Tanka for my Daughter (:

OMG! Ugadi is just about to come. I wrote a Tanka for my daughter.

I wrote a Tanka for my daughter and here it is -:(

snow covered

Christmas tree brightly glows

in the early morning--

four hands wrapped

around a cup of coffee

Tanka © 26.3.2014 (Archana Kapoor Nagpal)

Updated Profile -:)

You sit at a place for dinner and the menu is given to you. I am always given a liqour menu though I do not drink. But I check the very first page of it for single malt. Last night, I decided to ignore my habit of checking the first page, and read it backwards.:).....but still landed to first page:)

I am writing erotic haiku these days and I am just loving it. I enjoy to romance with words now:). Recently, one of my erotic haiku also got shortlisted for an anthology. 

I have been quite busy for last few days and it is good as your mind is occupied for writing. I just added my latest book to my Amazon profile and here is the link -

http://www.amazon.com/Archana-Kapoor-Nagpal/e/B008N6DT9C

Monday - the first day of the week. Look for a brighter day and a great week ahead. 

Cheers!

First Anniversary of my Second Book -:)

First Anniversary of my second book - The Road to a Positive Life. Thanks to all those who have read it, and left a positive feedback for my book. Thanks to all those who are still reading it. Thanks for reading me so far. To know more about my second book, please click the link below. You can read all the reviews at the same link.

- http://books.google.co.in/books?id=pXtImgEACAAJ&dq=the+road+to+a+positive+life+archana&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4NQrU8vuPKHniAeGj4HIBg&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA

Happy Weekend!

Friday Gurgaon Featured Our International Anthology -

I am happy to post that Friday Gurgaon has also featured our article around International Anthology - 'A Pinch of Love, Peace and Humanity'. Please click the link below and go to page 5 to read what the book is all about. Before you grab a copy for your family - learn about our book. 

http://issuu.com/fridaygurgaon/docs/friday_gurgaon_7-13_march__2014

To know about anthology and my latest book with our 9 authors - please read yesterday's post.

http://doyouthinkyouareliving.blogspot.in/2014/03/a-pinch-of-love-peace-and-humanity-goes.html

A Pinch of Love, Peace and Humanity GOES LIVE!

Dear Readers -

After three months of hard work, I am happy to share the link of our anthology project- A Pinch of Love, Peace and Humanity by ten international authors who joined hands to pen down their experiences - to make this world a better place to live. As I read every story of this book, I feel coddled and cosseted. The beautiful prose poetry by one of the most popular poets in the world adds freshness to my mornings. A thought initiated by an author from Pakistan beaded together many thoughts of authors from different countries into a rosary called – A Pinch of Love, Peace and Humanity. Finally the project goes live for our readers and friends. Our book ‘A Pinch of Love, Peace and Humanity’ is all available for all of you at the link – https://www.createspace.com/4718042

Thanks to all the authors who are part of this book. Special thanks to Hammad Khan for coming up with such a brilliant idea. Where the world is under threat of terrorism, we decided to write a book about love, peace and humanity across borders. 17 true stories in 132 pages can change your way to look at life.

Grab your copy and share the link on your FB and twitter to help us spread the message of love, peace and humanity around the globe.

Just 17 stories in 132 pages written in 90 days can do wonder to the world!

Thanks for reading me so far. This is my third anthology and 6th book as well.

Cheers!

Harvests of New Millenium (Art & Poetry) Ariives Home :)

Readers - my copy of 'Harvests of New Millennium' has arrived home. It was a moment of happiness when I read my poem among many other contributions. Go to page 52 if you have grabbed a copy and read my contribution - 'Woes of Spring'.

I am sharing the picture of the book with all my blog readers.

Happy weekend <3

My Poem in 'Harvests of New Millennium'

Few weeks ago, I mentioned around ‘Woes Of Spring’ - a poem inspired by my real life shortlisted in an anthology – ‘Harvests Of Millennium (Art and Poetry)’ published by Cyberwit.net. I got my copy today. I am happy to share the link of the same with my readers and friends. Click the link to grab your copy. You can view all the contributors at this link who are part of this anthology (including me).

 –  http://www.cyberwit.net/publications/643

To know more about 'Harvests of New Millennium' -

Cyberwit's Harvests of New Millennium will be divided into three sections: (1) Photos, Paintings and Drawings, (2) Poetry and (3) Biography of Contributing Artists. The Journal will feature poems and artworks by the artists from all over the world. The poems and artwork selected for Harvests of New Millennium will surely compel our admiration.

This book is also donated to libraries in US and Uk.

 Thanks for reading me so far!

Haiku and Tanka:)

In last two months I have written 50 Haiku and I just got a great news that one of my Haiku will be featured as 'Current Personal Best' on one of the most popular portal of Haiku. I will share the links soon.

I am also writing Tanka for the last one week. I have written two Tanka in last two days and both of them are really appreciated. The second one is my favourite. I am writing one Haiku and one Tanka a day:)

I am sharing a Tanka - I wrote last night. It is special to me:)

sun’s rays

through bare branches

on my pillow—

I still feel his

warmth

Tanka © Archana Kapoor Nagpal 7.3.2014

Cheers!

A Boy or A Girl?

Time has changed. If you ask a pregnant lady in my country whether she wants a boy or a girl - she will blush or respond excitedly 'girl'. 

34 years ago it was different. My mother could not accept the fact that her second child is a girl child. I was born and my mother did not touch me for days. I was born very dark, and my mom thought I was not her baby. I was swollen and black. And the bothering fact was my colour and my being a girl child. During her pregrancy, my mom read Bhagvad Gita, and all quotes around Arjuna. She assumed and firmly believed that God will give her a son. My birth was a shock to her. She used to always dress me up like a boy. She treated me like a boy. She had never let me grow my hair or be like other girls maybe like my sister. But then one day she changed. She asked me to be like other girls - docile, long hair, soft-spoken, and much above adapt to makeup. I tried to do it but I could not live for long like that. Where I always enjoyed wearing jeans, and was comfortable among boys, I felt strangulated among girls. 

And then love happened. For the first time, I felt like a girl. But my mom felt - you are a girl and you cannot disobey us. I felt after happy that after so many years she realised the fact, and I paid a heavy price for it. I do not know but I became like a machine that started scanning things in my mind - all good and bad things. Good part, I do not have to read books like people. I read it once and I am done for my exams. I am strong and I love my mom for that. She made me tough to handle things as she treated me like a man than a woman. But still I am not a machine. Or I have become like one! I am enjoying it. Or maybe just fooling myself!

Do not do this with your girl child. Let her live like a girl. This women's day - let us oath to accept our children. Finally, my mom is proud of me and I love my mom for every thing. But I miss my childhood and will always regret it!

Happy Women's Day!

Happy International Women's Day 2014

We are just a day away from International women's Day, and my poem is published for my readers in my column of FG. - http://www.fridaygurgaon.com/news/4598-I-Will-Be-A-Survivor.html

I have a lump in my breast

And it hurts when I touch it

I experience needle-stabbing pains 

And diaphragmatic breathing gives no relief

I lie awake at night 

With negative thoughts gnawing at my mind

Deep inside my heart

I struggle to answer my own question

And the answer is deliberately vague…

I still do not believe in fate.

My life is changing

Each hour brings a new challenge

Some days are uplifting

But my smile is always missing

I am struggling in my battle with pain

The see-saws between hope and fear

I am just tired of depression…

In that corner of the room

I sit in my rocking chair

And I think about my future.

I am living one day after another

I have some unfulfilled dreams in my heart

Cancer does not define me

But chemotherapy seems never ending

It makes me feel feeble

It causes severe body aches

My hands shake all the time

And my heart sinks into my chest

I embrace the rosary in my bag

As I have not lost my faith in God.

Daffodils are blooming in my garden,

At this time of year

The countryside is so lush and green

I can see a butterfly with one wing

Leaning against the wall

But the butterfly doesn’t give up…

And this is when the feeling sinks in

I am ready to fight another battle

Tears rolling down my cheeks

I give myself a smile.

I am comfortable flaunting my bald head

And I welcome a new day in life

When negativity surrounds me

I keep my spirits high

When I am in pain

I find reasons to stay happy

I don’t feel beautiful anymore

And people do not notice me as well

But I am fighting breast cancer

And I will be a survivor.

This poem is inspired by a true life story of my friend.  Also to an extent, I can very well relate to this poem. I will suggest all my women readers to read this poem. Be strong in life, stand for your rights and do not compromise when it comes to your self-respect. A woman is no less than a man indeed we are blessed to be addressed as mother. Once a friend told me a line that still lives with me - a mother is a mother whether biological or sponsored.  A woman is a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and she plays all these roles to her best. Stay blessed. Read the link to my poem.

Haiku Prompts Keep Me Awake-:)

I have almost written 43 Haiku in last 6 weeks. The number is good and I am really enjoying it.

I am sharing the link to the page where we get daily prompt to write our Haiku. This will give you a word in case you face a writer's block. Though other than this prompt, I write some of my own Haiku as well (around the images that I see around me). You can google and read my Haiku written so far. 

Here is the link - https://www.facebook.com/NaHaiWriMo

I am collating my Haiku to self-publish as an ebook that will be available for free $0.00. Also I am reading CreateSpace to bring this book in the paperback format. 

Keep writing!

Cheers:)