An Odd Thing

Life is an odd old thing

a journey often untold

we ne'er know what it'll bring

or what it will unfold.

As we travel along its way

sometimes we are alone

like strangers we never may

see seeds of friendship sown.

At times if our luck is in

we find some warmth somewhere

but its knowing where to begin

and if we'd ever dare.

So as upon our way we wend

smile or stay and chat

our warmth easily send

as simple as that.

In our times of need

why do we stay within

to our pain we concede

not let healing begin.

Take the hand that's open

share the grief you feel

it will help with coping

helping you to heal.

CAROL SELVA

Surya's note: I came up with the title.

The Bashful Hand

Reaching out to contact someone else

through the soft and grey of night

sat alone by myself

Wondering if it is right

Thinking of the lonely souls

who always feel this way

with their story still untold

in the light of day.

Those who long for company

spend each day the same

always knowing it will be

no one knows their name

So as we travel on our way

stop and look apart

take the time to always say

what comes from the heart

Seek and you shall find

the meaning that is life

say a little something kind

to ease anther's strife

For without kindness

what are we to be

ease anther's stress

is to set them free

Let the loneliness abate

reach out where you may

in compassion's trait

chase the shadows away.

CAROL SELVA

Surya's note: I came up with the title.

My Friend Carol : A Flower Unfurls Her Petals

It is generally said that technology has shrunk our world. I don't know. As I look around myself, I find that technology has done just the opposite; for me anyway.

Had the world been what it was five years ago, I wouldn't have known her. If I did, she would've needed to be a celebrity — someone you could see on the telly or whose pictures were splashed across papers. And then she wouldn't have known me.
I'd say she is better — she is one among us. Or to take a broader perspective, she is us – the ones who trudge wearily along a grim life, gathering up all the little moments of happiness on the way.
I met Carol a few months back in Orkut. It took a couple of days to technically turn that acquaintance into a "friendship" as is the way of online communities. As we got along, we discovered how much our wavelengths matched. I live in Kolkata, India and she lives in Bolton, UK. Yet I cannot think of her except as a "girl next door". Her picture was always there in her album. I sent her my family shot – a professionally taken snap with my wife and daughter. In a nutshell, we were doing everything friends do.
Then something happened.
Somehow our exchanges had shifted from the Orkut "scraps" (I wish they'd invent a better word for public messages) and to emails and our topic had shifted to literature. She timidly asked me if I'd want to look at her poems, I readily agreed.
She mailed me two of them.
What stuck me at the first reading was the simplicity of her compositions. Her focus remained on this life though, cruising from one of its beautiful aspects to another, defying the storm, as if, with her determination to reach out and feel humanity in all its hues.
Personal feelings apart, I don't know how many people ever read my blog, if at all. To the few, who do, I present a new poet, whose work can put a bit of vivacity in our gaits as we walk the path of life.
But before that, here's a bit of a bio. This is the best that could be wrung out of the publicity-shy Boltonian.

Carol Selva was born in Wales and was educated in Coed talon County Primary School and then in Castell Alun High School, both in Flintshire. She studied Social Work at Leeds and currently works as a part time social worker with senior citizens in Bolton, UK, where she lives with her son. Her daughter is a graduate student of forensic science. Carol is divorced, regular at the gym. and practices belly dancing every week. She speaks Spanish, loves Spain, travelling abroad, cruising, and foreign cultures. She likes music, dancing, singing, acting.

Apart from this picture, I don't know what she looks like. But that doesn't prevent me from counting her as one of my closest friends. That is technology for you.
In the next few posts, I'd post one of her poems in each of my posts. Drop in a line in the comments section, whatever may it be.