Posts tagged poem

Write a Haiku & Fight Monday Blues

Inklings - Poetry & Prose

I am probably the only person on the planet who welcomes Monday like a million dollar check and I don’t get #MondayBlues (although I am wearing blue today) at all. However today my laptop, more specifically the software that I use on an everyday basis to do my job decided to die out on me and I found myself waiting for my IT guy like a damsel in distress. After much deliberation, a few YouTube tutorials and a scroll down my Twitter plus Instagram feed, I decided to invest my energies in writing a Haiku. Now this may be my first attempt at penning down a Haiku (俳句) but I’d like to point out that I am very confident and ready to hit it hard!

So here goes nothing…

So first let’s come up with a theme…

Hmmmmm….

What do I like? Work. Family. The Art of Reading. Books. Workplace talks. FinTech. eCommerce. Blockchain Technology. Work-wear. Handbags. Feminism. Minimalism. Less Waste Lifestyle. Travel. Words. Hallmark Movies. Girl Boss Moments. Autumn. Murder Mysteries. (Wait did I just enlist my blog categories?)

(Note to Self: Pick one already!)

Okay, so I am going go with “Autumn” as my favorite season of the year is around the corner.

Coffee, cashmere, words
my perfect September night
plus the love denied

What do you think? No bad for my first try. I am telling the entire world about my beautiful creation!

Well until next time. I hope you are having a great day and wish you a wonderful week ahead.

Love,
Ifrah!

 

Love Is.

Inklings - Poetry & Prose Love & Relationships

Do you believe in love at first sight?

 
For as long as I can remember, I’ve done so with all my heart. Granted expecting violins and saxophones was something I knew was never going to happen. But somewhere deep down hoped the skies would clear out, birds will chirp and there will definitely be a breeze of sorts. 
 
I was pleasantly proven wrong.
 
Do you believe in soulmates?
 
Hell to the yeah. I mean when you grow up shipping Mondler (Monica + Chandler) how can you not? See what I did there?
 
I know. I know. I was sadly mistaken.
 
I hold no authority on dictating what love is but having spent 3 decades on Earth, I can certainly differentiate between love and something-like-love.
 
No matter how much we love to detest Edward’s sparkly skin, we all have wished for a love that stops time. We all crave for a moment when time stands still and the beauty of love shines through every space of our existence. Somehow all that – just does not exist! And for all the right reasons…
 
We yearn for chemistry.
 
We wish for harmony.
 
We pray for physics, biology and sometimes mathematics too. But have ever hoped for nothingness?
 
Our predefined quotients of love and relationships have led us nowhere but to a pool of arguments, fights and breaking points. I am not at all in any way suggesting that a more compatible human being is in any way less suitable match for you but books, movies and writers like yours truly have set human experience expectations. Like running a call centre and setting customer experience expectations is our number one priority.
 
How much he makes?
 
How good she is at going down?
 
Will he be a good father?
 
Will she get along with my mom?
 
Is he reliable?
 
Is she the faithful kind?
 
So many brackets, so many prerequisites and no manual! I mean, let’s not be skeptic, all of this is important, after all we are planning (or at least hoping to) to spend an entire lifetime together so a small checklist isn’t all bad. But nowhere do we find a manual to get to a conclusion. I mean, did anyone define a baseline for LOVE? (If you are reading this and you work at my office, I know what you are thinking, this is a feeling Ifrah – not a process that you can analyse and set during a quality management meeting). This might sound crazy but aren’t we all doing the same? Critically scrutinising every relationship in our lives and expecting a few baselines to be met?
 
And yes, I was one of them. Showing no flexibility, I had preconceived notions about love, friendship, loyalty, fidelity and all. And in doing so, I focused more on meeting the parameters then living the relationship itself. I understand that overnight, all cannot go away. But along the way, I’ve learned to deviate and be happy. I grew up thinking meeting someone by accident and falling in love at the very spot is romantic, I failed to take into account the laws of attractions (I suck at math). I looked up to Mondler thinking how can two people be this perfect for each other? I failed to navigate the thin line between just perfect and almost perfect. In real life there are no soulmates only people who are in it for the long run. In real life there are no goals and objectives only the desire to be together. 
 
What we fail to realise is that the struggles, the compromises and the many nights of wonderment is what truly makes a relationship last. Sometimes, two people have to work at it to make it work and some lucky ones don’t have to work at all. Some of us get lucky, and I am happy for you but others need to put in an effort.
 
This very effort makes a relationship look like work and I hate this kind of work. There came a point in my life where I refused to produce any kind of effort, initiative or even blink to ensure it kept running. This happens when everything becomes one sided, whether we like to admit it or not but you need more than a single cog to keep the heart running. So, does this tell us that sustaining a healthy relationship is a two-way street? Right on! And that’s why the #OTPs on the Telly make it look so damn good. But predetermining every single thing takes the real fun out of it all!
 
A few habits, perhaps the lifestyle or two completely opposite philosophies to life are truly deal-breakers. But we need to look beyond those and give the other person a chance to compensate otherwise. Am I making it sound like a transaction? That’s precisely what a love is. An exchange of respect, trust and care, and the only place where I totally support and encourage interest!
 
Bend a little, believe me he’d appreciate it (in and out of bed).
 
A relationship is only beautiful when it wears and tears with time. Allow yourself to evolve. You do love your iPhone7 don’t you? Imagine carrying a 1.1 Kg mobile phone from 1973 in your clutch from CHANEL?
 
The preconceived bubble is a comfortable to place to walk but eventually you need an old, mouldy, spring mattress to settle down. Love works in mysterious ways, allow yourself to be surprised and even fooled at times. Only then you will be able to truly embrace love in its totality. It’s easier said than done but taking a chance only helps you grow as an individual. Why enter a relationship with expectations? Allow him/her to come to a point where taking a stand comes from the heart not from the circumstances. I understand that many of us face the fear of uncertainty, and not everyone enjoys the luxury of time and space but I also believe that good things come to those who uphold faith. All these words make love look like a scripture to be followed but it is exactly the opposite. In spite of the encumbrances of family, religion, culture and peers, only the two individuals involved can truly understand the dynamics of a relationship. 

Playing safe won’t get you much. True love is all about contradictions and yet somehow striking a balance. True love is about finding the least compatible person on Earth and smiling every time he/she walks into the room. True love never comes easy, it has its own unique set of obstacles and challenges. Knowing you are totally screwed and looking forward to the goddamn trial is what makes it worth it!   

Instead of focusing on ensuring a tomorrow, focus on today. What you choose to do today, defines your tomorrow. I know it scares the fuck out of you thinking it might not work in the end but just for a second imagine – what if it does? A healthy relationship does not just happen, its takes time, patience and two individuals at it like mad (again in and out of bed)! True love is not intoxication. It is a deliberate choice, a decision that knockouts every single belief you ever had about relationships. 

Break free from the norms set for relationships by others. No two love stories are the same. And no two people are the same. Those partisan notions of love might give you a wedding but not a marriage. They might bring you commitment but never a relationship.
 
And the choice ultimately lies with you…would you rather opt for a commitment or a relationship?
 
Love is not about sharing the same toothbrush.
It is about sharing everything else!
Love is not about insisting to pay first.
It is about keeping a track of whose turn it is.
Love is not about ordering what he likes.
It is about making fun of her garden salad.
Love is not about sharing a hobby.
It is about experiencing life in time away.
Love is not about finding the sweet spot.
It is about discovering the worst lava cake in town.
Love is not about the perfect anniversary present.
It is about the random love notes he leaves on your desk. 
Love is not about knowing every single thing about him.
It is about knowing just how many hours it takes her to finish a murder mystery.
Love is not about that perfect first kiss.

It is about those habitual pecks on the cheek.

Love is not about falling asleep together.

It is about that java run in the morning.
Love is not about a perfectly tabulated family planning chart.
It is about those monthly freak-out sessions by the toilet seat. 
Love is not about risking it all. 
It is about knowing when to raise the stakes and when to step back.  

Love is not about being whole together.
It is about two complete individuals coming together.

“Awaken”

Inklings - Poetry & Prose


Begging again and pleading
for the end
Allowing my past to repeat
once again
Final conclusion
Awakens my terror
As thoughts seem to drown me
with my fatal error
What’s behind is forsaken
What’s ahead always pure
I’m able to change it
This hell I endure
Enveloped with despair
I call upon the light
That guides me through
Hopelessness, visions of fright
I’ll conjure this warmth
from within
And allow it to dissipate
all of my sins
I considered myself broken
Unable to repair
But felt this new presence
The realisation of hope for the things
that I have
For disregarding my life
I would make others sad
Instead I should take what I’ve learned
I could bear
And be a measure of endurance
that others could share
Death no longer frightens my soul during the night
for I feel the Almighty with me
to guide through His sight
Weather in this life or the other side
I know these things true
I’ve softened my heart
And let God pass on through.

Early Morning Inklings – VIII

Inklings - Poetry & Prose

So those of you who know me…know the time during my commute is dedicated entirely to the physical act of reading! (Those of you who did not get the FRIENDS’ reference…well I don’t know what you are doing with your life).

Well getting back to the point, so in accordance to my routine, I had my nose in a book and then all of a sudden, a few words etched my mind…

“In his silence I learnt his intentions…”

And I just knew I had to put it in ink…

According to my dear, dear friend V., I can pen kick-ass prose but I should just stay away from poetry for the sake of human civilization! =P

In spite of his many heated warnings, I hereby submit my yet another neophyte attempt at poetry:

It was a question I had worn on my lips for days…In his hesitation I found my answer…
He knew how to unravel my soul and dwindle my senses…In his silence I learnt his intentions…
He drew a convoluted map onto my skin…With his invincible stain I found my way out…
He knew his way around the treacherous paths…In his skills I gathered his notorious past…
He sketched his dark castle at the great precipice…In his oubliette I discovered eternal light
He decided to leave an imprint for others to witness…Within his grasp I earned an immoral label…
I was relieved.
He was disappointed.
Another question lingering on the edge of my existence…In his absence I received his verdict.

The Art of Rain

Inklings - Poetry & Prose

The night is getting dark and dreary…
The winds are picking speed…
The Gods are angry…
The Greeks would say.
Almighty has blessed us…
My city would say!
For some
…the rain means curling up with a beloved…
For some it holds a tryst with a mistress…
And for some it means a roof top with friends.
For some it means the open road…
And for some it means tea-time!
For others it means a thousand lost dreams…
And for some it means a trickling ceiling.
I might as well tell you what it means to me.
The commotion…
The wet streets…
The beating drums of paradise…
The numberless dancing drops…
Of this relentless rain…
Mean nothing!
To me it holds no prospect!
The cadence of its pearls does not invite me.
The fragrance rising from beneath my feet does not entice me.
My city’s celebration is just noise.
The salt ‘n’ pepper sky is distasteful;
And the lovers out on the patio are revolting.
I don’t see the rain healing my wounds.
Or exchanging my woes!
I don’t feel the raindrops unwinding my soul.
Or washing away my sorrows!
And the thunder is just nature’s drama!
The notions of love and longing
Do not bind this tale…
All I see…
Are flesh and blood monsters…
Hiding behind my windowpane…
And concealed within the raindrops…
Are their tainted motives!
So, break away…
And look past the charm…
The petrichor has held you in a trance for so long!
The silver streaks…
The roaring crescendo…
This art of rain…
Is just the Almighty recycling water!

“Let Me…Have You…”

Inklings - Poetry & Prose

– Just something I doodled in the middle of work at my desk.

Trespassing on my property…
How could you…
Have you no heart…
You tip toe into my life…
Sweep me off my feet…
And expect me to understand…
We are not meant to be!
You have some nerve…
You managed to create
Whirlpool of feelings inside me…
I feel like any alien…
Surrounded with this inexplicable craving
To see you and talk to you.
I keep finding alibis
To walk into you…
I notice everything about you…
Your clothes
Your shoes
Your watch
And that fragrance…
It drives me crazy…
Make me want to do things to you…
Things I cannot mention
In this poem…!
You have made me
Think of things…
I can never have.
Can’t you see…
I want you…
I need you…
How can I explain it to you…
I need to bathe in your aura
I need to feel your touch…
I need to soak your thoughts!
You keep reminding me…
We are never meant to be…
Then why do I find myself…
Hauled towards you…
Then why do your eyes follow me around…
Then why I receive your text message at 3 in the morning…
Then why does my anklet call out your name…
Then why do I find notes in between my books…
The why do I notice you smirk every time I pass by…!!!
Either stop call me in the middle of the night telling me you miss me
Or
Let me have the honor…
To wake up next to you…
For the rest of my life…
Correction…
A few lifetimes…!!!

“…Selfless Presence…”

Inklings - Poetry & Prose

The sky is steel grey…
The sun has decided to take a holiday…
And birds chirrup loudly from the shaded mires.
A morning…
No different from the rest…
New York Times Square…
Certainly knows how to entertain winters.
Lively creatures…
Walk up and down the streets…
Each engaged in their own frivolities.
Running through the day…
Desperately trying to fill each minute…
With things yet to appear.
He is standing on one side of the road…
A man probably in his late twenties…
Waiting for the signal to go red…
Wearing his black pull over…
And a laptop bag on his right shoulder.
From the looks of a double espresso in his left hand…
Seems like he is on his way…
To another important meeting…
And
From the looks of his eyes…
It seems he has not been getting much sleep.
On the other side…
Another group of hasty pedestrians…
Linger to make their way to the other side.
Wait
What is this…?
A slender female in her early twenties…
Fidgeting amongst the rest…
She is most likely to be running late for work…
With the pile of files cramping her arm…
Looks like she is trying to make a mark…
In a world…
Ruled by chauvinistic men.
She tries to balance a latte in her hands…
While trying to keep warm…
Beneath her grey convertible collar trench.
And
From the looks of her dry patchy skin…
It seems she has not been taking much care of herself.
As the traffic signal…
Shifts from an emerald…
To a scarlet…
She takes her first step down the pavement…
He too unaware of the world around him…
Decides to mess with fate.
As her feet touches the first white stripe…
She raises her gloomy eyes…
And bringing on vindication…
His eyes meet hers…
The heart pounds…
But needs no retaliation.
She does not understand…
A self restoration takes place.
He finds him coerced towards her pale face…
A sudden disclosure of repose…
And a strange tenderness appears in the pupils.
As steps grow closer…
A faint smile starts to take shape…
His eyes speak of a betrayal beyond conception…
Her eyes narrate a story of trials and tears.
He feels no obligation…
To meet her expectations…
She assures with an unspoken declaration
Converting regulations…
Into friendly stipulations…!
She has a look that catches the eye…
But an aura that catches the heart…
His smile grows…!
He knows it is hard to reinstate faith…
But he is firm and resolute in his path.
Her cheeks fill up with color.
Half way between the roads
Their souls…
Intercept…
The air turns sultry…
The aroma of her hair…
Drenched in apples…
Sends a shiver down his spine…
His fantasies awaken.
Feelings of past emerge.
His deep dark eyes mystify her.
For a moment…
He could actually hear her heart ache with loneliness…
The accidental brisk of his arm against hers…
Caused the world to cease…
He had managed to give her an embrace of a lifetime…
With one single touch.
She wants to utter a million unsaid dreams…
And he understands each n every word.
He remembers how wonderful…
It was to live without boundaries.
She now remembers how cathartic…
It was to blush and feel beautiful.
As soon as they pass each other…
The world comes to life again…
Life does not stop for a mere theatrical debut.
They continue to take their steps forward…
She turns back and catches his gaze once again.
He whispers…
I’ve never felt so much familiarity…
By just staring into someone’s eyes…
So much I know about you without a single word…
Ever escaping either of our lips.
You have read me a like an open book…
And given me hope to write a brand new chapter.
She has learned to smile again…
And talk her heart out…
I do not understand…
How is it possible…?
In a matter of moments…
You have managed to heal my wounds…
In spangled silence…
You have given me a perfect moment of intimacy.
You’ve made me believe in kindness, loyalty and care once again.
“You have to put yourself first and learn to trust again”, he articulates.
“You have to let go of your past and give love a second chance”, she whispers back.
Now here we are…
Ready to depart our separate ways…
Beginning a brand new existence…
No one told us…
We were going to find each other…
Unexpected…
What you did to my heart…
When I lost hope…
You walked in…
Like a guardian angel…
Joint by an innocent touch…
We now feel free and ready to take on life.
As they step onto the concrete…
The sun peaks from behind the clouds…
His cell phone rings…
It’s his client, he loved his designs.
Her colleague waives to her…
Praises her dress and they walk away.
A selfless presence…
Can shower a decade of love and understanding…
Leaving behind only…
Memories that will stimulate smiles…
Till the end of time…!

“I still believe…”

Inklings - Poetry & Prose 4 Comments

A few pictures rest among the pages of my diary…
A used tissue paper still reeks of you…
An old toffee wrapper still smells sweets…
And the city is still alive at 3:15 AM in the morning.
The waves still rise above the shore…
I still cannot reach into the sky and hold a star…
People still believe in stories of love and destiny…
And I still find myself telling sweet lies.
The wind still blows against my pale cheeks…
Dreams still find a way back to me…
A few songs are still hard to listen to…
And I still believe this was all meant to be.
I still weep at night under the sheets…
The wall beside my dresser still illustrates the crack…
The black tee still bears the coffee stain…
And I still cannot find my pink charm bracelet.
This bed still hides a few secrets untold…
This cell phone still holds a few calls unanswered…
This library still conceals your letters…
And I still sometimes see you near my bed post.
A few words are still hard to say…
A few feelings are still hard to express…
A few dreams are still hard to let go off…
And a few hugs are still irreplaceable.
I still believe in strangers becoming best of friends…
I still believe my words make you shudder…
I still believe I’ve what it takes to bring you back…
And I still believe in YOU…!!!

“NEW MOON”

Inklings - Poetry & Prose

The Night of 14th December…

The corniche…

The car bonnet…

The stars…

The new moon…

Two cans of coke…

And

Two Best Friends…!

God! That was fun…

I know, can’t believe we actually did it.

Did you look at the green sari aunty…?

She could not stop staring…!

Yeah and that guy with the purple shirt…

He was practically panting…!

Really, everyone was like this is not possible…

They did not know what hit them…!

Well, you have to accept…

We do make a pretty good team.

I agree…!

They both were lying down…

Facing the stars…

Celebrating their victory…

It was pretty hard…

But nearly as impossible…!

Together, they could conquer anything…

And be the envy of the entire gathering…!

You tired…

He turned and asked her…

A bit but I’m too excited to feel any of it…

What about you?

Yup the same…!

He turned to her again…

You want something to eat…?

Not hungry…what is got into you…you never bother to ask me these things…?

Well, I guess…just trying to develop a habit…!

She laughed…

Don’t, I like the you…just the way you are…!

He smiled back.

She turned her head towards him…

He was looking back at her…

What are you staring at…?

Nothing, just trying to figure out something…!

She gave him the ignore look and looked up the sky…

The moon is full and shinning at its peak…

We sure picked the perfect date to carry out our performance…!

He took her hand…

She turned towards him…

He filled his fingers with his…

And pulled her hands towards his chest…!

You know whats the best thing about all of this…

What she inquired with hopeful eyes…

That at the end of it all…

I get to hold your Heena Hands…

And feel your Red Glass Bangles…!

Her cheeks flushed…

And her gaze lowered with love…!

The Crimson Red and Betel Green dress took a new turn…

The Kohl smudged…

The Earring caught in the Embroidery…

The Anklet made a heart-melting echo…

The Bangles found a support to lie down…

And the…

Bride and the Groom…share their First Kiss…!

Under the stars…

Tonight…

Whispered… “WE DID IT” =)

Sign Of True Love…Or Total Insanity…!

Inklings - Poetry & Prose 2 Comments

What the hell is this?
Crap…!
Are you of your mind?
I swear…I don’ know anything about this.
What do you mean…?
This came out of your bad…!
I have no idea, where this came from…
I promise you, this is not mine.
Don’t you dare lie to me…!
You expect me to believe you…!
So this was your important work last night.
I cannot believe, you lied to me…!
Just let me explain…
You are misunderstanding me.
No, now I can see it clear…
How can you hurt someone you love…?
This only shows you don’t love me…
How could I be so naive…?
I let my heart get the best of me…!
Will you just relax…
And stop jumping onto conclusions…
When I told you, I needed you…
I was missing your hugs…
You said…
You can’t make it…
Now I know, what was keeping you busy…!
Sweetheart, please it’s not what you think…
I love you very much…
I would never even think of hurting you..
Liar…!
Here I’m thinking of you…
And there you were smacking lips with…
Honey, don’t say that…!
Trust me…
Do you actually I can be ever un-faithful to you?
I don’t know anything now…
Just go away…
Honey, please don’t do this…
I said, just go away…!
I need some time alone…
Please just go away…
He quietly walked out…
He knew…
It was pointless talking to her right now…
Back in the room…
She threw the one thing that started all this…
Out the window
It was a wrapper
Of…
BEN & JERRY’S CHUNKY MONKEY ICE CREAM….!!! =P