Don't rain

A mild drizzle, sprinkle drops,

forecasting, dark clouds overhead,

I rushed, taking out my bike,

trying to outrun, incoming rainfall.

Don't rain...

I prayed to divine powers,

to delay the inevitable showers, 

till I reach, arrive at destination,

with dry cloths and footwear.

I picked up the pace,

hearing rumble of distant thunder,

navigating through the traffic,

cursing the slower vehicles.

I could smell the moisture, 

a hint of pleasant petrichor, 

but my mind is occupied, 

in covering distance to my home.

A sudden flash, followed by roar,

I got caught, in a downpour,

drenched from head to toe,

not enough time to wear raincoat!

I found refuge under makeshift shed,

watching the relentless sheet of gray,

soaked to the bone, shivering in the chill,

as puddles formed, trees sway violently.

Don't rain...

I whispered one last time,

then admired this monsoon surprise,

as nature itself comes alive,

when sky and earth entwined.

Who am I to stop this union,

for my own convenience!

Spudcell : Synthetic cell

A breakthrough in synthetic biology,

developing world's first "bottom-up" cell,

capable of completing full life cycle. 

Spudcell...

Irregular, blobby shape resembling potato,

can feed, grow, and replicate their genome,

using non-living chemical components. 

Created in soup of molecules, genes & lipids,

spontaneously formed cell-like membranes, 

as if performing a miracle.

Researchers celebrate achieving milestone,

still, there are doubts, some hesitations, 

to consider this cell truly alive.

It can't manufacture its own ribosomes,

borrowed components degrade over time,

lineage failing after 5 to 10 generations. 

Spudcells...

As we ponder on threshold for life,

would we consider it superior to viruses,

when viruses can survive while it decays.

For, scientific definitions are clear,

triad of metabolic network, membrane & information carrier,

which were fulfilled by Spudcell.

Still, it is early to speculate,

we don't know how things evolve,

and we might form artificial life!

When pride triumphs feelings

When pride triumphs feelings,

It creates dangerous conditions, 

Where surface seems peaceful,

But over an active volcano,

Waiting to erupt...

With the slightest trigger.

And each lies, every excuses,

Becomes means to assert dominance,

We may feel satisfied by our positions, 

But in reality, we are losing trust,

Compromising integrity, corrupting character. 

What is depth?

The distinction we made,

to experience conversations, 

which doesn't bore us,

by floating on the surface.

What is depth?

We need introductions,

before delving into unknown, 

to develop strong affinity,

to pursue it till the end.

We have varied interests, 

which may align, lead to disagreements, 

forcing us to choose, make adjustments, 

maintain balance, need arrangements. 

There are genuine concerns,

lack of effort, giving due attention, 

creating ideal conditions to interact,

gradually diving into deeper parts.

So, what is depth...

It's too subjective a value,

to label our preferences, 

when a future being lost,

falling victim to impatience.

Seeking therapy

"You should try therapy,

it would be a great help,

having assisted in my healing,

I vouch for its effectiveness"

She said it nonchalantly, 

as if it's a natural thing,

making me perplexed, 

of what it supposed to mean.

She was the confident one,

taking challenges head on,

achieved so much in life,

that were aspired by many.

So I ponder the reasons,

modern women seeking therapy,

something reserved for specific issues,

entering into normal conversations. 

Does lifestyle change play a role,

burdens associated with being independent, 

loss of community, outsourcing connections, 

a healing journey, or finding validations?

Seeking therapy...

From medical treatment to wellness model,

there's a cultural shift in the narratives, 

it reduced the stigma around mental health,

yet, romanticized it into something regressive...

When used to deflect responsibilities!

Manifestations

We have been told,

to picture our dreams,

believing it wholeheartedly, 

for wishes to manifest.

Many are skeptical, 

doubting veracity of claims,

who questions firm believers,

to show them such miracles.

Manifestations...

I wonder how many prevailed, 

securing a seat at the top,

boasting of a winning mindset,

brought them closer to the goal.

For, when we have achievements, 

we tend to exaggerate moments, 

which were part of ordinary, 

but played important role in success.

And they overlook a thousand things,

that were abandoned, lost in journey, 

getting diverted from starting point, 

a radical departure from what they have been.  

Then again, when we count outcomes,

not the efforts, and disappointments, 

we prefer to emphasize progresses, 

which projects our competence.

Manifestations...

In the cacophony of praises, 

we drown the helpless cries,

of those unfortunate ones,

who have lost to the competitions.

They, too, have trusted themselves, 

pouring heart & soul on the subject,

still faced obstacles, even failures, 

obscured from sights, as others dazzles...

Who truly won, lottery of manifestations!

(P.S. I believe in manifestations, but also a practical person. We  must work towards our dreams along with keeping our faith in the universe)

Popping a pill

It's a generation thing,

or changing lifestyles, 

as people replacing meals,

by popping a pill.

In the era of micromanagement,

there's an emergence of supplements, 

markets flooded with options,

multivitamins, and dietary gummies.

This sudden surge, as rapid boom,

is not happening in a vacuum, 

but shows alarming concerns,

of modern living, & changing nutrition.

Industrial farming has depleted the soil,

reducing availability of vitamins & minerals,

while cooking is replaced by conveniences, 

for saving time, adding some insurances.

There's also rise of health issues,

byproducts of stress and exposures, 

pushing towards preventive measures, 

as promoted by social media influencers.

Popping a pill, I was thrilled,

to fill the gap, clear the bills,

body demands, deficiencies impacts,

to reach closer, to healthier me!

Don't make it a burden

It's your life, 

it's your decisions,

path you have taken,

determines the outcomes,

so, don't make it a burden...

We all have our dreams,

been given different options, 

but choices were made,

taking many considerations.

There will be sacrifices, 

facing trials & tribulations, 

still, we could endure hardships, 

when efforts come to fruition. 

It's a universal occurrence,

some facing few, others more,

testing limits of our tolerance, 

and depth of the character.

One can rebel, or to grovel, 

acting as victim, or get empowered,

when they react, to the pressures,

having the patience, or show frustrations. 

Don't make it a burden...

Face challenges with determinations,

overcome obstacles to attain positions, 

be it your professional, or personal life,

dedicate yourself with love & devotion, 

when you have made a choice,

provide sustained cooperation!

Shared experiences

I always wondered, 

how different or similar, 

they live around the world...

So I watched, 

as they showcased, 

walking down the roads,

in local street markets.

And I saw them experience,

be it Europe, Asia, or America,

them rushing for the work,

buying & selling products,

electric wires tangling overhead,

dented scooters, broken vases,

some places were messy,

while others clean, being cared 

And I felt a connection,

observing routines, their interactions, 

there's a charm, even in imperfections.

It is something I have missed,

while browsing through high societies, 

with tall buildings, elite neighborhoods, 

projecting aesthetics of perfections, 

lacking these gritty, cultural markers, 

as if detached from the realities.

Then again, it all depends,

on the lifestyle, I have lived,

experiences might be different, 

for the ones from higher societies,

where streets become foreign, 

while affluent lifestyles, 

feels closer to home.

In the end, we all crave,

for that shared experiences!

Choosing our diet

 From ancient times, human species are flexiterian omnivores. Their menu depended on climate, geography and cultural era.

So, people can be vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian under the ambit of our evolution. Even now, what we eat or how we eat is influenced by availability, interests, culture, and environmental conditions. Like people in temperate climate or colder regions are high-meat diet while people living in tropical or equatorial locations have high-plant diet.

Personally, I have a plant centric diet, with occasional inclusions of meat, predominantly eggs, and fish. It is primarily influenced by upbringing, as part of vegetarian household and a general aversion for animal-based diet.

I, like many in global communities, consider egg as vegetarian and as per traditions, consider milk product as best nutrition. 

But I completely understand the allure of protein heavy and highly pleasing taste of meats of higher animals be it chicken, mutton, pork, or others. 

The use of livestock as food resources can't be ignored when we see how much entrenched they are in people lifestyles. Still, I also understand the viewpoint of animal lovers to reduce sufferings of these sentient creatures. That is the very reason I have limited my intake, in special days or celebrations. Does it make me a hypocrite?

Looking back, I always had soft spot for animals. I stopping fishing in childhood, because I couldn't see them struggling once captured and taken out. Avoided the visits to meat stall or butchery. Even recently when visited chilika lake, I avoided crab curry because he asked me to choose the crab to kill and make it fresh. 

They say, people will stop eating non-vegetarian in commercial setups when they see how animals are treated in slaughterhouse. Sometimes I wonder how people can regularly visit or work in such places without impacting their mental health. Have they become numb, or lost their abilities for empathy or compassion. Then again, they have to feed their families, and someone had to do these works. Hunting is separate thing, when done for pleasure, thrill and display of power. 

So, I don't think we could reach any consesus on choosing our diets.

I like the world today

 I like the world today,

this era of globalization, 

having access to knowledge, 

which expands our perceptions. 

Having secured their basic survival, 

people have become more conscious, 

valuing aesthetics and individuality, 

with care for environmental concerns. 

For, we now have the conveniences,

allowing moments for inquisitiveness, 

reading, writing, indulging in plays,

creating personal space in digital age.

Our diets have become diverse, 

learning to optimize our nutrition, 

we kept moving towards efficiency, 

both in quantities and flavors. 

There's a drive for sustainable practices, 

we have been learning from mistakes, 

using technologies and innovations, 

to diversify the source of essentials. 

Yet, things haven't changed much,

with acceleration of modernization,

population still puts massive pressure,

through our consumption of resources. 

I like the world today,

as civilizations have matured enough, 

still greed for power & possessions, 

fuels the engine of global systems.

Hopefully, with newer technologies, 

we arrive at universal consensus, 

to protect, to cherish, to revive, 

what we have damaged...

Daily chores

I got bored,

doing routine chores,

these daily grinds,

of attending works.

I was supposed to have fun,

being passionate for my job,

feeling of joy and excitements, 

occupying my thoughts.

Yet, days were ordinary & predictable, 

there's no enthusiasm in my heart,

performing duties, engage in hobbies,

splitting time between office & home.

Sometimes having existential crisis,

re-evaluate my current directions, 

of desires and wishes fulfilled, 

beyond the graveyards of aspirations. 

Daily chores...

When I navigate real world,

I become weary of repetitions, 

in the monotony of living, 

for paychecks or elusive goals.

But then, I heard a voice,

speaking of my contributions, 

bringing smile in the faces,

facing hardships, & sufferings.

And I kept going...

Burn the bridge

I tried to evade,

look past the traits,

which seem intimidating, 

disappointing at best.

Burn the bridge...

An intuitive nudge,

I tried to ignore,

optimistic in outlook,

I opened the doors.

And it flooded,

bringing the elements,

of something raw,

of something important. 

Never have I felt,

feelings so intimate,

ignoring warning signs,

occasionally surfaced,

driven by hormones,

and naive imaginations,

I indulge on the treats.

Burn the bridge...

From fairy tales,

I was thrown into real world,

asking difficult questions, 

which were much needed.

Each time I gave a chance,

endured conflicting viewpoints, 

it furthered the distance, 

till nothing remained.