'Tis Time for Roses!

 #DailyFlowers

Time as usual has flown by and we have moved into 2025; winter is here, hopefully moving on and Spring is signaling its entrance and that means flowers galore. And it is time for Roses to take centerstage. If you are regular reader of my blog, you'd know that my Delhi aunt was looking forward to checking out Roses, but a bad fall put that on the backburner. Seeing her love for roses, I requested Shalini to please go out and capture Roses on her sojourns round the city and share. This post features those shares. Of course, aunt's little back garden that houses a few roses has also sent in its contributions.

Roses, roses in all their colorful glory

Each hue, shade telling its own story

A few from friends' travels come

Some darlings of back gardens become

Each dancing to its own music & drum

Amazing hues make their play

As our gazes on them stay

A pair are featured here

The colors likely beyond compare

A bud when I was visiting

Soon turned into a full bloom

A color so lovely 

It cast away the winter gloom

My exhortation to Shalini brought forth

Quite likely a camera's entire worth

Showcasing them was a joy

All of Designer's skills I had to employ

Some frames might have repeats

For these roses, my heart did beat

Newer settings did strive to please

May have succeeded to tiny degrees

My Co-Contributors: Neena & Shalini; Neena; Rina; Neena & Rina; Neena; both frames: Shalini; Shalini & Neena; Neena & Rina. My ageing brain has had me missing Shantha out, my apologies! All Rina's shares via Shalini

Of Weddings, Flowers & Lil Furballs

#DailyFlowers

Over the last 20 days of December the blogger has had the honor of attending 2 weddings. One in the extended family and of a friend's daughter. Could the weddings have been more dissimilar yet similar, is difficult to say. The mehndi & ladies sangeet at both were filled with song, dance, laughter, togetherness, family, friendly competition, good food and more. The weddings were a solemn occasion as they should be along with the usual revelry, song, dance, band-baja-baraat, jaimal & pheras. At both the blogger broke from the norm and wore traditional Indian attire (more on that some other time). But this post is being written specifically for Shalini. Permission to use some commonly shared pix has been sought and taken for granted, (alas the blogger is wicked)!

Into the bitter Delhi winter, the blogger went
In response to summons Shalini had sent
Her darling daughter was tying the knot
Friends were to be present, the lot 
Mehndi, ladies sangeet, the wedding was a fun-filled day
As music, dance, laughter, songs held sway
Escorted to the dais by a dancing singing team
Joy, laughter, love, music and much more fun was the theme
Darling daughter & groom to be
Complimented each other in attire for all to see
The bridal side was singing banna-banni songs
The groom’s mother added her melodious voice along
One saree eclipsed another as color decked the halls
The men didn’t lag behind and added to the thrall
Dance matchups lit up the stage
As both parties competed for advantage

Delhi in winter is actually great fun

There are many goodies to savor in the sun

And mums, petunias, roses all are on display

Their multiple hues make for gorgeous displays

My aunt a visit to the rose show did devise

But that excursion never did arise

Alas, a slip of hand and foot was all it took

From a bad tumble, my aunt was all shook

Speedy recovery for her is desired

For her continued good health many have inquired

The sun came out after a gloomy rainy day
And all of God’s beings came out to play
Three lil furballs scampered around
From tree to cycle to basket to ground
Tiring of all the jumping and play
They did on the table curl and lay
One lil furball decided to be queen
With her head down declined to be seen
Both Shalini & Captain came to mind
As the blogger captured antics of the feline kind

Excluding wedding, all pix taken by the blogger!

Blooms in Profusion

 #DailyFlowers

Life! The blogger did intend to post more, but a bad cold and cough did throw out that score. Days spent coughing, hacking, drinking warm liquids by the gallon, doctors chipping in with medicines, hopefully all will be set right soon.

Last night preparing to sleep

Some lines rumbled in mind

This morning on awakening

They have disappeared into the sands of time

Strange are the ways of words & lines

Hither and thither they run, scrambling in rhymes

Some things were to start

But they seem to be more falling apart

Some news with close friends shared

Resulted in a loud indignant nay
Seems like Lady Luck is running scared
In the midst of all this confusion
Nature’s many hues bloom in profusion
Contributors are still going strong
Their shares now demanding their songs
Their clamor is loud and clear

No more laziness will they bear 

Pix Contributed by
Shashi, Alka, Shalini & Shantha; Euphorbia Milli by Rachna

A Green Thumb

 #DailyFlowers

My cousin is an avid gardener, and her garden is always in full bloom, a testament to her efforts. Across the years that this blog has been running, she has been a major contributor. Recently she shared some gems. This post is for her efforts. 

A green thumb and a gardener’s heart
Are what my cousin has
Her garden in full bloom is a work of art
Pots and plants are sprinkled around
While nature’s majesty abounds
A single color is not her way
Multiple hues bloom and sway
Bougainvillea in pots on her terrace do preside
Astonishing hues the eyes to themselves do guide

My co-contributors: Rachna

Time's Grace

 #DailyFlowers

It's been quite some time since I last posted, in April this year. Sometimes it felt as if there would be no more posts, thankfully that's not so. Although words are yet to gush unstoppably, they have started to flow. 

The words while slow are starting to come

A line or two and then some

But if fingers to keyboard be slow

Up and away they go

Things are still to fall in place

Time for rumination thus has been a grace

Calmness of heart is not complete

Life, however, throbs to its beat

Seasons come & season go

A never-ending flow

Contributors & friends have stood steadfast

Their shares harken to present, future and past

Pix contributed by

Shalini, Vivek & Shantha.

My apologies, I have somehow missed Shashi's shares! Next time! 

Colors Bright

 #DailyFlowers

Temperatures are on the rise

That means in come summer supplies

Needing to go out is sheer torture

The sun is a complete scorcher

Things have suddenly turned topsy-turvy

One wonders if all efforts are worthy

Will they ring in peace & calm

To hurting souls will they be a balm

Cutting through all are hues bright

Colorful blooms fill the sights

Causing hearts to yet rejoice & delight

Pix Contributed by

Rina, Shantha, Vivek & Shashi

Peace of Mind, Heart and Soul

 #DailyFlowers

The blogger apologizes for going missing yet again; was compelled to. As the laptop HDD decided to misbehave and had to be replaced. Then the OS decided it was its turn to have fun at my expense. But, the laptop's up & running now, hence posting is back on track.

Somethings have fallen into place

Others have yet to pick up pace

Life has smoothened some edges

On others one still has to jump the hedges

The sun rises and it sets

That is all the time one gets

To trim one’s sails and set about

Respond here and there to a shout

Flowers in full bloom seem to abound

Every season they come around

One lesson they always teach

Steadfastness one must reach

For peace of mind, heart & soul

With ups & downs one must roll

Pix Contributed by:

Anjali, Shashi & Shalini

Inner Child

 

#DailyFlowers

Away from the daily grind

Peace reigns in the mind tonight

Tomorrow will be another day

With more challenges coming my way

But, 'tis time to tarry a while

Bring out the inner child

Like the many flowers romp & play

Set forth on life again on Monday

Pix Contributed by

Shashi, Shantha, Vivek & Shalini

Life's Changes

 

#DailyFlowers

Life sometimes needs changes

Allowing us to expand our ranges

Even the tried, tested, and true

At times needs to be structured anew

Permanence is muchly desired

But, time like that is not wired

There’s a constant ebb and flow

That’s the only way to grow

Flowers bud, bloom and go

At this they are absolute pros

In multi hues, they cheerfully preen

Each season has its reigning queen

Pix contributed by

Shashi, Shantha, Ketaki & Ranjona

Colors Bloom Nigh

 #DailyFlowers

Spring & early summer do meld

In their grip, this world is held

Somewhere the heat’s turning up high

While elsewhere, colors bloom nigh

Life irrevocably continues its march

Emotions, feelings leave us parched

Fleeting time’s in a constant turn

Around us moments do churn

The whirl, tilt, tumble, and sway

Marks each night and every new day

Pix contributed by

Rachna, Shashi & Shalini

Majesty on Show

#DailyFlowers

Birth & death, the cycle is set 

Within each journey are expectations to be met

Time moves fast, & then it moves slow

We must each match its flow

Seasons come & seasons go

Nature puts its majesty on show

Revival, rebirth, the cycle continues

Flora, fauna, humans form its retinue

Words, lines, rhymes meander around

Sometimes they go to ground 

Sometimes alive & kicking are found

Pix contributed by

Rina (Via Shalini), Vivek, Rachna & Dr. Manish

Tiny Songs

 #DailyFlowers

The veil lifts up briefly as if to say
There you are, it’s another day
Time to get alive & moving
Maybe today is when you’ll be grooving
Marching in tandem with life’s drums
Making new music as it strums
Through your veins loud and clear
Do not permit grief to shear
More of your life & days
Maybe, today, the brain constant will stay
And the overwhelming fog will run away
Birds chirping indicates a new morn
As blooms on a tree are worn
Nature moves tried, tested, and true
Flowers bloom through and through
What compels this cycle anew
Spring’s burst forth with flowers in every hue
Lines are reviving again
That’s not to say there’s no pain
But, life cannot be held down for long
It will sneak out in tiny songs

Pix Contributed by:

Shantha, Shalini & Shashi

Lost Words

Lost Words!

Mom's loved Bougainvillea

It's now been about 15 months since I lost mom (Dec30, 2022) and life somehow seems to have hit a massive roadblock. I move, that is true, I live, striving to fulfill her last commandments to me, but there's a deep emptiness inside. Last year was bad, filled with what ifs and guilt that maybe I could have done more. Had it not been for family (immediate, & extended) I would have probably crumbled. Last year was all about loss, about understanding that she was no more, about seeking her consciously & unconsciously everywhere! Heartrending emptiness would be followed by slow acceptance and then something or someone would offer a trigger and the cycle would repeat again. There were exhortations from some in the extended family/friends circle to go on with life and not cling to loss and I could feel myself shrinking & withdrawing. There were also many expressions of support. 

As my aunt said to me when I met her in Feb last year: 

You are because she was. You are hers, she's in you. Every step of the way, you carry her, her love, care, teaching with you. Therefore, even as it hurts to have lost her physically, she's still there. Keep her in your heart, be full, be happy. Mothers are happy when their children are happy & flourishing. Her blessings, her love are always with you. As much as you couldn't see her suffer, her soul cannot bear you suffering. So  smile, if is tinged with pain, so be it, live not just for yourself but for her, too!

These words help me everyday! A cousin also helped when she said: 

I remember Mom (she lost her mom about 16 years ago) everyday; some memories bring moisture to my eyes, others make me smile & laugh aloud. You will also get there, it takes time!

As most of you would likely know, I used to post on the flowers blog, but somehow, somewhere

Words have lost their spark

Rhymes to darker times do hark

Flowers are pleasing to the eye

The heart sees them and emits huge sighs

Time tumbles and turns

Memories do churn

The gaze falls on an empty chair

Her presence is sought here and there

Utter silence meets the ears

And then there are so many tears

Who would have thought loss would hit so hard

Piercing like a pointed glass shard

Time lends a healing touch

But sometimes it’s too little, sometimes too much

A fog seems to have overtaken the brain

Words, emotions, feelings tumbling in an unknown refrain

One foot in front of another do I go

Sometimes rapid, at times slow

Destinations, goals are somewhere lost

Bumbling, fumbling at what cost

I have over the last 10-months or so attempted to write, to restart the blog, but praise & lighter rhymes do not come forth. Above my own loss is the absolute depravity & bestiality on show, as it were in Gaza, that renders me further speechless & powerless

Consciously, unconsciously, frowning she stood
Looking out of the window, seemingly lost
Over a chirping, coming alive hood

Life, it seemed at once at standstill and rushing by

Grief, a silent steady thrumming drum

Humanity ripped of its veneer

Greed, hunger, a base animalistic cohort exposed

I will strive to write, but words may not be airy-fairy, with the lightness & cheer that nature's bounty via her flowers deserves

Flowers Time Tested & True

 #DailyFlowers

 The blogger is reluctant to write, words do not flow; it is as if there's something stopping the flow. The shares are gorgeous, they do provoke a smile, but life is handing out hard lessons which make for tougher miles. Many a flower is yet to be framed, but the blogger's head is not in the game. An anniversary did recently pass by, it brought smiles, tears and sighs!

New beginnings are slow to start
That causes me to be a worry wart
Flowers bloom, seasons change
Life runs its usual range
The yen to put finger to keyboard doesn't arise
With things in so much flux, that's no surprise
Yet the contributors gamely continue to show
With flowers colorful putting on their show
The world once again is in turmoil
Old enmities flare up and do the region roil
So much bloodshed, so much lost
Peace, if it comes, at what cost
Mother nature at once her fury does flash
Roads, dams, bridges, infra it does slash
Festivals are on us once again
Joyous sounds make the refrain
Flowers hold time tested and true
Pinks, reds, yellows, lighter, bolder hues
From neighborhoods, walks, friends' gardens
Backyards, vases, hotels, the ambit widens
Seasons change, they come and go
Colorful blooms move with the flow
Climate changes means blooms last longer
Like Shashi's Roses they are stronger

 With demands on land, come the wars
And othering starts anew
Mother nature shows her scars
Amid demands that we renew
Our pledges to her and humanity
Bring back peace, brotherhood & clarity
That nations shall not bring forth conflict
It's time to introspect & not inflict
Damage, hurt, tears and more
Civilization does keep the score
Even though there is massive gloom
Smoke spreads its ghostly plume
But, flowers still bloom
Spread their colors & their perfume
Calm minds, hearts and souls
Try to bring closer those distant poles

This year is almost to its end
Another few months their stories will lend
Life will go on as it does
Incidents, happenings will swirl around us
The festive season is all but nigh
Among highs there are some weary sighs
The globe will spin, night & day will turn
Endless time will forever churn
Build new memories, write new tales
Sing some songs across valleys & dales
Flowers will spread their cheer & song
Encourage us to sing along
Newer melodies we will pen
Dance around yearnings, yen & ken
The world will move & it will hold still
Dancing eternally to that great will

My Co-Contributors

June, Shashi, Shantha & Shalini; June, Shantha & Shalini; Shashi, Shantha & Shalini; Shashi, Shantha, Shalini, & Vivek;  Shalini-Selina, Vivek, Shantha, & Shashi; Shalini & Shashi; Shantha, Shalini, June & Vivek; Shashi, Shantha, Vivek & Shalini

Blooms to the Rescue!

 #DailyFlowers

 DF is a kind of a misnomer, for the blog is anything but daily. Today, even weeks pass before a post is written. Discipline does its job, but at times the words just do not come. There is an overwhelming sense of ennui, not helped by the news around. Nevertheless, the flowers hold strong, come what may for short & long.

 Apologies for the delay
The viral did me belay
Lines went helter-skelter
The blogger in meds did take shelter
Little nuggets of discomfort come my way
Hopefully keeping bigger issues at bay
The rains had their fun
To doctors they caused many to run
But blessed we are to have homes intact still
Unlike the tumble crash and splash seen across the hills
Nevertheless, the flowers in bunches do come
Spreading their glory, color, beauty and then some

Gorgeous flowers that did no harm
Their fragrance, colors, glories did us charm
Adorn they do majestically plants and trees
As rangolis, their wonders do not cease
For most their presence a smile does bring
But some in protest sometimes sting
Reminds me of the elegy by Thomas Gray
Of blooms designed to die unseen on the way
Should we then not glory in beautiful scenes
On trees, plants, bouquets, shows for them to preen
For that which is born has to die
Saying anything else would be a cosmic lie
But the color, zest and variety do sing
A song deep for every living thing

Thoughts are scattered
Jaws have been out-nattered
Days are restless, time's slow
One struggles to merge with the flow
She is missed, dearly so
Fingers to keyboard don't so easily go
Rhymes have turned dark
Songs have kind of lost the spark
The news all round doesn't really help
It makes one want to scream & yelp
Sometimes the glimmer doth burst forth
And beauteous hues spread their worth

Maybe it's time for the blogger to take a longer break
The desire to write doesn't easily an appearance make
Some sense of discipline is still ingrained
Its reminders do however feel quite stressed & strained
Words, phrases, lines do not themselves knit
Whenever they do, they form imperfect skits
And then flowers jump in to the rescue
With all the charm and guile of fescue

And then there were the whites
Bunched together a perfect sight
For our senses to delight
And in a way showing the light
It's one day up and one day down
Twirl, whirl, spin around
Life's executing its play
Despite what you or I may say

My Co-Contributors

Beacon, Bhaskar, Shantha & Shashi; Moushumi, Beacon, Bhaskar, Shalini-Rina, Shashi, June & Shantha; Shashi, Shantha & Shalini; Shashi, & Vivek (Swati); Vivek, Shantha, Devlina, Bhaskar & Ranjona; Gautam, Dr.Manish, Shantha, Shashi, & Vivek; Ria, Shalini, Shashi & Bhaskar-Beacon; Shashi, Shantha & Ria; Shashi, Shalini & June; Shashi, Shantha & Ranjona; Shashi & Shantha; Silverlightgal; Shantha, Shashi, Vivek & Ranjona; Shalini, Shantha & Ranjona; Vivek, LalitSeth, Shantha, Selina, Silverlightgal; Shashi, Vivek, Shalina, Selina & Shantha.