The unknown

Clouded path,

Unknown routes,

Standing alone,

Unable to comprehend what’s going on.

Fear lurking,

Hands trembling,

Legs frozen,

Not sure where to go.

But I have to take a step forward—

Staying in the same place yields no result.

Right or wrong,

I decide to move ahead.

On the move, the way appears.

There are pits that might have tripped me,

But even when I fall,

I rise again.

Finally, a light appears—

Hope finds its way.

A sojourn begins,

Yet I realise, there’s still a long way to go.

Life, or something like it.

A walk in the park,

To relax myself,

Made me take a glimpse of people all around me.

Some were smiling, some brooding,

Some in deep talks, some in chat of all topics.

As I caught these people in my mind frame,

My thoughts raced to what they might be.

There may be some finding new ways,

While others lingered in their old ways,

Some may be in bonding relationships,

While some might have had heart ache.

Some try to build up,

Some want to break up,

All for reasons of their own.

In a world of come and go, 

Is there something one can one do?

As my walk continued, 

I saw a dog with its puppies,

Hither and whither they ran happily,

A lone cat in the corner,

With a view on its kitties,

All seem to be contented with no thought of tomorrow.

As the birds sang and trees danced in the breeze,

I wish people would understand, the span of life.

No more wars, let love prevail.

No more cries let smiles beautify.

Let us live and let others live.

- Ranjana 

Activa Activa Activa

My Activa:

She is all beauty, Everyone’s fantasy,

It was love for me at first sight.

I knew no cycling and my tutor - no patience,

I had a fall and managed to stand.

Learning new ways, she stood upright for me,

Within a week, I had learned the rules,

And without a hitch, I passed

With a License to drive in my hand.

A new life paved way,

To lead and not to follow.

I travelled and miles flew,

Giving me the confidence, no one knew.

My children schooling was an adventure,

With no fear between the two,

Every day they had a story to tell,

With vivid memories, as we travelled through.

She gave me strength,

To manage home or work 

Travelling was fun with her, and I managed all through.

Temple or market , or any place 

Her presence was there for sure

With growing years, my love for her deepened

And it seemed nothing is possible without her.

After a fall, advised not to drive,

I stared at her, longing for a go,

She smiled back, As if saying,

This is not the end, Our journey will continue.”

- Ranjana 

Time travel

If I had the superpower to time travel, 

I would travel the eons of time, 

Change the course of history, 

Make everything right. 

Reverse the assassination of Martin King, 

Avoid the Chauri chaura blunder, 

Meet Gandhi and converse with Nehru, 

Make peace with Jinnah about Kashmir.

Then I realised,

That time is a fragile thread,

Tug one end, and a million lives

May unravel, fall, or bled.

What seems so wrong from where I stand,

Was once a lesson, raw and grand.

Pain carved revolutions deep,

And martyrs sowed the dreams we reap.

If I undo the fire and flame,

Will freedom still be just a name?

If Gandhi walks a different mile,

Will silence rule where once was trial?

History isn’t perfect—true,

But neither is the world anew.

I hold the power, but not the right,

To steal the world of pain or fight.

So I won’t change the past, not now,

But learn from it, and still allow

My present steps to shape what’s near—

A better world, without the fear.

If I had the power to time travel,

I’d still choose today to unravel.

- Sreevarshni 

When things go out of your hand

When things start to go out of hand, 

When the world your have built comes tumbling down, 

When everybody around you seems weak and forsaken, 

That's when you should never give up. 

Among the crowd of the meek, 

You stand above tall, 

Taller than their combined fears, 

As you are their saviour, after all. 

Give them courage, give them hope,

Be the knot that holds the rope,

Holding together strong,

Being a bridge to cross over top. 

They are sojourners, but you're not,

Don't fall into that crowd, 

Don't be one among the wave, 

You have laid your own path. 

- SREEVARSHNI 

A Rant for equality

 Has any constitution ever been designed insisting that womenfolk at home must do all the chores?

Then why—

Do gas stoves require her to light them,
Pots need her to fill them,
And clothes wait for her to wash them?

Back again from planning, buying, cleaning, cooking, storing, cutting, and maintaining—what not.

She is expected to do all this without anyone having a say.

If anything is left undone, it comes back to her with the tag: "Why?"

Husband, son, brothers—whatever role they hold—
Need to be told again and again
What needs to be done.

This is viewed as women harassing men—
Memes and jokes flow, showcasing how men are suffering.

Then what about the plight of women?
Who will question it?
And who will answer?

- Ranjana Devi M 

Learnings from the Sunset

After a long time,
A lone journey on a train.

A beautiful sunset caught my eye,
And I wanted to capture it in my frame.

An airy wind blew by my side,
All at once—calls from every side.

But all I wanted was that sunset within my sight.

As I dodged the calls,
The sunset played,
And I thought—
Is this a game of hide and seek by God's creation?

Ah, what a beautiful glory.

As it lingered in my mind,
I decided to seize it with my eyes.
And what a sight—
A beautiful memory.

Passing trees, greener fields, a setting sun—
All reminded me:
The light in my life is not far to see.

Thanking God for everything, my journey continues,
As my thoughts waver to the loving souls at home.

"Do not lose hope," the sunset reminded me,
"For I will rise tomorrow with yet another beauty."

- Ranjana Devi M 

Stalemate

 Life has become a quiet, endless game,
A board of choices, yet all moves feel the same.

Pawns pushed forward, but progress denied,

Dreams once vibrant, now stuck by my side.

The clock ticks on, each second a bind,
Plans unravel, tangled threads in my mind.
Echoes of laughter, now whispers of doubt,
Hope feels distant, trapped and worn out.

Knights and rooks poised, but paths are unclear,
The queen’s ambition held back by fear.
A king in the corner, boxed by regret,
Checkmated by choices I cannot forget.

But even in stalemate, a chance to renew,
The board resets, and strategies brew.
Life may stagnate, but pieces can shift,
A stalemate today—tomorrow, a gift.

Madrasum Naanum

 Chennai is an emotion for millions. Being a Chennai-vaasi is all that takes to be distinct from the rest of India. From the Marina beach ( in whatever condition it maybe) to George town, from Vepery to Royapettah, every atmosphere has a different story. And there are hundreds of hidden treasures in this humble city. Come, explore Madras with me.

A city of love,

a city of joy,

 a city of subcultures, 

a city of haves and have nots,

a city of fragrance, 

a city of muskiness,

a city of heritage,

a city of festivity,

a city for shenanigans,

a city of midnight gaiety,

And however far you are,

Chennai will definitely make you homesick.

Image source

 

Death of a leaf

Everyday I cry myself to sleep. 

Tears are my only companion in this lonely forsaken world. 

I have no friends. 

I have no family. 

I'm a single leaf. 

Withered and fallen. 

Who will bring me back to life ?

 I guess no one.  

Let me wither more and die. 

I experience no hugs, no kisses , no cuddles, no love. 

I experience no happiness, as my whole life is filled with immense sadness. 

I'm tired of all this. 

Oh my universe! 

Please let me die. 

Take away my life.

 I will be free from this sorrow. 

My life has already perished. 

My soul has already left this body. 

Let my body also fall. 

Fall into a deep slumber of death. 

Where nobody can judge from there. 

Death is the only way to live,

In this godforsaken world.

What is beauty though ?

  The beauty of the world can only be experienced by someone who is willing to see it. 

- Roxie Nafousi 

For a long time ( really a long time, trust me ), I was misconstrued by the term - BEAUTY.

To me, beauty was merely a reflection of my outward appearance, shaped by the demands of TV advertisements and the influence of social media personalities urging me to buy those cosmetics.

But, slowly but surely, I came to realise the true meaning of what's beauty. 

Here's my poem about it.

She said, " If you apply this cream, you will look fairer."

I asked, " Is fairness only in the color of skin ? 

Isn't fairness an attribute of character ? 

Being fair to me, is being bold,

 Strong in voicing out malice,

Free from the chains of partisanship."

 She said, "You have very big lips. It doesn't look good."

I said, " Oh, my lips serve a greater purpose. 

My lips make me smile even more bigger,

Something the world needs now more than ever.

My lips turn me more articulative,

And exhibit command over my perspectives."

He said," Your feet is very wide, like a man's."

I said," Yes, they are strong, like a man's feet.

They lift me, each time I fall.

Humbling me, by rooting me to the ground,

Carrying me forward, onto my destiny,

And are a testament to my perseverance."

He said, " You're so short."

I said, " Well, my height is not linked to 

The values that I have imbibed.

I am taller when it comes to the strength of my character,

The depths of my compassion,

And the heights of my aspirations."

They said, "You chose the wrong path. You're a waste."

I said, "The path I chose was mine, and I stand by it.

I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity

To choose, to explore, to unlearn, and to grow.

I've ventured into diverse fields, accumulating knowledge

That would have taken a lifetime to learn

Had I walked any other way."

Being beautiful, from the inside out,

Requires immense courage.

Saying no, rejecting prejudices,

Enduring the stings and bites of judgments,

Are all acts of fortitude.

Cheers, to each one of us,

Celebrating our strengths and 

reminiscing our blemishes. 

If I were a boy...

 If I were a boy, I wouldn't have to do the dishes,

If I were a boy, I wouldn't have to wash the clothes, 

As my sister or mom would even wash my shoes.

If I were a boy, I would spend more time on my studies,

If I were a boy, I would get the whole day to focus on my career, my hobbies and goals. 

As I would get to undermine my sister's ambitions and dreams.

If I were a boy, I wouldn't be screamed at or judged for driving a bike. 

If I were a boy, I wouldn't be subjected to the constant criticism of my decisions,

As whatever decision I would take, would be the best. 

If I were a boy, I could spend late hours enjoying with my friends. 

If I were a boy, I would have the luxury to eat, and not to cook. 

As my mother and sister would take care of the kitchen. 

If I were a boy, I need not do 7 hours of unpaid household invisible labour. 

If I were a boy, I wouldn't be subjected to Double suppression. 

As patriarchy dictates that I need not contribute to the house that I live in. 

If I were a boy, I need not be careful,

If I were a boy, I could wake up even at midday,

As everything that I need would be provided for me. 

If only I were a boy...

A myriad of words

  " Raise your words , not voice.

It is the rain that grows flowers , not thunder." 

                                    - Rumi 

A sonnet on WORDS ( by the Blog author )

Words are deep 

Words are peace 

Words are soul 

Words are real 

Words are fair 

Words are lives

Words are wise 

Words are love 

Words are felt 

Words are good 

Words are apt 

Words are cosmos 

Words are manifold 

On the whole , words craft the world.

    

              

These are some of my favourite words. Though, there are a myriad of words that I love,  I have listed only a few, and remember, 'words are the verbal embodiment of power' 

(quoted by Robin Sharma).  

PS : What are your personal favourite words ? Comment below . 

The insomniac diaries

 

QUEEN