Pause: The Essence of Life.

Pause...

To hear the gentle rustle
of leaves, as bees hustle;
To let aromas of petals
seep into alert nostrils.

To feel the cobbles' heat
rise under sun-soaked feet;
To taste the sting of raindrops
amidst the green of hilltops.

To discern shapes in a flaky cloud
& hum a forgotten tune aloud.
To catch a rainbow in its hues
& foamy waves break the blues.

To breathe the silver of scented air
in stoic silence of moonlit flair;
To pen poems in golden solitude
where winged chirpers' mates are wooed.

To bake cookies sweet and pies sour
& devour words till the witching hour;
To fling pebbles in lakes & watch them sink,
& laze into long sunsets, till constellations wink.

To don a cape,
earn a child's laughter
& let smiles escape,
in grandma's banter.

You shall stew
in Life's kettle;
Pause to brew
a life of mettle.

You shall reach
the End's gate;
Pause to live,
before it's too late.

Learn to live, life is brittle
Pause, my friend, to live a little.

                        ***

Book Review: 'Charlotte's End' by Veena S Rao.

I picked this book up for the intriguing idea of reading an Indian author's rendition of an English take, a sequel at that. I wasn't disappointed at all. 

The language is impeccable, & can put any English writer to shame. The story had myriad elements like the angst of burdensome memories, juxtaposed with wartime hardships. The various nuances of marriage are interspersed with the protagonist's struggle to come to terms with her husband's mental tortures while she battles her own inner demons.

Thrilling scenes of a sea journey with bombing escapades make for a gripping read. One feels for the constant careful evaluation that she performs, with analysis of each situation, before she even talks to her own husband. 

However, a reader who has not read the first book does feel the sense of inadequate comprehension & incompleteness with the perpetual references to the past story. There are places where the reader does not identify or feel the depth or even necessity of the feelings she portrays, as they appear exaggerated. 

The ironic part is, although the book is about Mrs.Raymond de Villiers' s identity, self-growth and resurrection of sorts, the importance given to the non existent Charlotte overpowers her efforts. Till the very end, destroying evil of past demons take precedence. This again seems exaggerated for a reader who has not understood the depth of evil or hatred. Left to assumptions, the reader struggles to make sense of the current situations in the book. 

I strongly recommend readers to read part one of the sequel for better comprehension, that lacked in my experience with this one.

I rate it 4.8/5.

***

Pathos of Love - A Poem.

Pathos of porcelain tears

brim against lashes

charred remnants

crucified regrets

stilled screams

of singed love

loneliness

is a crowd

frozen thrums

remember warmth

in miles of darkness

evergreen echoes of loss.

                   ***

Picture: Painting Valley.

Pulse of Passion - A Poem.

Misty moonlight

soaks

skins in stillness,

in secluded sanctuary.

The pulse of the night

evokes

dire harness

of a passionate plea.

Yonder silvery light

strokes

miles of darkness;

they lay, consumed & weary

***

Picture Courtesy: Fine Art America

Feeling, the struggle- A Quote

Life continues to waste away amidst the eternal struggle between what we feel & what we must not feel, because we are not supposed to feel that way. ~ Life stories.

Gnaw - A Quote

The mask of trust is hard to wear when doubts & uncertainties gnaw the soul. ~ Relationship stories

Relationships work... - A Quote

Relationships work mainly because of the capacity of Conflict Resolution, without succumbing to excessive bouts of expectation. Marriage is no exception. ~ Relationship stories

Work - A quote.

The difference between hard work & smart work? Hard work uses only brawn. Smart work needs your brain. The former helps you reach your destination. The latter enables you to shape your destiny. ~ Life stories

Crunch - A Quote

The crunch

of dying love

is heard louder

when the gravel

of disloyalty

& betrayal

has hardened

the heart.

~ Relationship stories