Friday Fictioneers – The Idea of Perfection

Apr5

gnarled-tree

 

It was spring. Trees were weighed down with leaves and flowers bloomed all around.

“I am looking for somebody perfect” said Nikhil as he returned the photo to the marriage broker.

He had advertised in all the matrimonial websites for the ‘perfect’ life partner. So far, he was not satisfied with any of the proposals. He found fault with all of them. Nobody was good enough for him. However, he never bothered to do a self-check and his mother fed his ego. Though Nikhil’s father was a man of reason, he was subdued by their collective voices.

The parents were now gone and Nikhil had turned 45, but he still did not find his bride. Years passed and the trees were drained of leaves, looking empty. So did Nikhil, as he leaned back in his recliner, still waiting for the perfect girl.

This was written for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Scott Vanatter for the photo.

The River

Apr2

sun

 

Sun rises solely

to serenade the river

and the river spreads

towards the shore

while demurely watching the sun

Trees enjoy this rendezvous,

thoroughly entertained,

till dusk enters the scene

Who is ‘Moon’?

Mar31

836185_93161353

His mind clouds with serious thoughts

and uneasiness, like that of a court poet,

when he looks at the slippery moon.

Some he had compared to the guiding star,

flattered a few as the brightest star

and likened others to the luminous star, but to whom

did he confer the title of moon? Ah! He had to find out

before the prom, for she was

to be his partner

Written for Ermilia’s Picture it & Write

Friday Fictioneers: The Twelfth Floor Couple

Mar28

lamps

It was 11 PM and Tony had still not returned. Mona inhaled the fresh pain of her new house, when she heard a loud noise outside. She went to the kitchen window to find a couple arguing in the opposite twelfth floor apartment. The girl moved to the balcony while the limping man followed her. Before Mona could grasp what was happening, the man pushed the woman down.

Mona screamed and rushed out of her house, only to collide with a neighbour. She related the events to him. He looked at her quietly and said, “Five years ago, the woman was pushed to death by the man. He was sent to prison where he was mysteriously killed. Since then, neighbours have witnessed scenes of their quarrel in the night. So, we always shut our windows by 7 in the evening.” The neighbour saw a shocked Mona returning to her house. He continued walking down the stairs with a slight limp.

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers

Picture it & Write – Her Name is Red

Mar26

hair

Every time I think of red,

I think of her

Her bright hair,

always with the wind

Her eyes, which fill up,

often in anger,

rarely in grief

Her face, brimming

with an all-consuming passion

Her actions, hot-blooded and rash

nothing about her subtle,

nothing half-done

and we call her ‘red’

Written for Picture it & Write, hosted by Ermilia

Friday Fictioneers – Sam’s Job

Mar21

thirsty

“I have to clean the barn and fetch some fresh corn and oats.” said Sam

“What next?”

“The new horse seems so restless. He needs to be exercised.”

“I noticed the grey mare was rather unsteady.”

“We need to look into it. She might have stepped on some stones.” said Sam

“Why can’t Carson do his work? He is the groom, after all.”

“Oh! The owner does not trust humans. That is why we are here.” said Sam, the workhorse, as he reached for the hose pipe.

Thank you, Rochelle, for hosting Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Doug for this lovely photo.