Through virtual windows, I peer and swipe,A catalogue of men, each prototype.No vows, no bonds, no legal decree,Just endless aisles of “What could be.” Migrating birds, they flit and roam,No nesting hearts, no solid home.Loyalty? A fleeting disguise,Lost in the glare of pixelated skies. Grindr’s ping, a digital bell,Announces sales of lust to sell.Swipe left,…
I’m toxic. Period!
The past year has been nothing short of a whirlwind. It’s been a year of deep reflection, painful realizations, and, surprisingly, growth. As I write this, I want to make one thing clear: this is my side of the story. Not the absolute truth, but my truth – a story of love, labels, and letting…
The Year it Was: 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, I sit quietly with a cup of coffee. I reflect on the months gone by. If I had to summarize this year, it would be difficult to express everything openly. There’s a whirlwind of emotions, and my thoughts feel tangled, like fairy lights after a long year in storage….
All of Us Strangers
The idea of six degrees of separation is enchanting. This thought suggests any two people in the world are connected through just six acquaintances. It suggests that the world may feel vast. Still, we’re only a few handshakes away from one another. Yet, within this comforting notion lies a quiet question: what about the people…
A Table for One
My heart is yellow,The thoughts are deep,A table for one,Is all I need. The world spins fast,It voices loud,But here I sit,Away from the crowd. No masks to wear,No roles to play,Just me, myself,At the end of the day. This quiet moment,So rare, so true,A space to breathe,The life renew. It’s not escape,It’s a loving…
Embracing Bad Luck: The Art of Pivoting
I once caught a line from a movie that really stuck with me: “It’s one of the benefits of bad luck. It teaches you to pivot.” There’s definitely some truth there. Life can throw us off track, and sometimes it feels like it does so over and over again. As a middle-aged Indian gay man,…
दिल की कचोट
कभी-कभी बहुत रोना आता है,पर आँसू नहीं आते।एक कचोट सी है दिल में,पर बयान नहीं किये जाते। है दुनिया खुशनुमा,पर मैं खुश नहीं।हूँ भीड़ में भी तन्हा,पर उसमें भी गम नहीं। अकेलेपन में अक्सर,क्षण भर की ख़ुशी पा जाता,पर मेरी परछाई को भी,मेरा साथ रास नहीं आता। मन की चाहत से हूँ मैं अनजान,बस मिल…
How Much is Your Dignity Worth?
I’ve been in this industry long enough to know that dealing with difficult clients is just part of the game in advertising. You’ll always hear stories from colleagues, swap them over drinks, and sometimes even have a laugh about it later. But every now and then, you’ll come across a client who really pushes your…
Frozen Gaze
I may look cold as ice,When I see in them nothing nice.With a gaze that could freeze,And a heart that’s hard to please. You may find me rude,But on good days, I’m the next-door dude.A familiar face with hidden grace,Waiting for a smile to light up this space. Behind the frost, there’s warmth untold,A story…
ANKUR MONDAL 