I became still

My heart skipped a beat

A tear dropped 

settled under the eye 

Unsettling the breathing pattern 

but then I took a sigh 

Lips broadened

A smile drew

A deep breath again 

The lungs felt full

Straightened my back 

Admired the gain 

And acknowledged the good

Winters

I taste the flavours of winter in hot cups of masala chai; the Sun peeking through doors/ windows in the morning; the sunlight dancing on the walls of my room; the clatter, creaking, clinking and rattle replacing the quietude of the nippy nights.

The empty coffee shops with wind chimes hanging on the balconies playing a lyrical song; the spiced taste of freshly baked cinnamon cake with aromatic coffee served with a smile; the candle-lit moments or a room bathed in warm glory of string lights; the warm blanket hiding you from the realities of the day; crickets chirping, dogs barking silenced by the music plugged in your ears until it is morning again. 

Have you felt love in the air?

Have you felt a magical spell while watching the changing colours of the sky? 

Have you felt a whirlwind of thoughts at the quietest of places? 

Have you felt connected with the music of the wind? 

Have you been open to receive all the emotions in your heart?

Has the call of the roaring waves raced your heart?

Have you befriended with the shooting stars? 

Have you hiked in the jungles making your own path?

Have you watched lightning in a pitch dark sky? 

Have you found a way up in the mountains with a flashlight?

Have you watched fireflies at night? 

Have you watched the colourful wings of a butterfly? 

Have you watched eagles flying high? 

If only you surrendered yourself completely to the moment, finding completeness in nothingness.

I am 
the streets I tread upon;
colours smeared on the walls; 
the dust, wind, rain or snow.

The loud laughter, faint smile;
hidden tears, anger;
The emotions I float upon.

I am
the noise, the silence;
the constant and the still;
the rush of the city;
laid back vibe of the town.

A lonely beach, mountain top;
a wild jungle, starry sky;
I call home. 

The Beach

Walking bare feet on the beach like planting pecks on blistering sand;

the endless sea touching the horizon,

the subtle breeze soothing the sultry bodies like flavour of mint in fresh lime juice;

the sand slipping through toes like showers of light rain on the body, mind and soul;

glittery specks in sand illuminate the body as I sit nonchalantly on the land;

the scintillating, dancing ebbs and flows look magical under the mighty Sun’s glow;

shiny shells and glistening pebbles better clasped in hands than half dug in sand;

the thunderous thousand claps of waves ceaselessly slap water till the bay;

The clonk of coconuts hanging on the trees, birds flying by and dogs playing carefree. 

Take the chance today you’re being offered as tomorrow it would be someone else’s turn. You won’t get anything in life until you ask for. Dream, ask, believe in yourself and go for it. Don’t waste time in discussion or argument. Keep writing your destiny in the diary of your life. 

Dejection is normal but that drives you crazy to turn the abstract idea into reality. 

People would never understand about your dreams coz they are yours. 

Live them, make them come true and then they will understand. Don’t wait for the right time or the next moment. Create your own dreams now.

The smile will get deeper with your achievements so will your wrinkles with time. The best weather to ski is this winter, the best moment to travel is now. The best time to learn to walk even a baby knows will come with crawling first and falling a hundred times.

Fall to rise again, drown to swim again. Don’t sit at home thinking that you’ll fail or it’s not the time now. People will tell you it’s not your age or it’s for the boys/girls. People would question you about the reason of your dreams. I have realised coz they have never answered the knock of the chances or dared to listen to the call during the dreams we sleep for.

Farewell

The days will pass but the memories would stay fresh in our minds 

like dried flowers nonchalantly kept,

 but still spreading the sweet fragrance to remind 

Passing from the alleys

Or sitting in the office 

The tough and selfless decisions 

Would be missed

We come and leave footprints 

on the sands of time

Receiving new projects 

on the journey of our lives

May Our Beloved Master hold your hand

with benevolent love and care

to persevere and tread ahead

The way you look at things matter the most. Your moods and patterns fluctuate according to the situations in life. 

There are highs and lows like the tides in the ocean you admire for hours sitting at a beach. Acceptance of your true self is the basic essential. Once you accept the real you hidden among the notoriety of judgements, loving yourself becomes the priority. Throw away the garb, the sheets, the camouflage, the poster image for everyone. 

What does your heart desire my love? Ask questions to your inner self. Accept loss, pain, disease just like you make love.

Ask yourself, manifest your own dreams without escaping reality. Speak it out. 

If there’s sadness, it’s momentary just like the winds of happiness that brush your face. Accept your bruises, guilts, desires like the hickeys you wear on your body. 

I will have a sound sleep tonight as I spoke to you about my fears and doubts. I may have rambled but wanted someone to just listen to me. For the longest time, I have waited for this slumber. 

I don’t need my sleeping pills tonight maybe I would feel the need tomorrow. 

What matters the most is the moment I breathe now. Tomorrow I may be dead.

While reading these words, I want you to keep a hand on your heart to feel the beats for three seconds. Follow the pace and rhythm, close your eyes and let the memories of love, loss, pain, flash in front of your tired eyes. Yes, you have faced these times and the memories are fading now. Going through a trauma you’ve shed tears, felt pain in the heart. 

What made you strong? Time. It moves slowly when you wish it to pass like a wind. You’re a fighter. Yes, you are. 

Let me just look at you when you smile.

Let me listen to you while you confide. 

Let me just hug you like it’s the last time. 

Let me say all the things through silence. 

Let me drive you to faraway lands. 

Let me carry your emotional baggage.

Let me hold your hand.

Let me be at your side in moments of despair.

Let me just know when you need me,

I’ll be there.

The comfort in the discomfort of a bed of rocks;

The stability in the movement of water;

The beauty in the rawness of nature;

The candle lit room during nights;

The perfume of flowers during pale mornings;

The subtle smile after teary eyed times;

The simple joys lived during complex days and nights.

Naked realities and sensuous words

Whispered in ears or written in bold 

Dipped in the ink of love 

Unfettered and wild 

Hazy words hang loosely on the steamy mirrors

Invisible in a while

3 am

I sometimes feel I own the Night 

She sways her hips into sensuous tunes

Rendering songs she slowly burns

Glistens under the silvery moonlight

Lights up her mood with an ecstatic dance

Undresses the weariness of the day 

Later, blankets herself with diamond stars

Autumn

The movement of leaves during fall 

is slow like the first kiss 

Long and dreamy

The leaves rustle

like footsteps 

walking ahead of our noisy past

The rays of the sun create images 

on the bare white wall - the soul’s 

projection of unfiltered thoughts

A flock of nocturnal birds

finding time.

Artists, explorers, 

scientists, gamers

loners and lovers.

During nights,

souls are naked 

in front of mirrors 

like washed faces 

removing a layer of 

makeup.

Shrunken bodies and 

drunken souls;

snuggling in bed 

to find warmth;

caressed by Jazz 

or hit by Rap;

living in a trance 

to find romance.

A cigarette butt 

or a book in hand,

the thoughts run 

loose and wild.

Let them flow.

Fragrance of love fades away

like the smell of a freshly baked cake 

in an oven 

slowly simmering in the room 

Dying out by the aroma of the next dish or coffee brew

Wound of love remains fresh like bruises

of clumsy people 

Hurt softly but felt harshly 

Healing but until the next time 

Dil mein jo yaadein hain unhein sambhalkar rakhna 

Ek nishani wahi to baaki hai

Khud se bechain

Khud se pareshan 

Nikal pade the us raah par

Har jagah dikha andhera 

Phir bhi be - ummid na the hum 

Roshni liye chalte gaye 

Jab tak aag thi dil mein 

Ruke nahi humare kadam 

Pichhli dafa hum the khafa

Aaj masroof aur beparwah hain zara

Yun raah par milna ittefaq nahi 

Par kal jaisa to kuch aaj nahi

Bahut dinon se kuch likha nahi 

Socha aaj kalam uthai jae 

Behte hain ashq jaise 

Waise syahi chalai jae 

Kitaab ke panne khatam

Lekin baatein abhi baaki hain 

Kuch ehsaas aur jazbaat abhi baaki hain

I have made home in little huts

I have made friends with unknown yet loving souls 

Meet them in the moments I close my eyes 

Meet the desires of your heart in the desert of love.

The half-read books
The half- learnt guitar
The half-burnt cake
The half-lit candles
The half songs I have tried
The one coat of nail paint I have applied
The half journey to the mountains
The halves of bread I have shared
The half conversations that disrupted
The half movies I have watched
The half prayers I have made
The half moments I have shared
The half calls I have made
The half friendships, the half relationships
I dedicate these halves to you
Write to me about yours
Let us feel complete

Is safar par chalte jana 

Rukein jo kadam khud ko yaad dilana 

Adhoore jo khwaab hain

Unhein poora karna 

Bas nikal jana 

jahan dil kare chalte jana 

Raaste par jo mod pasand aaye 

wahan chalte jana

What does life ask from you?

What does your heart beat for?

What are you living for?

What are you ready to die for?

What brings laughter?

What makes you cry?

What are you waiting for?

What makes you stop?

How have you come this far?

How have you never stopped?

How do you go on with the lingering pain inside? 

How do you listen to your heart in the midst of the cacophony of the world?

Travel Vlog- Mindrolling Monastery Dehradun

2 February 2019

Dearest family of friends and loved ones,

I would like to officially announce my contribution as a writer in a book named ‘Unread’, a collection of literary works penned by a hundred writers from India.

It has been curated and edited by Platform For Artists. 

‘Unread’ is an eponymous title to unveil the unpublished writings of writers coming together for this project. 

I am thrilled, contented and emotional about the launch of the book ‘Unread’ on 23rd February 2019 in Mumbai.

I’ve been writing for years on tissue papers, notes section in my phone and mostly the emotions and thoughts stay in my mind which I translate into words on paper. 

During my elementary school days, I started writing but didn’t realise the essence of words at that point in time. So I used to write and throw the papers in trash cans making paper balls.

Later, during middle school days, I made a diary, a treasure of my poems and travel. The blogging world gave me the opportunity to share my poetry with the world and since 2007 I’ve been publishing the content there. 

I am grateful to Tushar Mangal, my childhood school friend as he rightly deserves a lot of credit to sow the seed of blogging. He also gave the name to my blog www.shaistazeasel.blogspot.com 

I am deeply indebted to all the readers and well-wishers in my life for appreciating and motivating me to write and share my writings on a regular basis. 

I am glad to continue writing to be recognised as a published Indian author today.

Siddhnath Barahdwari, Omkareshwar Hill

31.12.2018

Omkareshwar is a religious temple town in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh 80 km from Indore and 70 km from Khandwa.

Siddharth Barahdwari is an ancient temple standing tall on an Om shaped island hillock. 

The temple is built on an 8 feet high porch providing a stunning view of the Omkareshwar dam and Narmada river.

To reach this stunning architectural ancient wonder, one needs to take the Omkar Parikrama, a 7-kilometre hike between village homes and shops on the island hillock. 

A lot of harmless Langoors and dogs will keep you company with sweet locals selling lemon water. 

This is the last temple on the hike where one can sit in the peaceful aura for a while and feel the breeze.

The sculptures of elephants, gods and goddesses, flowers on the pillars and writings on the temple walls and pillars provide an incredible experience to history enthusiasts and travellers.

Second picture credit- Muskaan

Lakshman Jhula Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

11.1.2019

I backpacked solo to Rishikesh in June 2017 and returned with a heart full of love, adventurous memories of river rafting in the river Ganga and friendships.

Today, early in the morning, Sumiran Caprihan and I reached Rishikesh after a fourteen-hour bus ride from the snow-laden mountains of Manali. 

After a quick tour of Zostel Rishikesh in the morning at 7:10 am, we left for a walk in the peaceful, cold and windy morning. 

I feel blessed, happy and calm to be back. This place gave a lot to me and I am here to experience the unknown bliss I’ll gather in the upcoming moments during my stay this time.

Tip- Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the view of river Ganga and soak in the peaceful vibes of Rishikesh as evenings are busy especially on the swinging bridge Lakshman Jhula.

credit- Sumiran

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

11.1.2019
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
The rush in the mind is settled by the windy yet peaceful mornings at Rishikesh.

Mind Rolling Monastery, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Shaisology

15.1.2019

Mind Rolling Monastery

Dehradun, Uttarakhand 

During a solitary stroll in the Mind Rolling monastery, I passed through a smiling face sitting on a bench. Our eyes met and I took my steps backwards as the rosy cheeks, smiling and glowing face pulled me close. 

We both looked at each other to find a pure connection. 

Neither did she speak Hindi or English nor did I speak her local language. 

The woman and I talked for a few moments as the man sitting next to her became our interpreter. He told me that she hails from Ladakh.

I wanted a picture of hers to which she denied but agreed for a group picture. 

Adding a bright jewel to the treasure of my heart, she has become a part of me bringing smiles and kindness which fades away in the discomfort and sadnesses of daily life.

A surge of emotions floating in the mind 

like a boat sailing on rough waters 

about to drown

yet rising up again

like a phoenix from the ashes 

Focus, faith, knowledge

the sailor needs 

to pass through 

reaching to the smooth waters 

just for a while

• Shaista Dhanda 16.1.2019

Don't remember to forget but learn to unlearn. - Shaista Dhanda

Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount Mumbai

This beautiful, spellbinding historical Basilica commonly known as Mount Mary Church is located near Lands End Bandra in Mumbai. It is a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to Virgin Mary, made of stone.

Tourists, travellers, history enthusiasts, Christians and Non Christians have been visiting this CNon-Christiansreds of years. This ancient church, built in 1640 and then rebuilt in 1761 is an interesting stone structure reflecting characteristics of Gothic architecture, looks stunning during sunsets. 

Bundi, Rajasthan

Spectacular • Silent • Poetic 

All I wanted to travel to Bundi was to sit back and enjoy this view. It is a forty-five-minute road trip from Kota, the nearest major train station. A seventy rupee ticket and a tuk-tuk ride from the bus station leads to this mesmerising palace.

3 AM

I sometimes feel I own the Night 

She sways her hips into sensuous tunes

Rendering songs she slowly burns

Glistens under the silvery moonlight

Lights up her mood with an ecstatic dance

Undresses the weariness of the day 

Later, blankets herself with diamond stars

- Shaista Dhanda 3.12.2018

Naked realities and 

sensuous words

Whispered in ears 

or 

written in bold 

Dipped 

in the ink of love 

Unfettered and wild 

Hazy words 

hang loosely 

on the steamy mirrors

Invisible in a while

- Shaista Dhanda

Autumn

Autumn

The movement of leaves

during fall is like the 

         first kiss 

Long and dreamy

The leaves rustle like footsteps walking 

ahead of our noisy past

The rays of the Sun create images 

on the bare white wall -- 

the soul’s projection of 

unfiltered

thoughts

- Shaista Dhanda