FoHoH Reflections

#by Ruth Sargunam, Birchwood   You are unique You are special You have the traits I’d die for You are embracing and never racial   Stop stifling yourself and be bold Don’t worry about what’s being told It’s okay not to be an all rounder Stay confident, don’t be a flounder   People will try to pull you down Focus on the smile and ignore the frown Don’t look for reassurance from others Look deep within, that DOUBT you smother.   You are unique You are special You are awesome since birth You are God’s gift to this earth   People will accept you the way you are Keep the like minded close and the others far

Stigma Dreams dissipating like mist of dawn Vaporised in ego's searing heat Perpetual darkness engulfing verve Lights of joy blown out in wrath Little salty streams meandering my countenance Bearing with them sediments of ache Like a fish out of water gasping for breath Unspoken words suffocate my chest Love scorned like traces of plague Sullied vamps he sought every day Scars showered like kisses of passion I bore them all like gold medallion Bleeding blisters bejeweling this frame Concealed in garb of grace, like a phantom of mirth Cacophony of convictions handed like compliments drugging my veins numbing my faculty Decisions I willingly took, if that was all he would give Forlorn was I, in the grips of despair Mere pup at master's feet, dutifully I stayed, Love, just a bone of contention amidst us Devil incarnate was he, broiling me in seclusion Assaulting my esteem, chipping away trust Distorting my priorities, trampling mine zeal plundering all morality, eroding my worth A...

Sheena Singh# Looking at the mirror I pondered at the reflection:  the time line of my life  flashed before my eyes… I spent my entire life  believing in being right fighting against all odds, the dark and the mighty.. standing up for justice.  I was being someone   who's just upright.. I was being someone who’s just ME.. Most call it a gift                 being brave to fight against all odds.. I see it a rift; In my plans to have  all besides me I lost the love of those who mattered the most.. I sang and I preached with all my heart,  it was the only part   of who I was meant to be. The day I would know   I can never let go   my rage for perfection,  I know,to God I'm near...   I just wanted love,    this gift of obsession   for everything that’s sane   seemed a curse from ab...

Indra Rani, Birchwood# Arya Baby - A delight to watch. Everything new  Everything first time As baby sees! She knows no ' tomorrow'. No 'future' to plan for. Forgotten 'yesterday' , already. So, its ALL the present, Just Now. The secret of her joy. Walks around the entire home.  10000 steps are all done.  In an hour. Always dashing somewhere,  falling somewhere &  running somewhere. The adults sit down for a refresh. Keenly notes as kollu Patti. Tilts the bottle. To flow the water into the glass. Stands enthralled.  Watching Nana's tala. The rhythmic beat. Something different  Nani is wearing. What's that big red bindi ! Something different Nani is doing. What's that Nani is arranging.  in her pill box .  And then  Fascinated by nani brushing her teeth . Luvs every movement  As she mimics each new one . A clap . And raised fist  To say ' winner' Our Champion !  Cupping  the palm for ' tha kuppi, thandana kuppi '...