Arithmetic

Isn't
life
itself
the
sum
total
of
unrelated
events
and
people?

- Saadat Hasan Manto

Picture postcard

A father keeping his daughter entertained with number games.
A young couple munching on chips and talking of mutual friends.
The woman with three kids in tow calling her husband on phone.
And old grandparents looking out the window.
Quiet. Dignified.

Two little girls
From the large family sprawled on the station platform
Engaged the old man in a chat
As the engine started
He smiled briefly and looked away.

The father, daughter, mother, children, gransparents, one woman and two men
Were one blurred picture
Alive
For just a brief moment
For the old man
Of the large family sprawled on the station platform.

You. On this day. At this time.

Ground coffee from Bali
Lebanese baklava
Words, thoughts, ideas, wishes, a few tears, a few plans
Green trees and faraway skycrapers
And friends
Are in my thoughts this morning.
Those I know well
And those I have never met
You are in my thoughts today.


E.Gilbert, you of the three chapters.
D.Singh, sadness. at the way your were treated.
E.VB, I hope you are enjoying the train ride and when you get down the wind blows your hair around and gives you a refreshing start in the weekend city.
T.Li, I think of your long walks on the road in the busy traffic. Reminders to get out of office and get on with life. Cheers.
Beeps, I know you are with your kids and I see you walking with them and I see you smile. For your words of wisdom always I thank you. And for your patience, and love.
J., as I read this book I think of you in Dharamsala and the vipassana discussions and I see your hair and you make a smile and laughter hide in my cheecks raring to burst out.
Suu..I imagine you in Doon and Delhi. I think of you. And I see you giving presentations with that rushed diction of yours. Stay happy.
T.Myers, I remember your message and I have been meaning to write to you for months. I hope your Saturday starts as a bright sunny day and you have a lovely breakfast with your wife.
Shimla Galimauffry, I am thinking of your pictures and your desciptions and your words. As I imagine my travels, I think of the buildings and the atmosphere you capture. I hope your Saturday is relaxed and lazy and full of the explorations you enjoy.
Lash. Health and happiness.
and M. Gopinath. I have been thinking a lot of the balance you have.


A big hug to you all
On this day
At this time
You are in my thoughts.