roots

Revised 

 I had to walk through a wooded path today 

seeking a shortcut to the shops

when I stepped on roots protuding out of the soil, 

gnarled, entwined.

I pressed on, knowing they would bear my weight,

not give way,

like how I used to walk on my dad's back as a child,

to massage him, he'd say.

I'd trek back and forth on that broad back, 

giggling even,

never doubting that he would bear my weight.

After all, my parents have borne me all my life;

my petulant tantrums,

my late nights without calling,

my taunts that suggested they knew nothing, ha,

all the while holding me up

so I could sway and dance,

confident they'd bear me up

always.

----

I had to walk thru a wooded path today seeking a shortcut to the shops

And i stepped on roots protuding out of the soil, gnarled entwined 

Knowing they would bear my weight

Not give way

Like how i used to walk on my dad's back as a child

To massage him he'd say

I'd trek back and forth

On that broad back 

Giggling even 

Never doubting once 

that he would bear my weight 

Like roots bear the weight of mighty trees

So my parents bear me

My petulant tantrums

My barbed words

My late nights without calling

My taunts that suggested they knew nothing ha

All the while

Holding me up

So i could sway and dance

in the winds of time

Confident they'd bear me up

Always

stones

We offer beauty to god

Usually flowers and fruit 

But my son, at three, saw beauty in rocks

Day after day id find new stones at the altar

God made rocks too he'd say

These were not the quartz speckled twinkling variety, 

Nor the tide smoothened round pebbles 

They were mostly small nd mishapen

stained brown from stoning on soil

But he saw grace

At three he taught me

God's creations are beautiful 

even indelicate ones

And that there is beauty in the everyday

If we could see the world with a child's eye

that sometimes only children see

Sad to say he outgrew this habit of collecting rocks for god

But 

books this year

After a long time, I'm posting about books I've read again. Admittedly i haven't read as many new works this year as last but here's a selection i've read this year

1. Perumal Murugan's  A Lonely Harvest. 

The other possible continuation of One Part Woman. I didn't expect it but i much preferred this to Trial by Silence. There, the main character, Kali lives despite his suicide attempt but gives Ponna the silent treatment the whole book through.  I couldn't take it, this vibrant, full of life character so broken by the perceived betrayal of his wife. 

In this version, he dies, gasp!  but the book focuses on how the women in the family rally together to help Ponna move on, and overall feels lile a more hopeful read. I strongly recommend reading all three books : One part woman, Trial by Silence and A Lonely Harvest! 

2. Circe by Madelline Miller. Beautiful lyrical writing and imaginative take on the Greek myth, with a strong focus on the female voices and stories.  Really enjoyed this and loomking forward to reading Song of Achilles next. 

3. Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. I came back to the world of Katniss Everdeen in this prequel, well before she was born,  and got insight into President Snow's rise to power. I couldn't put it down after I got past the first two chapters. Chilling for its parallels to our world today too. 

4. Thomas Hitoshi Pruikshima's The Kural.  I can't say I've read the whole book but I have sat with some of the verses, especially during my course with Thomas, which was a meditative balm much needed in these troubled times. I do recommend others take it up if you can! Its called Taller than a Mountain.