The Other Side of Life

Today's prompt: The Blessing Prompt  And with that, we reach Day 30, the end of the month long Poetry challenge. I loved every minute of it. I hope I entertained you in some way! :) Small moments, warm smiles,  Road trips of many miles, Unlimited hot chocolate  French fries on your plate. High speed internet, Petrichor without getting wet, Cream cheese never running out, Messy nachos without a doubt. Actually, any Mexican food would do, Throw in free chocolate desserts too Fitness without the exercise, Never outgrowing a dress size. Free upgrades on all your flights All year round Christmas lights. Friendships that outlast social media, Your own page on Wikipedia. Exchange little moments of love wordlessly, But most of all, I bless you with Normalcy . Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems based on the prompts.

Today's prompt: The Cursed Prompt  -  Curse your enemies I find nothing more annoying than clich é s. So, I have decided to curse my enemies with clich é s. Dear enemy, w ith all due respect, You are a bad egg , I must be direct. I hope you get stuck between a rock and a hard place, And may people avoid you like the plague. I pray you become the elephant in the room, Especially when clouds without silver linings  loom. May your books be always judged by their covers, And may your love life be that of star-crossed lovers. If you want to play your cards right, You must first stop this cats and dogs fight. If you do that, the sky is your limit , And the rest, as they say, could possibly be history , I admit. Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems based on the prompts.

Today's prompt: The Insomnia Prompt  In case you miss it, the number of words in each line for a Fibonacci sequence too. (I couldn’t risk people not seeing it) One Sheep Two sheep Now Three Sheep Two more, makes five sheep Triplets joining the party make it eight sheep Who knew how smart sheep are, they are making a cool Fibonacci heap! Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems based on the prompts.

Today's prompt: The Skewed Reflection Prompt  Write a poem about yourself that people believe  to be true, which you know is not, as though it were true. My phone seems to think I am pretty perfect person and I am. 07:00 : Alarm 1 - Hey, you early bird! :) Me: Ok, getting up, you know I always keep my word. 07:15 : Alarm 2 - You love an early start! Me: Awww, how well you know my heart. 08:00 : Alarm 10 - You probably kept snoozing by mistake. Me: OMG, did I? I'm sorry, now I am awake. 08:30 : Fitness App - Let's go for a run, you fitness freak! Me: Starting in 2 minutes, let's go for the perfect physique! 09:30 : Fitness App - Surely, you didn't mean to turn off my notification? Me: Noooo! I was just turning off my location! 10:00 : Calendar - Your favourite time, its time for a meet! Me: OMG, random people, unnecessary small talk? What a treat! 13:00 : Food App - Hey you health nerd, sticking to diet? Me: Absolutely. Let me first finish this bag of chips in quiet....

Today's prompt: The Hell Prompt  A poem made up of Google searches about hell. People are so curious! Is hell t oo crowded? Why is hell  a bad word? Is hell o nly for the dead? Is hell t he same as underworld ? Is hell a good place? Is hell n ice? Hell is a  very small place Hell is b etter than my life. Is hell i n Grand Cayman Island? Is hell a n empty room? Hell is a  c ity much like London Hell is b eing here with you. Is hell u pside down? Is hell e xothermic or endothermic? Hell is j ust a sauna Hell is a  frame of mind. Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems based on the prompts.  

Today's prompt: The Confession Prompt - A love poem  I am taking the liberty of republishing a poem from last year that's perfect for this prompt. Cheating, but it's Saturday night. Girl : Roses are red, violets are blue. As per Facebook, I'm in a relationship with you. Boy: Roses are red, violets are blue. I think I'm ready to share my WiFi password with you. Girl: Roses are red, violets are blue. I just did an Instagram Live declaring my love for you. Boy: Roses are red, violets are blue, This is getting serious, I deleted my Tinder account too. Girl: Roses are red, violets are blue, Do you remember, last night on the phone, I told you what I dream to do? Boy: Roses are red, violets are blue, Umm. Yes. You looked beautiful as you spoke. I love you. Girl: Roses are red. Violets are blue. You don't remember? While talking to me, were you playing Pubg too? Boy: Roses are red, violets are blue. Excuse me, weren't you on browsing on Instagram too? Girl: Roses a...

Today's prompt: The Decorator Prompt - Someone tasked with decorating something. I have decided to decorate a famous rock song with  political correctness and less passive-aggressiveness so we can play it to our kids.  Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems based on the prompts.  

Today's prompt: The Polished Turd Prompt - A poem that's a continuation of a previous bad poem. The last time I couldn't think of anything to write, I did a limerick. So back to that today. After 22 days of writing bad poetry, And entertaining people for free, I think I need a break, One day, give or take. Then I shall get back on the spree. Pic: ipmma.com Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems based on the prompts.  

Today's prompt: The Hollow Prompt - A poem that censors all ______ I decide to sensor all jargon. Hate it anyway. I have a problem I need your expert views on. My life's missing a vision statement to follow upon. It needs to be actionable with things to do , Did I mention it must be needle-moving too? Starting with a clean slate sounds good, I admit. Then we draw a box and think outsid e it. Once we have a rough outline , pencil it in , Don't forget the roadmap showing where to begin. It's not rocket science , I know, I know. But finding synergies is quite hard though. As a thought leader, sadly, I have come to the conclusion Even adding big data , blockchain and cloud can't save my vision. Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems based on the prompts.  

Today's prompt: The Snack Packaging Prompt Let's face it, I am just what you need, For your lockdown to really succeed. A little fatty snack to keep you going, To keep those stubborn calories flowing ! No, don't say you are watching your weight. We both know that's not the truth, mate. If you are so concerned, why hoard me at all? You could have stopped at one packet, but you went for the long haul ! Fine, since this bothers you so much, Stop crying about calories and such. Turn me around and take a peak at my Nutrition Label , Wink, nudge, wink. I might have done a little something to the table . 😉 Think about all the good times we've had. How my first bite stopped you from feeling bad. In your heart, you know I make for the perfect midnight snack. Hah, job done.  I see you are reaching for the pack !  😈 Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every d...

Today's prompt: The Full Circle Prompt Ok, this is something new. Tried a new thing called a Reverse Poem. Read it from the top and then read it from the bottom! We have achieved power, no? We are now a race to reckon with. It is a lie to say that We spared no one in the path. We took care of all species. Never say that Animals don't love us. Look around at the city Do me a favour, don't Worry about our land use! We didn't screw it up. No one can tell me that We are not a perfect race! Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems based on the prompts.   Not true that Animals are better off without us.

Today's prompt: The Hygiene Prompt Difficult times bring out the best in us, Some are upgrading their skills to plus plus, Some are trying new hobbies as husband-wife Some are just learning to enjoy life. I have also perfected one small art, It's not very hard, but needs a lot of heart. One might say we should have done this all along, If we did, we wouldn't be in lockdowns for so long. Nonetheless, here I am showing off my skills, Just talking about it is giving me the thrills. You guessed it, I am now a hand-wash champion, In Olympics, I would have been second to none. I play the whole 20 seconds game, "Lather, rinse, repeat" is now my family name. You can wake me up in the middle of the night I'll go straight to wash my hands, without any fight. When the crisis is over, we'll all emerge changed, Some will emerge stronger, some deranged. I will emerge a freak who added this line on my CV, "Experienced hand-wash professional on a 3 month long spree....

Today's prompt: The Loving Critic Dear husband, I adore this spirit of yours, I love that you offer to help with household chores. What would I do without your support, dear boo, If I criticise, you know it's because I love you? Oh thanks for loading the washing machine today, I mean, we are late by 3 days, but it's okay. It's probably me just being finicky, but you remembered, right, To avoid nasty surprises from not separating coloured from the white? While we are at it, I must say a big thanks, For bringing the dried clothes in and creating cute little tent camps. They are adorable, that for sure I can say, But you do know that clothes can be folded within a day? I see you are cooking up a storm in the kitchen, I know it's a surprise, you don't want me to pitch in. But can I just butt in and say one little thing again, You might want to clean the kitchen top to avoid that (horrible) stain? Dear husband, keep helping me out this way, It really does make me fee...

Today's prompt: The Mother Tongue Prompt English has borrowed heavily from other languages, including Hindi. Here's a poem with the original Hindi words. The old Englishman sat on his varanda with his boy, Sipping tea on his old wood carved tipay. His old Bangla loomed in the background, Nestled amidst the jangal around. He poked the boy who sat playing on a khaat , And said, my boy, a desire has struck my dear heart. I yearn for the khushi old days of the yore, Partying with the blokes, laughing at the quirky bandhanas we wore. Our time in India was of doubtful repute History books only record stories of our lut , But Pandits and experts are now aligned, That history has one fact maligned . Yes, yoga , zero , cashmere and roti are Indian, who knew? Yes, my haircare product champo owes its name to Hindi too. But, here's something that's we Scotts will always relish. The Chicken Tikka Masala was a Scottish invention and now our national dish! *veranda,...

Today's prompt: How can this be allow prompt - break rules of poetry Hmm, so this prompt made me realise that I have broken every rule of serious poetry till now, like rhyming! So, I will use to prompt to follow rules and write serious poetry. Game face on. Today I learnt that my poetry isn't serious, And that thought makes me so furious. Apparently lines aren't supposed to rhyme. If they do, it's apparently a crime sham . I shall write Only deep  poems from now on. With maths in the number of words, And poems shaped like birds funnels. Meaning so deep, It makes you fall asleep wonder. With uneven sentences And abstract inferences thoughts. I can write a serious poem too, You may or may not enjoy it if I do write like that. But it shall carry a deep undercurrent of feelings and emotions That shall sweep you off your feet Away                 in         ...

Today's prompt: The Junk Mail  Prompt  "Dear Sir, you will be pleased to know this, You just won a lottery from Credit Suisse. $100,000,000 will be transferred to you soon Just share your bank account & password by June." I replied: "This is amazing, thank you for letting me know, Very exciting, but I have a small doubt, though As much as I want this exciting huge amount, I am not the best person to manage my account. Every time I get my bonus, I tell my self I'll save, And then I go ahead and spend on things I crave. I buy useless things that I didn't know I needed, Till I realise my bonus amount I have exceeded. So, in the interest of saving us this effort, I propose You could share with me *your* password instead, I suppose. I shall withdraw only $100,000 per month for 83 years  And you get to earn interest without the blood, sweat or tears! It's a win-win situation for both of us, The other detailed terms we could discuss, But, agree soon to this ...

Today's prompt: The Guilty Pleasure  Prompt in gazal style I have tried to look away, not give in, just walk away, I tell myself just be stubborn, stay strong, don't sway. But then the irresistible aroma of spicy salsa kicks in, Along with cheese, red bean and that lemony underpin. That's when I know that Mexican is my guilty pleasure, An unadulterated love so deep, it's hard to measure. But it breaks my poor heart that this always happens Despite my pure love, my avocado never ever ripens. But Preeti here will never stop loving amazing Mexican food, This unrequited avo love shall keep me company in solitude. Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems based on the prompts.   Rules for Gazals: - 5 Couplets, same length lines - Last couplet should have the poet's name

Today's prompt: The Eavesdropping  Prompt  "Maybe she died", I heard my car telling its friend. He replied, "They couldn't have all died together, I contend?" "Then why isn't she taking me out?" "I heard someone say humans are in a lockdown throughout."  😲 "When do you think she is getting out of the house?" I overheard my sofa whisper to my favourite blouse. "If you know, will you please let me know? You might be bored of her, but I am ready for a show."  🤷‍♀️ Then the clanging utensils were heard singing a song, "She's finally cooking, may she live long!" The study table grumbled at the utensil's song, "I yearn for the days when I was only used for beer pong."  🍻 But in the corner of the house, my running shoes smirk, "Lockdown or no, we never have any work, In normal days, she only has time for fun, Now she has all the time, but no place to go run."  🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️ Wri...

Today's prompt: The Finals  Prompt - The culmination of all preparation, the determinant of your future. I don't know how to put this, but here's what's happened, You kinda died, and your heartline flattened. The good news is, ahem, we now get to decide Whether you are going to heaven or on a ghastly hell ride. Hmm, let's see, what does your record here state? You have blood on your hands, oh man! Whom did you hate? Oh it was your succulent plants, what did they ever do to you? You saw others' pics on Instagram and thought you would grow them too? It says here, you gave too much water to one, Too less to another, and to one you gave none? You put one in too much sunshine and one in too much shade, When both didn't work, you put one on a central line you made? Don't look so sad, to be honest, I must confess, I tried growing succulents too, without much success. Another thing that Instagram makes it look so easy, Like baking, raising kids and headstands th...

Today's prompt: The Calculus Prompt So, I decided to do a visual poem. Apologies for the poor resolution. No other way to make it better on Blogger.  Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems based on the prompts.  

Today's prompt: The Theist  Prompt - A poem explaining something scientific in religious or spiritual terms Today, the energy isn't aligned Negativity has my thoughts maligned. What could have been a beautiful poem today, Is, alas, just negative energy gone astray. Or maybe today is the Bad Karma Show, After all, I didn't water my plants 3 days in a row, Yes, w ere it not for karma, this poem would have crossed, The hallowed works of Keats and Robert Frost. Or maybe the problem is the spirits of the past My ancestors getting their revenge at last. The only task the ghosts had today it might seem, Was to stop this poem from becoming supreme. So, between the bad karma and the negative energy, And the naughty spirits we can never see, They all got together and ruined this work. (Pretend you can't see my lazy self smirk) Written for:  Singapore Poetry Writing Month  is an annual event in April, where a prompt is released every day and people write and share their poems base...

Today's prompt: The Paren t Prompt Ok, this is fun. This is a Twin Cinema Poem - 3 poems in 1. Each column is a poem and if you read across the columns, its still a poem!  Stop wasting time on the phone     I told my parents for the nth time,              Watching videos alone,     Forwarding crap on Whatsapp should be a crime.               This mindless scrolling     Reading through family groups   Stops your mind from growing     Making  us all nincompoops          Go out, enjoy the outside,    Ignore the fake news                 Open your eyes wide.    Don't fall for the ruse.               My parents said to me.    "This role reversal is a cycle"              I replied, I don'...

Today's prompt: The Quotation Prompt - a quotation you learnt and wanted to use in all exams in school 07:00 Good morning, it's time to rise and shine, my friend! 09:00 Ok, if you get up later than this, I am not comfortable, I can't pretend . 09:30 The usual daily team update, nothing new from them Remember, you got this, this is your day, Carpe Diem!  💪 10:30 Attend a meeting that could have been an email 11:30 Long meeting alert, if you survive, you can tell the tale. 14:30 Late lunch. Eat quick, I blocked some me-time, free from them. Hmm, realistically speaking, do you really need to Carpe diem?  🤔 15:00 Finally, some alone time, let's do some deep work 15:05 Scratch that. Last minute meeting just got added by a jerk. 17:00 Scheduled fun time. Birthday cake for a team mate. I am getting a feeling, your carpe diem can wait.  😬 18:00 Another meeting, let's go. 19:00 It's the end of the day already? Woah. 19:15 Go home and sleep. But have no doubt, Tomorrow...

Today's prompt:  The  First Impressions Prompt With apologies to the moderator giving this prompt, I am going to have to go a bit astray on this one. Not sticking to the guidelines. Today is finally my day,  The world shall finally see my worth on display. After months of languishing in the drafts folder, Of my "social influencer" owner giving me the cold shoulder, Of my OOTD turning into outfit of the out-of-fashion yesteryears, Today, I am being posted on Instagram, amidst lots of cheers. Nervousness. Nausea. Excitement. It's bittersweet. Being a social influencer's Instagram post is no mean feat. The anxious wait for that first heart, Will people like me from the start? Will I catch their attention while they scroll? In the 5 second window, will they look into my soul? Ok, it's time to go, Juno filter set, owner has hit share. Are people looking at me everywhere? 1 minute. 0 hearts. First impressions not started yet. 2 minutes. 0 hearts. It's starting s...