Taking Time-Off

Everyone looks up at me, I'm the homemaker,  

I'm the default emotional support, the nanny, the caretaker. 

Once in a while I suffer, from a little cold and cough,

And when I indulge in a little self care, feel guilty for taking time-off.

Everyone looks up at me, I'm the breadwinner,

Hunched on my desk throughout the day, I'm usually late for the dinner. 

Once in a while I plan a leave, saying enough is enough,

So many projects hanging at workplace, feel guilty for taking time-off.

 

Everyone looks up at me, I'm the family's hope, 

Though only a child, I study long hours, can somehow manage to cope. 

Once in a while I like to play, with other kids in play-off,

Playing during the exams is a strict taboo, feel guilty for taking time-off.

I don't know where we are going, why all are short of time,  

It seems totally ludicrous,  that taking time for yourself feels a crime!

Women Day

Multiple sessions scheduled, technology not working,

Panic sets in, despair is lurking.

Problems are umpteen, need to add a speaker to the live-stream,

And to go live on FB and insta simultaneously- enough to make you scream.

 

We somehow remain calm, find out a tech solution,

We'll broadcast the sessions as promised, we made a firm resolution.

Once decided, all the barriers melted, the right software acquired,

Everyone charged and geared for the day- feeling a bit inspired.

The first session didn't go as per the plan, there was a slight hiccup,

Putting our brains together, we manged with some luck.

The overnight meeting did pay off, at the end we went viral,

Also built a strong team culture- locked in an upward spiral.

The Women Day planning was hectic, and execution fraught with risk,

We passed with flying colors, now off to business brisk. 

Writing Dilemma

Sitting down to pen a poem, end up drawing a blank, 

The themes are repeating, and I'm getting bored, to be frank. 

What ought I write about, there's nothing exciting to share,

About topics I have realized, that nobody really cares.

How you say it is what matters, your non-verbals, your style,

How to portray that in a poem,  have patience, I'm giving it a trial.

The choice of words, the rhyme, the meter, the lyricism, 

I hope to get this right, not shroud it in mysticism.

Why you write in the first place, needs to be equally addressed, 

Another important question is, to whom are these addressed?

Writing 14 lines of rhyme, do not make a sonnet be true, 

What you need is someone worthy of love- and that are far and few.

I've kept writing for so long, never in return I got a share or like,

If I don't get a comment from you soon, I may as well go on a strike!

Friend Recommendation

Her name pops up, in people you may know, 

Do you know her, asks FB, I'm tempted to say no.

Sending a friend request is an option at length I consider,  

The fear of rejection makes me backtrack, and strongly reconsider.

Somewhat hesitatingly, I finally send the friend request,

Endless waiting follows- have I succeeded in my quest?

Constantly checking her profile, just to make sure,

She has accepted me in her fold, anointed me pure.

Greatly relieved to see, that she has become a friend,

Great validation, that our friendship didn't end. 

Barely a month goes, and I'm aghast to discover,

Her name's again in recommended list- its hard to recover. 

I had expected when she accepted the request, it will last at least a while,

But in a week to be back to square one is disappointing, and on her part, somewhat vile.

Social Media Outpourings

Facebook reveals, that its your birthday,

Greetings pour in, sending wishes your way. 

Your day ends responding to messages with thanks,

If it wasn't for Facebook, it would have drawn blanks.

LinkedIn reveals, you have changed your job,

For a moment you become, the platform's heartthrob. 

Congratulations pour in, wishing you luck in new role,

No one caring whats in store, what the new job will take toll.

Twitter reveals, you are an opinionated prick,

On left or right, its clear to which side you stick.

Trolls pour in, attacking you left and right,

You solidify your position, with all your might.

This social media is good, lets others know whats important, 

But if used in a mechanized way, it becomes totally impotent.

A Milestone

Two thirds of the journey is over and done,

A sense of achievement, and relief for one. 

A little more plodding, and the end is within reach,

completing this milestone, will to me a lot teach.

I still have nightmares about that aborted mission,

Got bored before the mid point, couldn't sustain the vision.

Exhausted a bit, and also became disinterested,

Should have continued the sojourn, post getting rested.  

One third of the path, though is still untrod,

Don't know what obstacles will come down the road. 

Will I be able to sustain the momentum, keep the ball rolling,

And have the same zeal and energy, when in the last overs bowling.

I have managed to write for 60 days straight, knowing you read me sometimes, someplace,

You still care for my writing and for myself, though you may deny it on my face!

Punished For Being Outspoken

Express dissent, and be prepared to be harassed, 

Shunned by your fraternity, labeled rebel and outcast.

They'll demolish your office, while you are still in mid flight,

And claim 'Ukhad diya' brazenly, making of your suffering light.

 

Investigate misdeeds, and they will go after you,

Frame you in fake cases, against you venom spew.

Put you behind bars, after reopening old cases,

Defame you, summon you daily, without any basis.

 

Share a cartoon, and they will break your jaw, 

File cases against you, for breaking cyber law.

Nobody comes forward, claiming its retaliatory, 

No one has sympathies for the marked quarry. 

But you dare raid for tax evasion, and all hell breaks loose,

How dare you touch our demigods, they are as sacred as Zeus.

Uninvited

The team goes out for lunch, and sits in a group,

Talking in hushed voices, with shoulders that droop.  

Suddenly there is total silence, as if a predator is near,

The manager joined the table, what do we now talk O dear!

The meeting has ended, the manager has left,

All have started chatting, about this and that.

Uncomfortable silence falls, as he rejoins the link,

The whole atmosphere changed, in the time of a wink.

WhatsApp group created, to indulge in water cooler bitching,

Gossip is necessary, without it our tongues are twitching.

The manager gets a whiff, and somehow joins the group, 

The plan has fallen apart, now he has to be kept in the loop.

 

Team, I gave you all the freedom, that I'm afraid you have misused,

I feel excluded and hurt, and am disappointed that my trust you abused. 

The Mutating Week

Monday morning, meetings aplenty,

Missing the weekend, feeling senti, 

Status updates, and plans for the week,

Monday is for brave hearts, not for the meek.

Tuesday afternoon, best time to work,

No interruptions, in the shadows lurk.

Working on, whats important, not urgent, 

For focused productivity, Tuesdays are god sent. 

Friday evening, let your hair down,

Enjoy the weekend, be the talk of the town.

Have unlimited fun, or the anticipation of it,

Recover and rejuvenate, for your health do your bit.

The weeks go by and so will the years,

How you structure your weeks- I'm all ears.