fragile trust. Yet, alongside these emotional shackles, she yearned to discover her true self...

A strand of hair slipped from the bun, cascading down followed by another, due to their silky texture and she felt increasingly at home and at ease. Surprisingly, she wasn't rushing to fix or tie those hairs back (as she had been conditioned to do for years). Instead, she felt a sense of womanhood emerging from within.

Just a simple line...

When one draws it, it is called as boundary, And sometimes a representation of a beginning; a start of some sort.

When crossed, it is a betrayal.
Segmented, adds new dimensions.

When held, it is firmity.

When doodled with, it is an expression - an art
When sent, conveys a message

The most simplest yet sophisticated,
Flexible, hence infinite - a line.

At times visible, at times ignored...

Poetry is what it is, when composed.

Just a simple line...

अभी दिल दुखाने की माफ़ी माँगनी बाकी है...

अभी दिल दुखाने की माफ़ी माँगनी बाकी है...
जो वादे किये थे साथ निभाने के, उससे मुकर जाने की गुस्ताखी अपनानी बाकी है।

सुना था "हर प्यार मिलन तो नहीं, बिछड़ना भी तो प्यार ही है"; जाना आज कि  - हम भी इस किस्से के भागी हैं

जब अपना ही आसमां अपना न लगे,
कैसे हम कोई दूसरे आशियाने की चाह रखें?

माना मुश्किल है डगर आगे...
अकेला सा अहसास होगा,
पर यकीन रखना जब तक है सांस...
जादू का तुम में वास होगा।

तुम्हारी माफ़ी के काबिल शायद अब हम नहीं...
इसलिए खुदा से एक वादा मांगा..

साया हो तेरे सर पर हमेशा - प्यार का, 
आंखों में सपनों की चमक,
दरिया हो दिल में - सूकुन का,
हर गुज़रते दिन में तू रहे 'लम्हो' की ताज़गी सा

What is home?

 What is home?..I wonder...

The immediate thought is - a place we grew-up at or  where our parents or loved ones are.

While being in kitchen and wiping the washed dishes, my mind was pondering over that thought....then a 'before & after' image of a messy garden from my home (back in hometown) flashed in my mind...one that was shared by my brother today morning .... After seeing neatly arranged pots and plants my immediate response to him was - 'Welcome Home💖'.

Such tasks during Diwali was a very common thing for me, my Uncle or earlier with Lt. grandfather; but it was very unusual for me to see my brother indulging in such things. This new awareness brought a smile on my face.

My thoughts then shifted back to where I was - in Bangalore and to the tender  shoots of tropical leafs (most favourite) and peace lily plants that I have plucked this morning from house-gardens of the nearby lanes, on my way back home post veggies shopping. For a moment l, I wondered what made me do that? When did this very thought or belief that I can have my own garden came to me?...and what is it so magical about taking that time to clean the fallen leaves, dirt from around the pots and wash bird baths with the thought that they would be happy to see it all clean and will bathe in joy and express it with the fluttering wet wings. A part of my heart was praying for the shoots - may they also feel at home in my garden even though I have taken them away from their own family...

After all the reflection, I arrived at a conclusion that gives me peace and is what I think Home is, It can even be a fraction of a second where the inner child in us is nurtured through actions, talks, music, indulging in a task that bring back happy and carefree memories etc. and is allowed the freedom of expression irrespective of the age or place or title or mask we wear for society.

Wishing you all a joyous, prosperous and healthy Dipawali💖🙏.

What is home to you?