Hullabaloo

[ Entries Closed]

Ohkay everyone! This is VERY VERY VERY discouraging! This is our FIRST word in 4 months! And including me and my sister, we're all so VERY busy with everything else to do something which brings us all pleasure and satisfaction! This is NOT just a kompetition, its our voice! It's our channel of expression! Please do NOT let me assume that these few entries are all that we as a cult can come up with.

Hullabaloo

n

1)Great noise or excitement.

Rishi Ghan (113)

“Yes Sir Mr.Gatekeeper, I am God’s insurance agent”, said Mr.Portney, “And my viciousness lies in the fact that I insure God against your mistakes.”

“Excuse me?” Mr.Gatekeeper interjected.

“Yes, you make mistakes, just like the rest of us.”

“And by mistakes you must mean, not letting you in here?”

“That would be correct Mr. Gatekeeper.”

“In that case, Mr. Portney I assure you, my mistake is well compensated for, by ahem, God Himself. And He will surely acknowledge the fact that I did not allow you entry into Heaven. You clearly don’t belong here.”

“That is not for you to judge”

“Whats all the hullabaloo about” God thundered.

“Oh Mr.Gatekeeper’s been a bitch….”

Nandini Sen (108)

Chaos reigned supreme in the ashram. Swamiji was coming to give a lecture, and everything had to be in order. The sweeper was dusting up a storm, the florist and decorators were squabbling over nothing. Carpets were being laid, mikes being tested with the raucous “123 check” Curious devotees were already flocking in.

The hullabaloo was too much for Rambabu, the organizer. He tried to shut out the noise by retreating into another room, but the hullabaloo had seeped into every corner of the ashram.

He smiled and thought how ironic it was that Swamiji was coming to deliver a lecture on “The Importance of Silence in Life”.

Sowmya (120)

"What's this hullabaloo about?" The noise irritated Swati rushing to work.

"They are from that bankrupt financial company. Poor guys, losing their job in a flash! And it's not even their fault." Gayathri shuddered.

"Come on. It's just a job. Opportunities are available everywhere, one just has to look and be positive. Fortune favors the brave." Gayathri smiled indulgently at her colleague's zealous sermon.

An hour later, Swati's tears blurred the pink slip she clutched. "This is unfair! It's not our fault that crude prices are increasing and more people are travelling by trains now", she wailed.

The next day protest rally saw Swati screaming her lungs out. She instinctively turned to hear a passer-by remark, "what's this hullabaloo about?"

DokSaab (91)

The noise was deafening.

Doksaab, when will his fever subside,

Papa, you forgot to deposit my fee,

Boss, the meeting with the minister is at 4.

Beta, I need a pair of new glasses,

Yaar, aren't you coming to the party tonight?

Sir, the patient on bed 3 is serious.

Honey, you are late for dinner again.

I tried to close my eyes, and relax.

The sound grew even louder.

Doksaab,

Papa,

Boss,

Beta,

Yaar,

Sir,

Honey,

I sunk my head deeper into the pillow,

But the hullabaloo failed to die.

Sarang (110)

What’s this rackety hullabaloo?

I’ll say what I say, I’ll do what I do

You idiot morons, what’s it to you?

What me and my girl do in the park,

What me and my friends smoke in the dark,

Whether I care about the people or not,

I keep my morals or leave them to rot,

Leave my business to me, and shoo

What’s this rackety hullabaloo?

Gone are the days when the nation was old

If ever it was a sparrow of gold

Catching up now is the western hold

Give up, and know your culture is sold

Keep quiet, sit tight, don’t make ado

What’s this rackety hullabaloo?

Rashmi Gupta(116)

"Why are you still doing this job??"

She kept stirring and staring at the caffeine vapor…

"It pays you peanuts, drains your energy and drives you insane at the end of the day!"

The dark circles beneath her eyes were defied by the gleam in the hazel dew.

"Listen Mom, I am coming there next month. Get your passport in order. If you are so much in dire straits to work, you can find a decent job here too. Okay bye, take care!!"

The call ended.

The mayhem at the Morgue was enough to keep the hullabaloo in her head at bay. After all, that was the only way she could meet her dead husband, everyday.

Mandappa KC (119)

Joker licked his lips, with a smile across his face.

The interrogator screamed in rage.

“What the fuck is this hullabaloo about. Your death sentence is in 24 hours and I can’t fucking believe you’re smiling.”

Joker’s smile broadened.

The interrogator banged his fists on the table. “This time you’re not getting away.”

He slams the door shut and joins his colleagues on the other side of the one way mirror.

Joker stares at them intently, smiling, like he can see through.

They watch him, a tad scared.

The interrogator still beamed at him, with a “what-the-fuck-can-you-do?” expression.

Joker smiles. They can’t hear him say.

“This is your hullabaloo. Fuck you too.”

Kaboom.

They’re blown to bits. He’s free.

Seema Kashyap (120)

Kashiram was reclining on his charpaayi on a hot summer day, thinking of everything and nothing in particular. He had placed the charpaayi under the shade of the biggest mango tree in the orchard, yet sweat dribbled down his back and disappeared into his dhoti every few minutes. Suddenly he heard a cackle of kids screams and shouts. Cursing, he rose up in a somnambulance of a summer afternoon, lifted his lathi and lumbered towards the voices. The neighborhood kids were his worst enemies- always trying to steal his mangoes. “Stop this bloody hullaballoo, get out..!”, he shouted as he emerged from the trees…only to come face to face with the meanest looking cobra he had ever seen! Hissssss! “AAAgh”!

Mickey(92)

Bang-Bang

Vrooom

Dhadaaam

Boom

Fizzzz

The cotton ear-plugs and the thick woolen muffler wrapped around my ears failed to stop this great commotion. I had not been able to sleep for past three nights due to this pandemonium.

What's this hullabaloo, Jane, I asked her assuming that being a human, she must be knowing why these village people were creating such uproar.

-Oh Monkey, they are celebrating Dipawali, the festival of light.

But why are they spoiling our peace. We also celebrate, but tell me Jane, have we ever disturbed their peace?

Ruchika Bajoria(114)

"Ruchiiii, come back here! No safari park for you!"

"Uff Amu, why are you yelling? And STOP running around both of you!"

Amu looked at her masi petulantly and said, "but, but, she has my book! And I was reading it!"

"But, but, di isn't playing with us. All she does is put her nose in her books! Ughh."

Smriti looked at them carefully. Neither showed any sign of relenting. "Ruchi, give Amu her book."

"I knew you would say that. But me and mini need a third person to play!"

"I don't want to play! Now give me my book."

"I wont, I wont!"

"Masiii…"

"Buaaaa…"

Smriti sighed! The hullabaloo had started again!

Priyanka Chakraborty(107)

"Aaaaarrgghh.."

"We need to take her to the hospital..she's in labor.."

"I know mom..am trying to get through to the doctor.."

"Aaayyiiiaaahhh…forget the doc…get me into the ward first.."

"Yeaa darling..am taking out the car..hang on.."

"You are going to drive..?? Isn't that dangerous.."

"Dad, its 2:45 in the morning, we won't get a taxi.."

"Just go…go go…aaaaaaarrrgghh.."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sissssterrr…"

"Ok, ok..calm down..we are in charge now"

"Someone call the doc…"

"Where's my hubby…where's my doctor…shittttttt...yyaaarrgghhh.."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Doc's here…I'm here baby…don't worry.."

"Yes, don't worry..you are doing good…ok..one more push..that's a good girl.."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

A cry to outdo all that hullabaloo..and smiles all around.. "It's a girl"

Richa Gupta(104)

" this is just my reflection on the financial chaos in the US and the insecurity and fear everyone is living with everyday. specially us, the ex-pats in the financial sector"

The market crashed

The banks collapsed

What a mess, what a to do

Everywhere a big hullabaloo

Debates and fights in the senate

700 billion dollars they want

The big financial giants we shall rescue

What a mess, what a hullabaloo

I am just glad I have a job

Never shall I complain about it again

At least I have food on the table for two

I am not caught in this hullabaloo

Arrow

This is where  we stopped to rest for a while. Four months passed since .  

The Konfessioners are now busy with certain less important chores of their lives, and have handed over the reins to us , The Three Musketeers :)

This is only a time-gap arrangement amd we eagerly await them to return to there usual posts. Till then we , the musketeers will try to hold post as best as we, DokSaab, Juhi and Ruchika, can.

So till the time we get the takes on the new word, we present before you the five odd takes we received for the last word, Arrow. 

These are not up for Kompetition though.

Arrow

n.

1. A missile having a straight thin shaft with a pointed head at one end and often flight-stabilizing vanes at the other, meant to be shot from a bow.
2. Something, such as a directional symbol, that is similar to an arrow in form or function.

Sweta (117)

Following His release from  Underground, On His way back to Hades, Cerberus fell into an alternate world. 

Where some of the local folk indulged in gluttony even as their fellowmen starved to death.

Where one hand helped, the other stabbed.

Where they acted like pigs unabashedly then worried about becoming obese.

Where their frontal sympathy was followed posteriorly by "I knew it".

Where honey toned words disguised poisonous intentions...

Cerberus was brave, but these natives frightened Him. He wondered why his three heads scared mortals possessing infinite faces to go with their heads. He prayed to the Gods and tail tucked twit his legs He shot away like an arrow from a bow, hoping to hit home.

Nandini Sen (120)

Cupid’s work life’s in jeopardy. Big Boss is displeased.

Shooting his arrow on a victim is easy. But the work behind it is tedious. It takes time filling each arrow with the love potion, which in itself is pure and hard to get.

His opposite number from Satan’s team is acting faster. He’s mass produced arrows, filled it with cheap juice, and shoots blindly.

People are falling in lust, and even before Cupid can shoot the love arrow, the side effects of the cheap juice ensure jealousy hit the victims harder, leaving the heart (where love potion is injected) scarred.

Cupid needs help – more helping hands, more conducive hearts. He’s on a recruiting spree – do you wanna join his team?

Dok Saab (63)

Can you see the head of that bird?

Which bird, O Master.

Can't you see the bird sitting on that branch?

What branch, O Great One.

The tallest branch of that banyan tree.

Sorry Master, I cannot see the tree.

Then what do you see?

One eye is all I can see.

That's perfect, O Parth, your arrow can never miss the target.

Sowmya (113)

When his visitors left, he turned to his wife. "I have to do my duty."

"The consequences can be terrible for you."

"But they are right. Think of that young girl. It will make a world of difference."

"I'll come with you."

Armed with his bow and arrows he began his journey accompanied by his cuckoo, parrot, the gentle breeze, the lovely season of spring and his ever-loving, dutiful wife.

Their presence made the atmosphere cheerful and him hopeful. He saw the girl arrive. This was his chance. One arrow should do the trick. His wife prayed. Just as Kamadeva fired his passion filled arrow at Lord Shiva, his third eye blazed open……..

Priyanka (118)

It was the end of November. Ayodhya had been decorated lavishly. Lord Rama had come back after fourteen years of exile, vanquishing the rakshas raaj of Ravana. The glory and bravery of Lord Rama and Lakshmana, told and re-told; their heroics making the whole country rejoice. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were clothed in the best of silks and jewellery. The priests chanted their mantras and the devotees offered their prayers in the huge temple. It was a sight to behold. I knew the photographs would come out beautifully. As I stood in the open courtyard, in the chilly night, I thought, "Lord Rama could have done with one of those nice and warm shirts from ARROW. It’s freezing."

Clash

CLASH

----------

.
1. to make a loud, harsh noise: The gears of the old car clashed and grated. 2. to come together or collide, esp. noisily: The cymbals clashed. 3. to conflict; disagree: Their stories of the accident clashed completely. 4. (of juxtaposed colors) to be offensive to the eye. 5. to engage in a physical conflict or contest, as in a game or a battle (often fol. by with): The Yankees clash with the White Sox for the final game of the season.

.

[ENTRIES CLOSED]

Nikhil (120)

There was a shadow lurking in her closet,
Reminding her of somebody, some time in her life,
When she met someone, felt something in her heart,
They were noticed, there were speculations, rife.
They knew they met for a reason,
Not worrying about a single rumor, or backlash,
Spinning the wheel on their lives,
They knew their lives had had a clash

Times changed, he changed too.
He cared about the world more than he ever did.
Whenever the cameras flashed
She tried to be composed, chirpy and candid
One day he left, leaving her alone,
Wondering, pondering, about what caused the strife
There was a shadow lurking in her closet,
Reminding her of somebody, some time in her life…


Juhi, the Fragrant (118)

Clash! Crash! Clatter! Bang! Chhnnnnnn……! Suddenly the house reverberated with sounds similar to a thunderstorm. “What happened? What did you break? Did you hurt yourself!!?” Suman called out as she frantically tried to get out of the bed, rudely awakened from a deep sleep. “Don’t you dare get out of that bed!” warned her husband’s voice. “Everything’s under control. I have just…dropped…err…a few things.”

Suman sighed. She rued the silly kitty party that her mother-in-law had made her attend, as a result of which she was suffering from this horrible food poisoning. And more importantly, Prashant’s intense love and care.
“Suman! The doctor has advised complete rest!” His strangled voice still echoed in her head and she smiled.

Nandini (97)

A tremendous clash was taking place. The alien had invaded unchartered territory, and it had to be broken down. The pancreas knew that to avoid damage, it will have to produce more enzymes. However the alien object was putting up a fight. Pancreas pumped more enzymes, the small intestine quivered with the impact.

Sunita clutched her stomach and sat down. She wished she had not indulged in her third samosa. The clash in her stomach was making her feel sick.

She popped a Diegene, the clash subsided. Pancreas had won and Sunita managed to digest her samosa.


Coffee is my Poison (120)

"UGH... is he colorblind? His shirt clashed totally with his trousers!" said Ruchi.
"That’s not reason enough to say no..." retorted her mother.
"YEAH? Well is the fact that he doesn't talk sense and that everything he’s done so far is like a terrible comedy of errors and he’s blissfully unaware reason enough...? When Sweta asked him, if he was into any physical sports he said he liked videogames."

"No ones perfect, neither are you."

Her mom was wrong about that, She did know the perfect guy... only he wasn't ready for marriage. She didn't know if she could wait any longer. Pressures were mounting, Parents, Pundits and everyone unconcerned took it upon themselves to back her into a corner.


Priyanka Chakraborty (118)

Perseus reached the island of Medusa. There lying around were the statues of innumerable men, turned into stone. Perseus knew he had to be careful not to look at Medusa directly, else he would also be turned to stone. He constantly kept looking in his highly-polished shield, for a sign of her. Suddenly, there was a high-pitched scream….


Shobhu, the director shouted "CUT!! This is ridiculous. Som, can't you look where you are stepping. Javed is a human being, not a statue. We have to finish this by tomorrow, and we haven't even proceeded to Act 2. Gear up guys, come on..PLEASE…"

To himself, he said, "This is not 'Clash of the Titans', its clash of the morons."


Sowmya (118)

"Not another grand-daughter". His mother's renewed chanting brought him back to the present….. this familiar agonizing wait when every second dragged on for a whole minute. He remembered his previous three visits…futile visits waiting for his son. "This time will be different", he smiled. Finalizing a name for his son would kill those cruel hours. No! That's what he did last time. Bad luck! He played with the blue stone ring…which was to bring him good luck. Or would his astrologer be proved right? Will he be the last son of his lineage? He prayed.

"What a beautiful girl!", the panting nurse broke his reverie He slumped into his chair. Who has ever won the clash against destiny?


Rashmi (120)

"So, How Was Your Day???"
"Okay..... Nothing Great... Usual Stuff.....What About You.....??"
"It Was Quite Constructive....."
"Oh, So You Mean To Say You Managed To Consume Less Than 1 Packet Of Cigarettes??"
"Dad.....Not Again!!!"
"Why Not???"
"What's Smoking Gotta Do Constructivism.....?? It Was About This New AIDS Awareness Program I’ve Enrolled In.....Educating People About Safe S** And Myths About HIV…."
"Isn't It Just Great….. First Misuse S** And Then Spread Awareness…"
"Dad, You Won't Understand.... It's Not Like That.....Having S** Is A Not A Mistake....."
"Okay.....What Would You Think About God Make A Mistake.....By Creating S**!!"
"Its Not A Blunder But Close To It.......The Ignorance....."
"You And Your Values Are A Blunder Itself......"

The Clash Continues... . . . .

Arvind Kumar (109)

He moved quickly before she realised that he was in the aisle just next to the one she hung around in. He was the predator of people's spaces but her presence gave him the shivers. She was wild in her ways. The last time she caught up with him, she had been hanging from the ceiling and had dropped to eye level in less than a second and given him that killer look followed by the sticky kiss.. Their eyes had clashed and sparks flew. Had it been "Love at first sight" or "The Clash of the Spiders." He simply did not want such an aggressive woman in his life.


Ruchika Bajoria (98)

A tempest in all its glory,
Surrenders to instincts predatory.
Lashes out on the destroyers of Isis...
To claim what is rightfully its.

Wind howling in trees hollow…
Water collecting in crevices shallow;
Clouds collecting to form a blanket;
Rain falling to claim its debt.

The clash of thunder,
And the flash of lightning...
The swish of the breeze;
And the sound of water crashing.

The spirited sky lets loose its wrath!
Man bows to tempestuous plans.
If only sanity had prevailed...
If only destructive ideas had been quailed...
Isis wouldn't be angered;
And man wouldn't be endangered.

Santonu (120)

Highway seemed to be endless, as the powerful lights of the SUV, Sumit bought last week, tore through it. Light was extremely focused as were the people inside. Rachna now sitting next her hubby in the rear sit, they wanted to bring their small car but Baba announced, "for family trip all of us has to be together….we will go by the car Sumit has bought..". Eight people felt extremely comfortable to fit themselves inside, but that was when they started, before Sumit started talking about his prosperity sitting at the driver's sit. Three long days and everyone is uncomfortable to fit themselves in. Sumit was no longer driving the car and people. Silence prevailed inside as the egos clashed.

Sarang (116)

“Sachin Tendulkar treated me with utter disdain, then. He tore apart my balling. But I was only a debutant in that series. Now, I just know how to bring him down in his own lair. I’ll have my vengeance.” - Shane Warne, before the famous 1998 Australia tour of India.

“The biggest clash of the decade begins today. Will Sachin be good enough for Shane Warne, the greatest leg-spinner ever, on the turning pitches?” – Media, at the morning of the first test match.

“I still wake up with a jolt in night. I get nightmares of Sachin dancing down the track and hitting me out of the park.” – Shane Warne, weeks after the tour concluded.

-----------------------

Shadow

SHADOW

------------

1. a dark figure or image cast on the ground or some surface by a body intercepting light. 2. shade or comparative darkness, as in an area. 3. shadows, darkness, esp. that coming after sunset. 4. shelter; protection: sanctuary in the shadow of the church. 5. a slight suggestion; trace: beyond the shadow of a doubt.

[ENTRIES CLOSED]

-----------------------------

Richa (66)

Famine, Tsunami, Floods
Hunger clawing at the intestines

Bombs, Attacks, Guns
Terror numbing the mind

They tell me
I live...
...in the shadow of death

I refuse
to give up
To give in
to such morbidity

Rain, Thunder, Sunshine
The celestial music loud yet mild

Flowers, Butterflies, Rainbows
The joyous laughter of a child

I tell them
I choose…
…to live in the shadow of hope


Santonu (117)

The blue line at the horizon was captivating, fading sunlight and the dark cloud hovered around me. The sun was setting. The shadows of uncertainty grew with the shadows of the trees, I was bone tired, the last man standing at the battle field. I sold my company today! The one I built with my own hand. Warm tears were flowing through the cheeks. I was waiting for my friends to come and sit besides me, quietly, but they never came and their shadows danced and mocked at me. I am tired and alone today, standing under this dim light I talked slowly with my shadow for long, it too deserted me as the darkness set in.


Mickey (120)

“Mickey, don’t you go out now”, shouted Dadima, “not till the eclipse is over”
“But Dadi, this is my playtime.”
“The God is in trouble and you want to play, stay here and pray with me.”
“What trouble Dadi, it’s just a solar eclipse, moon’s shadow falling on earth.”
“That demon Rahu has engulfed the Sun, and you say it’s just a shadow.”
“But Mom says…..”
“You and your Mom, She also never heeds to my advice.
Last eclipse, she argued it’s just a shadow.
You were in her womb, and despite my warning she went to her college.
Look what happened, you were born with this defect.”
I could feel it heat up as she pointed towards my tail.


Dok Saab (100)

A small bush it was,
old and stunted.
It had been there
always
for so many years,
calm dull bush,
just surviving.
I had never seen
it go dry,
shed leaves
or, flower.
*
But today,
suddenly
it was struggling
to survive.
Exposed.
Unaccustomed
to the rays of the sun
its leaves wilting.
Used only to cool breeze
it seemed to uproot
as the hot gusty wind blew.
*
But to me
it was more alive
today.
*
Even though
it had always
seemed to lived
under the shadow
of the banyan tree.
The big banyan tree
which fell
last night.


Sowmya (120)

"Can't believe this Swati! Look at yourself", Gayathri was fuming.
You have nothing left. Your children, job....why did you give up everything? For Arvind?
Gayathri thought of the enthusiastic and bubbly Swati who charmed everyone around her. People fell in love with her inspite of themselves. Everyone wanted to be with her since laughter & fun were guaranteed. Then she fell for Arvind….
Looking at her pale and spiritless sister, Gayathri could not help screaming, "What have you done to yourself? You were not like this".
"I loved to talk, Arvind liked silence. I loved my job, he felt threatened. I wanted children, he was not interested. I loved sunshine, he preferred darkness. All I am now is a shadow".


Coffee is my Poison (120)

The shadows don’t leave my dreams, my life. They chase me.

"Any female friends? Generally girls have girlfriends?" asked Dr. Singh, my psychiatrist.
"Not really."
"Why?" he persisted.
I didn't reply.

I'll tell your parents, I'll lie and they'll hit you. Do what I say. Touch me.
Here, and here... caress me. Act like you want me.
My six year old mind felt too sick to think. Ever since she hit puberty I was suffering the consequences.
Girls I found, even when I grew older, could be such FUCKING bitches, and unapologetic about it. Better being lonely than "friends" with them.

I turned on the lights, in my heart and my mind...
The shadows, will flee. I won't suffer them.


Yuvraj Jhaa (118)

Blank stage. Hard sunlight.
Remaltron — wearing posh clothes.
Stangtron — wearing middle class clothes.

(Remaltron) —sweating— There is something dark…really dark…at night it engulfs me…it takes over…its everywhere.
(Strangtron) —calm but curious— Where is it now?
(Remaltron) —further sweating— Look behind me…it follows me…it will follow me till eternity.
(Strangtron) —loosing his calm— WHERE is it?
(Remaltron) —without turning— Look…it must be somewhere.
(Strangtron) —angry— There’s just your shadow!
(Remaltron) —fear takes over— Yes!…is it there?…is it near?
(Strangtron) —alarmed— What is wrong with you?
(Remaltron) —speaking low— Its pitch black, and when it seeps into me after sunset…(weeping) it takes over.
(Remaltron) —speaking to himself— Its nothing…nothing but your religion, that has devoured you of beauty…and instilled fear.


Sarang (120)

Lallan sells pirated CDs on a carpet at Gandhi Putla Chowk. A booming business. Teenagers flock in for the latest movies. But that’s not the real secret of his success. They visit repeatedly for the blue-films he hides under his carpet. They only have to say ‘Bapu’, the code-word for BP, and he produces a bunch of them with mouth-watering pictures and provoking titles like – ‘Sali, Puri Gharwali.’

‘How do you manage it?’ a man asked astonished.

‘The kind shadow of this statue of Bapuji protects me from sun,’ he answered.

‘No, I mean this illegal business.’

‘Ah, that I do under the kind shadow of cops,’ he says spitting aside. ‘I give them five Gandhis a day.’


Nandini (120)

Seeing his wife laugh with her childhood friend, a shadow of doubt appeared in his mind. Gloom descended, he started to waste himself. Work filled late nights, shutting out of loved ones, the shadow turned to depression.

Wife’s anxiety grew, and he ended up visiting a doctor.

“Tension” was the doc’s verdict.

“Why” was wife’s reaction

Silence was the man’s defense.

One day, after another sleepless night, he glanced at the mirror and saw a mere shadow of his former self and a big shadow covering his mind.

Enough! he decided. He pulled back the curtains, let the sunshine filter through the room, and his mind. He had to get the lighting right, illuminate his mind, to vanquish the shadow.

Juhi, the Fragrant (120)

“Mooooom!” My 2 year old son was running across the playground as fast as his pudgy little legs could carry him, and shouting louder than his lungs would ever have allowed.
“What?! What happened?” I was terrified that something had happened to him, while I was gossiping with that no good Swati! “Did someone say something to you? Did you fall off the swing?”
“Swing?! Those are for GIRLS! I am a BOY.” Declared my almost a metre high son.
“Oh?!” I sighed. “Mom…” inching closer he whispered “there is someone following me.” “Oh?! Who is it?” I looked around wondering. “Not up, look down” my son admonished. I complied and burst into peals of laughter. It was his shadow.

Ruchika Bajoria (110)

While traversing the pathways of the moors, he didn't pause to appreciate its beauty. If only he hadn't been such a rash fool. He should've spoken with care. If he didn't get there soon, it would be too late. The brewing tempest outside, articulated his inner turmoil.

He entered her chambers stealthily. Head bent in thought, her back towards him, she was the embodiment of ethereal beauty. He moved closer and his shadow fell upon her. Fear constricted his throat as he reached for her. She crumpled in his arms. Lifeless and sunken, there were shadows under her eyes. In her death, she was a shadow of her true self!


Lord Summer, the Stallion Poet (111)

To the distant land of Far-far-away
I left once in the morning all alone
The road was empty like a bald human’s head
Boredom was deep in my bone

‘What a dreary trip, still two days to reach,’
I whispered feeling sad
‘Yes, O yes! You’re always so right,’
Someone answered… scaring me bad

I swung my head from side to side,
‘Who’s that?’ I cried out shrill.
I jumped up high, when my Shadow answered
‘It’s me, O Stallion of Steel.’

I ran hard and straight, right till sunset
And there I was, at Far-far-away
My Shadow sniggered, ‘Thank me later for the ride.’
‘We’ll meet in the morning anyway!’


Mandappa (116)

"Shadows"
Its hours before sunrise
Hours after the fireflies
When reality fades away
And the shadows come to play

It's four in the morning
And the dawns not breaking

Mind numb from sleeplessness
Sleepless from numbness
Colours begin to go away
When the shadows take over the day

It's four in the morning
And the dawns not breaking

Dizzy, tipsy from the night over
The bed and sleep, still a distant cover
Headaches will eat into your day
Until then shadows will drive your way

It's four in the morning
And the dawns not breaking

The shadows in my head
The shadows in my bed
The shadows of reality
The shadows that won't let me be

.

Rajat Mukherjee (120)

The shadows of my past haunt me; I have failed, over and over again. I still don’t know how I turned up like this, tormented by the despot within, shackled by my senses, inhibited by my own presence, catatonic, I have failed, oh the shadows, I fear them.

Once I thought of winning, I failed, once I thought of loving, I failed, once I thought of redemption, I failed, now I think of living, and I know I shall fail, again, oh the shadows of my past. I fear them, oh the shadows.

I retrospect, all seem nothing but a lay of failure, euphony for others, a swan song for me, oh the shadows, I detest them, I fear them.


Amey Mujumdar (94)

I am the feared obscurity.
Keep away.
But if you are beaten down, I am refuge.
Come to me and recoup.

I am the last place desired.
I hide losers from the brightness.
I shelter them when they are low.
But they survive to step out again.

I have a shifty nature.
I am small when heat is high.
Long when it is low.
But I am with you.

I am the meanest veil.
I shroud your success.
But step out of me and there is light.
Where I am, there is always light.

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