Daffodils -

Althought my tryst with the world of words, prose, similes, metaphors, euphemisms and literature began with the advent of i-land, I also owe part of this passionate endeavour to the poem penned by William Wordsworth. The poem is plain and simple, yet has a style which is unique and one of its kind, hard to emulate kinds. Stumbled upon this poem on the net today and swoosh I went down the memory lane!

Thank you Daffodils!

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I WANDER’D lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch’d in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed — and gazed — but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

By Sir William Wordsworth

Posted in Strictly Cardiac.

20 comments

By Ash K – October 6, 2007

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Looking within….

During one of “those” days….

When I choose to look within…

Than quiver and sneak peek into the outside…

When silence seems to be the most pleasant thing…

Bedlam…seems to be your worst enemy…

Deep Introspection…

Ouch it hurts!!

Yes, its painful my friend!

But hey! Wait a minute…!

Ain’t it all over?

More may be yet to come..

Who cares?

For this moment…

I am free..

Nirvana seeps in..

Enjoying the nothingness..

Quiet sound of solitude…

Pure bliss….

Peace and opulence fills me to the brim..

May be that’s why its tougher moments that teach you Life!

Bounce back my friend…

This is just the beginning..

I say a silent 5 second prayer….

A hint of ‘happy tear’ camouflages my vision…

Just keep up the faith!!!

Posted in Strictly Cardiac.

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By Ash K – October 6, 2007

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HAPPY TEACHER’S DAY!!

It was Sept 5th. Nothing was different. Just another day and the usual chase. Grabbed my copy of the newspaper and perched comfortably in my couch to check the news. Saw the supplement page boldly featuring “Happy Teacher’s Day!” messages. Some nice ones, some cute ones, some brimming with nostalgia, some swollen with gratitude messages. I silently viewed outside the window, smiled and had a hazy image of my fav teacher - Sister Olinda.

It takes me back to kinder garden days in my toddler school - Holy Cross Toddlers Academy. Our colorful toddler school was full of joy and some what even to date reminds me of Disney world. A huge swing, Kids climbing hill, See-saw, a massive granite slider, Mickey and Donald painted in our class rooms, colorful chairs, we all had our share of fun in the tiny tots academy. For some strange reasons, the name even to date fills me with lot of joy and childish exuberance. She was the joy and pride of my toddler school. Lean and lanky frame, wrinkled face yet a graceful smile which she always dazzled with pride. One of the most joyous and fun-loving nun with impeccable language skills. Not to mention my love affair with poetry, words and verses began from there. Always draped in ash grey cloak and veil, it was sheer fun when she began teaching English alphabets. Her gestures, her energy made us love the subject with mighty enthu. She put in use all her energy and stamina to deliver and teach us nursery rhymes. Her approach to teaching was so novel that it was an instantaneous journey to wonderland with nursery rhymes, Baba black sheep, Queen of London and not to forget our favorite Humpty Dumpty. Every correct answer used to be suitably rewarded with a grand prize - a lollypop which she told me should be addressed as a “sweet”. For some strange reasons I used to always write the word “s” in inverted dollar fashion which became a cause of concern for my folks. Sr. Olinda relentlessly took the onus and held my hand for around 2 months taught me to scribble the letter. And lo behold! Finally the day arrived when I scribbled my first original “s”. Her joy knew no bounds and needless to say I got my share of reward, a strawberry “sweet”.

On one of the bright summer days Sister joined us for what we called “Games” session. It was all about 30 minutes of pure games, gliding down the see-saw et al. Merriment, laughter, Inky-pinky-ponky games, kiddy jokes, what-you-got-for-your-tiffin talks, with my buddies then - Sam, Velon and Pawan. Sister was very delighted to see us playing. Just then I chanced my eyes on her veil and asked if she has hair beneath that. She confirmed, but yours truly did not seem to be convinced. To her surprise, I pulled her veil and all the kids ended up laughing. She was embarrassed to the core. She quickly pulled her veil lying on the playground and promptly adjusted it on her head. In a fraction of second, I quipped, “Sorry Sister!” with my eyes drenched and soaked in tears. She hugged me and consoled me with a “sweet”.

She taught me virtues which no books on the earth would be able to convey. She taught us to be humble, never shout at people who could never yell back at us. This learning today helps me to deal with a door janitor or a director with equal ease. She used to emphasize on the joy simple things bring in life. She always told us to count on favorite friends - Please, Sorry and Thank you. Its been decades since I have met her or seen her, but the gratitude and reverence I have for my teacher would never cease from my being.

Posted in Me, myself and.....

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By Ash K – September 6, 2007

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HAPPY HAPPY MOMENTS!!

Hot steaming cuppa morning coffee,

Fresh Marigold flowers adorning the garden foliage,

Hurry-curry lunch prepared with lot of planning,

The divine hand of an elderly person,

Blessing you while you race for another day…

Breeze kissing your face,

As your drive to office,

The ceremonial “HI” waved with glee,

By the cheerful security officer,

Pat on the back amidst all the chaos,

Don’t give into the madness screams your inner voice,

A funny thought sent by a friend,

A colleague’s guffawing laughter,

You laugh aloud till your eyes are drenched with tears,

Maudlin merry tinge of nostalgia,

The little Calvin and Hobbes pic hanging at your cubicle,

A funny joke cracked by your witty neighbor,

Back-breaking day clocking 14 hours,

With the soothing feeling of “fulfillment”,

Rush back home,

To catch your fav TV soap,

A silent prayer to the “FRIEND” above,

Thank you for all the small happy-happy moments …;-)

Posted in Strictly Cardiac.

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By Ash K – September 3, 2007

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Moments of dilemma…

During those quieter evenings of solitude

One wonders and ponders

Grief dwelling

In the deepest chasm of heart..

Just pull along

Tread along

Its ok to whine and whimper ’bout it

“God! Its so tough!!”

Sometimes its ‘nice’ to let go

Than to just hold on

Time shall heal the wound..

Bury my fears and feelings in a sinister baggage

Dig it deep within me

Pray hard for strength

Muster to say ”this too shall pass”

Posted in Strictly Cardiac.

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By Ash K – August 24, 2007

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TIME - Part III

Shee came home with a heavy heart. She did not know what was in store for her future. She got very bored and wanted

To do something very thrilling just for a lark. She came home and her friend Tarun a.k.a Tan called her from Delhi. Tan was Shee’s best friend

And always loved to pull a fast one on her, they fought like cock and hen yet were great buddies to date.

“Hey, Moti! Come online woman” screamed

“Really!!!! Why should I?” asked Shee

“Got some news for you darling. Come online idiot!” he insisted

“Ok, then I think I should” she quipped

She immediately lurched onto to her Laptop much against her wishes. She hated checking her mails and logging on during the weekend.

The weekly projects, meetings made her hate her Laptop. She dragged herself to the seat and there it was Tan online.

Shee: Hi dumbo! How ru doin?

Tan: All well babes, we r goin to the dhaba at Panchkula afta an hour. All frenz r drving down. So it vid be thumbz up and some elbow bending.

Shee: Good good, hav fun dude!

Tan: Shaalika is also cumin

Shee: Watttttt?? That bitch?? Tan, hav told yaa not to hang out vid her, shez a big snob ;(

Shee: U know wht Tan, yu have lost it I guess to fall for this woman?!!!

Tan: Shee, wntd 2 tell yaa, m getg engged to Shalz after 15 days.

Shee: yur kidding rito dude?

Tan: Naa sachhi maa ki kasam! I propsed her, she accptd. Hr folks cm over for talks, we agred and snt the shagun..simple!

Shee: Anyways, lord save yaa with that snob. Newaz congrats bidu!! Shaadi kab hain???

Tan: Oct 2nd! Yu got to come to Delhi babes

Shee: OK boss .

Tan: Chal, mainu Shalz ke saath drive pey jaana hain. Will catch yaa later. Tc and ttyl!

Shee: Ok..yu 2..bfn!

Shee pulled her hair in despair. God! What is happening? Tarun was the only one who was supposed to get hanged (their acronym for marriage).

Tan also got booked. God! What is this?!!?? Wondered Shee. The glum thoughts created a deep void in her heart. Tan was offline now. She was browsing, suddenly a matrimony website popped. One of that ad savvy, money starving company with their pop-ups! For some strange reasons, she did not cross it off. She clicked, clicked and clicked and registered herself, much to her surprise. She updated her profile, her likes, dislikes, her partner expectation, ET all. Shee found this thrilling and got a great kick out of the whole exercise. She browsed through some of the profiles already updated. Man! Yuck! OK! Sad! She blew her fuse and closed all the screens and shut the Laptop profusely.

She was trying to keep her sanity in place. She tried reading a book. She was not happy. She watched TV - her fav show Sienfeld for some time. This time she got grumpy. Tried to grab a bite of Hershey's which her colleague had got from his Houston trip. She got wild. She decided to drink some coffee and call it a day. She hit the sack and was concentrating on the fan rotating at a dull-and-drab speed. Gently, she went into deep slumber.

(To be continued )

Posted in The Yellow Leaf.

18 comments

By Ash K – July 19, 2007

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Of Green Grass, Blue Skies and Gushing Wind .

Swivel in the joy of monsoon siesta…

Hoping for a fresh perspective …

Beginning of “soul searching”

Playing happy-feet on green grass

Yearn to take in lungful of pure monsoon air

Like a lovelorn damsel..

Waiting for monsoon magic to spread..

Maverick wind cocooning the frame

Green blades of foliage..

Swaying to the tune of obstinate wind

Ruffling and playing with dark long tresses

Tis’ a d�j� vu feeling all the way

Embezzling a girl’s innocence stealthily

Leaving behind a demure woman

Time for the meaningful metamorphosis

With Green grass, Blue skies and Gushing Wind..

Posted in Strictly Cardiac.

14 comments

By Ash K – July 11, 2007

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Winds of Change

Gushing, obstinate wind…

Yellow blossoms

Clear paved path?

Yet the dilemma

Fate conspiring

Killing uncertainity..

What if? What now?

Tis’ a catchy conundrum..

Alluring journey

Companionship calling..

Will it be on?

Bashing bewilderedness

Tugging faith along..

Tread on the road

Pushed by the fleety and ferocious

Winds of change…

Posted in Strictly Cardiac.

7 comments

By Ash K – July 10, 2007

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A Little Bit More…..

(An ode to women and womanhood who seek the “little bit” effort in all undertakings despite of the struggle, push-and-pull around)

I am down in dumps,

Ahhh! Life’s simple stupid bumps,

Cranky boss and colleague’s a bore,