EpiphanyMoments

It stopped raining Chlorofil and stem Watched with bated breath As an orphaned leaf Browned and weary Broke rank and With a resigned sigh Shrugged off its last Porvorim drop; catching the final pink of the setting sun Which slipped below the horizon Orphan slalomed downwards Past petal and stamen Trembling in disbelief Gracefully swaying Towards my sandalled feet Next to a smouldering butt Across a scurrying fire ant And into deep tyre tracks To leave neither Matter or Memory Yet as rubber and slush Turned the orphaned leaf over It wondered if the sun Had found it's final resting place

I came to hide in this crowd But my loneliness didnt let me It dragged me back into the corner Tying me down with caresses Wearing me out with lust Pulling me apart with sweet poems I reach for the light Yet this enveloping darkness Is comforting David DSouza

  An analogy Many many years ago, someone asked why was 11C classroom separate from the main School (Dr Antonio DaSilva) building. The main school building boasted wide stairs, fresh paint Desks were cleaner Windows had grills Wide open corridors across all floors Boys even combed their hair Was disciplined and unchaotic Many even liked music Many many years later someone says Why Not?  Main building gave you education. 11C gave you intelligence to make use of the education Main building forced you to toil for good grades. 11c let you run wild with your imagination overcome scorn and laugh in the face of ridicule.  Main building had classrooms. 11C had a class that is remembered even to this day.  Main building was where you studied. 11C was where you learned. Main building had teachers in front of students. 11C had mentors and guardians next to them.

I met this young man only two times in my life.  The first was at Naren's fantastically organised MidDay bash at Melwyn's old place in Mumbai Four years ago.  The second was against the setting sun on the kerb of Westside store, Baner, Pune 24 hours ago.  On the pretext of a meeting with the Pune bureau, this young man hung around with me, let a scared fat ugly old man weep and sniffle like child, and made me feel immensely proud of humankind!  There were insights shared. Fears discussed. Happy tomorrows decided.  And what did I give return?  Nothing but a trite Thank You and hurried wave before my i20 and his Honda sped away in different directions.  This episode, Sachin, will be remembered. Forever.  (Written pn Dec 5, 2020) 

 I see Helplessness on social media Weeping and gnashing of teeth as beds oxygen medicine disappear Bodies piled up outside crematoriums, cemeteries and morgues People I know losing their loved ones People I know falling seriously ill Government appears to have dumped us God, more so No one to lead, to provide succour No one to hold hands We are left to ourselves.  Houston, we have a problem!  (Written on April. 2021) 

 D ear Alhad and Bhu Two vattanas in a pod Admins allegedly true Old couple so odd The stumble, they shuffle Send lamba ones and fakes, Yet collective grumble When panga someone takes Chutya are the voices Of knowledge and fact Damned are the choices With poor wit and puerile tact The katta group really knows It's futile to oppose So DSB group just flows With purana repeats 'n prose Then comes some achcha relief Thru' big tits and small politics And sets up a naya belief That we groupies are not sick All's fair in a WhatsApp game Never mind forwards so crude All's fair in shame and defame Never mind shabdh so rude I now stop this silly verse Else Alhad and dear Bhu For better or for much worse Will my phatti chaddi sue.

No festival gives so much joy to believers and unbelievers alike as does this beautiful tribute to our Vignaharta, the Dispeller of Darkness and Hurt, Our Ganapati Bappa.  May He continue to bless us, whoever and whatever we are.  Someone long time ago in a foreign land asked Alka if I celebrated Ganapati She said yes. Because he is Hindu by traditions, Catholic by faith and Indian by birth.  My husband celebrates the goodness of Jesus, Buddha and all prophets who teach love and goodness.  True What she did not add is that I enjoy festivals because there's lots of food! 

  No bells pealed, nor flowers bloomed when  a miracle this day 365 days ago Broke our reverie; our complacency,  And bonded once again what was enjoined 40 years ago.  Our sails are unfurled, billowing with joy Sailing troubled waters Gliding peaks and troughs We have become stronger Smiles stay longer Thank you friends, neighbors, doctors The strength you gave us Continue to endure.  (Written.on 20 Nov 2021) 

 Mary's Boy Child lay in swaddling clothes amidst lamb and oxen. More than 2000 years later, my girl-child lies under cozy blankets amid modern bedroom luxuries.  One New Born. One Born Again I see the Boy child's soft gaze in her eyes; of hope and good tidings. Happy Birthday, Jesus.

Rage Rage against the dying light is a line from a poem by Dylan Thomas called "Do not go gentle into that good night". The poem is about the struggle to stay alive and to resist death, even when it seems inevitable. The phrase "rage, rage against the dying of the light" is a call to action, urging the reader to fight against the approach of death and to continue living with all their strength. It is a reminder that we should never give up or surrender to the inevitability of death, but instead, we should fight to live every moment of our lives with passion and intensity. Overall, the poem is a powerful expression of the human desire to live and to resist death, and it serves as a reminder to us all to embrace life and to never give up on

 "I won’t give up. Especially today, as I step into another year of my life, I reflect on the journey so far. It hasn't been easy—nothing worthwhile ever is. Yet, every challenge has taught me resilience and strength. I’ve come this far, and I’m determined to keep moving forward. But I know I can’t do it alone. Friends, I ask for your support, for it’s your presence that lightens the burden. Together, we can make it through life’s ups and downs. Thank you for standing by me as I continue this journey of growth and self-discovery."

Life can change in an instant F or Alka and me, an unexpected stroke shook me not once, but twice. These life-altering events left them grappling with uncertainty, but they also discovered the true power of love, resilience, and unwavering support. The first stroke was a shock, but the second, although minor, was no less terrifying. I saw her eyes glaze over during breakfast, a sudden shift in her demeanor that set off alarm bells. Immediate action was needed, and I rushed to the hospital nearby. The speed at which they mobilized their support network, including friends and medical professionals, highlights the importance of a strong community. Alka's journey through hospitals, tests, and confusion was not easy. My emotions mirrored the rollercoaster they were on - from shaken disbelief to questioning the unfairness of it all. In times like these, it's natural to search for answers, even from a higher power. As the months turned into years, the challenges persisted. Alka, once ...

Life throws curveballs. Sometimes, we find ourselves stuck in situations that feel overwhelming or just plain sad, and no matter how hard we try, things seem to take forever to improve. It’s frustrating, and often, it’s exhausting. But in these moments, when we accept the situation as it is, some might wonder: does acceptance mean we’re giving up? Does it mean we’ve lost hope? Let’s start by clearing up one major misconception: acceptance is not the same as defeat. It’s not about waving the white flag and resigning yourself to a lifetime of misery. Acceptance is more about acknowledging reality, the "this is how it is right now" mindset. It’s an important step that helps you avoid getting stuck in denial, frustration, or even bitterness. Think of acceptance as standing still for a moment to assess the terrain. You’re not quitting the hike up the mountain; you’re simply recognizing that the climb might be steeper than you thought. You may need to change your pace, find a new p...