“A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.”

There are friends and there is family and there are friends that become family. This is true especially for immigrants like us who may not have family around to celebrate life’s triumphs , ecstasies and little moments of joy. This tips the weight of a scale to one side unless you put your buddies on the other scale to seek the social constellation of bonding and togetherness.

The milestone of being 40 , the decor that surrounds the venue , the food that is set on the platter , the communion of likeminded gals in essence serves as that glittery pixie dust that transforms an ordinary evening into something truly magical.

This was the poem that was written for my friend which not only describes her but is also a tribute to a towering personality. It was my gift to her.

What If

What if my world is like her, I ask

Timely and bountiful

I may be a bit hazy,unsure

She rounds up the whole picture

What if my world is like her, I ask

Organizational and skillful

I may be still finding avenues

She fortells the exact revenue

What if my world is like her , I ask

Selfless and Soulful

I may be floating in ordinary duties

She exceeds any volunteering opportunity

What if my world is like her, I ask

Fun loving and joyful

I may be chasing illusive vulnerabilities

She is vacationing in marvelous cities

Worlds within world, across Dublin

Interlacing us in a well beaded string

With Tangerine hues , golden moments

One such is to cherish you on your 40th

And then there was another 40th birthday.

“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found its words.” Robert Frost

Poetry is so similar to life , you have to find those rhyming words when they don’t come so easily and then once you discover them you bask in its glory

She stands tall

A season of exuberant fame

Or the tinge of blue in her name

A smile heavenly like a joyous sprawl

She stands tall

A season of clear sky’s

Or the melancholy in her eyes

A heartfelt hug or a wishful thought

She stands tall

A season of culinary abundance

Or the aroma of her creation

Savory bites made with utmost zeal

She stands tall

A season of strength like a mighty oak

Or the storm that bent her yet she rose

Nurturing others when wounds are still ripe

She stands tall

The one that identifies with any season

A tiny syllable or a mighty poem

40 th is just a number carved in time

Neelam a gem so precious a friend sublime