Its been 4 years!

This picture turned up in my notifications yesterday. A reminder that I have been in the wordpress community for four years now. I remember when I first started, I Was 18. I didn’t have any plan for the blog, hence it’s unfortunate name “randoms by a random”, and now that I am… (I’ll let you fill in the gap), i’ld like to believe that as I got older, my writings have evolved.

In the past four years, I have come across some phenomenal poets, I have fallen in love with many amazing poems which I try to share on writer’s poem Wednesday. And most importantly, I got to build a connection with so many incredible people.

And what’s more, many of them have gone on to publish their own books: My girl Rosema published (Between my bleeding lines), my Sister released her book “Soul Unraveled”, Jodi wrote a children’s book (Klaus the mouse and other silly animal tales), Colin chappel has published three books and the latest addition and my very good friend Carolyn , just recently releases her book called “The Odessa Chronicles”, which she co-wrote with Colin Chappel.

As writers, we support other writers. Go ahead, contact the writers above, get their books, leave a review and show some love.

To mark my four years here, (even though half the time, I am AWOL),  I would like to host a bloggers Q&A. I can’t believe I’ve never done one before. So, drop me your questions below and and I will be more than happy to answer them in a post.

Thank you for supporting. For reading, for dropping your two cents and for always welcoming me back whenever I go away without notice. ❤️❤️

Drop your questions below in the comment section.

Writer’s Poem Wednesday: Be Kind!

Welcome to another Writer’s Poem Wednesday! This blog is still here because of every single one of you who reads it.

Last year, we got over 30,000 views and over 17,000 visitors! Thank you so much. I have been a lazy writer and recently and Unfortunately, it may last till the end of January. I do apologise for it, the muse is there, the words are in my head, but for some reason, I just dont want to sit and write or read. Has anyone gone through it too? 

Today’s poem is by a poet, whose writing reminds me of Nikki Giovanni. The poem talks about dealing with our fellow human beings with “kindness” in a subtle manner. She reflects, how wonderful this world would be if everyone treated the other as a father treats his child- with sensitivity. She is Naomi shihab Nye and  I hope you enjoy the poem 

Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye
A man crosses the street in rain,
stepping gently, looking two times north and south,
because his son is asleep on his shoulder.

No car must splash him.
No car drive too near to his shadow.

This man carries the world’s most sensitive cargo
but he’s not marked.
Nowhere does his jacket say FRAGILE,
HANDLE WITH CARE.

His ear fills up with breathing.
He hears the hum of a boy’s dream
deep inside him.

We’re not going to be able
to live in this world
if we’re not willing to do what he’s doing
with one another.

The road will only be wide.
The rain will never stop falling.

The Last Time-

Was “I love you” the last you said to them,
Was “I hate you” the last you uttered,
Did you give them a hug with compassion,
Did your face reveal clear discontent.

Did you thank them for all they’d been doing,
Did you grumble for the chores they ordered,
Did you think they were harsh and unloving,
Did you think they were raising you right.

I love you wasn’t the last word I’d spoken,
I didn’t hug them when they walked out the door,
And I waited from dusk until morning,
It was too late- they never returned.

Today, is all that we are sure of,
Tomorrow is just a probability,
Gratitude shouldn’t wait another hour,
For tomorrow- who knows if we’ll be.

Facebook Page: words of a random 

Writer’s quote: Friendship

Welcome to another writer’s quote/poem Wednesday, where I share some of my favourite poems written by other authors. Today’s poem talks about friendship, with lines which melt the heart, written in brief verses with sequential rhymes. Talking about friendship, WordPress here, has one of the most supportive online community.

Well, a fellow blogger did something totally unexpected two weeks ago, which touched my heart. Its fellow blogger and poet, Jade M Wong. She also does these writer’s quote Wednesday series and that week, she shared one of my poems as an inspiration. Thank you very much Jade and I felt honoured with your gesture. I have written long before this blog, so I wouldn’t say I am in need of validation with my writing, but acknowledgement brings about such a wonderful feeling.

Still on the note of friendship, a dear blogger, Colin of a dog’s life, recently released his poetry book- just thinking. He has been such a support system for me here, so I’d appreciate it if you guys could take a minute to check his blog and his book too. The funds raised from the book would go towards an amazing cause. Check out this link to find out more: Just thinking. All that being said, (I hope I didn’t ramble too much), below is the poem:

The Arrow and the Song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.

A brief Update-

I know I haven’t been active on WP this past week. I haven’t posted and haven’t been able to read your posts as well. It should have been a busy week for me with hospital rotations Monday through Thursday, but I have missed two out of those four days.

Turns out my body needed a break and that’s what I did. I haven’t been on here not because I have been too busy, rather, I just needed to rejuvenate and get back to school and blogging with a fresh state of mind.

I really don’t have the words to describe how amazing it feels to check up after not posting and still see views and likes and comments and even follows. I mean, people actually check out this blog and read it?! It put a smile on my face. That’s actually what I wanted to say, simply, Thank You for still being here after all these time.

I’d be switching off the comment notification on this post because it wouldn’t be fair not to reply immediately and I am already way behind on replying my comments.

Goodbyes and Hellos

I left without a goodbye and this is me, back to the blogging world with a hello. I used to wonder how bloggers would leave their blogs all of a sudden, without any notice, they just up and puff… And then I did it, multiple times actually. Coming back for a post and thinking I’m back for good until the next post takes two weeks to make an appearance. I’d love to put the blame on life and being busy but the truth is, it’s been a matter of priority.

As much as I love writing and reading, a few things come before it, like making the most of the little time I get to spend with my family. Yeah I Know, about 2 months is more than a little time, but then again, when you get to see them once a year, two months is basically little time.

So, this is me saying, I have been an irregular and absentee blogger for the past two months but I am hoping it’s all going to be in the past. Thank you to everyone who still checked out my blog, read and commented on my posts and also, to my new followers, welcome, and I can’t wait for us to connect and have much fun.

Here’s to writing poetry, prose, flash fictions and getting my act together in regards to Mental Health Friday. And to the month of June, I say, please please be good to me. 

                                  Cheers with a Cup of coffee  😉😉

7 Rhymes about me-

I just received notification that I’ve been nominated for the versatile blogger award by another wonderful blogger Patricia of Openunated.wordpress.com . I was warmed by the comment she included with the link. It is a great feeling to know that your blog and writings/ ramblings are appreciated and enjoyed by someone. While I was writing this post, another notification popped up. This time, I was nominated by The Private public girl. So thank you both for the nominations.

 

The Rules of the Award are:
1) Display the award;
2) Thank the person who nominated you;
3) Share seven facts about yourself; and
4) Nominate up to 10 other bloggers.

Seven facts about myself
         Which I haven’t already shared;
Fact Number one is I love to rhyme
          Although at times, it doesn’t turn out right;
I lost over 20 pounds, fact number two,
         Healthy lifestyle is one that I choose;
Fact number three, I love coffee
          Though not an addict, I hope, at least;
Chamomile, fenugreek, mint bring it on
           My teas are part and parcel of me;
Fact number five, i’ve loved and lost
           And through the journey, I hold my head high up
Close to the end, here’s fact number six
             My favorite genre- a good crime mystery
Fact number seven, lets round this up
             I hate washing, (and hope this wasn’t a bore🙈)…

Now to my nominees:
1) Adt Patel, whose latest poem Expectations is close to my heart. 

2) Vidisha Kaushik. Her post titled “Begin again” with just a few words is reflective.

3) Fun simplicity whose recent photographs, accompanied withwonderful words puts a smile on my face.

4) Chelsea, who blogs about healthy lifestyle. Her posts are the motivation I need to keep on going.

5) K.E.Garland- anyone who’s considering quitting coffee and needs a little push should check out this post of hers.

6) Sumit- another wonderful blogger whose post on the women in his life is amazing

7) Loner Loaner– a poet I recently started following whose poetry is filled with depth and emotion. 

8) everyone who’d love to share seven facts about themselves. P.S, you don’t have to rhyme though what fun it’ll be if you do 😄

Not a writer-

To the one who reads my poems and praises them behind my back. I heard all about you today. No names were mentioned, but, it had to be you. We haven’t spoken in forever, we used to talk everyday, remember?  I hear you want to know how, I’m sorry but there Is no how… I just read and write. I know, it might not make much sense to you, it doesn’t make much sense to me either. I’m not a writer… I just write.

You made my day, and through this blabbering, that’s all I really want to say. I know you didn’t say it to my face, maybe you couldn’t. Why? Is a question for another day. For now, all I have to say is thank you.

You may not read this… I hope you do.

She’s my person-

Here’s to the girl who reminded me- the importance of being fractured and cracked, as the only way light could illuminate my heart; always at hand with her cheery smile.

Here’s to the girl with the huge nerdy glasses who’s face, always embedded in the pages of a book, spared her hours to hear my baseless rants.

Here’s to the girl who curled up beside my trembling body, her silence speaking and endearing more than any words could.

Here’s to the girl with books as her weapon and dreams as her shield, who opened her secluded world to a friend in need.

Here’s to the girl, who schooled me in the saying, broken is another word for “not quite there yet”.

Here’s to the girl, an outsider turned family, through tears and adversity.

Here’s to the girl, my proof- that a woman can uplift another woman too.

Here’s to that girl, my person.

the Above image is courtesy of Smmadellc.com

2015 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 17,000 times in 2015. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

To everyone who’s read, liked and commented on Randoms by a Random, I just want to say. Thank you very much. Not trying to sound cheesy here (okay, maybe a little bit), but I couldn’t have done it without you guys. And wordpress suggested I send a Thank you note to my top commenters: Priceless Joy, Prakash Hegade, JoyRoses, Noirfifre and Nimmi. Thank you.

Behind every successful blog are amazing readers… ❤