The White Line
22:42 - Posted by Shilpa K - 3 comments
‘In vacant or in pensive mood’ goes the line. I am not sure which one best describes my state of mind right now, but all I can say is that I feel a little poetic. However, for the lack of a strong inspiration, the words don’t seem to come easy. It’s better with prose. The words don’t have to rhyme and if you can’t think of a word that best describes your point you can use long winding arrays of words that revolve, rotate and spiral to the idea finally. The sunset, the flowers, the hills and the valleys are enough for any sane poet to scribble an ode. But from someone like me, in the middle of a messy room with the lemon tree song throbbing my ear-drums, you should have very little to expect if at all you do. I am not even sure if the previous sentence follows the rules of grammar. My friend says, “Sentences don’t begin with conjunctions!” But then the Queen’s language is a little weird and like most of the weird things around you, which I choose not to mention, you have learnt to live with it over time.

Weird! Now that’s a word that I overuse. It’s mainly because I can spot the weirdness around like how moms handpick tomatoes – instinctively. That’s a skill that’s far too cool! Or I assume so, for there are not many skills I possess, which I can brag about. Who knows, I might soon turn into a legendary character for the amount of surrealistic deeds that I do! Alright, I see I have been exploiting the advantage of prose against poetry to the fullest. I believe there’s a bit of insanity in each one of us. For some of us, there’s a bit more of it. Now it’s important to identify the white line between insanity and weirdness. Insanity is good. Weirdness is bad, in fact it’s ‘weird’! Weirdness is when you take the stairs and not the escalator at the mall. Insanity is when you try and climb up a descending escalator. Weirdness is when you have a cup ice-cream at Baskin Robbins. Insanity is when you go for a triple sundae on a chilly night. Weirdness is when you don’t call up your friend on his birthday. Insanity is when you arrange for a surprise party with cones and whistles.

Weirdness is when you keep secrets. Insanity is when you share them. Weirdness is when you go out for a movie and weep. Insanity is when you behave like a bunch of hooligans during the sweetest movie of the season. Weirdness is having sleepless nights. Insanity is waking up in the middle of the night to watch your favourite sport. Weirdness is the fear of being ridiculed. Insanity is about being downright ridiculous. Weirdness is about doing things that you enjoy too often. Insanity is doing the wrong things and then cribbing about them. Weirdness is singing a song in the bathroom. Insanity is singing at a public place when you know even the hungry street dog is better at it. Weirdness is calling dance a hobby. Insanity is kicking your shoes off and dancing as if no one’s watching. Weirdness is carrying a map in a new city. Insanity is the joy of finding your way out by sharing a conversation with the people on your way. Weirdness is a way of life. Insanity is a reason to be. Weirdness is about believing that life’s too short. Insanity is about believing that life’s too short and making the best out of it!


Within and beyond
22:00 - Posted by Shilpa K - 0 comments



The bunch of assorted white flowers on the table, neatly tied with a fancy white satin ribbon in a flimsy transparent cellophane paper, tiny yellow hearts splashed all over it, sprinkled with freshness, the last drops of water just trickling down the sides of the paper in staggering streams…the incandescent glow of the scented lavender candle brought the warmth that was missing in the cold winter evening and in the memories that were clouding the mind for some time now like the fog that refused to yield to the passing hour of the night outside the French window draped with laced curtains daintily pleated, in ivory tones with mauve floral embroidery, royal silk cushions and gold crochet, arranged in perfect symmetry. I marvelled at the intricately carved silver photo-frames on the mantle that dazzled brilliantly under the ambient lights. It was hard to believe that the loneliness that had gripped the air wasn’t enough to evoke much of an admiration for the people in it. I felt like Alice in Wonderland as a magical charm enveloped the room when floating lamps in the crystal bowl rained glittering splinters of revolving refractions on the wall - enchanted yet lost! The soft melody of the saxophone must have been playing for the umpteenth time now and yet it failed to vex these ears. It was like one long euphony that was composed to last an eternity. The curio on the mantle appeared to stare obnoxiously at me, the rocking chair seemed to have frozen for a moment, and the unknown faces from the biographies on the rosewood shelf made attempts to strike an unspoken conversation just to keep me company. The Christmas lights danced merrily outside the window to assure that the world beyond the patio was either unaware or was unmoved by the distractions in a restless mind. The warmth of the new stockings on bare legs, the lingering taste of balm on the lips and the smell of naphthalene balls wrapped in old woollens brought with them a peculiar sense of déjà vu. Life had come a full circle and was giving yet another chance to live the lost moments that slipped away carelessly like sand grains from a clenched palm. It was time to weave new dreams, hope for new miracles, smile over little nothings, unravel the mysteries of life, share secrets and make promises. It was time to look back at the footprints in time and sprint towards new horizons. It was that ephemeral moment between the past and the future that seemed longer than ever. It was when I found myself lost within me. A rendezvous with Solitude and life unfolded before me like how a rose would wake up to the kiss of the morning sun. The pendulum of the vintage clock suddenly swung with a life-like vigour and the hands met in unison! - 00:00:00