Suggestions

October 2022

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Silence of Crows

A black line of clouds expands upwards above the trees. I watch in confusion. Your boots crumble honeycomb-cracks stepping across the yard towards me. Your frown deepens, battered hat in hand. My smile falters. The stifling heat. On a day like this
October 25, 2022

Shotgun Smoke

She has been living one foot in the Pacific Ocean, the other dipping a curious toe in the Andaman Sea. Who is she? Wild flower flourishing in the hothouse till she grows tall as a poppy queuing for the guillotine. Still,
October 25, 2022
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I’m PMSing !!

A baby when she wants As evil when she haunts Sometimes Jolly, sometimes Bossy She is the one and only Artsy-Topsy At times as wild as a hungry Raccoon Very soon as mild as the silent Moon Her nails are clean, but
October 25, 2022
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The Amsterdam App

“ We shall meet again…… by the gates of the Villa of Peace, ‘’ Vidya who was researching in Leiden University had scribbled in my notebook, as I was about to return home to India. It was my second visit to Leiden.
October 25, 2022

Uncrowned Queens of Little England

Women Tea puckers of Sri Lanka I planted five trees, nurtured a beautiful garden. Though the garden flourished, yet my throat remains dry. The lyrics written by Arivarasan for the song “Enjoy En jaami” (enjoy my dear)” based on his
October 25, 2022
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The Proposals

With a towel wrapped around her wet hair, Mariam stood in her closet, trying to figure out what shalwar kameez to wear to the family dinner. She rummaged through, passing all the bright-coloured ones and landed on a black one. She
October 25, 2022
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Buying Stuff with Smiles

“Saleem!” Ami called from the kitchen. “Your friends are almost here. Quickly go and grab a dozen eggs from the barn”. I swiftly hurried down the clay stairs, absorbing their coolness as I went through the blazing morning sun that kept donating
October 25, 2022
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Wild Meadows

Wild Meadows We were allowed To laugh, but not loud Hushed, the windows must be closed Mind the door, not ajar. It took mind to defy and speak The heart always believed That it was love I was protected and valued. I
October 25, 2022
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Monsoon

Sky shelters the magic bowls that wrapped. Drizzle dances Ahead of street lights. Stillness of the wet city Breeze and chilly. Carving bundles Of memories. I could sense-even a city has nerves Of such emotions. A mid-night sounds Of heavy rain drops.
October 25, 2022
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The Bonsai

The Bonsai She opened the shining gift wrap And delighted she was to find that exotic bonsai. The beautiful tree so carefully tamed to be dwarfed with gentle love that it was contented inhibited. Excited, she asked friends and the internet some
October 25, 2022
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One night…

Snow capped purple mountains I see, Whispering a melody for me to feel. The fresh perfumery scent of the Fraser Fir, soothe my lungs in fragment fresh air. Sun dips beyond the hazy mountain range; glow of the rising moon doth search
October 25, 2022
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Having Spotted the First Grey

If I were blonde like those princesses from non-woke Disney productions (or more realistically like my fair haired father) it might’ve turned an icy, silvery white like a piece of moonlight frozen by magic or accident and somewhat like the silver tilla
October 25, 2022
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Lavender Girl

I’ ever toot though ‘m genuine. Do, remember my summer? Rounded three paired chairs, Fourteen I was, eight we’re Grands, brothers and hens. Crew cries if I break Grand says” lavender-Girl” Once A new beard left My pink breast started To feed.
October 25, 2022
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Poet, Lover, Birdwatcher

The poem bears the same title as the late poet Nissim Ezekiel’s poem and is a take on it. To force the winged creatures to be still For an enduring photograph Is not the way for those who Want to ‘capture’
October 25, 2022
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Pilgrimages and Travel Memories

My mother loved pilgrimages, in fact, several women of her generation loved it. Pilgrimages were the easy travel destinations for a lot of older women. Since it was an age devoid of social media and travel blogs, tourism had not
October 25, 2022
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Thankful for Life’s Bounty

In a garden, there is no pretence. You can see what is growing (or not). The seeds and plants don’t fight the natural rhythm of the seasons. Change is the only truth, the only constant. Here the cycle of life plays out
October 25, 2022

Booker Prize for the Indian Subcontinent

When located geographically, in strife and in conflict there is no peaceful past to remember, in the hope that memory will provide some solace in the traumatic present. Seeking distance from the current situation, trying to make sense of the
October 25, 2022

The Longing of Lotus-eyed Krishna

Interpreting a Folio from a Kangra Gita Govinda   Fig. 1: In the Gita Govinda, the sakhi persuades Radha to meet Krishna (c. 1820–1825), Ink and colour on paper, Bequest of Mrs Severance A. Millikin, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio
October 25, 2022

A Journey Gone Wrong -Book Review

Book Review: A Journey Gone Wrong Author: Gita Viswanath  Pune: Vishwakarma Publications (January 2022) Gita Viswanath’s recent novel, A Journey Gone Wrong (2022), lives up to the promise of her critically acclaimed first novel, Twice It Happened (2019). Both have significant
October 25, 2022
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I was a Candle, Lit for a Poet

He who burnt me to become the best poet! Because of her unstoppable gift for poetry writing, he courted her. He believed that she would have composed her best verses for someone else. Her muse made his life one of content
October 25, 2022
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Banjaaran

The emarald eyed banjaaran Offers green bangles to me. Where do you get the glass from? I ask her, now crystal eyed. From my tears, says she. I watch the clear gluey stream. Where do you get the green from? I ask
October 25, 2022
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Happy Family?

1. “Mom left? What do you mean by mom left?” Aman screamed, still standing. The early morning breeze flowing through the huge French-sized window on the opposite wall seemed to have warmed in an instant. Dad looked at him, his eyes were
October 25, 2022

FemAsia is Shortlisted – Asian Media Awards 2022

We are thrilled to share the news that FemAsia Magazine has been Shortlisted for the Asian Media Awards 2022 under the Best Publication / Website category. The Asian Media Awards is built to recognise the strength and depth of the British Media
October 25, 2022

The Secret Lives of Women with ADHD

In 2020, my life changed. I was diagnosed with ADHD around the time I was celebrating the diamond jubilee of my arrival on Planet Earth. Since early childhood I remember struggling with anger outbursts, being chronically late, feeling anxious in social
October 25, 2022