Ageless in Alien Worlds

….  I, to the world am like a drop of water That in the ocean seeks another drop, ….. William Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors     We made it! We made it on time; equipped with low chairs, a picnic basket and adequately chilled wine. The setting sun casts an orange glow over the grassy slope where we …

Memorial Day is for Moms

Matt and Priya were classmates. I met Mrs. Manoukian for the first time when she came to drop Matt off for a birthday party. She rang the doorbell. “Can we stay too?” Matt ran in without pause. I saw Matt’s brother looking up at me. His chubby palm circled mommy’s manicured finger. His look was …

A Cup of Restraint

At the dawn of civilization, Omar Khayyam said something to the effect of- a loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou beside me – his portrayal of heaven on earth. We lapped it up. But I ask you, does this scenario have merit today in a civilization when we all must rush about …

My First Friend

His name is Mahmoud. I don’t think anything of it even though I know no one else by that name. True, my mother’s name is Prakash and I have another aunt by that name. My father has a brother in law with the same name as his. So does uncle Sheel. But then, my name …

Miles to Go and All That

Dear Rani Lakshmi Bai, Most people won’t write to you because you are not only dead but you have been dead for more than a 100 years. But I have to. You, Queen of Jhansi, leader of men, I want you to know that poems have been written about you, children sing songs about you, …