Grey view

I look through, my view obstructed by grey metal
Seeped in darkness, the vast expanse is cool
There is a slither of white peeking through
Swaying in the wind the light glimmers,
As if tip-toeing...any moment there would be a peal of laughter
I listen...the sight is re-enacted, the laughter drowned out?

I look out, around the grey bars
Watching for any movement, straining for the sound of squeal
Anything...that would abate the rising anxiousness
But, alas, the view is binding

The sound of silence is emanating, creeping in
Past the two grey pillars
They penetrate into the room
Presence so strong that you can almost reach out and touch
A soft glow of hope?
Or is it the loss of voice?

Hope for escape, for sanity
Loss of individuality
I stand wondering, my eyes fixed on the grey cylinders
Cutting a shadow, across the silvery path

If truth be told...

There is sand everywhere, as far as the eye travels

It is coarse, it is gritty, yet it is smooth

Is this what it feels like, truth?

Harsh, coarse but smooth...

Why can't it be smooth but not coarse?

Pointed and poignant

Truth is but reality

It does not don on the camouflage of color

There is no hiding...

It is gritty but not glittery

It hides nothing...but it is soothing

There is a strange calm that accompanies it

A calm you embrace, its coldness soothing!

Illusion

Troubled I seek out to the light,
Light that creeps under the wooden door, escaping from the rigid hold of wood and metal...
It penetrates the darkness...it is soft, yet harsh
The pin-point of existence tethers on tenterhooks

I am here, yet I am there
Sounds philosophical, but it is the mystery of existence
A plot of thrill, drama and more
Where there is love, sacrifice and also darkness

Yet, it is this darkness that beckons
Luring it away from the lighter banter
the slow galloping canter
Broken only by the steady rhythm of pace
tick-tock goes the clock

Suddenly she hears a knock
Look! there is light I've come to invite you
where she asks?
Where there is no dark only dusk

But, that is grey she shouts
neither here nor there...
It tethers...
Black is better than grey,
I don;t want white, but I don't want grey either

Don't dither, stay steady it stays...
it is not light that comes beckoning,
it is just darkness garbed thus!

I drift along...

Am losing myself in the eternal mist that threatens to enshroud me
I'm surrounded by black space, where not a single sliver of light enters
The fall is unbroken, it is slow, I can feel the gush of air as it flashes past
I can also feel the arms that reach out to grasp me...

Protection or imprisonment...the baffling mist wraps another layer
I close my eyes and I can see myself drifting ...the sun is shining
the dewdrops are a patient audience
I'm free, I'm unshackled I know where I drift

Suddenly, a fog descends...I find myself drifting unknown
Where is the sun that shone, where are the sweet tones?
All that is left is but a mist... an all encompassing shroud of black and grey
It shatters me...it drifts me along...

To hug or not to hug that is the question…

An interesting discussion on a forum caught my eye. In the post a woman was merely taking an opinion poll on the “appropriateness” of hugging a business associate of the opposite gender. The discussion took a serious turn, when someone responded, who was a bit opinionated.

Now, the intention of the responder may have been, in all honesty, not intended to make the person feel stupid. But, this is what he managed to do. He was outlining the socio-cultural norms of two countries (one European and the US).  What is interesting is the west as we know in India as the progressive nation is also tormented by such social norms!

I remember, getting a hug, and also hugging someone from the opposite gender. I could have met the individual after a long time, was happy to see him. Or, the hug could have been a spontaneous outcome, after a successful project. Most of us have learned to identify the difference between a casual hug given in the spirit of fellowship or goodwill, and a hug which is motivated by explicit intentions.

However, if you feel uncomfortable, refrain from doing so in the future. Still unsure? check out this post on LinkedIn.