The Palm House

I bring a piece with me.
A piece of the world that belonged to me.
The Fern my uncle grew,
the Fern I didn't care about.

I smile when I see it today.
A piece it is from the world that belonged to me.
The beads of sweat on my brow,
the heat I used to run away from.
Sun beating down through the glass.
It's all here.

I see a Croton growing quietly.
Grandpa planted these.
The seeds from my land were planted here.

They are free,
from the red soil to the blue skies now.
The journey to freedom was long
but they flourish now.

These greens stand here
Witness of time.
Time that changed everything,
and nothing.

This is home now.
I take what I get.
The laughter and the chatter is happiness.
I am at peace with my home now.

Journey of happiness

Deep down it will hurt,
When I will look back at my life.
Because it is my own ambitious mind
That speaks to me.
It is my own illusional greatness that questions my existence.
You are a mere catalyst, dear love.
For it is I who seeks my own fame.

It is I who is repulsed by mediocrity yet
thrives in it.
I am my own critic.
That's the thing with disillusioned, ambitious people.
I don't know what I seek.
But I am sure to arrive one day.

Spending countless hours reading the inner workings of their minds.
Sorting, analysing every word,
every action.
Always wondering, what is it the mind speaks that words don't let out.
Sorry are the souls who seek happiness
In arriving not knowing the route to embark upon.
I'll be picking up my small pieces of big ambition now.
Promising to start my journey.
Destination will find itself,
All roads come to their end.
Along the way, I shall seek happiness.
Thriving in the journey, not awaiting my place.
As one day when my being is kissed by ashes, my soul will smile with serenity.

Grown into a Woman

Still waking up from my sleep, 

A realisation greets me in the morning. 

Overcome a deep-seated fear have I, 

Woken up alone on bed without you besides. 

Since the day I met you, 

The day we merged as one,

I have grown into a woman.

The girl in me is fearless now, 

she has taken the giant steps ahead now. 

I walk on the Causeway to reach out.

Living every day of my life

So this is a short verse I wrote as I celebrate World Poetry Day.

Living through everyday

Waking and living every minute of my life

Conscious my being

Conscious of the people surrounding me

The sound of the bubbling chai

I am aware of my happiness

Happiness of being surrounded by my loved ones

Happiness of having you around me

Touch of your skin

Your lips caressing me

I am aware of my happiness

I am happy being me

I know, I know

How you despise 

Whipping eggs and cheese for me

Humming away in your honest man's sweat in our tiny kitchenette

But you still do it

Dear Husband

You do it for me

Breaking my mental barriers

Breaking your physical boundaries

I love this little world of ours

Swearing and sweating our time on Earth

This is love

And this is happiness

I am aware of my happiness

I am happy being me.

Ladakh Travelogue

Tonight I ate Laddaki special 'Chutake' for dinner with tomato soup and momos. Food can never be a problem for people traveling to Ladakh.

Nurla, a place after Alchi, offers a spectacular view and stay near river Indus. It also provides a good one and a half hour trek to a village on top of a mountain complete with waterfalls and a Shiva temple. It was here, where for the first time, I tasted pure glacial water from the small rivulets running to meet Indus.


Ule
↓
Nurla
↓
Alchi
↓
Village - Taargaon

Pangong Tso

After a long break it was good to see unexplored, pristine mountains. Pangong Tso, a place open to tourists only for six months, teaches you that nature's beauty lies in its naturalness. Such unspoiled crystal clear water, it's hard to imagine that this lake turns into a long sheet of ice during winters. That the only humans seen here during winters are the villagers who pack their food supplies beforehand like ants. Behind the mountains I can only imagine the Chinese border that holds two thirds of this beautiful lake. Visit to such miraculous places makes life worth living. I think travelling is the best anti-depressant. I am fortunate to experience the beauties of Earth and understand their worth because I am a human being. A stay at Pangong Tso is a must for every tourist visiting Ladakh. It makes up for the entire rough ride. The colour changing waters of Pangong Tso are magical to the eyes of a Mumbaikar and having no network connection is the best part. This place brings out the philosopher in you.
If you are the types who prefers quiet time admiring nature's beauty then a stay at Pangong Retreat Camp is the best bet. Otherwise the more common and popular option is Martsemik Camp. The distance between the two is 20 kilometers and a rough road.