Beyond horizon

 I don’t know if it’s good or bad, if it’s worth it or not, but I can’t be mad at people for a long time. When our patience is tested, at times we react differently, and regret it later. If we are not happy with our reactions, life always gives us a chance to undo our mistakes, with awareness. I feel, it’s
always good to make a conscious choice of reversing that moment of regret, and be at peace.

2015,Goa

Beyond horizon reached the woods dark;

where the Sun had sprinkled its scarlet hues.

With daggers of actions they left the mark;

for how long will they pay their dues?      

:

Where the Sun had sprinkled its scarlet hues;

in liquid thoughts and distilled dreams.

For how long will they pay their dues?

In frosted breath and wondrous themes.

:

In liquid thoughts and distilled dreams;

reversing a moment of regret.

In frosted breath and wondrous themes

shedding the burden of upset.

:

Reversing a moment of regret;

with daggers of actions they left the mark.

Shedding the burden of upset;

beyond horizon reached the woods dark.

~~payal~~

poetry form: Pantoum

prompt at poets on the page

 

Night

 

Tell me now

What keeps you awake

In the deep dark hours of night?

I'll send across notes of joy

Catch spoonful of stars,

   -twinkling light.

~~payal~~

syllable count : 3-5-7--7-5-3
It's Day 6 of #OctPoWriMo 2015

blessings

As words burn in passionate fire, with the soot and a quill, I try to pen my inked perception of elongated shadows in the moonlight. I sleep on the bed of fragrant words.

Goa,2015

Early in the morning, signs of life, breathe afresh, in between the lines emerging naturally amidst the rough patches on the path.

2015,Goa

 

 

While strolling by the sea, calming fusion of fragrance purifies my breath.

2015,Goa

I feel free and profoundly relaxed as I allow myself to experience the feeling that envelopes me. Sea-salt and tiny shells caress my wet foot.

While noticing the tingling sensation in my ankles, I count the many blessings.  

Life is as you see it!

~~payal~~

It's day 4 of  write tribe festival of words #4

Take it easy

Do we tell our stories fully? Maybe, there are many more stories, left untold.

Stories from I don’t know how many lifetimes, etched on my soul, come up subconsciously, when my conscious mind rests. Sometimes in my dreams, sometimes as nightmares, sometimes while counting stars in the night and sometimes in the voice of others...and then, I talk to myself.

Pune,2015

 Life is short. There is no time to judge yourself. Come on! Pick up your pen, take a deep breath. Relax, take it easy. Ah yes, let words dance on the page. 


A beautiful reminder outside a mall in Pune.

Happiness is a choice we often forget to make. Let your anxiety and fears come up to the surface. They are staying in your space absolutely rent-free. Let them go. Choose to be happy. Inspire, and stay inspired.

~~payal~~

I am participating in write tribe festival of words#4

 

 

 



 

 

  

 









A cup of tea

 

 

Tea leaves were swirling in pool of hot water and milk. Its’ refreshing aroma was inviting. When tea was ready, Sher Singh poured it in an aluminium kettle and started serving it in kulhar to the old men sitting on wooden bench near the tea stall, talking and laughing. Tea added special flavour to the olden days charm and relationships.

 Many college students were drinking their cup of tea, as purity of thoughts sealed in fortress of transparent malleable dreams, while celebrating youth and preparing for future.

 An observer, plucked some moments from celebrations, as tea leaves told the story.

~~payal~~

write tribe#100 words on Saturday
I am a write tribe pro-blogger

Happy New Year, 2015

                                                                                                                                                    image 2014, Goa

May we strengthen our bonds

with care and pure intention,

and make room for new memories.

May this new year

bring many more smiles

and moments to cherish.

May you be filled with new hope

and look forward

to a better tomorrow.

~~payal~~

 

my extended family

Today, I am overflowing with gratitude and love for my extended family from my poetry community on Orkut.

Usha Ma’am , an inspiring blogger, asked me eleven questions when she nominated me for Liebster award, one of which was “How did you start blogging?”

Today I want to answer it. I want to thank Utpal ji, who wanted me to start my blog in 2009, when I knew nothing about blogging. (I still don’t know!)

He guided me step by step and also gave my blog a beautiful name “Kaleidoscope”. I’m happy that I have my space where I write without any fear. Can’t thank you enough for whatever you do for me still! Thank you bade bhaiya. :)

 This reminds me of the good old orkut days when we used to write poetry, and there I learnt to take constructive criticism in a positive manner knowing it is always in my higher good. Remembering my friend, Deepti, my first online friend. I’m glad I got to meet her quite often this year. Love you my soul sis. We often wonder how can we be so similar.  

Way back in 2007, Sadho asked me once, why I don’t put colours in my sketches and I still remember that conversation.  I’m glad finally after seven years, we met this year. Now that’s a different story ,he made me realise that I don’t use my smart phone smartly. Eh!
 Richa ..much love to you!

 AND YES! This year, I met Rohan too!!A Bengali guy who’s allergic to fish and doesn’t like rice!

Sunita..Thank you! We used to write and post poetry in the community late in the night. I was bad with the titles and she used to give the titles to my poems. We still get together late in the night, not to write poetry but to play scrabble, sometimes though! Yes, our duet poems are getting published in an anthology, to be released in 2015.

Thank you Amiya dada for teaching me some truths of life. Thank you for your constant support. As I always say, your comments are always better than my writes.

Personally, it had been a good year, amidst some tears and smiles, some confusions and light. Sometimes life worked for me, sometimes it didn’t. But this year brought in many opportunities to grow in all aspects. I feel like thanking Sabari Chakraborty, whom I met this year in Goa and who taught me what I needed to learn in that moment.

Thanks to my blogger friends and readers for taking time to read and comment on my posts. This year Ultimate blogging challenge and OctPoWriMo was fun. Special thanks to my blogger friend Vishal, for all the motivation and support. Oh Yes, I wrote a guest post for his blog.

Thanks to one and all for your love and blessings. Stay connected! :)

~~payal~~

Teddy Travelogues

“When we were kids, we used to visit our grandparents where we used to meet all our cousins and relatives. As kids, we looked forward to the vacations. We used to have fun time together.” Seema was memorizing her childhood days.

“Vacations are a luxury these days. It had been long since we spent some time together. Let’s take out some time before the vacations get over! These are the days we can spend some time with our family together.”Nikhil had said with conviction to Seema, to which she agreed.

Kids were excited and a break from the boring routine was needed desperately. They had finished their holiday homework and their vacation was getting over.

They made the reservations, packed their bags and set on their journey.

We all need some time to be ourselves, to forget our worries, to live in the present, to strengthen our bonds, to understand each other and sometimes just to be one with nature, to appreciate and be grateful for whatever we have.  Nikhil and Seema were busy listening to the kids as they noticed the minute details and enjoyed the roads.

Travelling together on the road, penetrating the dark clouds, they went further and reached their destination where the Sun greeted them shyly.

“Wow! What a beautiful place!” Little Teesha exclaimed as she came out of her car with her favourite doll that she used to carry everywhere she went. “Bhaiya, look at that cloud, it looks like a fairy!“ She pointed towards a floating cloud while looking at her elder brother Dhruv.

Their smiles made their hearts happy.

“Come on, let us go inside!” Nikhil said to the kids who were already running fast towards the door.

“Hey, go slow!” Seema shouted while catching up.

Both the kids looked excited as Nikhil and Seema checked in the hotel room.

“Making sand castles, running on the shore, collecting shells and pebbles, enjoying on the white sands, catching butterflies, basking in the sun, hiking and admiring the breathtaking beauty of cascading water from the mountains in the rainy season, or simply going out in the market and shopping, no vacation seems to be complete when we leave our kids at home.”

“Yes, I remember, last time we had to leave them at home but they were in our thoughts! At every shop, we were trying to look out for something or the other that our kids wanted.”

Nikhil and Seema were busy talking as the phone bell rang.

“Sir, I wanted to ask you if you want to register your kids for the activities in the activity area. You can check out the details in our booklet. ” The receptionist had called up.

The kids seemed to be interested and got busy with the activities that enhanced their creativity. They had planned to spend evening in the play room together. Nikhil and Seema got back to their talks while sipping their cup of tea.

~~payal~~

 This post is a part of an initiative by Teddy Travelogues and indiblogger.

Looking back. #Day 31

                                                                                                                                                         2014 image, Goa

 

 

Crossing the hurdles

of hesitation and fears,

Baring my soul,

learning constantly

Watching the fumes rise

from the haunting shadows

in the light of dark

Strange feelings

emerge from

the vast sea of consciousness

and dissolve in the written words.

I surprise myself

yet again!

Is it the end?

Or a new beginning?

~~payal~~

#OctPoWriMo Day 31

 

 

 

Wingless #Day 14

                                                                                                                                                         2014 image, Gurgaon

 

It’s been ages,

You found me

In that moment

and asked

“ what do you plan to do with your life?”

Like a wingless bird

Almost clueless

Thinking about

the life,

half- lived,

Sitting in my corner,

I fixed my gaze

At the clear blue sky.

I wanted you to know,

I wish to unfold mysteries
 at every step,

Clear the barriers
of boredom,

Create a new day,
everyday,

And breathe!

 
Today, rain

Washed away the dust

and cleared the haze.
:

I breathe.

~~payal~~

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”~Mary Oliver

#OctPoWriMo Day 14

little voice # Day 9

                                                                                                                                           2014 image,Gurgaon

 

In a moment of denial

When the blues took over

And shadows mocked in between

Tenaciously testing my will power.

“Why, oh, why?"

"Do I have to do this?"

I asked myself continuously,

Stubbornly ignoring

that little voice within

Till I couldn’t hear it anymore.

 

I started missing it,

I pleaded, I cried

I promised to believe

And it returned

With gifts of joy. 

~~payal~~

 OctPoWriMo# Day 9

Presence # Day 3

                                                                                                                                                2013 image,Goa

It’s a matter of choice,

On life’s bent.

Acceptance shortens the distance.

Together we rejoice

being present       

in slightly flavoured existence

 

:

On a bright sunny day

Here I dwell

In this land where metaphors breathe.

Sweet nothings all the way

In clean shells

Shine through sequined transparent sheathe.

:

Festivities galore

Hope fills me

With doses of tranquility.

Treasure in my heart’s core

Sets me free

With message of humility.

~~payal~~

Poetry form :Tri-fall written for OctPoWriMo 2014

moments

   

                                                                                                                                     2014 image, Saharanpur

The sun rises and the sun sets

in between there are magical moments

Few are missed in remembrance

And rest in expectation.

~~payal~~
When with faith we offer prayers,miracles happen! I believe in them.
Let the magic begin, this moment on.

haiku time

                 2014 image, Mahabaleshwar

 

Vision blur in greens

From distance,I stand and gaze

Observing silence!

~~payal~~

 

Potpourri

  image credits:Vidya Suri

 

 

Writer’s block! It makes me feel like a log of wood, helplessly layered with salty water that had turned blue.
I wait for the birds but toads croak and moths breed.

Wind blows hard and it rains.
Water clogs on the streets and I shiver.
I feel dead as if liquid nitrogen had been injected in my veins.

....and then silver streaks flash with thunderous applaud as the pale leaves dance.
I feel like potpourri of fragrant thoughts and memories rush in with the scent of rain. The log turns alive. Green emerges from the roots, yet again, and the blues are forgotten.
~~payal~~

write tribe: 100 words on Saturday #17

 

 

The little "WE"

Down the memory lane,
I see,
The little "WE"
trying to dress up
like grown ups
and imitate them
as they were.

Childhood wrapped
in mom's sarees
and lipstick smudged
all over the face.

Ready to face
an imaginary audience,
The little "WE" stood
with innocent smiles.

On the stage,
stumbling in our dresses,
performing artists
in the summer vacations.

Mostly imitating our teachers,
in absence of blackboard
we wrote on the walls
while teaching
the imaginary students.

We used to be ,as we were
enjoying every moment.
No thoughts of acceptance
or rejection.
It was just about
flowing with the flow.

Storms were related
to the falling of tamarind.
We used to wait
with our bags
beneath the huge tamarind tree
to pick up red ripe tamarind
for chutney.

Parents got annoyed at times
"Don't get angry,
Make them understand
with love."
said our grandfather.
It became the motto for life.

Now it's time
to let our kids live
their childhood, 
letting them learn
and making them
understand
with love,
as they create
some memories,
that they would cherish.
FOREVER.
~~payal~~
P.S. Remembering my sister and the good old days at my parents place.





 

Auction

2013 images,Piran Kaliyar.

Peace was auctioned!

Buyers were ready 
with their bids.
Glances-strange and piercing!
~~payal~~

Day 6 # Write Tribe 
P.S. Couldn't think of anything else today,for I had lots to say.. so posted these 13 words on Friday the 13th.The prompt for today was People.

Thank You..(An acrostic)

                                                                                                            2013 image,Goa
Thankful for the little push,when life comes to stop.
Hoping for the best,as all the burdens drop.

Accepting each moment,with grace as life unfolds 
Never losing courage,when fright takes its’ hold. 
Keys to unlock the treasures,in heart waltz around, 
Yet another moment arrives,in which selfless love abounds. 
Oft I thank God for the smiles,that make me feel alive 
Unknown blessings in the moment,gives strength to survive.

~~payal~~

In the quiet..

                                                                                  2013 image,Goa

Trusting my instincts
about everything
beyond myths and realities
fears of vulnerability and
the shadowed perceptions.

...about everything
beyond judgements,
the unsaid and unheard
the beginnings and endings.

...about everything
beyond the scarlet fumes,
the cloaks and masks.
the unanswered prayers.

Beneath the luminosity of stars
The veiled desires surrender
to the careless whispers
and dreams of eternity..
~~payal~~
 

Joy # Day 31,OctPoWriMo Challenge, 2013

                             2013 image,Goa

 

Let the magic begin,

Let the life unfold,

The smiles in the moment

The treasures it hold.

 

May the creations of wonder

Rejuvenate our souls

May the heavenly grace guide

and we never forget our goals

 

To all the darkness

I bid adieu

A new dawn arrives

Afresh , anew.

~~payal~~

P.S. I admit that I wrote the first stanza of this poem quite a long time back and finished it today..This was the last day of OctPoWriMo Challenge.. And as I said before It's just the beginning and not the end..