Live

Listen. Embrace. Emote. Empathize. Trust. Care. Share. Speak up. Argue. Be truthful. Love. Hate. Hurt. Don't hurt. Kiss. Fight. Bite. Make up. Make love. Make friends. Be passionate. Sing. Open windows. Play. Enjoy the rains. Dance. Break a bone. Make coffee. Make someone's bed. Cry. Get your heart broken. Wait. Yearn. Earn it. Work hard. Be lazy. Laugh till you tear up. Be foolish. Be faithful. Make mistakes. Learn. Make new mistakes. Repeat. Repent your sins. Smile. Wake up happy, everyday. Stay positive. Be sad. Sleep. Make long phone calls. Watch that movie. Miss a few classes. A few meetings too. Dress up. Adore yourself. Suit up! Buy that shirt. That dress too! Wear those stilettos. More lipstick please! Eat more. Stress less. Pray! Meet a shrink. Write a poem. Some stories too. Cut a few ties. Make new bonds. Pet a dog. Heck, a cat too! Stand up. React. Support. Help someone fly. Pose for pictures. Take those selfies. Offer handshakes. Offer a seat. Some pizza too. Live life to the fullest! ♥

Move on

When do you move -

When your self worth is hit ~
Or when you no longer fit?

When the trust is lost ~
Or when you miss yourself the most?

When your tear glands have dried
Or when compassion has died?

When you feel nothing
Or when you question everything?

When you've said every word
Or when conversations stay unheard?

When silence creeps in
Or when noises never recede?

When you've lost more than you've gained
Or when you see no end to this game?

When you try reclaim your soul
But find only broken, hollow bones?

Nothing

I have nothing to offer
My nest is empty
My heart is too.

I have nothing to let go
No tears to drop
They've left me too.

I've nothing to share
My body is maimed
My mind is too.

I've nothing to be proud of
My youth is freckled
My conscience is too.

I've nothing to claim mine
My palms are barren
My dreams are too.

I've nothing to fall back on
With you gone,
My future has too.

MeToo

When we as young 25 year olds were summoned into a prominent ad agency head's cubicle and asked to line up for him to review. He wanted girls to be decked up in saree for the launch of the book on how his father build a prominent ad agency. I, along with a few others were asked to step aside because we were 'flat chests'.

When at an interview for a Client servicing role at another leading agency in Chennai the only questions I was asked were "Do you have a boy friend, do you drink, do you go pubbing?"

When working on Lotte Choco Pie pitch, the agency head kept joking to women in particular, that the 2 layers of biscuit and cream in between reminded him of 'something else'.

When I was told I was thin and my lack of a 'rounded full butt' made my trousers look pretty loose.

When working on a pitch for Mood condoms, the otherwise lazy agency head showed exceptional interest in personally conducting the survey with 'women' employees to understand more about their intimate experiences with the product.

When I was told I cannot handle a particular salon brand account because I lacked the beauty or personality for it (my way of revenge was to later get on board as the Pan India Marketing Head for the same salon brand).

When the client at a leading stationery brand, would refuse to acknowledge my face, and only talk to my chest.

So many stories. How many do we tell?

Why didn't we shame them, then and there? Because we were scared. Scarred. Shocked. Wanted the job. Wanted to retain the client. Were not sure of support. Were not sure if we were in this alone or others suffered it too.

And most of all, we were pretty sure that the first response would be, why bring it up? Konjam adjust pannikonga.

#MeToo

Whisper

The tree asked the breeze
Do you ever miss me -
Leaving a million sights aside
Why caress my leaves?

I wait for you
through broad daylight
And through countless moments
of sleepless nights.

But you never come
Never tell me why
Never wipe my tears
Never sit by my side.

The breeze heavily heaved,
A sigh of relief.
Many come to you for respite -
From their overwhelming grief.

Under your shelter
They rest lazily.
And in your shadow, go
Into slumbers deep.

I look upon you
from faraway skies
Hoping against hope
You'd call for me!

That you'd look my way
That you'd see my longing.
But I see you happy
Amidst your circle of being.

So, I seldom come.
When I do, I tread softly.
For I know if I wake you -
I won't be able to leave!

Anchor

I wept myself 

to sleep tonight.

I have the whole world,

By my side

But no one to talk to - 

I'm so broken inside. 

I wept myself 

to sleep tonight. 

Nights pass on 

and days just fly. 

Faces tell me

I'm their sunshine.

Their names I seldom recall

The bonds much less

I lose myself more, 

as nights keep passing on. 

It's an unforgiving world. 

It's the wrong time. 

This will all change. 

Be patient for a while.

It'll break their hearts 

and bring my world apart. 

Forgive me, for now
Let's blame it on wrong times.

I remember

I remain 

Spectators frown 

in sheer disdain. 

I hope I'd make it 

To the end of this trip 

To see, to believe 

It was worth the applause, indeed! 

Hope

Into my empty harbor

A lonely ship drifts in

It anchors, testing waters

For in the storms, it has been. 

Into unknown corners

It lingers and loiters 

But when the rains subside

Into the horizon, it disappears.

Transience

The sands asked the sea
Do you ever miss me?
The sea smiled and sighed,
I come by every night -

Swallowing my pride
Promising it would be the last time
I'd stealthily watch you sleep
Under the warm twilight.

I try to confess
I long to be by your side.
Yet cautiously touch your feet
Only to slowly retreat.

I know I'll be back again
Another moonlit night
Until then let me bid goodbye
And try live, without you, for a while.