Dreams

Three little birdies wanted to fly west. They had their reasons, you see. Different ones each, I mean. And they didn’t really know each other, but since they were all planning to fly west, they thought they’d make a pretty formation in the sky. A nice ‘V’, they all agreed, could be made with three [...]

Teddy Bears

Comfy and warm. Good for bearhugs. Phenomenal for your ego.
You may have put them away in a cupboard, in a trunk that’s a pain to get at now. You may even have given them away, so they’re in a different place now. But when you see them again, you can be sure of the bearhug.

Kites

Colourful, gorgeous. Flying high and free, rather mysterious because you’ll never know who holds the strings.
You’re too old, you tell yourself, and steal a glance. You smile, shake your head, and look up to watch them properly.
You might cut yourself on the string, sometimes, but isn’t it worth it to watch them soar? And to [...]

Poornalu

They don’t make them often, so they’re hard to find. Padahaaranalu Telugu.
Crisp on the outside, soft inside; a lightly salty bland crust enclosing the yummy sweet inside.
They’re a pain. You have to take efforts to get them just right - cook, grind, fry. Just like you need to argue and cajole, to trust and talk, [...]

Chocolate

Indescribably lovely. The smell can light up a room like someone’s smile.
You can have too much of it, but you can never have enough, like Sunday morning calls. It can be bitter, like an argument. But it feels wonderful afterwards, anyway.
It could be a little nutty, it could drive you crazy, but could you live [...]

Matke ka paani

Thanda thanda. But not cold. Not freezing. No ice-princess business. (Ice-prince?)
And then, when you drink it, leaves behind a lovely taste in your mouth. Warm earth. Like a good conversation.
Ever touch a matka? The touch can make you smile - grainy, rough, pleasant. Like a crooked smile showing tobacco-stained teeth.