Sangeetha Kamath

In the still, restful hush before dawn arose, a single bright star greeted me today through the lonely blue haze. A wordless ‘Good Morning’, it sparkled contrary to Dad's hearty voice ringing through the house.  The sky rejoices in you, we revel in all the good memories you've given us to write about, journal about, sing about…most importantly to converse about with joy in our hearts and a wistfulness in our eyes.  Could any treasure be more dear than this? It's a spring in my rose garden with your nostalgia in full bloom. A tiny heart with its vast, grand, golden and upbeat moments is overstuffed with the fabulous 50 years of my life you've given me. Everything is hunky-dory for most parts of the day and night– because I dedicate every waking moment to you, as do I with my mellowed breathing just before I fall asleep asking you to envelop me and Babylou with the most powerful, shielding aura that is now yours.  Yet, there is no silence more louder, no void more expans...

  Lunch hour chaos pulsed through the popular restaurant, yet the staff somehow made room for me at their corner table. As I waited for my meal, my gaze wandered to the unfolding drama. A newly appointed elderly waiter stood before the head server, his eyes cast down, in apology and deference. The head server's voice rose, a harsh rebuke echoing through the dining area. The transgression? Serving himself the expensive dishes meant for customers, not the staff meal package, the rule he was unaware of and it was obvious from the honest error that it was his first day at work. I didn't see greed nor malice. The elderly waiter's repeated apologies seemed genuine, but the head server's anger only intensified. The power dynamic was stark, and I felt a pang of discomfort. As I watched, I realized that the head server's behavior was a reflection of a deeper issue – a lack of empathy and kindness.  At that moment, I was reminded of the Mongolian concept of Zöv Amdral , whic...

I sit here, in a rustic cottage nestled in the Japanese countryside, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature. The thatched roof above me blends seamlessly into the landscape, as if the cottage has grown organically from the earth itself. As I sip my steaming cup of matcha, the bitter notes dance on my tongue, invigorating my senses. The ceramic cup, crafted by local artisans, feels warm to the touch, a gentle reminder of the human hands that shaped it. Outside, the landscape unfolds like a canvas of serene beauty. The cottage is perched on a hillside, overlooking a valley blanketed with a tapestry of emerald green tea fields. The delicate leaves rustle softly in the breeze, releasing the sweet scent of fresh growth. In the distance, the majestic silhouette of Mount Fuji rises, its snow-capped peak glistening like a shard of crystal in the morning light. The mountain's presence is both calming and awe-inspiring, a reminder of the power and majesty of nature. As I gaze out the wi...