Decades

~ Shalini Kathuria Narang ~ Leave a comment 
Teens went and twenties came,
What did I lose and what did I gain?
lost some attitude and anger,
gained confidence and candor.

Twenties went and thirties came,
What did I lose and what did I gain?
lost some ideals and insecurities,
gained experiences and responsibilities.

Thirties went and forties came,
What did I lose and what did I gain?
lost some pretenses and impatience,
gained perspective and tolerance.

Forties went and fifties have come,
What did I lose and what have I become?
lost the need of approval or being liked,
gained ability to prevent being spiked.

What will happen in the next decade?
What will I lose and what will I gain?
I hope to lose the desire to expect or judge,
And gain the ability to let go of grudge.

Tired

~ Shalini Kathuria Narang ~ Leave a comment 
Some days, I am tired of everything,
nothing in particular, yet anything,
routines of morning and evening,
tasks in general and during.

What should I do?
change my thinking or my to-do.
may be, I will need to do both,
thoughts and actions to move forth.

Feelings are important to set the stage,
but doing is what will open the cage.
I will begin with positive thinking,
follow up with actions to stop sinking,

Both will have to come together to my rescue,
mind and matter connection is not new,
one cannot be used for another in lieu,
each has a place on the human life pew.

Rich thoughts without actions are empty,
and actions bereft of feelings are not plenty.
both will have to join hands,
to help me reach new lands.

Immigrants

~ Shalini Kathuria Narang ~ Leave a comment 
We came to the promised land,
With dreams and an education,
But on little else to start and stand,
There was no room for distraction.

Life was no bed of roses,
Tests came at regular doses,
From accent and appearance,
To culture and clearance.

Many challenges were faced,
New paths traced.
New rules braced,
Networks built and aced.

Family ties were strong,
Phone calls back home were long,
Pangs of separation were deep,
Struggles in new nation-steep.

Mantra was hard work,
Do and deliver- don’t lurk.
Deadlines had to be kept,
Communication needed to be deft.

Sacrifices were plenty,
Emotional cup on many days empty,
Some dreams were realized,
Unmet ones were rationalized.

Untidy Home

~ Shalini Kathuria Narang ~ Leave a comment 
Blankets on the couch,
where members slouch,
chocolate stains in nooks and pouch,
incite  some anger and insincere ouch!

I like this chaos and mess,
though somedays I wish it’s less,
I know the price of cleanliness,
abhor the thought of orderliness.

Unpicked shirts, trousers and sock(s),
half closed drawers that mock,
bathroom shout for a towel or tooth paste,
From someone who entered in haste.

An unsharpened pencil,
papers, puzzle pieces and a stencil,
a pen, a pot, or a bottle without its cover,
There are always things to discover.

The comings and the goings,
hurried good byes and hellos,
kitchen counter with stuff and stains,
half eaten snacks for hunger pains.

I know soon all will become a memory,
and find a place in a poem or a story,
I want to enjoy these days to its full,
not take everyday living as a duty or dull.

I love my home untidy,
shudder when it stays tidy,
things in place-spic and span,
bring empty nest pains in the plan.

Living in Hearts

~ Shalini Kathuria Narang ~ Leave a comment 
The query was simple,
Where do you live?
My address as an answer was ample,
But, that was not all I could give.

With some I share a home,
With others, a deep connection,
I live in their hearts and mind,
In thoughts loving, sweet and kind.

They live in mine,
I might not with them dine,
But they live in my dream(s),
In my prayers and when I beam.

You too might in several places reside,
No single address can fully describe,
Where all a person might thrive,
Residing in fond feelings is no lesser than a hive.

Relations can survive any distance,
If feelings are true-with or without diction,
Power of telepathic connection(s),
Are a boon and a benediction.

White Beauty

~ Shalini Kathuria Narang ~ Leave a comment 
White blanket has enveloped everything,
Hills, ground, trees, roofs of building(s),
Pristine white is a beauty to behold,
Nature’s wonders in the chill and cold.

Seeing the snow fall,
Is like speaking in a drawl,
Leaves me in thrall,
Of nature’s bounty above all.

The breathtaking milieu appeals silently,
Bestowing gifts abundantly,
Revealing power of stopping,
Seeing, sensing and slowing.

New soft snow that gradually lands,
Feels like cold cotton balls in my hands.
Snow ball fights and sledding downhill,
Makes memories of unmatched thrill.

Each season’s bounties are unique,
Cherishing them without critique,
Let’s me appreciate our planet’s blessing,
And nature’s seasonal dressing.

You and Me

~ Shalini Kathuria Narang ~ 2 Comments 
I like you.
But cannot be you.
You are you,
But, I am not you.

I admire you.
But, I cannot be you.
I am me.
Flawed and unique.

I take pride in my identity,
My imperfect entity.
My quirks and my insanity,
My ways and my civility.

I hear you.
Your fears and cheers.
I share some, and not others.
Do you hear me?

I do not wish to change you,
And do not want to change.
I accept your flaws,
Without complaints and claws.

I will be there for you,
Body, mind and spirit,
Will you reciprocate?
And my fears placate?

I will care for you,
And be there for you.
Will you be there for me?
Body, mind and spirit?

Failed promise

~ Shalini Kathuria Narang ~ Leave a comment 
He said- “I am sorry,”
did not intend to cause anger or worry,
raised his voice/hand once more,
but said, will not happen anymore.

Once again a false assurance,
Or will he keep his words and patience.
Triggers in life will not end,
I can wait and pretend.

Think of ways to prevent his reactions,
change my ways and actions,
but, if not one, than another,
he will always find a cause for bother.

It's not me, but him,
With emotions always on the brim.
Has not learnt to communicate,
wants, emotions or reciprocate.

Is his illiteracy my burden,
How will I live and my children?
Isn’t a compromise worth it?
Will my home not benefit?

I tried but failed,
Marriage couldn’t be bailed.
Once more, his ways did not change,
Decades of patriarchy not ready for exchange.

Method to Madness

~ Shalini Kathuria Narang ~ 2 Comments 
Is there a method to creative writing?
does it start with nail biting?
moving from doubting to deliberating,
to an actual penning or typing.

I begin with observing,
continuing with thinking and reflecting,
Word flow and scribbling,
And finally to subject linking.

Observation is very important,
Without it, all else can stay latent.
Listening to words and silence bonding,
Feeling and absorbing varied surrounding.

No one one act scores over another,
one is not more important than other.
Each has its unique place,
It’s not a contest or race.

Observing keenly is not a breeze,
Contemplating on what I see,
is also not all easy and glee,
the process can be a tough tease.

Word flow takes effort and work,
Sometimes I want to give up and smirk,
But, then, I come back to write,
When words are ready to flow and not fight.

Since words have to emote and percept,
first few drafts are rarely perfect,
Some days, writing can be quick and deft,
And on others, a patient and persistent act.

Children in the Park

~ Shalini Kathuria Narang ~ 3 Comments 
Children in a park,
Are a happiness spark,
Seeing them walk, wander or wonder
Lift up spirits from down under.

Happiness at the kick of a ball,
Runs from one to the next stall.
Amidst a few caution call,
And some small brawl.

Giggles on a swing,
Or sand drawing of a ring,
Exploration of everything,
Or sitting doing nothing.

All the little action and reaction,
And the following exhaustion,
Are a sight in exhilaration,
Bringing joy and jubilation.

Little ones grow too fast,
Soon this time will be past,
Free play is the best to hast,
of sweet memories that last.