Published in a BOOK!!!

Last night I found out I have been published in a book! The book is an anthology of English writings from Bangladeshi writers. It is called "The Daily Star book of Bangladeshi Writing."I am in page 128. Now, it's not like I have never been published before- I have been published in newspapers and weekend suppliments, and university journals. In fact some of writings (i.e. newspaper cutouts) are so old that they have started to yellow around the edges. But this time it is in an actual book! My new story is called "Scent of Home". The above is a picture of the cover of the book.

This one is the best to date. I mean seeing my name in print is a big thrill for me. Some people have bunjee-jumping, some people have rock climbing; I have my writings. In retrospect, the act of writing comes full circle after publishing. As a writer, I can then re-live the various stages that I had gone through during the writing process. Staring from the birth of an idea, building a framework, setting, naming character, preparing dialogues,- every word has been thought of and put to paper by me. This thought itself is tremendous satisfaction for a writer; the very core of celebrating creativity. It is the ultimate form of self-preservation.
My previous story "Thoughts on a rainy day" that was published in the Star Weekend Magazine on August 7,2005 can be accessed through the link below:
http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2005/08/01/fiction.htm

A Night of Shayeri

Tonight is the night of shayeri...deep, somber and melancholy. It is one of those nights of the year when the wind is chilling, and the smell is right. With a mist of flattering words hanging around me , I can hardly be blamed for sharing my feeble attempt at shayeri. This night words transform into magical tools of imagination, making it easier to express heart's desires. This night the smoky remains of the past days envelop all around me, making me smile and weep at the same time. This night Love meets Pain and Joy meets Sorrow. This night is a Shayer's dream; an artist's enigma and a writer's challenge.
The shayeri is old; but the feelings are just as new. The pain is real and the sorrow is lingering.
These words of the shayeri expresses happiness and sadness at the same time: the joy of having let go and the pride of inner strangth that allowed one to let go, and the suffering of loneliness.

1.
Tum chaley gaye phirbhi yaad aaogey
Tumne dard de gaye phirbhi yaad aaogey.
Tum jitne duur bhi jaougey yaad rahogey
Tum hum e bhul bhi to bhi yaad rahogey.

2.
Tumhe jo jana hi tha mujhe chchorke
Phir dil ke kareeb hi kyu aaye?
Dil ke kareeb jab aahhi gaye
Phir dil kyu dukhaye?
Tumhe jo jana hi tha mujhe chhorke
Jao...meri har khushi aapne saathe le jao
Lekin yaadein meri rahe jayegi.

Valentine Schmalentine

I can hear the boos and the 'sour grapes' already...but hear me out!!! I am NOT anti-Valentine...and I am definitely NOT anti-love. If anything I am as pro-Love as it gets: I am a born romantic. So what's wrong with Valentine's? Nothing. And if nothing is so wrong about Valentine's then everyday should be Valentine's or at least everyday should have the signature stamp of Valentine Spirit. That is what I say.
Spring came to the city with a bang like it does every year with its plethora of new leaves, overdose of orange/yellow clothes for everyone, crisp air (more like wind) and lots and lots of flowers. Yellow roses are the most coveted (though not most uncommon) gift for near and dear ones this season. And not the government's restriction on free talktime for cell phones nor the opposition's strike minded attitude could curb down the enthusiasm of lovesick people of the day.
I have all the good wishes for the lovebirds. It is indeed a matter of luck to have someone special to love and to hold and to share ups and downs with. This Valentine's love is in the air for most of my closest friends...and the special dedication goes out to all of them. It is courageous on the part of lovers to stand up for their love and they deserve every iota of each other's love. Love is lovely; and so are people in love. Every where around me there's an air of Happily-ever afters. Well not really....but that's where they're heading.
So although the song is not mine to dedicate but I would still dedicate the following lines to people who have finally found love, who are already in love, and those who still believe in love.

Lay a whisper on my pillow,
leave the winter on the ground.
I wake up lonely,there's air of silence in the bedroom and all around.
Touch me now,I close my eyes and dream away.

It must have been Love.

And it was.

WordCloud

This is cool.
A word Cloud
from my blog.

A poem to ponder...

I can!
- Farah Tasneem Tracy

I can walk on a rainbow,
And melt in the rain.
I can catch a shooting star
In the twinkle of my eye.
I can steal the colors of a wild butterfly
And I can stop spring in its track!
I can be lost in a sunset
And be found in the jungle.
I can even tame the wildest of dreams!
I can trap the sun in a jar
And hold the mountains on my palm.
I can kiss the rising Sun
And cast a spell on the moon.
I can dance with the angels
And fly with the birds
But I can’t…
I can’t make you love me!!!

Hi5 Location

Here's my HI5 Location:
http://www.hi5.com/i?l=5EDYDFC