MEETING AT THE BAR.

 

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world probably not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." - Anais Nin.

An online friend introduced me to dVerse Poets Pub.

I had started blogging and had just begun to pen poems. As the popular misconception goes, I too thought that poems should rhyme. dVerse taught me otherwise. And it is here I met him. Our conversations though limited to commenting on each other posts...I always look forward for them. Introducing Brian Miller.

  

Brian Miller hails from the East Coast of America. He is a writer, poet, father, husband, counselor, key lime pie eater, friend, side street walker, who doesn’t mind mucking and getting his hands dirty or standing in a cherry blossom rain. “Everyone has a story and everything a poem, once you look at it long enough.” He doesn’t take himself seriously (especially when talking in first person) but has been published. Oh and in case you have not heard, love wins.

I also met many other amazing people here...Claudia, Laurie, David, Kaykula, Semaphore (Samuel), Mary and others. 

So, what makes this man special? His writings always strikes a chord, touches a note and makes you think and ponder. The one quality that stands out is - he makes it a point to visit each and everyone's site that has been linked and comment on them sometimes as many as 140 links or more! And, the comments are never short like...nice one, well done or good one. He doesn't skim, he reads.

Yesterday, he announced that he is taking a sabbatical from blogging, in his post...One last thought...a very touching thought indeed. He says he wants to go live life...to find himself again. 

So, here's wishing him all the very best...and telling him...."You will be missed Brian. Go find yourself and come back soon."

By the way, the title of this post - Meeting at the bar - is a place where all dVersers meet every Thursday.

*** FormForAll/Meeting the Bar: Critique and Craft - is our lab, where you will receive teaching on poetry forms and critique. This is where we hone our skills. FormForAll and Meeting the Bar: Critique and Craft will alternate weeks and opens at 3pm EST on Thursday.  

A-To-Z Challenge.

 

 

A FEW THINGS L.

 

Seriously have been out of ideas for 'L'. Asked friends for suggestions and everyone came up with a L word of their own. Why not make a collage of all of them?

LINES

Lines are everywhere...some straight, some curved, some patterned.

                         LOVE....the unconditional one.

                                         It is not so difficult to be uncomplicated. Is it?    

LEGACY -

Reading came to me as a legacy. My great granny would read the newspaper without missing an article. She traveled throughout the world from within the four walls of the house.

My granny, arthritic...could not hold books in her hand. But, would read by placing the book on the table and read for hours.

My mom would finish her chores just to read undisturbed. I would play 'dress up' by wearing all her sarees and she would not even notice.

My dad is an avid reader too....so many books in his collection. He made me fall in love with magazines too - Reader's Digest, Illustrated Weekly, India Today, The Week, Outlook...this list goes on.

My daughter is not only a reader, but a collector too. No e-books for her...and I love it just that way.

My son...has taken over the family I married into. He too has a small collection of Percy Jackson books which are yet to see the light of the day.

LAVANI- 

This is popular in Maharastra. Though I am not a trained dancer and have two left feet, I had a long standing dream of performing in front of an audience. Last year, I did perform in  the new year bash organized in our housing society.

It was nothing grand but, a decent attempt. Could not upload the video here because of a technical glitch. Some pictures though - 

                                         LAZINESS 

                                         Eat, sleep and peace.

  

 

KISSED.

 

 

So tiny and wrinkly

Somewhat ugly too...

I fell in love with you

Even before...

I set my eyes on you

Welcoming you into this world

With tears of joy

My baby,

You kissed my life bright!

**********************

Looking into your eyes

Kissing away your pain

Life isn't a bed of roses

Loyalties wane

Protect you, guide you and comfort you

I can do that

To experience life

And to grow

Is entirely your domain.

***********************

Melted in your arms

The bliss...

Of your kiss

Lifted me from the abyss

Now, sealing our love

Each moment we cherish

Is the foundation for 

Sweet memories.   

***********************

Wish there was more time

Wish we could've talked more

Wish you didn't have to suffer

And I, see the life being

Snuffed out from you

Wish I didn't have to kiss you good bye

Yet, you will live in me forever.

************************* 

This is one of the favorite song of mine -

  

    

       

JOGINI FALLS.

Manali is a hot destination for people who want to enjoy the cold and the beauty of the Himalayas. 

 

The base camp of the trekking group which I was a part of was at the Bhang village, in the Kullu valley and with River Beas running on the either side of our camp. A picturesque location, which was about 6,500 ft above the sea level.

 

Jogini falls is approachable from the ancient village Vashisht . Jogini is a female goddess and therefore the place of female power.  

 

This was a trekking trip and so, we took the difficult route. What looked like a short distance took us about 3 hours of climb. Yeah, it was worth it...is an understatement. The beauty of this falls is that we can walk across from behind the water falls.

 

                                     En route...the not-so-easy trek

 

 

This picture is taken from behind the falls. It is very slippery there and my kids were holding me while I took this snap.

                                                  The people navigating the falls...

                                                    That's my co-sis, niece and son.

 

 If you ever plan to visit Manali, do include Jogini falls in your itinerary...either climb the hard way or take the easy route...either way, you won't be disappointed.

 

 

 

IDIOMATIC CONVERSATION.

 

"Can you pull this off?" - Ms. Smarty.

 

"Sure, it's a piece of cake?" - Ms. Courage.

 

"Shouldn't sound like a cock and bull story." - Ms. S

 

Ms. C - "Forever a doubting Thomas you are!"

 

"Ok then, get down to the brass track babes...the ball is in your court." Ms. S winks.

 

Ms. C playfully punches Ms. S on the shoulders. "You think I am jaywalking around this? It takes two to Tango. Either hold your horses or join the bandwagon. The latter is better."

 

Ms. S rolls her eyes. "Ya ya...actions speak louder than words. Stop beating around the bush and get down to work. You do well on your own."

 

"Rome wasn't built in a day!" Ms. C shrugs her shoulders.

 

"Hahaha...feeling the heat? Face the music...everyone is done. They plan. Look at you. Procrastinating always. Serves you right for taking up challenges."

 

"Don't remind me. I work well under pressure," sighs Ms. C "Stop your knee jerk reaction and let me think," and sheepishly, "you know I need you."

 

"Bingo! you hit the nail on the head! Common, let's leave no stone unturned. Pull up your socks and let's rock!" Ms. Smarty is raring to go.

 

Ms. Courage throws up her hand, " Always a drama queen, aren't you?"

 

 

 

For - A-To-Z Challenge