Ishani's Pen

Remember that heavy, fat book that used to be a constant in every household back in the 90s? The book that was the most difficult thing to carry if anyone at the house wanted to know the correct spelling of a word? Yes, I am referring to the house of huge no. of words “Dictionary” or “Obhidhaan”! Some assamese households even had the linguistic version of it, referred as “Hemkosh”, after the legendary Hem Baruah. Searching for new words and their meanings in an alphabetical order used to be such an exciting job then. With the passage of time, dictionaries started becoming compact and started to being available in pocket sizes; the first of its kind being provided by the Oxford house. English literature was incomplete without the use of dictionary, especially for poetry. In fact, there used to be a question for lower classes as “Write the meanings of the following words” – something that used to inculcate the habit of turning the pages of this fat book at a young age. Even writers of ...

 You will love many a times, but there will be only one love, only one moment, after forever of union, that'll burn your soul. And in that surrender you disappear, eternally. You become, FOREVER!

  It was probably the year 2000 when I had first come across the famous lines of the Welsh poet, W H Davies “ What is this life, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare… ”. The poem “ Leisure ” had surely been the part of English literature for many in school; I am pretty sure we had known the poem by heart then, along with the substance. But did we actually comprehend the essence of these lines then? Maybe NO! Today, 22 years later, those lines truely make sense to me. Each one of us, irrespective of the age, qualification, economic status, gender, is running continuously (not literally!) – whether it is to score the highest marks in class or to get more clients or to fight the traffic and reach work on time! In this state of life, we all have lost or forgotten to enjoy the simple pleasures that life has to offer. No more do we spend time with our friends and family playing outdoor games like kabaddi or badminton, or even silly games like hide-and-seek or blindman’s buf...

A broken heart beating in pain Drenched in tears like the soil in the first rain Longing for the return of another being Whose name she paints With whom she can sing!   There is not a word exchanged Yet… She hopes his mind gets changed ‘Cz from an acquaintance, they became friends Comfortable and funny conversation threads Between them…they shared Private feelings she had bared…   It is not easy for him too She knows…. Why then he doesn’t say I want you too And take her along in a sway   Is it only hope without any reality? Him alone she wanted to give her chastity As chill replaces sweat, she wonders Is this foolishness….. “Her Wait”?

 It is the 14th of Feb once again The day of love as they call it But till today nothing in love I gain What I planned for didn't get... When you had confirmed a 'yes' I had planned in my heart....the date This very day for the exchange of rings For the rest of our lives, we would celebrate! Alas! This was not be had On the day of love, I am again sad Tired of a V-day being alone A wish to be with you along Don't know why I still hope That you will again beg and mop We are bound by destiny, I believe Someday this date, together we will laugh And heave a sigh to relieve....!

  It is again that time When she had once again tasted sour lime They are again silent Even though She hoped the second time she wouldn’t repent..   How very naïve was she That she expected “I love thee” He didn’t return for attraction It was just an act of pity To her broken self He was just giving temporary sympathy.   Her favorite sound of “Serendipity” A believer in the signs of destiny Presumed the interactions as love Began acting as a “mated dove.”   Once again it is a no return With a shattered heart, she remained baren No more efforts, not a cry Not again will she try Even with the next lad in queue To whom she will paint herself in hue There is not an ounce of love left This is the actual destiny She had misunderstood signs, but now accept!   What was pity she took as romance Not once but thrice The hourglass is now empty without sand Weighed heart closes the chapter forever This goodBYE...

  In this modern era of technology, science, and development, we as a nation have not been able to get rid of the big taboo associated with women, “menstruation”. We still believe that during “those” days a woman is so unclean and impure that pickles rot if she touches them, and the lifespan of the husband of a married woman diminishes if she comes in contact with him! YES, WE STILL HAVE THIS THINKING!! The Govt., different organizations, NGOs are all taking rigorous steps and launching different campaigns to educate women and raise awareness among them on the importance of menstrual hygiene. But what about the menfolk – how educated are they about this aspect?? An immediate question on this would be that menstruation or ‘periods’ is a woman’s issue so why should the men know about it? Well, imagine a situation where a girl, traveling with her male colleagues, is completely unaware of her stained dress due to the early onset of her periods. What should be her condition now? It wa...