Don't...

Don’t be my shadow,
Following me around when there’s light
To abandon me in dark times
Don’t be my footsteps
Going backwards as I go forward
to run away with the waves
Don’t be my scent
Reaching others before I do
To let them in on my secrets
Be my heartbeat
Keep me alive
With each beat 
Let me rise
Just to fall
in love with you.
Again.

The Big Fat Indian Stereotype

They see curry on my plate
And begin their sad monologue
About how Indian I am 
Wisecracks about my limited career options
And remarks on my 'pre-destined married life'
Gaffs at ‘The Great Indian Nod’
Reflecting their inability to distinguish our yes from a no
Throw in a few Bollywood songs
And they are done for the day
Signing off with a Namaste
I don’t say a thing 
And sometimes laugh along 
Yes, my accent is thick
And my ‘Ts’ sound like machine guns
On a roll
But that’s why it’s called an accent, silly!
I love me some curry with some red chilli
But on other days I’d rather kick back 
With some chinese 
on the go. 
No, we don’t dance when we are happy
Nor do we run around trees
When there’s joy, we
Laugh and smile 
amidst hugs and kisses
We sing, badly, in the shower
And dance when getting rid of pesky roaches
You see, it’s very tough
To explain what it's like
To be Indian
To be an Indian Woman
To be an Indian Muslim Woman
My experiences are mine
and mine alone
So don’t put me in a box, 
along with your expensive pashmina shawls and ivory figurines,
And label me ‘Exotic’.
For I will break free and let you know that
I am you.
Maybe a little browner.

I am...

I am 


Intertwined fingers in a crowded subway 


Stolen glances in a living room


Shy kisses from a lovely bride


Lazy crumpled sheets in the bedroom


Warm tenderness in a mother’s eyes

The smell of strong coffee brewing in the kitchen

Sharp ting of freshly mowed grass in long summers

Tiny yellow post its on the big white fridge

Square peanut butter-jelly sandwich in brown paper bags

Bloody band aids on bruised foreheads.

I am

A warm embrace after a rainy day



I am

Pain in a patient’s sigh

Parting tears in an inevitable loss

Blind footsteps following denial.

Latent heaviness in torn hearts and

The time taken to heal thereafter.



I am faith in a believer's heart

I am hope in a prayer answered

I add colour

to black and white lives

I am Love

And you need me now.

Curry Love

Cackling cumin
Bursting flavour into boiling oil
Turning brown
Making way for
Emotional onions
More sizzle 
Pan spitting oil
A gentle stir
Maybe two
Wait and watch 
Till they turn a crispy golden
Now ripe tomatoes
Blushing red
Oozing juice
Scandalizing the rest
A dash of turmeric
For ancient wisdom
And green chilli slices
For some kicks.
A spoonful of 
Earthy wonder with 
Ginger and garlic 
The delectable duo 
Chopped up coriander
For a herby twist
Some bread and
Darling, we are having Indian tonight.

Source: http://dementiascotland.org/careforacurry/

A Secret

I have a secret

Delicious

Tantalising my tongue

Pulling on my lips

Waiting to escape,

hide in your ears

And change shape

Maybe put on some weight

Or lose some

Gain a new personality

Before running away

I have a secret

If only I could tell...

Us

Here we are

Me and you

Throwing words

Spilling tears

Breaking hearts

Back and forth

On and on

Mounting rage

Forgotten vows

in chaos 

Then a giggle

A baby sigh

From the crib

Quelling rage

Melting doubts

Crushing ego

Here we are

You and me

Throwing hugs

Spilling love

Breaking walls

now reminded

We are in this together

With our little one

Acid Burn

I want to know

Your thoughts that day,

When you picked up that vial

From the chemistry lab

Turned right around and flung it on my face

What were you thinking,

When you saw the liquid blind my eyes then

Slowly drip down my cheeks

Down my neck and through my shirt

Burning its way through.

What did you think

When you saw burning trails of flesh where once

Were cheeks which could blush

Cheeks which turned away your advances

What made you think you could,

With this burning liquid

Alter my face

Mess it so bad

That I now have this grotesque mask

Of burnt flesh, melting, parting and meeting at different spots

Blotches- black, brown, blue, grey-

Of pain numbing my insides

What do you think now

That you see me in this bed

Writhing in pain, wishing to die

Tell me. I want to know.