Happy New Year - 2015

This Poem is shared with

• Get Listed - Final for 2014,
• Bits of Inspiration - Happy New Year.

New Year

(Image Source: http://hdwallpapercorner.com/)

as the new year dawns

they embrace promise of love

together, always

This Haiku is shared with

• Christmas Special of Poetic Forms : HAIKU,
• Theme Thursday - Togetherness.

The Award

There are lies, that you speak to avoid falling into a mess, and then there are LIES, that, after the initial escape, lunges forward and grasps your conscience so hard that you are entrapped in a feeling of guilt and repentance. The courage to speak the truth can take us through all situations, even though there might be initial hurdles. Persistence with lie, however small that might seem, brings us to a cross road where dilemma and sense of regret flood our shores.

I was in the eight standard, a phase where we embrace our teenage years, and gain understanding of the good, bad and ugly. You know how competitive school life is. Pressure to study, pressure to excel, and pressure to be ahead in the race. It’s this constant pressure that’s exhausting, but then, when you live up to this expectation, the feeling is exhilarating. Exhilaration, yes, was what I experienced when I scored a perfect hundred in my Mathematics paper, thus making me eligible for one of the Subject Topper Awards. The teacher praised me, the entire classroom clapped for me, and the jealousy in the face of my competitors made me soar in pride.

I was thrilled, I was glad. And, then came the ugliest feeling of all – guilt.

The answer sheets were handed over to each student so that they could evaluate their mistakes, and know where they went wrong. When I went through mine, I noted that there were two questions that I had solved incorrectly, but the teacher had mistakenly marked them as correct. Had she been more careful, I would have scored 90, not 100, and definitely not the highest in class. The accolades and cheers would then all go in vain, and the Topper’s medal too wouldn’t land in my hand. It would surely be a losing situation if I informed the teacher and made her revise my marks. I kept quiet.

However, the voice in my head didn’t stay silent. It shouted and screamed, urging me to do what is right, inform the teacher, so that the student who rightly deserves the Topper Award receives it. I tried to shut the voice in my head. After all it was the first time that I was receiving any award. I would by no means lose this chance.

Next day our Principal came into the classroom to congratulate me, and also a few other subject toppers who were from my section. I smiled at her, even though the guilt was weighing heavily on my mind. I thought she would leave after the customary greetings, but she stayed on. What was even more surprising was the announcement that came next.

The Principal, in her authoritative tone, announced, “Every year, we have the Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony in June. However, since our school will be hosting the All India Sports Competition that time, we will be awarding the winners in tomorrow’s morning assembly.”

If there is a moment when the heart really skips a beat, this was it. I looked around. Students were clapping, the teacher was smiling, and the guy who had the second highest marks in Mathematics, with a score of 98, had a dejected look on his face, even though he tried to look happy and bright. In that moment I knew how it felt to be on the wrong side of justice. If I accepted the prize tomorrow, he would be upset, but then, he would double his efforts to grab the trophy next year. What about me? Would I be happy? Would I jump in joy? Would I be able to proudly showcase the trophy in front of my parents?

Would I be able to beam in excitement when others refer to me as the Topper in Mathematics?

In that single moment, I got my answers. I stood up, and with a choked voice, and tears streaming down my face, said, “Ma’am, I am sorry, but I do not deserve this award.”

The entire class looked in shock. The room that was laughing and cheering just a few seconds ago, had suddenly turned silent. It was as if Gods from heavens had turned on the mute button on their remote. A pin fell somewhere, and I understood what pin drop silent really meant. This was it.

I narrated the tale of the mark that I had mistakenly received, and handed over my answer script for correction. The teacher and the Principal stared at me in utter disbelief. The two of them, then went out of the class. I looked back at the guy who had scored 98. He shrugged his shoulder, asking me why. I smiled back. Atleast, I could smile peacefully now, with no weight on my heart.

Five minutes later, the Principal and the teacher re-entered the room, and the former announced, “We are sorry for the error in marking. As correctly pointed out by Amrit, his paper was wrongly checked, and instead of hundred, his score stands at 90. The Maths topper for this year is Gaurav with 98 marks.”

The class cheered for Gaurav now. I too clapped at him.

“However,” the Principal continued, “it’s not easy to speak the truth, specially in today’s cut throat competitive environment. All of us want to win, by hook or by crook. We sacrifice our morals and values in the race to the top. But this young man here today, Amrit, has opened our eyes. Studies don’t just teach you to excel in studies, it should also teach you to excel in humanity, to be a better person, a better civilian of the society. It should teach you to adopt the path of truth, courage and honesty, and shun everything that’s wrong. Moreover, studies should teach every girl, every boy, every man and every woman, to be like this boy, who sacrificed the award and chose the path for righteousness. We are proud of you, yes, very very proud, and for your unselfish and truthful act, I announce a new category of awards this year – Honesty award. This goes to you Amrit.”

This was a moment of celebration, when I could proudly showcase my achievement to the world. True, I didn’t score high in Mathematics, but I did score excellently in honesty. Can there be any better award than that? After all, Kitna chain hota hai na sachchai mein.

This is my official entry to Kinley Happy Hours organized by Indiblogger in association with Kinley.

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You And Me

Shooting Star

(Image Source: http://thedeparturelounge.co)

when a shooting star

glides across the horizon

they smile, wish and kiss

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Stars.

A Story Ends, A Tale Begins

(Image Source: http://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2014/12/23/photo-prompt-40-december-23-2014/)

how does it feel

to cover miles

in lonesome tracks

where real meets reel

how does it feel

a couple of miles

the sign board reads

a hazy path

where tracks would lead

a couple of miles

a bliss, a freedom

a light so divine

we, mere mortals

humbled by the shine

a bliss, a freedom

a story ends, a tale begins

the cycle runs

forever it seems

of life before, and thereafter

a story ends, a tale begins

This Poem is shared with

• Mindlovemisery's Menagerie - Photo Prompt #40,
• Imaginary Garden - Open Link Monday.

Little Kitty Sleeps

(Image Source: http://homeornaments.com/)

under yellow stars

and colourful Christmas tree

little kitty sleeps

This Haiku is shared with

• Carpe Diem - Christmas Decorations,
• Haiku my Heart.

A Man Was Trying To Appease

(Image Source: http://www.cartoonstock.com/)

A man was trying to appease
his wife, when he burnt the cheese.
The dish gone awry
Her rage, he was wary.
Hence, said he "Let's go out for lunch, please?"


This Limerick is shared with

• Limerick-Off Monday - Appeasement,
• dVerse Open Link Night,
• Poets United - Poetry Pantry.

Glimmer

(Image Source: http://earthsky.org/)

"Sir, can we travel to the stars?"

"They are meant to be watched, watched from a distance."

"Err ... from this wheelchair that life has gifted me?"

There was no pain in his voice; instead, a glimmer of hope, and a refreshing passion adorned his eyes.

"Sir, I may not walk ever again, but I will definitely sprout wings and fly, someday."


This Micro Fiction is shared with Five Sentence Fiction - Glimmer.

Straw And Needle

(Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/)

amidst stacks of straws

needle was finally found

a sigh of relief

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Straw.

Lost Forever

(Image Source: http://grandmas-goulash.info/)

"It's urgent. We leave now."

She nodded. A moment later, two dark silhouettes trudged along the darkness.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"A quarter past ten."

"Ah. The cold breeze burns my skin. Are we there yet?"

Holding hands, they walked towards the Railway Station, their faint footsteps echoing in the moonlit silence.

"She should be arriving by the eleven o' clock express. And would you believe it? We just married last month, but have spent only a couple of days together, till our work commitments came in the way," his voice emanated with nervous excitement.

"Who are you, by the way?" he suddenly turned towards her, and the familiar sense of grief tugged her heart.

Alzheimer's disease had trapped him in the past, while she, his wife for fourteen long years, was lost forever, in this daily routine.


This 140-words Micro Fiction is shared with Succinctly Yours Week 195.

Six Days To Christmas

(Image Source: http://funmozar.com/)

the little child dreams

of Santa and his reindeers

six days to Christmas

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Christmas Stockings.

Mirage

(Image Source: http://www.bhmpics.com)

amidst sand pebbles

he stumbled on a ruby

alas, a mirage

This Haiku is shared with Haiku Horizons - Ruby.

Love Petals

(Image Source: https://ermiliablog.wordpress.com/2014/12/14/picture-it-write-48/)

This Poem is shared with Picture It And Write.

Silence

This Poem is shared with Poetry Jam - Quiet.

Winners - Review

To read the full review, click HERE.

Title: Winners
Author: Danielle Steel
Publisher: Transworld
Publication Year: 2014
Language: English
Binding: Paperback
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary Women
No. of Pages: 512
Price: Rs 399
My Rating: 4/5

Last Winter

still the last winter

brings back memories to her

his words lost in snow

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem Ghost Writer #37, Georgia on Frost and Carpe Diem Special #121, Richard Wright's 2nd haiku "in the falling snow".

Lost

This Poem is shared with Imaginary Garden - Open Link Monday.

Love Is Winter

(Image Source: https://wallpaperscraft.com)

They say love is divine. I say love is winter.

You were the snow flake that knocked at my window on that freezing morn. Through the haziness of the frost, and the dilemma of the mist, I welcomed you inside, opening the doors and unlocking the caskets that had accumulated dust over the years. I served you stories, and you promised completion, a happy ending for each one of them.

Outside, the mercury dipped. Inside, it felt so warm.

In this uncertain cold, I experienced bliss and pain and joy and fear, not realizing that summer had quietly crept in.

The snow flake vanished, just like that, leaving behind a smiling trail of the days gone by. Yet, I knew, that it was only a matter of time when it would reappear, knocking at my window on another freezing morn.

They say love is divine. I say love is winter.

Bubbles

(Image: Bond of Union, 1956, by M. C. Escher)

you and me are the bubbles

that bask in moments anew

destined by fate, bonded in rhyme

we collide in feelings so true

I promise you promises

in syllables we always knew

you and me are the bubbles

blessed in love's glittering hue

This Poem is shared with Magpie Tales - Mag 248.

A Hunger - Free Classroom

We were lucky we could go to school and complete our formal education. We made good use of our education, and the knowledge acquired, and have woven dreams for a better future. I wouldn't be wrong to say that we belong to the privileged section of the society who have the luxury to take their education for granted, adopting it into our daily routine and going with the flow.

However, often we forget that there is another segment of the society that dwells in deprivation. Go to a roadside eatery or dhaba, and there is a high chance of your meal being served by small children barely in their teens. In fact, you can even find kids aged ten or younger, doing the dishes, cleaning the tables and carrying the food around.

You can't blame the children. They are poor, and education isn't their primary necessity. Food is. One simply cannot study with hunger creeping across the souls like a deadly virus.

Though several initiatives have been launched by the Government regarding free schools for underprivileged along with meals, lack of dedicated resources plays spoilsport. However, we can not rest the entire blame on the Government. We, as noble citizens, should take up the responsibility of spreading education among poor children. Sure, we all are busy in our day to day activities. We do have work, family and other priorities, but a couple of hours a week isn't too much to ask for.

For example, we, along with our neighbors, can start up a basic schooling system for these kids. We can divide our time, and via a rotational policy of teaching, can impart education in an easy and effective manner. The results will be encouraging if the children are provided food along with their studies, and in this way, we can motivate the rest of the population to take up this cause and work towards it.

Every problem has a solution, and it's upon us to find it. Classroom hunger is a big nuisance, but it can be eliminated if we all unite and work hard towards it. Children are, after all, the future of tomorrow. If we can share the gift of education among each and every children, it will only guarantee a promising tomorrow.

And not only the kids, but we too would have earned a great satisfaction. We can wake up every morning, and smile in the mirror with a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing fully well that we are playing our part in making India a hunger free, education rich nation, a perfect recipe for development.

I am going to #BlogToFeedAChild with Akshaya Patra and BlogAdda.