Published inAbout Me Stories·PinnedMember-onlyAbout Me — Manali DesaiFoodie, Moodie, Broodie. — The statement, “Tell me something about yourself” always freezes me. Like how do I define myself in a few sentences strung together? It especially makes me nervous too, because it takes me back to my job hunting days and the countless interviews I gave. After three decades of life experience…About Me6 min readAbout Me6 min read
Published inThe Haven·PinnedMember-onlyWhen my socials became antisocialAll my online accounts having a conversation about yours truly — Instagram: Manali loves me the most! Why are we even having this conversation? It’s a clear waste of time. Facebook: *rolls eyes* oh, please! I came to her solace when she was mourning over her first love Orkut. She would never love anyone more than me. I’m literally the shoulder…Social Media3 min readSocial Media3 min read
PinnedMember-onlyMy NameWho are you? — Making money by following my passion for reading and writing. Always curious to know more, learn and grow. Never shying away from helping someone who asks for it. An admirer of nature and all that it has to offer. Language and literature lover. In this world to try and make…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Published inThank You Notes·PinnedMember-onlyThank You Dear ReadersI’m nothing without you all — In a Creative Writing Symposium, where I was a speaker recently, one of the participant students asked me, “How do I get over the hesitation of being judged for my writing?” It’s an age-old question for any creative person and I answered them by saying, “You never get over it…Grateful2 min readGrateful2 min read
Published inWrite Like a Girl·PinnedMember-onlyTo the Men Who Fear Feminists and FeminismBecause feminism has become so synonymous with man-hating — Dear men, Yes, I’m a feminist. And the first thought that probably came to your mind was, “Oh! she must hate all men.” So, let me begin by saying, no I don’t. And yes, I do. No, because I was raised by a man, grew up with another, and am…Feminsim2 min readFeminsim2 min read
Published inWrite Under the Moon·Sep 30Member-onlyComing Out of the ClosetTime to get rid of the excess baggage — My closet was full The clothes and other contents falling over one another My closet was full I couldn’t find what I wanted without everything toppling over My closet was full Most things inside were hidden in plain sight My closet was full It was giving me anxiety and sleepless nights…Poem2 min readPoem2 min read
Published inWeeds & Wildflowers·Sep 27Member-onlyThe Smashed FlowerWhat’s the story? — What’s the story of the smashed flower on the sidewalk Was it? Blown off by the wind, or thrown away in anguish What’s the story of the smashed flower on the sidewalk Was it part of a wreath? Adorning a maiden’s hair and adding to her beauty, or Providing solace to a devotee…Poem2 min readPoem2 min read
Published inKnow Thyself, Heal Thyself·Sep 26Member-onlyWhich Face is Real?Everyone appears to be the same — Which face is real? There are so many you wear, one after the other, and sometimes altogether I wonder how you keep track of when to show which one Which face is real? One for work, one for home, one for the day, one for the night I wonder how you remember which place and…Poem2 min readPoem2 min read
Published inThe Lark·Jul 25Member-onlyWhat Would Life Be LikeIf there were no books in the world — What would life be like? If there were no books in the world There would be hardly any record of the history of the world We’d not know much about our ancestors And then maybe assume things were always like how they’re today What would life be like? If there were…Poetry2 min readPoetry2 min read
Published inKnow Thyself, Heal Thyself·Jul 3Member-onlyOut of the BoxNo one knows why we do it — Sex Age Weight Nationality Orientation Religion Caste Profession Family background Income The various boxes we tick off to gauge a person Knowing and sometimes unbeknownst their name No one knows why we do it No one can justify why it’s the right thing to do And surely no one likes being on the…Poem2 min readPoem2 min read
