My Haiku Gets First Prize

Out of 250 entries from 5 continents and 45 countries - my haiku got First Prize at The Sharpening Green Pencil Contest 2016. 

Delighted to share the link to the Book of the Contest - Sharpening The Green Pencil 2016 Contest. Go to Page 12 to read my winning ku. This is a haiku very close to my heart, and to see it at First Position out 250 entries – is too overwhelming for me. Thank you for such a nice review for this haiku of mine. It means a lot to me!

http://en.calameo.com/read/000019718cac7d22bfea5

(Page 12)

Project Proposal.....

Phew!

For the last few days, I just took a break from my reading and writing - to concentrate to finish my project proposal for the course. Finally - I see a good draft of 500 words, ready to be proofread, and send to my academic counsellor for her feedback. Once I get the feedback, I can print it, and submit to the main university in Delhi. Then I can start with my assignments until I get the final approval to submit my report of atleast 20,000 words (though I plan to submit upto 25000 words..almost a book). Fingers crossed!

A good news a project of anthology for women writers and artists has shortlisted a haiku of mine. This makes me feel so proud about myself. A month dedicated to International Woman's Day, and this mail comes my way.

Another German langauge journal has shortlisted my haiku for the spring issue. It will be translated in German language as well.

Time to get back to proofreading my draft. Send me your prayers and blessings...!

Love

Archana

Black is the Colour!

It has been three years. I stopped playing the festival of colours. I dedicate this day to people who are deprived of vision. I think I do not want to be the priviledged one. I pick black over all the colours. I feel the pain and misery when one has to live a life - where the only colour they know is 'black'. 

There was a time I used to play with colours like a crazy woman. But in these three years - the contentment I experienced is beyond my words. I can never express how good I feel to do it for a cause.

But I do wish my readers around the globe - a very happy and colourful Holi. Few lines for my loved ones, and my readers.

Rang de aapko aaj

Apne pyaar ke rang mein ....

Aasman ke Aasmani se

Sarsoon ke peele mein .....

Mehendi se lagaye apko haara

Aur gulab se lage thodha sa gulaal....

Rang de aapko aaj

Apne pyaar ke rang mein .....

**Happy Holi **

~ Archana Kapoor Nagpal

Different Views Of My Haiku - Washington!

I am so proud to share this with all of you. As blogged earlier about this haiku selected out of 900 haiku - is still displayed at Golden Triangle, DC, Washington. It is true to write - that a writer might not travel but his/her work is famous when it is displayed beyond the borders and boundaries of his/ her existence.

People walking around this place might not know me but they will always know someone wrote something that gave a reason for them to read it.

This is a haiku dedicated to my daughter.

early spring ...

my daughter's snowman 

disappears

If you walk, and read my work - just think of your daughter, and do share it with her.

Tu Kabhi Soch Na Sake ....

I was working on my project proposal. Took a quick break. I love this song of the movie - Airlift. AS i feel Arijit Singh's voice is just amazing, and the lyrics of this song are so soul touching. I loved the Punjabi lyrics as the song starts. Don't know I just cried while listening to this one....Lol!

Incase if my Indian readers would like to know about the lyrics. A beautiful song woven in emotions. Nothing above unconditional love!

https://youtu.be/MJQKJJN9pis

Good night !

My First Cento Gets Published!!

My very first cento (remixed poem) inspired by the works of my favourite poet - John Keats titled 'Unfathomable Love' gets published on Dead Snakes. 

Here is the link for my all readers. Though I do not think cento is purely a creative piece by a writer/poet so I am not much into it. I see it as recreating something out of someone's else work. Wanted to try, my editor liked it, and got it published.

http://deadsnakes.blogspot.in/2016/03/archana-kapoor-nagpal-poem_21.html

Unfathomable Love

A cloud across the moon, -- the lights bring in!

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:

Sweet, holy, pure, sacred and innocent,

But here there is no light

Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath

Before my pen has glean'd my teeming brain

Exact in capitals your golden name;

My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains

That I shall never look upon thee more,

So fondly I'll breathe, and so softly I'll sigh,

With good advices; and I here remain,

My spirit is too weak; mortality

And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

Sources - Poems of John Keats:

A Thing Of Beauty (Endymion)

Bright Star

When I have Fears

Ode To A Nightingale

Sonnet

Stanzas To Miss Wylie

13 and 11 ....

Being a student after 13 years is a feeling of nostalgia in itIself. I guess I am the eldest among my class mates. At times we take too much time to decide the direction or I must write the right direction of life. But I believe - there is a right time for everything. I might leave Bangalore maybe in few months so I wanted to use my time effectively.

Out of entries of 211 authors from 43 countries - one of my favourite haiku got place at 11th position. It is such a great feeling to see my haiku among top few numbers. This month I have seen my work among top in three contests. The feeling is great in itself.

The haiku is as below:

a shooting star -

he holds my hand

to make a wish

(11th Place, EQK #13)

(The keyword for the contest - 'People')

Here is the link to the blog published - 

http://europeankukai.blogspot.in/2016/03/results-of-european-quarterly-kukai-13.html

Happy Monday!

AND IT STARTS ....

Today was my first class. And my mobile got stolen. The sad part is th st I lost my pictures and videos. The most special video was the birthday notes I recorded for a friend for his birthday on my keyboard. I never saved it for myself on any of the drive. Nothing can be done now....

I received my materials, and assignments. Other than two guys who kept staring at me (God knows what they could see that others couldn't), all went well.

I got up early to study for my weekend classes. Saturday and Sunday would be really tough days as I have to leave home at 9 am and travel 28 kms from my home.

Phew!

The most difficult reality that dawns on me - I am suppose to think of 10 topics and draft my proposal before June 2016. It is tough as then I have to write 20, 000 words to finish the project report.

I just finished reading my project proposal guidelines to discuss the same with my counsellor. If is fun but tiring with other commitments.

God will take care of me. My mom always tell me ' you are good but you are better than thevbest under pressures ;

Mom - I miss you!

Happy Weekend!

A Device Driven Life!

A poem is written with different ideas. At times - it is inspired by our real life as well. When I went to Singapore last November - I saw everyone hooked to their gadgets. While standing in a queue, or in a metro - their lives were completely dominated by a gadget.

I walked out of virtual world last July - as I thought I have lot of academic and financial commitments to be attended. A poem that is liked and shared by many readers and friends through my official author page.

Here is the link for my readers -

http://www.thewritersdrawer.net/device-driven-life.html

Addiction of any kind is not worth whether an alcohol or a gadget. Sooner you quit, better it will be for you!

Forum For Breast Cancer!

This is International Women Month. Most of the times women do not want to talk about their organs openly. They hide and hesitate to go to doctors. Breast related problems are very common. I got fibrocystic breasts at the age of 29. Every year I got my scan done until last year when two lumps were detected. I was told to be careful. I moved to the homeopathy stream of medicine. It was a happy day - when my all scans came to be normal.

But life has its own twists and turns as recently I faced pains and got my checkup done. My left hand could not lift itself, and it was absolutely numb. I was diagnosed with 'fibroadenoma'. Yet to go through my high level tests and bioposies. It scares me at times. I see my best friend fighting breast cancer but I believe face whatever comes in life. Do not be an escapist. I convince myself - I am ready for the best, and the worst in life. I could not sleep for the last three days due to pain. It gets harder for me to swim as I am not able to lift my left arm due to numbness but I never stopped any activity. Live life Queen Size! I am experiencing pain but there is no medication until my scans are done. So why to give up before time - in life. You live only once.

There is a forum that I follow and participate. Of course, my name is changed in this forum as I do not want people to read me, openly. But this forum might be helpful to you as a woman. It might answer your queries. But a quick request - do not conclude anything by these discussions. They are just additional information to guide you, not to drive you!

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/136/topics/798424

Be Positive.
Love,
Archana

Coming Up Work ...

March was a lot more tougher month for me. I wanted to catch up with the lost time around wedding celebrations.

Yes, not to forget I just got my schedule for the classes that are starting this Friday. Well - so far it is good as it gives me a chance to travel to the other part of the city, and make new friends from the same background of interests. My classes will start at 11 am and will end at 6 pm. Three days per week until I get the schedule for April. I have not received my study material so Friday will be a really busy day - switching from a point to another. Love the cabbies!

But so far I have quick updates for the month of March - where my work is shortlisted, and where all my work is published so far.

You will read my work in the following journals -

1.) Acorn 

2.) Otolith

3.) Gnarled Oak

4.) Writer's Drawer

5.) Wild Plum

6.) Englyn

7.)Frozen Butterfly

8.) Bamboo Hut

9.) Failed Haiku

Presently - I am writing for few more journals. Let me keep my fingers crossed. But I am super excited for my classes as I posted on my FB. It is a good feeling to be a student again!

Thank you for reading me so far!

Love,

Archana

Message in my Inbox....

A woman is born with great strength to deal with the worst situations of life.

If I take a quick look and rewind few episodes of my life - I wonder how I have survived so many unwanted ups and downs of life.

Yesterday - a reader left me with a message that I want to paste and share with all of you. It just made me feel so happy about my contribution as a woman. Though the best message I saved and kept it in memory (will always keep it) was by my best friend, my chat friend. Though in all these 7 years he never wished me on this day. But once when he wished, I had saved that message. On that day, tears rolled down my cheeks but today I re-read it, and I felt as he was saying it in person. ...

Another message by a reader friend in my FB inbox made me feel so pleasant and happy....

"U r a woman of ths era who is an answer to this self obsessed Indian community of Men are greater n buulcrap. I feel so happy when I see your cherished face/paintings/Haiku/Swimming Lessons u r an inspiration"

Golden Triangle Haiku Contest 2016 Results...

If you are in Washington - then you might read my haiku that is a runners up among 125 Haiku on the roads around you. More than 900 haiku entries had come and been judged for this contest. I feel so blessed to be a runner up among selected 125 haiku. It means a lot to me!

Golden Triangle Haiku Contest 2016 results are announced. Congratulations to all the other winners, and runners up winners. Look for the roads and you will find all 125 haiku around including mine. Here is my haiku that is one of the runners up.

early spring
my daughter's snowman
disappears

To read all winning haiku, and the map of roads displaying these haiku at the link below.

http://goldentriangledc.com/2016-golden-haiku-winners/

Failed Haiku Issue 3 Publised Senryu!

Issue 3 of Failed Haiku is out. I am glad to see my two senryu published in this issue. I have collated and embedded my published work as an image for my readers.

You can check the link to read work by other poets as well.

http://www.haikuhut.com/FailedHaikuIssue3.pdf