On the first day of the New Year, I stepped out to see the change. Same sky, cloudless. No traces of much needed rain. Same sounds of cars whizzing past. Muffled faces. And then I saw him in the corner – HOPE! All bundled up, still shivering! I looked at him with expectant eyes.
“Procrastinator! Are you illusionary?” I sneered at him. He spoke to me:
“I know you love me I know you hinge on me When you tread on darker paths I know I inspire you.”
“And you take pleasure in elusive tricks?”
“ I have my constraints I float on the tide of time I possess no magic wand I hold a mirror to your ways.
“Sometimes I get caught In the currents of cacophony Discords and disharmonies Pull me down, make me dormant.”
“And so you walk out?”
“I am always around I whisper through the breeze I glisten in your heart I blend in your prayers.
Many thanks to all my readers and author buddies for their lovely support. The sun of 2021 is shining brightly, reminding us that each year brings along new opportunities. Looking forward to better times ahead. – Balroop Singh.
I was confused. How could I choose one? I didn’t know love and was too young to understand respect but I was argumentative and would always rise against the commands.
“I want both.” I spoke with immense confidence.
I was pushed aside. My turn was over.
One by one each person was given a choice and they left the arena with the group they opted for. I kept on waiting. My blood boiled at the authoritative voice of the leader who took pleasure in his arbitrary designs on us. Who gave him this power to rule over our emotions? Why are we here?
I looked around, trying to figure out the place. How did I reach here? Strange, stern faces stared at me.
“This is your last chance to choose,” I could hear some kindness in this voice.
“But why?” Before I could speak another word, I was dragged away into a dark alley and my sobs could be heard.
*****
Some dreams keep coming back probably because some notions remain dormant in our subconscious minds. Whenever I read a disturbing book about injustice, my mind hurtles back and transports me into unimaginable lands that I could have seen in movies.
Love – the basic emotion that connects us with life and people.
Respect – the essential trait that raises man to his civilized state.
How could anyone survive without them? This question has always haunted my mind and keeps coming back whenever I see or hear about any atrocities being inflicted on fellow human beings.
Love can still be pretended but respect can’t be faked. It reveals itself through our body language.
“I love you.” “You are my best friend.” I have heard many such refrains from people around me but I could make out from their body language and actions how selfish their love was. It changes its contours according to the situation.
Respect cannot be claimed. It shows itself, it reflects in the eyes. It is an offshoot of love.
Can you choose one? Yet there are people who have none.
Thank you for reading and pondering. Please share your thoughts.
Emotional Shadows 