Strength
WHY SO SOON?
There have been two deaths so far that have moved me deeply. The first was the death of my brother’s best friend, and the second was the death of a stranger. In both cases, the deceased died young. I’ve lost family too who I loved dearly, grieved for as well. Every loss was monumental in…
GROWING OLD VS GETTING WISER: MY TAKE ON AGEING — Candles Online
I once wrote an article on my birthday about my five gray hair. Yep. Five! I fretted all over the post about how it shocked me and how I was trying (‘trying’ being the operative word here) to take it positively. Fast forward to now, I’ve lost count of how many gray hair I have. […]…
THE INDIAN ‘SANDWICH’ SITUATION
At 65 years of age, Sandhya (name changed) is a busier woman after retirement than she was when she worked as a teacher. Before the lockdown, in her native Allahabad, she would care for her octogenarian in-laws. Every six months she would shuttle between one daughter based in Singapore, who can’t afford child-care for both…
Breaking Free: A Novella and Other Stories, by Mohua Maulik – A Book Review
Some authors have a knack for humour. Not only will their words leave you in splits, but they’ll also handle even the most pensive topics with a side of sarcastic humour. I’m reviewing a book by one such author that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for a couple of years – Mohua Maulik. Maulik…
Transitioning From Married to Unmarried Women
Hello from my hidey-hole! I’ve been gone a long time. I think I may have become somewhat of a dormant volcano, bursting out only occasionally. This week on Candles Online we are discussing the big transitions in life and I’ve written the first explosive article on an Indian woman’s perspective on making the shift from…
Self-worth
When your self-worth comesFrom what others think of you,You’ll always feel UNWORTHYBecause they don’t really know you. They dont know what ticks you off,What makes you laugh.They know just what they think they see.But is their VERSION who you really ought to be? Self-worth isn’t about worshipping yourself,By causing MISERY to another.Neither is it about…
I Am Watching You – Book Review + New Instagram Handle Announcement
This is going to be a #smallbookreview since I don’t think this book requires much more than that. As far as mysteries and thrillers go, this is a slow read, burning page by page, relying on cliffhangers at the end of each chapter but the beautiful narration, the intriguing story arcs will keep ypu hooked…
Second to Someone
Those eyes haven’t looked at meThe way they looked at herThat once-upon-a-time whenYour heart would skip a beatOn her every appearance. Your lips have never sighed my nameLike they still trace hersWhen you, wrecked, heartsore,Cry a river on your pillow cover. Fingers, they’ve never caressed meThe way they cling to her nightdress,Or thumb through that…
