Friday, April 27, 2012

Unaffected




What is happiness to me, you may ask. My answer, if I know myself, will always be the same.
"To be free, to be me, to live life as I see."
And in most cases you will take it literally and wonder if I had a claustrophobic past or if I am arrogant enough to publicly say that I am too good or if I am an out-n-out hedonist. And in all of those cases, depending on my mood I may frown or may smirk or perhaps let out a little chuckle but always will leave you to your conclusions and walk away. It never fails to intrigue me to know others' point of views, at times they are educating while otherwise definitely entertaining. Someone else's perspective gives you something to ponder about without getting all flustered and worked up. It is like thinking about a book you have read or a movie you had watched. You will wonder if I am really that worldly wise or just a delusional fool. To me its detachment, to onlookers it is arrogance. To my parents it is sheer laziness and I definitely bow to their superior knowledge of me, they have seen me at my worst and known me the longest.  Detachment is a good self defense,  it's a wall hard to break. But let that be a boring topic for some other day. So where was I before I let my rambling get out of control? Oh yes. How I want to live my life? As an individual, freedom has always been of grave importance to me. You can say, to the point of being obsessed with this notion. But what sort of freedom, one may ask? Freedom to choose, freedom to make decisions, freedom to go all the way for your dreams. Whether my choices bring heartbreaks, decisions make me face dire consequences, whether my dreams remain unclaimed by reality  - these guarantees never mattered. As long as I know I fought for what I longed for, as long as I know I have taken a decision using my understanding, as long as I know I made a conscious choice the consequences are justified. Life was never a bed of roses and will never be so. And that's fine. Really. Cause in every step of the way that leads through shattered pieces of desires, tears and scarred hearts there lie echo of past laughter, dreams about to be born and smiles about to burst forth. Life is an one chance gift with an expiry date. And its precious. So yes it's a sin not to enjoy the gift of life the way I wish to, its a mistake to let norms and strictures make this eventful journey a blur of nonsensical events. Flaws are integral part of us. Pretending we are perfect is foolish and at times harmful. Illusion of perfection is the greatest flaw as it makes us intolerant towards others'  shortcomings to the point of being inhumane. Does it mean I glorify mistakes? No, definitely not. I believe in bearing consequences of action, no matter what was the history or how hard is the present. But that does not give us the right to play GOD and judge their mistakes. We like playing GOD with other's life. I think it's a kind of a power lust, to have others at our mercy, to know we can make or break someone's life. That brings us back to the question of freedom. We take freedom too easily, way too much for granted that we forget how we are depriving some other individuals their right to freedom. Fetus don't have the freedom to experience life, in the name of privilege and background children do not have the freedom to have childhood,  some adolescents be girl or boy don't have the freedom to hold onto their innocence without flinching at the steps of a 'respectable' family member, women do not have the freedom to be out in public without attracting sexual harassment, in some countries people do not have the freedom to follow their sexuality and the list will go on and on. And the worst part is that such examples are around all of us. But hey, we all know this and even indulge in heated debate over this and then move on with a shrug. After all changing the world is for superheroes and I with my big specs and messy hair and cool detachment ain't one of them. And I am sure you also think the same. So while waiting for someone else to change our world in a day for us lets plan how "To be free, to be me, to live life as I see."

Monday, April 23, 2012

When spring turns white



It's april. It's spring. Its snowing. Yeah, true. Monday morning is greeted by snow showers. Armed in winter armour I started for the morning class at around 8:30 am from home. It felt weird to see the snowflakes melting on green grass. I thought I would be chilled in this unexpected snowy morning. But it was kind of pleasant and fun actually to see white april showers. It felt like holiday. Unlike other Mondays when I stay back to work in the lab, today I grabbed a cup of hot coffee from Tim Hortons and left for home. On my way back i started clicking pics of this weird day. The pink blossoms coated with virgin snow looked so beautiful, so perfect. Reminded me of ice princess.  Snow is a phenomenon of contradictions. Its cold and delicate, it's effect leaves u shivering and yet itself melts at the slightest hint of warmth. It's beautiful and transient. April's snow shower is like those unique moments in life -  unpredictable, gorgeous, throws u off the track, makes you stop and feel - be it happiness, bewilderment or sadness, and when the moment has passed u again go back to the routine.

It's funny actually to think I was busy buying spring/summer wear last week. Weather specially here in Buffalo is anything but predictable. Its a nice day to get cosy inside the comforter, listen to music, do little work, sleep some more and perhaps read something light.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Can't shut those voices up

Stay with me, I beg you, stay with me
Talk to me,
Even if it's rubbish just keep blabbering.
Can't you hear them, the voices growing stronger
It is my attention for which they grow hungrier.
Tell them, I don't want to listen, I don't want to care
The howling, the yelling, the shouting, the screaming
Their pain, their anger, their words all overlapping.
Hold me tight,
Don't let me be dragged in this fierce storm of emotions,
They will bleed my heart till I become part of this commotion
Scarred, numb, just a voice - angry, hurting, hating.
Please, won't you stay behind till the voices tire and silence resides
And I am happy in ignorance weaving dreams within boundaries.
My mind is so scared, my thoughts are confused
Think for me, help me out, tell me what to do.
Don't let the spotlight fall on me,
Don't let the darkness engulf me,
Show me where I can remain unimportant and easily forgotten.
Yes let me be at the edge of this circle of light where it's not too bright
The eyes, wild, vacant, will stop the search, voices continuing their fight

I will be safe, my mind calm, my heart intact,
And my soul undamaged
I will dream what I should, I will follow the steps
Yes, I will live until I am dead.