LivingPen

Bharat’s Liberation

Identities are shallow, symbols inspiring. Humans from the womb of Mother India, I wish you a very happy Independence Day. What is the meaning of freedom, my friends? Our lands were designed by nature as open and resourceful. Our intelligence was sharpened by evolution. When the boundary never existed, what liberation are we celebrating? Walls drawn by the mind are merciless. They showcase a…

Recently I realized that I’m capable of writing flash fiction. If you didn’t know already, flash fictions are very, very short stories. Now don’t you dare to say that short stories are already short enough on their own– well, there are many (the greatest ones) that run 30-40 (even more) pages long. But these are different- very brief and actually short. They can be 2 lines long like this one I…

My first attempt at making mandala art abounded with blunders. Geometry has never been my cup of tea, yet the perfect arrangement of simple patterns within circles captivated my heart. Gazing at the accurate, fine strokes in black ruffled my senses just like a strong smell dashing into the nostrils. But this little ride of introspection is not about mandala art. Its about the mistake. Since it…

Inspiration. A word drenched in sunshine and rainbows. Unlike hope, inspiration comes with a promise that won’t be broken. A promise to keep you occupied with something miraculous. Why, isn’t it magical that the simplest of things can make our eyes sparkle, and our veins so full? It’s idiotic, it’s crazy but still the best emotion, as good as love itself. Well, I’ll tease all the lovers out there…

The Traveler and his Magical Marbles- On Fire

Other parts of this story- 1 , 2 , 3 The Shaman was right- the town was doomed. Or, had the traveler’s misfortune brushed onto its fate? He didn’t know anymore. All he could do was to hope to pass the town successfully. A chill ran down his spine when he heard women wailing and saw men running with terrified countenances. Children looked up at their elders, some scared and some just too curious…

The Traveler and his Magical Marbles- A Circle

For the first part of the story of our traveler, click here.For the second of the story, click here. “Yes, I wondered why people address you as a ‘wise man'”, said the traveler. “You’re younger than me. Still, I’m not so surprised by the height of your abilities after all, since you have saved my life.” But the bald man shook his head and said, “Not that. You shouldn’t be surprised at the word…

The Traveler and his Magical Marbles- Continued

Read the first part of this story here. This town was quite the puzzle in itself. There were tricksters, magicians, snake charmers, gymnasts, shamans, astrologers, prostitutes and some simply lazy people- all kinds scattered throughout. Well, it made the traveler wish, ‘I should’ve joined that caravan with my wife after all!’  He even began inspecting his magical marbles and thought- ‘Are they…

The Traveler and his Magical Marbles

Once there was a traveler who had a very talented son. Apart from him, the most precious thing that the traveler possessed was his little bag of magical marbles.  But he died unexpectedly at the age of 40. A fatal disease gripped him, and he tossed his magical marbles into the air to figure out his son’s destiny. The marbles glowed blue and purple- signaling an unknown destiny for the…

My last board examination (Hindi) ended on 6th of June, 2022. Filling my heart with the enthusiasm of an alumnus, I went to the World Convention Centre near Krishna Nagar Metro Station. Yes, to volunteer for the preparations for Lucknow’s Save Soil Event! Asking around for work, I found people- young and old and middle aged, scattered around in groups. Each one of them was doing whatever they…

The Diary of a Young Girl; Anne Frank

This post is dedicated to my friend Vidushi Pandey, who bought this book for me as a birthday present- just like Anne received her diary as a gift for her 13th birthday on 12th June, 1942 “People can tell you to keep your mouth shut, but that doesn’t stop you from having your own opinion.”Anne Frank When we write our journals, we believe that each day is a new venture worth mentioning. Even…

Blot On My Bookmark

Join 8 other followers Email Address: Subscribe! मनोकामिनी पर घर कर ग​ईंमन की रानी फ़रर से घुँस गईंसिर घुमाकर, मुझे देखकरपंडुकी की आँखें डर ग​ईं।हल्के रंगों के पँखों कीसहज, धीमी इनकी उड़ानहर संकट से अंजानघोंसला बनाने आ ग​ईंउद्यान सजाने आ ग​ईं।गुलाबी सूरत का यह पंछीहुआ देखकर कौतूहलबोला मेरा मन चंचलक्या नाम दिया है भाषा ने?फ़ाखता, कबूतर, कमेड़ीपिताजी बुलाते ‘मेंढकी’अब हम जानें- पंडुकी।पत्तों की घनी…

Did you read the 1st Part? Hands in pockets and face upturned, he walked on the long road leading to the church. Eyes pleading to the clouds to shed moisture upon his face, he bumped into a small body below his knees…. Read More AND NOW, LETS CONTINUE… The boy was a man now.  He looked around cautiously to make sure where and who he was. Then he let a distinctly dissatisfied look fall upon…

Towards Your Life, by Diksha Singh

Let me introduce you to Diksha Singh, a budding writer of my age who loves to compose stories, plays and poems. “Hello guys! My name is Diksha Singh. I got the inspiration to write this poem from an artist who went through paralysis in the lower half of her body for two months, and yet she continued her passion for painting. It was then that I felt motivated to write such a poem. “ Here is the…

My Joy Is Greater Than My Woe

My joy is greater than my woeYet the latter lives longerMy love is fuller than my angerYet the latter you remember.My soul has opened up to showIts wider than my eyesYet the latter you find funny,and that is my woe.I drink the smiles on your facesI search for truth, follow its tracesYet you fill my belly with foodWhile I survive for the wind that caresses my tresses.I searched for truth, you lied…

Am back! My pen has begun to spill Earlier being in contemplation I kept my distance from its words To free my mind, to control imagination. But now, I open its lid so that it will fill Fill my pages, through my will My strongest will.

‘My own imagination has created prisons’, I used to believe so. But now I realize that it was I who constructed those cages so meticulously that it failed to come under my notice– how I locked myself into it. Illusions…… its no use deciding to craft your own destiny when you don’t know how your imagination behaves when it is out of your hands. There is a very thin line between dreams and…