“In your light I learn how to love. In your beauty, how to make poems. You dance inside my chest where no-one sees you, but sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art.”
― Rumi
“You are writing only poems these days, which I don’t understand, write a blog for me, mom.”…my daughter’s complaint and plea. So, this is for her.
I find writing a poem more challenging, as we have to say so much in such a few words. And, when I get the poetry prompts from various groups I have subscribed to, I am possessed! I don’t want to just test the waters but, want to stretch my limit. Can I pull this off? Is my question every time I am faced with a challenge (of the writing type) and I usually do.,J
I have a confession to make. I do not understand the technicalities of writing a poem….nothing, nada. This after majoring in English Literature! Let me be more honest in admitting (sheepishly) I do not remember even a single poem from the world’s best poets I have read or even a line from any of the Shakespearean plays. To top it all, we had H.D. Thoreau’s “Walden”, a book revered by many writers, in our final year B.A. and I did not attend even a single class of it. The professor assigned to teach us “Walden”, used to smother us to sleep. Only the few who dared to attend were insomniacs (I now understand, why).
Recently, a Hindi movie was released, Rockstar…it was a rocking movie. Well, the hero, a singer and a big fan of Jim Morrison, fails to shine as he lacks attitude. There is a scene where he is sharing this with the canteen manager of his college. The canteen manager says, “All the creative people who have been successful have one thing in common, PAIN. Their best creativity arises when they are in pain.”
So, what has this got to do with my writing a blog? Well, I have written 4 poems and writing this one and I am in pain! Yesterday, I ran a distance of 10km and today, I could barely make 5km and my legs are screaming in pain! And so I am inspired to write…and I can’t bloody sleep.
Last ‘time’ I checked, it was 3 am and ticking…still no sign of sleep! Are we writers, creatures of the night? Nocturnal?
Pain+ insomnia = inspiration…This is my formula. Figure your formula while I toss and turn to catch some sleep.
How would you feel if you were standing at a place which was the cradle of civilization?
Indus Valley Civilization is considered to be one of the earliest civilizations in South Asia (3300-1700 B C) but, little is known about Bimbetka which dates back to 9000-7000 B C. Some of these shelters were inhibited by man even before 100,000 years. It is believed that this place was once submerged in water and we can see some rocks rising above to more than 500 meters from the ground level.
Bimbetka means “sitting place of Bhima” – Bhima, one of the Pandavas, of the epic Mahabharata was believed to have sat in meditation on these rocks.
This place is known for the cave paintings...pictures below.
Isn’t it awesome! In the heart of India? I visited this place two years back and felt proud of the rich heritage we are blessed with. I left this place richer.
