The gush of hope

I'm glad it rained last night..
The earth's heat needed cooling off
coz summer was being unbearable,
not like winter's mild cold and cough.

I'm glad it rained last night..
washing off all despair with it.
The clouds cried as they rejoiced,
called friends and foes up for a meet!

I'm glad it rained last night..
It brightened up the morning of today.
With smiling faces and happy souls
finding both their will and their way.

I'm glad it rained last night..
for otherwise, I wouldn't have met him.
Two strangers, a cup of tea,
and chats with the light, oh-so dim ;)

Wild Wet Wacky

HOLI HAI!!!

Saluting the spirit of holi. The festivals of colors is here. Colorful holi. Red, Green, Pink, Blue, Yellow.....
Memories of this festival are too old. Getting drenched with colorful water as kids and sitting on the building terrace eating garam jalebies. I remember in 7th std, we had planned a "safe holi". Gone one step ahead and bought natural colors. Sadly, the safety of the colors never came back to us. I lost hope, gave up playing holi.

Ever since I have not played holi. Just offer gulal to god in the morning and munch on stuff made by mum on the auspicious festival. Parents continued to be cordial to neighbors and family-friends. This would be my 8th year of not playing holi. No regrets, none. I don't even look at people playing, no fascination. Most of the day is gone in hiding from people and giving explanations. The days prior to holi, I take notice of kids throwing balloons sitting in the comfort of their homes, avoid them; Travel mostly by the car. On the day of holi, just don't leave my room. For visitors, I am either studying, or not well, or just not home.

Honestly I am a more Diwali kind of person. I don't play holi. Not only coz of the safety sake anymore. I don't like powdery-liquidy stuff on my skin, hair, nails. Nor do I like being wet. The water bags were the worst things that happened ever. The festival has lost its authenticity. Grouping of women off-guard, dirty colored oil-paints that take 1 week to fade off, drenching unknown people from building tops etc. this is what has remained of this festival sadly. And then they say "Bura na mano, holi hai."

Prolly there are many aspects that I have failed to recognize. Prolly I need to check the current format of the festival out and participate in it. Prolly it is not correct on my part to not share joys with family friends and be aloof. But, I have shown indifference for long now.

Manao holi, khub manao, par sirf unn logo ke saath jo manana chahte hai.

Have a safe holi with your family and friends. Spread the joy, not perversion.