Celebrating life!

I never understood what unconditional love was Until she appeared in my life. I never thought she would love me, the black sheep But she was constantly with me. When my heart broke and I lay crying in bed She alone understood and sat silently by my side. When she realized I would be going to work in the mornings Her eyes alone showed how she hated being separated. When I returned by evening Her joy knew no bounds. When I returned from a week-long conference trip to Nepal I had to get her injected: she was sick from her sorrow of separation. And finally when a horrible tenant made a threat on your life Forcing us to keep you safe, away from us I felt your pain… I hated it & missed you terribly too. Yet even then, when I came to speak to you today You were more interested in me then my gift for you. I doubt I have a truer love than you My dearest canine being Achu Because you taught me the meaning of unconditional love.  

Why do I hate you so? What did you ever do but help? Most people wud agree your a great blessing.  Yet I feel only distaste  And I wonder why.  You've helped me too, Despite all my attempts to get rid off you.  But at 44 I think I'm finally accepting my reality, And you my spectacles.

  If only I were as smart as big bro or could cook like you, mom,  If only I could sing & dance like lil' bro or do all the chores like him,  If only I were a boy carrying on the family name or had birthed a grandkid for you, Then, maybe then would you consider me a beloved daughter? Am I really that terrible? You boast to visitors about my brothers but have nothing to say about me? Doesn't love & sincerity count? Or does only money & status matter? Was this how Jesus too felt at home? Alone? An outcaste? It isn't glory I seek, never, ever Just your understanding and acceptance. But I guess I'm too black a sheep ...

  As the sun rises, another Onam comes & I nostaligize an Onam, 23 years ago When my non-Malayali classmates  Traversed the breadth of town In search of a sadhya & was forced to make peace with fried rice, For that was a time when all Malayalis Were busy spending time with their families & at home were floral carpets, swings, Onam music, the awaited homemade sadhya & finally the TV movie with a 100 interrupting ads. Maveli too I suppose must remember those times All too well For today there is home-delivered sadhya with all 27 items & OTT to watch whatever movie whenever  As well as Amazon purchases So that each family member can sit in a corner & forget about connecting this Onam with family Well unless you mean the virtual kind. As Maveli looks at a sadly digital Onam Does he miss those days too when we saw faces not screens? Will his rule ever happen again amidst such virtual chaos? I see him leaving with a sigh Unable to greet his people locke...

  This is the way the world works- cheat lie steal This is what the world wants- falsity acting glamor This is how the world treats the righteous- shun shame isolate  This is how the world treats the corrupt: exalt glorify role model Is it any wonder that we call it kaliyugam ?

  Muntezar & Muntedhar - Such confusing names! Who are you & who is he? Oh! Woe is me! You said you would certainly be A peaceful tenant of mine, but peace I have never known after you reached this house of mine. First the water, then the electricity, Then the air conditioner as well: Every day you would complain till all was well contained. I finally sat in my chair Thinking – it’s all over now. But the phone rings, It’s the immigration officer! “5 years I’ll put you in jail” “But why sir? Why?” “You submitted their documents late.”  “But within 24 hours I did sir!” “No! You were 5 minutes late!  Pay the 50,000 fine or go to jail!” I collapsed. Now I wonder from up in the clouds, Did my wife pay? Or was it my son?