iPhone click 
trees drape green,
the golden one smiles-
honey pots rolling down.
~ Aparna
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Midnighthues Poetry by Aparna Reddy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
We Exist….
Picture source: Internet
We Exist….
death percolating at street corners,
waiting for life to intersect,
minds beleaguered by fear -
calling on vigilance
acknowledging control
that the mindless exert,
embracing ensnared existence -
forget to live? shall we?
carnage beyond intellect,
justifies no God or religion
a profound truth ignored -
let’s accept, shall we ?
life’s fragile reflection,
in rage’s ubiquitous mirrors,
is but a gentle reminder:
to be human and find respite.
~ Aparna
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Midnighthues Poetry by Aparna Reddy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Spring Haiku
Point and Shoot Click
Spring Haiku
rainy spring day:
clouds kiss the hills,
heaven and earth blur.
~ Aparna
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Midnighthues Poetry by Aparna Reddy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Hush! A Secret
Hush! A Secret
Secret- hold one?
thy burdened heart,
skips many beats
seal those lips,
thy fingers-
dance to charade
secrets you behold
has divine,
as your witness
thy mind dreads,
its haunting spells-
its shadows,
I cannot quell-
Ah, can I hold,
your strings,
if another, I reveal ?
Oh wither, secret
you spread,
like rapid fire…
Perfidy! your spell,
once broken-
dear ones shatter
I didn’t mention
hush, can you
hold this secret ?
~ Aparna
A Book Review: “Oleander Girl” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s novel, Oleander Girl is a wonderful coming of age story. Chitra with her elegant story telling skills brings us another powerful and riveting story- a story of a strong young woman, Karobi ( means Oleander in Bengali), whose life takes many turns when she comes across a family secret and sets on a journey to unravel that secret. Chitra masterfully crafted the plot around this secret and her characters come to life with their emotions of fear, pain, love and reconciliation. Amidst these emotions, as an immigrant writer, Chitra also confronts issues related to racism and communalism in a soul searching way.
This story is set in Kolkata and moves to post 9/11 United States. Kolkata is resplendent in Chitra’s depiction of old traditions and exploration of modern lifestyles: a true reflection of India today. Like Tony Bennett, who left his heart behind in San Francisco- I must say, Chitra too has a soft corner for Berkeley and SF Bay Area. Most of her stories are centered around Bay Area cities and as a proud resident of SF Bay Area, I feel exhilarated when I come across familiar cities and landmarks in her books.
Some of Divakaruni’s novels were made into Hollywood movies and Indian tele- series, this book too has the potential for another Indo- US film venture. It has elements of a gripping mystery, iconoclastic characters, romance, drama, action and international settings.
http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/
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Midnighthues Poetry by Aparna Reddy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
The Splendor of Spring
My iPhone capture
The Splendor of Spring
I gaze through the window at the first sign of light,
I barely can take my eyes off this breathtaking sight.
A burst of fresh colors exploding along the roadside,
I cannot wait to see the array of glowing hues outside.
Cherry blossoms white and pink blooming full swing,
Inviting the golden yellow finches and orange orioles, to come sing.
Shrubs and trees slowly coming back to life with a hint of green,
The sun kissed rolling hills look velvety behind this enchanting scene.
Winter’s weary portrait, I see transpiring,
This splendor of spring, I find awe inspiring.
I stride along the trails, exhaling my mundane thought,
I stretch out my arms, inhaling the simple pleasure that nature has brought.
~Aparna
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Midnighthues Poetry by Aparna Reddy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
iPhone capture
Another Morning
Celebrating my blogging anniversary today with one of my earlier poems. This poem makes me feel hopeful and confident about having a good day despite all the odds. I believe that nature brings the best in everyone, if we consciously seek our inspiration from it. When we believe that we are a part of this cosmic world, our mind and body can be entrained with the rhythm of the universe. I am neither being mystical nor esoteric here, but I am just emphasizing importance of looking outside to seek inspiration. We are so engrossed in our daily routines that we seldom pay attention to our beautiful surroundings. Writing poetry has opened me up to a heightened consciousness and I must say that it sharpened my intuition as well as awareness.
Another Morning
the long night may last
it seems forever-
lose not your hope dear,
the robust day will always splash through
without saying never
piercing through the morning mist,
the sun stretches it’s sparkling rays,
announces it’s radiant greetings,
it is now a new beginning
may I insist!
the wind sways across the field,
strumming its sweet morning melody
In my distant sleep, I yield-
to the birds chirping,
to an exciting day,
nibbling on the crumbs in rhapsody
it is another morning
with a new beginning,
I dream….
I slowly awaken,
hoping it to be magical,
I gleam
I hear the bees waltzing,
to a subtle chorus,
on a sweet flower-
I wake up to that gentle opus,
a cheer and a smile I endeavor
~ Aparna
My iPhone picture on a stroll in my neighborhood.
Midnighthues Poetry by Aparna Reddy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Solitude Is Bliss
Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone. ~Paul Tillich
Photo Credit: “Tanhai” means loneliness- Pramod Reddy
Solitude is Bliss
solitude is bliss…
you can be a
dancing dervish
if you wish,
the constellation
is wide open
to even miss,
loneliness as a
thought -then
by all means
you can resist,
the stars can
give you company
if you insist,
solitude is bliss…
contemplate
like a poet
if you wish
your feelings,
you can express
with the stroke
of your pen-
the galaxies
can come down
to you- just have
to think -when-
solitude is bliss….
the mind has
myriad of things,
the muses
can set them
on flying wings,
solitude is bliss…
you can be
an artist,
if you wish
splash the colors
stroke that brush
create you will
some wonders-
yes, magical
images of bliss!
~Aparna
Midnighthues Poetry by Aparna Reddy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
