Love Poem #1

The red crowned cranes of Hokkaido
Know the meaning of love.
They mate for life
And dance and cry in courtship displays
That strengthen their bond.
They want the whole world to know
They are happy.
Together.

I know what it feels to want love
When I focus on the shadows
Dancing on my ceiling
As you fill me up with a bit of you
And whisper,’ I love you’ into my ears.

I believe you for a moment.
But I also know the reality-
There will be another naked girl
Lying beneath you some day.
And you will say the same magical words
In the same mundane way.

When lovemaking becomes a chore
We stop pretending too.
You hide us inside the confines of my bedroom
When you are done convincing yourself
That you have given me enough,
You leave.

The sheets smell of you
Even hours after you are gone.
I weep in the shower
For the love I don’t see in your eyes

We are habits.
You and I.
We stopped being lovers a long time ago.

Maybe we were born into the wrong species.
Maybe we will be reincarnated as the cranes
And dance by the lake, in the snow.
And we will say,’I love you’ in crane language.
And we will believe it
Till death do us apart.

Self care in the times of social distancing

Self care is not just an occasional indulgence or a spa day on your birthday. While physical comfort is a luxury we all need to give ourselves, we have to take care of our emotional well being as well.

Are we allowing ourselves to be in an environment that nourishes our soul? Communicate with people who understand the unsaid? Or are we constantly struggling to prove our worth and good intentions to those who refuse to see the good in us, for reasons best known to them?

Maybe this imposed social distancing is an opportunity for all of us to analyze our priorities. We are surviving in the most atomic state of existence right now- with our immediate family or friends. I have also come to realize how little we need to be happy. Anything that causes unnecessary emotional turbulence may have some associated benefits, most likely a chance to give the affection you have in your heart that remains untapped. But maybe your eagerness to please, to make everything perfect for people you care about goes unnoticed. Maybe the chasm between your expectations and reality gnaws at your heart, eroding all the hope for real bliss.

Maybe this is a time to say aloud that I can be happy on my own. Like a child who will invent games to stay occupied. Maybe this isolation is necessary for creativity to flourish. Even mandatory for those who want to express themselves through arts- a painting, a poem, or even a dance routine.

Self care starts with loving yourself. Placing your mental health and emotional needs before the need for validation from others.

Stay healthy. ❤️
Both physically and mentally.