My Featured Blogger this week is Veena Sood of Recollections At Fall. Poet and essayist Veena lives in the northern Indian city of Shimla, a popular tourist destination nestled at the base of the Himalayas. But it’s also an educational center with a long literary tradition, which is where Veena fits in.
Veena began her blog, she says, to reach “the heights which my soul craves.” “Mortality gnaws,” she notes, and “fall has set in,” so “it is now or never.” But Veena’s ponderings are not merely for her. Along the way, she touches our humanity and challenges us to reach for new heights, as well.
On rare pensive moments when one contemplates on the vagaries of human existence
Fleeting thoughts and images flash with persistence
You stop the car at the traffic lights an emaciated maimed hand knocks at the window
With irritation writ large on your face and harsh words you glare at the mutilated wreck
Admonish the waif and scrutinize the window pane for an invisible speck
Never to ponder whether the disfigurement was natural or a brutal imposition
The coercion and agony during the process hastened to serve a vile commission
The vacant look the dumb lips must have spoken million words lost to your communication
An entourage complete children nanny and pet head for the urban park you follow lovingly
Footsteps arrested you frown at your child’s curiosity at the urchins scrounging the bin hungrily
With stern instructions and unwanted vehemence you drag him away from the scum
Never does it…
View original post 215 more words
Mitch Teemley 
It’s hard to like for this post..
LikeLiked by 2 people
I understand, Athira. It’s heart-wrenching, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes it is…we used to see many like this..one or other situations in various context
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you mitch for highlighting this writer who has shown the hard truth of what is in our world and at times people neglect to notice. It is heartbreaking what some experience and may we be moved to extend our hand to help the less fortunate. Blessings to you this day.
Julia
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amen, Julia, and blessings to you too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Being an Indian, I am aware of this harsh reality. It’s really heart wrenching and painful. Thanks for sharing this post and acknowleging the writer. It reminds us everyday, how grateful, we should be for the life that we lead.
My best regards,
LikeLiked by 2 people
When these innocents get their rights 😔
God be with them
LikeLiked by 2 people
We must always remember that there may be angels among us, and that we must live our lives pursuing God’s heart the way David did.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Powerful and disturbing. So many intertwined issues and images in one post. Thank you for sharing Veena with us. She is a treasure.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dear Mitch this reblog came as a pleasant surprise . Thank you so much . Of late I have been away from WordPress just pondering as to whether I am any nearer to what I wished to achieve .You have encouraged me and surely I will continue to pen my thoughts . Thanks
LikeLiked by 2 people
The honor is mine, Veena. Delighted to have encouraged you.
LikeLiked by 2 people