Middle - Haiku

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


Isolation creeps,
In the middle of nowhere,
Dark, uncharted land.

Wave your magic wand,
Eradicate gloomy spell,
Emerge a winner.

Face your obstacles,
Uproot seeds of doubts and fears,
March on to the top.


This Haiku is written for Sensational Haiku Wednesday and the Prompt is Middle.

Just Never Give Up

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



Run when you can,
The race has just begun,
Your legs all strong,
Trust nothing can go wrong.

Walk if you have to,
There is still a lot to do,
Tiredness holds you in its fist,
You need to get out of this dark mist.

Crawl if you must,
Move on with faith and trust,
Just a few steps more,
And you will land at the victory shore.

Just never give up,
Even though the road ahead turns rough,
Go ahead with the zeal to win,
Emerge out of the waves, smiling and laughing.

Run when you can,
Walk if you have to,
Crawl if you must,
Just never give up.



This poem is written for Carry On Tuesday and the Prompt is "Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up".

Niche

Lost midway
Panicked heart
Dazed
Confused
Failing to fit
In the running world.

Tired
Exhausted
Too damn slow
They told him to leave
To quit, to depart
There wasn't a place
Where he was looked up.

Failure
Loser
Synonyms to his name
Lonely at heart
When she treated him the same
As many others had
Good bye, and she left
Her perfume lingering behind.

Sun rising up
Yet he kept falling back
No hands to hold
No shoulder to cry
He had to buck up
He had to try
He had to stand
He had to walk.

A pen in one
A paper in the other
He scribbled and scribbled
Till the tables shuddered
Rain
Snow
Heat
His determination had taken a firm seat.

The rain stopped
Horizon brushed with 7 colors
The scribbled words
No longer a sign of failure
But an autograph of winner
He had finally found the way
He had finally found his niche in words.


This Poem is written for One Single Impression and the Prompt is Niche.

My 1st Blog Award

Wow .... 'm so happy .... feels great .... Wow !!!

When I started blogging on a warm sultry May morning this year, my primary goal was to know how I write. I wished to be criticized and appreciated from writers who have been here,done that. I wanted to revive my writing skills that I believed had died somewhere in the middle of my hectic professional life. Finding time to write was just so out of question.

I did start a blog some couple of years back, but lack of time forced me to be irregular on it, and finally I completely stopped writing. However, I guess putting down my thoughts in words was too lucrative a passion to be shut down completely, and here I was again, in a new blog, with new ideas.

I started checking others' blogs, and noticed how good people over here write. Poems, stories, simple narratives, everything, there was so much to learn from each one of you. Truly, that's what inspired me to write, almost daily. The urge to grow better motivated me, fueling me whenever I felt drained.

And thanks to Sui, I have another reason to write now. She recently honored me by tagging me for the Liebster Blog Award - my first award !!!!

Thanks a lot for this :-)

Well, there are certain rules associated with it, and copying from Sui's blog post, they are as follows:

1. If you are tagged/ nominated you have to post 11 facts about yourself.
2. Then you answer the 11 questions the tagger has given you & make 11 questions for the people you are going to tag.
3. Tag 11 more Blogger.
4. Tell the people you tagged that you did.
5. No tagging back.
6. The person you tag must have less than 200 followers.

Thus, abiding by the rules as follows:

11 Facts About Me


I am too lazy when at home.
I love driving.
I fall in love (read crush) with different celebrities (female, of course) every now and then.
I hate to study, but I still have to.
I love going to office when there is less work, so that I can play Table Tennis the whole time.
I don't like loud music, I prefer something soft.
I love to think, think and think all the time.
I am a late sleeper and wake up pretty late too.
I have a childhood fantasy of becoming a Super Hero and saving the society.
I can't paint, but I love good paintings and arts.
I am crazy about Awards.

Answers to Sui's Questions


1. Have you ever visited a zoo?
A. Yes. I have visited the zoo in my hometown, Kolkata.

2. Do you think it’s reasonable to keep animals behind cages simply for our amusement?
A. No. Animals should have the liberty to be free and enjoy the natural freedom which they are entitled to get.

3. It is raining heavily, you have to rush home but alas you forgot to bring an umbrella. What would your reaction be?
A. I would regret not bringing an umbrella, but since I will be returning home, I wouldn't mind getting wet. I can always dry myself after I reach home.

4. You promised to take your mom shopping on Friday. The same day your best friend who relocated to a different city came to visit and asked you to accompany her/him the entire day. What would your priority be? {Emotionally blackmailing your mother is not an option.}
A. I would go shopping with my mom, and meet my best friend after that.

5. What’s more important: to have many followers who rarely visit your blog OR to have few followers who regularly visit your blog.
A. Many followers all of whom who visit my blog would be ideal. But to answer your question correctly, I would choose the 2nd option.

6. Would you buy a latest gadget even if you don’t need it? {Assuming that you have more than enough money to buy.}
A. No. I don't buy things I don't need.

7. How will you react if I say that I am standing in front of your house right now?
A. I would be surprised, and look out of my window !!!

8. What does it mean if we say that a person is cool?
A. That he isn't affected by global warming ;-)

9. Can you call a person your friend even if you have never seen her/him in physical form?
A. Yes. It's so common in social networking world these days.

10. What is the importance of having a romantic relationship in your life?
A. It's good, till it lasts. And then, it becomes bad. But yes, better to fall in love at least once. It teaches you a lot in life.

11. What’s the most boring thing in the world for you?
A. This is tough. I don't get bored easily. I always find something or the other to do that engages my mind.

11 Questions From Me

1. If an alien visits you, what is the first thing you would like to know about it?
2. If you have the power, to which three non-living objects would you like to grant the power of life?
3. Do you like pets? Do you have one?
4. What super power you wish to possess?
5. Which is the most memorable gift you have received till date and from whom?
6. Do you like travelling? Which has been your favorite travelling spot?
7. What makes you smile when you feel low?
8. What is your favorite quote?
9. Who is your idol?
10. Do you prefer reading, or writing?
11. When did you start blogging?

11 Awesome Bloggers I Tag


This one is tough. I have followed so many bloggers that choosing only 11 is quite difficult. I would have loved to tag a few more, but have tried to bring up my list of 11 as below:

1. Crystal
2. Kirti
3. Grace
4. Sreeja
5. Vaishali
6. Hank
7. Jaideep
8. Aravind
9. Dark Angel
10. Sandra
11. Hannah Denski

Congratulations. Enjoy the Award :-)

Boredom - Haiku

Unresistant rain,
Flowing without a constraint,
Children stuck at home.

Reluctance galore,
Disobeys playful desires,
Boredom creeping in.

Idle mind awake,
Concentric lines intersect,
Ideas unveiled.


This Haiku is written for Sensational Haiku Wednesday and the Prompt is Boredom.

Meaning - Haiku

                                                             (Image Courtesy: http://www.diamondpriceguide.com)



Dusk ruling ahead,
Hope sinking desperately,
Black water rising.

Stand tall, head held high,
Decipher sculpted meaning,
Darkness leads to light.

Hardened rocks and coal,
Glowing pure, they brightly shine,
Polished diamonds.


This Haiku is written for Haiku Heights and the Prompt is Meaning.

My Eyes Still Burn !!!

                                                                (artwork by Jack Vettriano)



The morning rush, the blaring horns,
Thinking of you has become the norm,
Heart wide awake, scanning the skies,
My eyes still burn in the mist of your lies.

The window opens up the naked road,
Sunlight weighs upon my heavy load,
Smoking the cigar, lips darkened with ash,
I fall down flat in this messy hash.

This dark gown I wear today,
The one you gifted me on my last birthday,
With arms around me you hugged me tight,
Our soft smelling fragrances melting in the night.

You vowed to return, majestic as a lover,
As soon as this war would get over,
I learnt to be patient, I taught myself to wait,
But then, why are you now being just so late?

The enemies defeated, territories regained,
The joy of independence, of pride and fame,
Merry making, it's time to celebrate,
Left as a loner, this is what I hate.

Didn't you return from the war, my love?
Why did you lie to me in our sheltered cove,
You promised to come back in my arms,
Why did you fib in the midst of your other plans?

The tears I suppress, drowning in the flood,
The water won't flow, they are thick as the blood,
And I know you would come back soon,
'cause you have to fulfill the promise of bringing me the moon.

The morning rush, the blaring horns,
Thinking of you has become the norm,
Heart wide awake, scanning the skies,
My eyes still burn in the mist of your lies.



This Poem is written for The Mag.

First - Haiku

 (Image Source: http://www.4-anniversary-gifts.co.uk)

                     

First, always special,
Initiates a voyage,
Uncharted province.

Success and triumph,
Forever etched in the heart,
A flurry of dreams.

Moistened lips tremble,
Unleashes first kiss of joy,
Passive river stirs.


This Haiku is written for Haiku Heights and the Prompt is First.

Friend

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

The burning wax, the setting sun,

The legs weary, and yet they run,
Orchards buzzing with bees and mangoes,

Here we go, sprouting wings like flamingos.

One stone, and two, hurled with a force,

Of innocent theft, gifts rained in scores,

Sweetness caressed our daily desire,

Sipping mangoes, our friendship on fire.

Oh, those long lost days of togetherness,

The sandy roads, dust flying behind our pace,

Where are you now, where, where, where?

I miss those days, the laughter and joys, now so rare.

Hand in hand we set afloat,

Dreaming high, navigating paper boat,

The muddy terrains, we sailed all day,

The rock cut memories, now laid at bay.

Smiles and tears, sharing, lending,

The games we played, without winning or losing,

The constant companionship I crave for now,

I wish I could go back, but don't know how.

Oh, those long lost days of togetherness,

The sandy roads, dust flying behind our pace,

Where are you now, where, where, where?

I miss those days, the laughter and joys, now so rare.

This Poem is written for One Single Impression and the Prompt is Friend.

Tagged !!!

                                                                    (Image Courtesy: http://fardebeaute.over-blog.com)


Tagging is a relatively new concept for me, and I came across it only while visiting the blog posts of others. I noticed that two of my blogger friends Crystal and Kirti have tagged me in their posts. The purpose is to let others know you better by answering the questions posted by the "tagger".

The rules of the game are simple, and I copy them below from Kirti's post:

• Link back the blogger who tagged you.
• You must post the rules.
• Answer the questions given by the person tagged you.
• Tag eleven new bloggers.
• Set eleven new questions for the bloggers tagged by you.
• Inform them about the tag.

Starting with Crystal's questions, here goes my response:

1) What's something your Mom always said to you that you thought you'd never hear yourself say?
A) My mom always told me to focus and be attentive towards studies, and I hope my children are born studious so that I don't have to tell them the same thing ;-)

2) What's your favorite childhood story and why?
A) Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I loved the character Pip and could emotionally associate with it.

3) How would other's describe your personality?
A) Helpful and supportive, I guess !!!


4) What kind of music do you like to listen to?
A) Soulful, melodious, romantic songs. Actually my taste differs based on my mood, so there isn't any specific genre that I follow.


5) What is your favorite song of all time?
A) There are many "It's My Life", "Lonely", "Summer of '69", "Hotel California". As I have said, I keep listening and loving different songs based on my mood.


6) Do you have a big intellectual capacity and do you think that it alone equates wisdom? Yes or no and why?
A) Well, now this question is a heavy one. I do believe that I possess a certain level of intellectualism. However, wisdom is a larger term that denotes the knowledge gained which can drive us towards perfection, and can thus never be attained fully.


7) If you could create a charitable organization, what would you hope to accomplish and to whom would the proceeds benefit the most?
A) I would love to start an organization that would primarily be responsible for the welfare of poor and needy old people who do not have the means to live their life in a decent manner.


8) How do you deal with stress?
A) By playing PC games, or reading novels, or writing stuffs. Sometimes, I watch movies too.


9) What's your favorite movie?
A) There are many movies I liked - "Independence Day", "Titanic", "The Terminal", "Jurassic Park", "The Pursuit of Happyness", etc. Finding a favorite would be tough !!!


10) Have you read any good books lately? Which ones?
A) I love reading. I am currently reading "GONE WITH THE WIND". However, my all time favorite is "KITE RUNNER".


11) If you could tell the world just one thing, what would it be and why?
A) Live your life, and love your life :-) 'cause I believe people should learn to be happy and live their lives contentedly.



Responding to Kirti now:

1) What does music mean to you?
A) Music is a way to express your desires and free your soul ... it's the drug that can motivate you when chips are down.

2) Poem or a story?
A) As a writer, I prefer poem. As a reader, I love stories :-)

3) The deepest desire of your heart.
A) Being a top-shot author of millions of bestsellers :-P

4) Your idea of a romantic story.
A) Boy A falls for Girl B. Girl B falls for Boy C. Boy C falls for Girl D. Girl D falls for Boy A. Ha ha :-D

5) Walking or cycling? and why?
A) Walking if you are with someone you love, and cycling if you are alone. However, I would rather prefer driving, as it gives a rush to my adrenaline :-)

6) What does blogging mean to you?
A) Blogging to me is a way to learn and grow my writing skills. I love the way others write and try to unearth good features of their writings. Also, the constant motivation of other bloggers after reading my posts helps me a lot.

7) The favorite character you have created so far. Someone you feel like using in all your stories.
A) None yet. But I do have a superhero in mind, that I would love to create very soon :-)

8) The favorite character you have read and loved. and why.
A) Pip from Great Expectation, as I really felt emotionally associated with the various shades of this character. Among the more modern characters, I could sympathize with Amir's pain and guilt in The Kite Runner.

9) If you get to impersonate one super hero/heroine who would it be and why?
A) Definitely Spiderman. He is one superhero who I find real and believable. Jumping from building to building would be an added bonus.

10) Your idea of fun when you are out with your friends.
A) Great food in a nice ambiance ;-)

11) The song thats playing in your head at the moment :)
A) It's a song of a recent Hindi Movie - Maula from Jism 2.


Tagging 11 friends:

It might not be possible for all of you to find the time and respond to the post, and as a working professional myself, I do understand that. However, it would be great if you could find a few minutes to share more about your lives.

I would love to know about all my blogger friends, but as the rule goes, I can only tag 11, so here are the ones:

1) Sui Generis Writer
2) ArtMuseDog and Carol
3) Grace
4) Hannah Denski
5) Jennifer
6) La Dolce Vita
7) Fida Bosu
8) Dark Angel
9) Valli
10) Sreeja
11) Sumukh Bansal



My Questions:


Below are my questions for you:

1) What made you start writing/blogging? (Any specific incident or experience)
2) Who is that one person in the world you can never distrust, even though he/she has hurt you in the past?
3) If you were given a chance, which famous personality would you like to be in you next birth?
4) What is that one dream that still motivates you to go on and on?
5) What is that one best moment of your life, which you want to live again and again?
6) If you couldn't write, what would have been your alternative skill?
7) How would you rate yourself as a writer on a scale of 10 (1 being the worst and 10 being the best)? Why?
8) Which is your dream destination?
9) What is that one task that you have always wanted to perform, but could never do? Why?
10) Which book do you feel would have turned out better had it been written by you?
11) What are your suggestions for the new bloggers?



Hope you all have a happy time tagging :-)

And as always, Love Your Life and Live Your Life :-)