A Ritual of Remembrance ‘Once inked on the face, a tattoo becomes a lifelong conversation.’ My little sister calls out— ‘I’m coming to say good night’ Afraid she might fall, I reach for the light, miss the switch, hit the bed’s sharp edge Blood on the floor, hospital glare, stitches cutting into skin, my screams, …
Whistler remembered her one trip outside the ring. A blue so bright it felt artificial. Clouds that were white and round, and not dark and angry. And the wind, not the humid blasts of air that she’d known all her life, but full and free, as if the sky itself was hugging her. Passing through …
I long for you as the ocean yearns swirling, churning and rasping to embrace the sky I burn for you as the sun bursts into the sky with scarlets and gold ambers and coppers Setting the sky on fire I weep for you as the sky grieves for the turf raining down with tears of …
Aaadara nadiya gala awa degoda thala. Pema soyala. Padmasiri almost dropped his phone trying to put it on silent mode. Piri diya kadithi pawa awa tharanga papa. Pema soyala. The phone screamed like a toddler who refuses to calm down. Padmasiri shook the phone several times. “I’m coming,” Pasan said, dashing into the living room. …
At the dawn of a new year, aftershocks of her death reverberated through a tranquil neighborhood. An eighty-one-year-old neighbor, aloof widow seen at the temple offering flowers to Lord Buddha chatting with a few on her way back, mere hours before — now found murdered inside her home. A vicious tale of violence: of broken …
So many elves of selves within me lie, Those whom the world has wrought And some who gave me birth have sought To make me think and seem alike and seek What others say and do and teach and preach Like pearls inset in jeweled class and creed. Then, there is the workplace bonhomie, me …
Beginning The box in which he brought the ashes is only as big as a shoebox. Radha takes a deep breath and looks away—and grasps my hand. I am a little perplexed: Anil, when alive, occupied a generous portion of space; in death, his coffin was even more spacious, and it took some serious effort …
One summer day in nineteen sixty-four, The eager spectators broke into a loud roar! As the starter of the marathon pulls the trigger, Thirty-eight athletes set to run ten thousand metres. Hours passed, The winners were announced— Gold and silver medals and bronze Adorn the winning Olympic icons. Race over, the rest give up. To …
The stench of disintegration stings my nose. Dank, dark, and decaying. Stealthily, it sneaks up on me, gaining strength every day. I need to escape.Rapier tongue rusted, memory milky, ragged mane. A draining of his vitality.Steely eyes have lost their power to impale. His roar is now a garbled croak. Walled up within himself. The …
“Strictly no palmyrahs on your drawings dear, It’s national level, after all,” the teacher warned. “You never know who marks your paper, Or what language he speaks. Better be discreet, and hold it back, Who you are, what you are, Or where you’re from.” Years roll by – the capital’s my new lover. “She’s Tamil.” …
