Childhood Days...

I often walk down memory lane
reminiscing childhood days of mine
where life was uncomplicated and so plain,
sweeter than the sweetest of wine.

We were overflowing with innocence then,
unknown to worldly pressures
Life was  a playground filled with friends,
raptured by the simplest of pleasures.

We'd play and play untiringly
till the sun would set on us,
chor police, hide and seek, atti patti,
indefatigably without a fuss.

We'd play " Dabba gul" or  seven tiles,
Barbie, he-man, Gi-Joes were our playmates.
We'd cycle with friends for miles and miles
and swing like orangutans merrily on our building gates.

We'd pick tamarind fallen fresh from trees
they formed an important part of our food chain.
We'd live on sugar cane and iced pepsis,
bought from the quaint shop down the lane.

We'd spin tops on the craggy ground,
and play with marbles too.
with our fingers we'd strike them down
coloured in green, white  or royal blue.

Sadly those days did pass
and our childhood did slowly fade.
youth unveiled it's adolescent mask,
and adulthood it's way did pave.

But do not dwell on childhood, repining,
as joyful days come unexpectedly
The present has brought glad tidings
so live, laugh and love happily.

Marriage Proposals...Horrorscopes and Kundlis...

A movie I watched yesterday brought back amusing memories of a  marriage proposal,
of an eligible bachelor I met,
through " rcmatrimonials.com" a  marriage web portal.
He was a perfect match, 
as like me, he too was a " Mixed Breed"
tall, dark and handsome,
 in every sense indeed.

We both liked each other and communicated
technology was our mediator as he was in a city faraway,
till the mother decided to meet me, the eligible bachelorette, 
on a bright,  cheery Sunday.

Now we of the Catholic faith don't believe in matching horoscopes or so called " Kundlis",
but this lady was adamant on knowing my birthdate, 
and the time I was born 
which was 9.30 am approximately.

Days passed and this " mamas boy" suddenly stopped communicating,
I wondered why and then it dawned on me,
it had to do with my birth timing.
Whoever thought that the time you're born could determine your marital destiny,
it's such a nonsensical, absurd concept followed in India, seriously!!!

How can you in a minute decide,
that the person you want to spend with,
for the rest of your life,
has to have a matching horoscope, 
just to be a " sati savitri" and " propah" wife!!!

It's not over yet as this marriage proposal madness still continues,
where a 40 year old man would prefer an alliance with a woman aged 32,
He may be bald and grey with an oversized paunch,
but she has to be " young",  slim with  long black hair,
in his requirements, he is steadfastly and firmly staunch.

And those spineless jelly fish, who are the so called " mama's boys"
indecisive on a life partner they want,
so their ever willing mama's help they happily employ.
But if the mother dislikes the girl,
oh... then how can the boy, his mother's decision defy,
after all she has painstakingly  carried him in her womb for 9 months,
in her own emotional blackmailing way,
she'll cunningly justify.

But all this can change if those mama's laadlas loosen their hold on their mother's saris,
move ahead with changing times and change their fixated ideologies.
And we wouldn't need to depend on horrific horoscopes and potbellied panditji's Kundlis,
we could choose the life partner we want and live as " Mia biwi" happily!!

Troublesome Toddler.....

Many a times, I want to smack and whack my toddler,
at this age, he can be a rather mischievous and cantankerous child.
he behaves like a spoilt rotten apple, 
such incorrigible behaviour is unacceptable
and makes me go wild.

He doesn't allow me to get him ready for school or  brush his mop of hair,
his toys are strewn in the bath tubs, in the bed rooms...on the kitchen floor,
almost everywhere.

Whenever we go shopping he cries for a new set of wheels,
he doesn't realise that money has to be earned
and doesn't grow on trees.
He runs on roads and makes me do an Usain Bolt too,
no wonder I've given up heels
and resorted to sports shoes.
He'll want to watch his " Shaun the sheep" 
whenever  I want to watch a movie or my saas Bahu soap,
and if I don't permit it...
he'll sit in a corner, all grumpy and mope.

But when it comes to smacking him, I'm unable to do so,
cause' I think of the good in him, 
which thankfully he has more.
He is an extremely loving, caring child and very friendly too
yes, he's a naughty lil imp
but I didn't give birth to a Miss goody two shoes.
And then this does make me think as to why my husband calls me insane,
He says how can you want another child when bringing up one fella,
leaves you all tired and drained!!