Shail’s Nest

I firmly believe in the adage, ‘change is the only constant in this world’. Needless to say the change I am talking about here does not refer to it, but to the ‘change’ that is expected of a woman.

Recently IHM wrote a post ‘What would you not change for love’ which actually translated [...]

The balcony is my favorite place to stand and watch the world go by in between my chores. My time there starts when I open the French windows to it in the morning to find the rolled up newspaper of the day lying there.

Right opposite to the balcony stand like sentinels three trees belonging [...]

A tree doesn’t shout out loud in pride about the strength and efficacy of its roots but proves the point by its own majestic bearing, solid trunk, strong branches, green leaves, beautiful and colorful flowers and luscious fruits.
Sometimes branches are cut mercilessly, but the tree makes a miraculous come back with the strong roots [...]

Ours was an arranged marriage. Not that I had much choice in the matter. It was the norm those days. So when I came to know that people would be in that evening to ‘view’ me, I took it in my stride.
I had my own views on the subject, of course. Not that anyone was [...]

They ask me the same question all the time, every single time without fail, “Do you work??” Sometimes I wonder if it is a conspiracy. Hey let’s ask Shail whether she works. Its fun!! She might just explode into a million colorful bits one of these days and its not even Diwali yet. Sweet-natured [...]

It is almost a month since the junior son fractured his wrist. It is now time to have the plaster cast removed. So off go the Mom and son to KIMS. That’s Kerala Institute of Medical Science for you. It is a long drive from home. They make it in good time. Having completed the [...]

Words spouted
Meanings twisted
Feelings shredded
Broken hearted
Love thwarted
Insides knotted
Dreams exploded
The bloom wilted
Eyes clouded
With tears blinded
Breathe suspended
Life has ended.
-Shail Mohan (May 2008)

Mothers Day is here. Paeans are being sung, odes getting composed, poems being written by most everyone to their mothers and to motherhood in general. Yes, Mothers deserve that and more, no denying the fact Yet I wonder how many have on this day paused to think of those children denied a mother’s love.
Oh [...]

It’s presumptuous how some people mete out unwanted advice. Has me shaking my head in disbelief most times. Apart from the thought that makes me wonder why they think they must do so, is another more alarming one: Do I have ‘imbecile’ written in neon all over my countenance??.. Hmmm… I mean why else would [...]

I am back from my much deserved holiday. Son Junior and L&M are at the station to receive me. They have been waiting for me at the railway station from the unearthly hour of 2 a.m. The train predictably, is late and arrives at well past 3 a.m. Son Junior takes two of the bags [...]