Springtime: Amongst the happiest time of the year...the time when LIFE starts to finally kick into every dark and dingy corner. If you are going through depression or even the slightest bit of sadness, I urge you to hold on to your strongest part - your mind. Don't forget, it can do wonders! Even if at this moment, it may seem easier said than done, can you please try, for your own sake?

Love & light! ❤

So, my brother found some inspiration in my first Haiku too! Here's his first, posting on his behalf since he's not here, because apparently he isn't a 'poet'.

Inspired by what bex did with Dylan's Hey Mr. Tambourine Man, even though this is nothing in comparison. I wanted to try something nonetheless. So, when I was listening to Dolly Parton's Jolene, I thought "this is it. I'm going to poemify this song."
I'd love to see a better take though, and learn. :)

If you haven't already, the beautifully crafted Hey Mr. Tangerine Man, by bex, here-
http://hellopoetry.com/poem/1855290/hey-mr-tangerine-man/

When you're 50% through something, take just one more step in the direction you were heading. That one step is crucial, because once you're more than halfway through, the chances of giving up will keep diluting as you progress. Never give up, never back down, give your hurdles a tough fight! :)

In friendship, a lot of love is lost. In love, friendship.

Not all updates/upgrades are forward-looking, even if that is the intent.

This one goes out to a kind soul, a sweet friend, an eloquent poet.

My little tornado is subtle these days and that's not a nice thing. I miss the brat taking the house down! Kids don't deserve to fall ill at all. But then again, maybe it's nature's way of making them stronger...of helping them toughen up. My niece is an inspiration how she manages a smile even when she's really exhausted with the meds. She's a stunner with how she disallows anything to come in the way of her enjoying her childhood!

I wish her and every child currently on a break from relishing their childhood, a speedy recovery and lots of joy in their lives ahead.

I also wish for the child in us adults, to show thyself and shine in full glory!

Happy All Fool's Day, fellow fools! :) <3

Thanks to my brother, I've grown up watching some of the best movies.

I think it's pretty obvious if you've watched this one; I'm curious if you can, guess which movie?

Funny how, so naturally, I wanted to name this poem so, which also reminds me of Gollum (any LOTR fans here?), who would never part with his precious ring, or heart if that was as precious to him, so easily.

"You're just a voice in my head. You don't control me."...I wish (and hope) everyone fighting depression sees this, understands that there is always a way out. You have the power, even if you don't see it yet, but I hope you do, and soon! <3

Side Note: Tomato basil soup is the ****! <3

The inspiration without is only a reflection of a never-ending fountain of inspiration within.

Update (28/02/17): Edited it a bit. Thank you, Jim, for correcting me! :)

Read so many, and always wanted to try, but was often intimidated; today, after about 10 years, I dared to. My first attempt at haiku, how did I fare?

Also, numbering it, since I plan to dare to attempt again.

We criticize the world, but aren't we the world just as much? You, me, all of us.

Depression is a topic close to my heart. A lot of people have been hit by it, some fought and are out, some still struggling. Some, unfortunately, succumbed. It isn't easy. The toughest thing is that people don't know how to interact with those who are battling. Everywhere, the victim is lectured, while the lecturer is often no different from the victimizer.

Here's an article I wrote about how not to talk to someone who's going through depression, out of my own research, interacting closely with victims and helping some out of it, and also out of having been a victim myself, in the past - http://www.filtercopy.com/posts/9-things-you-never-say-to-a-person-battling-depression

"I fail to see how you can fall in love with a person without meeting them!"
"I fail to see how you cannot."
"People lie on the internet."
"You're half right. People lie."

(Read my poem, get a micro-story free!) :P Sorry guys, don't mind me! :) <3

A lot of Indian girls (I'm not sure if this happens in your country too, I'm guessing it would in a primarily conservative society) often have to grow up hearing things like, "We'll get you married, and then you can do what you want", when we express the want to do something that is "not allowed" in our family. This does not restrict to life's bigger decisions like having kids of our own or adopting kids, or even bringing home a pet, but also to the smaller ones like, getting a tattoo or buying and riding a bike of your own, or even painting your room. There is a general lack of respect for individuality and in the process, a lot of us (actually, this one sentence includes our men too) are living a life that we cannot truly call our own. We aren't being ourselves. We are living a lie. Most of us (women), get married only because it's a passport to our freedom, without upsetting our parents. I wish Indian parents stopped looking for happiness in seeing their children "settled", because "settling" with (for) someone is the most unsettling thing one can do to themselves and to that person. Of course, for those who marry for love, I'm the happiest for them! Those who choose not to marry, I'm happy for them too. At least you people aren't doing anything under a compulsion. That's awesome! :) Those who feel like surrendering, it may seem like the easy road to take, but don't take it unless YOU want to, please, for your own sake.
**
Dhaara T

Inspiration: INXS's Never Tear Us Apart and a love like no other.

Isn't it heartbreaking, the scorching wait that only dries up your lake of love?

Don't fall for the frivolous, my dear. It is worth not diving in too soon. Love may take its time to knock on your doors again, let it...it will be worth the wait. Just like rain to the earth. <3

It's sad to know that even today, as what not happens in the name of "feminism", there are still women in my country who cannot even afford sanitary napkins, let alone clothes. As a result, many rural women use substitutes, but it's heartbreaking to see the extent they would bend to, only because they cannot afford anything more.

Yet, I feel just as proud as I am angered by the story of such people (vs the wasteful lives of the 'haves'...a gap that huge is unfair!) -
proud because of people like Anshu Gupta (founder of Goonj, a not-for-profit organisation), who, along with his team is working towards changing this scenario with the distribution of biodegradable and affordable sanitary napkins, amongst other commendable initiatives.

This is not a collaboration or anything of that sort, neither am I associated with them in any way (other than supporting their causes), I am genuinely touched by their efforts and naturally, feel like spreading the word about their work. It would be great if you too could have a look at their website (goonj.org), and if you're convinced, monetarily or non-monetarily, support their cause?

He broke my heart but he gave it life anew. He was my elixir, but he was toxic too!

In reality, we close the distance between us. But then, we wake up.