Friday, January 11, 2013

Fool's Lament


Disclaimer: Pic from google.


Despite my slim silhouette
It has always been a struggle
To get into a pair
Of tight jeans
But, it is worth it, 
To appear
 totally adequate,
even with an old, rheumatic knee…
Ah, the sleeveless cotton tops,
Open-toed sandals, the heels and hose
 I reluctantly acknowledge
 I’m too old for these;
But, I have absolute right to live
So, must give a damn to
Obligations of amenability…

I'm too old for two-piece swim suits,
midriff shirts, skirts and shorts
But, there’s speed in my toes
And wings in my vacant heart
Focused on my gaunt cheekbones
In all openness to light
I've decided, to make a last ditch
Before life breaks off, 
I would...
Go on….
Celebrating the freedom, and
Eccentricity that comes with age
I’ll shed convention, and live for myself
I will wear jeans in Red, Green, Blue, Purple
With no guilt or regret
Be either a joy
Or an embarrassment to
My children and grandchildren…

Ah, reality pregnant below the luscious sky
Still waiting…
‘Inhibition’ is the silent wolf
That lurks inside, tosses restively
inside me...
Lengthened rhythms of habit
Can never be reborn, alas.


This Poem is shared with Three Word Wednesday : Focused, Vacant, Pair..
And  Poet's United ---Reflection

PS--Last week, I was wondering whether I was too old to wear a pair of jeans. ( It's strange, that there are many women like me in India, who feel inhibited or, may be, we are not very comfortable in jeans after a certain age, say over-50 ). We're more comfortable in a sari or in a salwar-suit
But, rules are not always meant to be followed and one should on occasion bend and break the inhibitions, traditions and guidelines! Yesterday, in a bit of serendipity, I ran across a piece I wrote some years ago about a similar issue. It seemed to answer the question. …

69 comments:

  1. omg, that pic and the poem both speaks your, a bit confused mind..
    I enjoyed this so much deedi....you are so young at heart...enjoy. I loved the owls in your blog.. .cool.

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    1. Thank you, Sreeja. I feel younger than my age now :D
      Indeed...those owls robbed my heart too!:)

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  2. Oh ho.. you only Live once Might as well try it .. who cares young or old and who care what others think ...


    Dil hona chahida jawaan
    Umraan ch ki rakhiya :)


    Bikram's

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    1. Bikram...!! Yessss....
      'koi nal ture har raah ute, kade parwah hi nai kiti
      jo dil wich aya uhi kita, bhawe howe jo v biti'---:)):)))

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  3. Why should others have a control on how we want to live life?
    Go for it Ma'am!

    Loved these lines
    "But, there’s speed in my toes
    And wings in my vacant heart"
    We all have wings, but we clip them sometimes due to restrictions

    Beautifully expressed poem :)

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    1. Thanks Valli...Hmmm. What a way to shut out all inhibitions, for ever !!:))

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  4. Aha! Just remember you are as old as you feel!

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  5. Dont feel old..One is young till the heart remains so. Cheer up and get into that pair of jeans. Show the world that nobody controls u. ....It was a good read! well written :-)

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    1. Great...wonderful words of appreciation! ....the only way to live life, isn't it? Thanks Shilpa!!!

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  6. I just loved it Panchali Di .... and age is just a number, the heart should always stay young :-)

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    1. Oh, thanks Speck...sometimes you guys make me feel like a kid...!!! Blogging is such a wonderful platform!:))

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  7. Ha, I will never give up my jeans. In fact, I have jokingly (or maybe not?) said I would wish to be buried in blue jeans.... I think there is a great difference in women of this generation. I remember my grandmother wearing a black long dress and ugly black 'comfortable' shoes. I am a grandmother, and I go to the gym, often walk the track in blue jeans, wear tennis shoes or Tevas (summer), and would not be caught dead wearing a long black dress with clunky shoes! I love the freedom we have nowadays to wear what we want to! Great write!

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    1. Mary!! Aha...we are so much alike, it seems!! That's my living style as well....!! Fair enough, no one should be a stereotype.I abhor extremism in all forms!We must wear whatever makes us feel comfortable and confident. Thanks for your visit and comments, Mary.

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  8. Great spirit, Kudos to you! Just go with this flow, & don't let anyone restrain you. Cheers! :)

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    1. Yessss, Gayatri!...Whether it is a teeny weeny polka dot bikini or a burqa or a scarf or a freaking Mickey Mouse costume – if I want to wear it, I’m going to...Period!
      Cheers!

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  9. Welcome Panchali!
    I am enchanted by the proposal.
    Great blend of tradition and modernity.
    I cordially greet.
    Lucia

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    1. I am glad you agree with my viewpoints, Lucia! Good to see you always. Have been busy...shall visit your space soon :) Thank you!

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  10. Bravo!That's the way to go.We ought to have the choice--whether or not we make use of it.

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    1. I agree with you, Indu! And this is natural for me, it comes naturally to do everything the way I like.... :))Thanks much:)

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  11. Aww.. You're one hell of a cool mommy! And dontcha hesitate to get into those pair of jeans. Infact consider sporting a dress and hitting the dance floor. ;)

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    1. Awww, Sudeshna....should I take your advise...?? I close my eyes and try to imagine me on the dancing floor :P
      Omago...that's a bit too much!! hehehe...

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  12. I always wondered how they get in and out of such tights.

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  13. Even my mom snucks into jeans at home..I just love her for that!! ^_^ she looks super cool and your poem talks about your super coolness too!! Hey, I won't say wearing jeans over saree is cool..I mean a saree is any time the most beautiful garment introduced to mankind..but yes, it is also a symbol of our traditions and sometimes getting out of it can be fun and adventurous! :) Nice reflection!!
    P.S. I showed your blog to some of my friends, all of them don't read poetry but they loved these owls.

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    1. Chhavvi...Love you for the feeling of satisfaction you give me with your comment.. :))Actually I love wearing sarees and don't miss an occasion to wear them....but, yes, getting out of monotony can be fun!
      Oh, thanks so much for showing my blog to your friends! Even I love that pair of little owls...they are my favorites among feathered creatures. Aren't they cute...?:)Thanks re..

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    2. :D super cool and cute, just like you!

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    3. chee.....ullu bola :P
      grrrr...

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  14. We are as old as we feel we are!
    The lines penned so well.

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    1. You said it, Indrani. I feel like a kid inside at times... but I also like hanging out with the oldies too though...:)) Thanks!

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  15. super cool verses!

    and u know what, if I cannot fit into my old jeans.......i just go out a buy a pair that I fit into!!!! but no matter who feels what..i will wear what i "feel" good in, could be a skirt, jeans or a saree!

    but the poem echoes a lot of women's sentiment..my mom would say exactly this if I told her to wear jeans!

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    1. Thanks Princess...I guess, people are inhibited because they’re afraid that they won’t succeed, but who said your “success” in getting dressed has to be evaluated by other people? As long as you’re into what you’re wearing and it makes you comfortable with yourself---one must go for it!! I know, your mom would agree...any sensible woman would...right?? :))
      Thanks re...

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  16. ham toh aise hai bhaiya

    care two hoots for inhibitions and restrictions ---you only live once and that that -----i can identify with the thoughts Panchali

    lovely

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    1. Love that song...Rajni. Yeah, I’m talking about not caring about what people think, but it is comforting to know that a big group of people agree with my point of view:)))))) Feel elated!! Thanks!

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  17. Lovely!!! Spellbound. You're a magician with words :)
    So, did you try on a jeans then?

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    1. Akanksha, I am going to...soon:))))What is life without letting the beauty stuff get to you???? Hahahaha...
      Thanks re :)

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  18. Even i love them too...variety in dressing do add the necessary spunk to life and experimenting is always cool ..loved the poetry as always :)

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    1. Sadia...I completely agree with you !! Brats are smart and intelligent.. they get their way..always!:))Thanks so much!
      Cheers!

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  19. I'm cheering you on, Panchali di!! Go forth and wear the jeans if you wish to!! Age is but a number!!!

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    1. Yay...Roshni!!!...thank you! You have elevated my spirit...my confidence,my self-esteem.. And it’s hard to know what we, as girls slash women, really want...:P
      I really enjoyed your comment....:)))Thanks re...

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  20. When in a dilemma, I almost always go with my heart Panchaliji... A wow for the image and a double wow for your verse!!

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    1. Reshma...you rock....! Thanks for this re... :)))))

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  21. I agree with all your readers who say you're young at heart and that's all that matters. Stay that way. And keep ruminating in verse :)
    Now, some of us wish we could feast on the other write up that you talk of. ;) It's always, always a pleasure to read what you write.

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    1. Awww..Divya, Thank you for your kind words...sometimes I think, people like you exist only to make people realize how blessed they are to have good people in their lives... :))
      I am delighted to read your comment. Thanks re..

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  22. Age is but just a number .. day before which was my b'day I got my second tatoo done ... so just ditch the numbers and post a pic of urself in jeans !

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    1. TTT!! Belated Happy Birthday...and many more wonderful returns!That was the best compliment you could have paid me..I will do that...just for your sake :)))Thanks re..

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  23. Panchali, You've inspired me... again. I'll have to think about this now. So pleased to have found your new home...

    Love,
    Dagny

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    1. Dagny!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sure you are being modest... :))You've inspired me...always!I am so so happy to see you on this space... hope you will keep coming:)))Thanks a bunch!
      Love n hugs
      Panchali

      'serenelyapt' sounds so lovely!♥ I'll be there soon!

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  24. Inspiring :D

    Loved the pic which matches the poem so beautifully!!!

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    1. Me!!! ...Its ice having writer-friends like u ...you people keep me alive! Thanks a lot!:))

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  25. oh Di! lovely!! well, wardrobes.. do they really matter?? i can't deny it totally, though but then it is better to be comfy in clothing than to live with the discomfort of 'is someone watching'?? but then sometimes ' who cares and why should I??'

    Novel...

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    1. Oh Novel...Well said!It’s all part of figuring out what makes you feel most like yourself and, in turn, most comfortable with yourself. :)
      Thanks for being here!

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  26. words coming from a liberated mind ! bautifully penned too :)

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    1. Oh Maliny.. For a long time, people have told us to “be ourselves”. So, just trying to see how free I am!:))
      Thanks re...

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  27. I’ll shed convention, and live for myself
    I will wear jeans in Red, Green, Blue, Purple//

    Inhibition certainly is the wolf that kills us within!

    Lovely write ji!

    Do visit my post "Oblivion"! Would love to see you by! *cheers*

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    1. Kappu....Your poem-- 'inhibition'is awesome!I have left my comment there!!:) Thank you for the compliment...!

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  28. lovely striking works...nice one!

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    1. Kalyan...Thanks for coming by...and your puli-pithey is no less !! Thanks so much!

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  29. "‘Inhibition’ is the silent wolf"

    simply loved it! I have added this to my favourite quotes.

    You are amazing!

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    1. So are you, my dear♥..I am glad an avid reader like you liked it...Feel elated :))
      Thanks a zillion, Meenakshi!

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  30. You rock! This piece is brilliant, and fun! Wear them like you make the rules :-)

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    1. Poet Laundry! Good to see you after a long time. How have you been? Loved your comment... I guess, even to think about breaking the paralysis is victory itself...:)))Thanks for the lovely comment!

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  31. Panchaliji, enjoyed reading your poem. I think you should just go for it. Life is for living, right? Live it the way you like it :)

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    1. Absolutely...I am thrilled that you agree with me :))Thanks Meoww !:)

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  32. Wonderful creation indeed.....

    http://debnature.blogspot.in

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  33. That was versed so beutifully!

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    1. Thanks a lot, Deepak for your encouragement!

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  34. I can relate to it, partly for being 31 and for being over weight. :P

    An awesome read and I bet all gals would agree...:)

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