Present Generation Romantics

Perhaps romance has been so idealized
That the present generation feels pressurized
It fears that it may not live up to
The fantastical state that romance has been enshrined in.

Perhaps, we therefore prefer marriages that are arranged
So, then our idealistic bubble needn’t be burst.
Love can still be loved
The fantastical state still be attained if only we were more passionately abandoned.

Perhaps I am just trying to justify the current trend
And defy sociologists blaming my generation.
Am trying to state we lack not decision making skills
Rather we just want to preserve romance for the romantics.

- This piece is incomplete. It is merely an attempt on my part to formulate a few ideas that are floating in my head. I am not sure how to articulate all that I feel. But an article on arranged marriages provoked my sensibilities and sensitivities. I am still trying to grapple from the perspective of one who has friends, some of whom have opted for arranged, some who have fallen in love, and some who are like me deferring/searching/waiting/hoping/romancing……….;)
- Written on February 20, 2007.
- Nope guys was NOT on a roll. These thoughts have all been coagulating in my mind for some a while now. My friends circle in the last year has a seen a spurt of engagements and weddings - of all kinds - arranged, love, arranged-love and love-arranged. It makes one ruminate and in my case it sooner or later results in me trying to articulate.

Trust a Stranger

What is it that allows one to trust a stranger,
To move forward in life with them as a partner?
But then do we ever truly know another?
Isn’t life about change, about growth, about becoming better?

As we grow, our parents change, or perhaps our perceptions
As life progresses our relationships, our values, our interests subtly change in importance.

Then, when we do not remain the same,
Will not be tomorrow what we are today.
Then, how does one know, or perhaps hope,
That one’s partner will also parallelly grow?

Or am I getting it all wrong?
Does it really matter if on different paths, to different beats we march along?
Do our parents walk with us, or our siblings, or even our chosen friends?
And yet are we not enriched through their acquaintance?

Yet we wonder what allows one to so optimistically choose
A partner who will always be the other half of our soul?
How does one trust the half to always remain half?
To trust the half to remain our half?

“So what?” exclaim the brave,
“Joyously embrace the change.”
But I wonder, I still wonder
What is it that allows one to trust a stranger?

- Written on February 20th, 2007

For Gauri, Preeta et al

For Gauri, Preeta and of course Sanju and how do I forget Shivangi and Abhay and yes, you too Rohan, and Romi and Pravara …. Any more guys/ gals out there?............. ;)))

A new season heralds – one of weddings.
Many of my friends are partnerships forming.
A new threshold, a new path,
So many on a new journey have embarked.
The moment is exciting, full of possibilities.
The future beckons, sounds so promising.
I wish them success. I wish them excitement.
I wish them joy. I wish them fulfillment.

-Gauri and Preeta thank you for stunning me with news of your respective engagements. As for the rest of you u added to me being overwhelmed.
- Wrote this while purportedly attending a seminar on February 20, 2007