Editorial Board

Editor In ChiefIram Fatima 'Ashi'(NRI, Saudi Arabia)

EditorVasanthi Papu (India)

Research Editor & MagazineCoordinatorDr. Priyanka Mathur (India)

Research DirectorRuchi Chopra (NRI, USA)

Associate EditorsDr. Ruchida Barman (India)Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee (India)Dr. Indira Babbellapati (India)Dr. Ram Sharma (India)Jonali Karmakar (India)Dr. Sahab Uddin (India)Arnab Neogi (India)

Art Section

Art DirectorRaj Verma (India)

Associate Art DirectorsNeelam (India)Piyush Kumar (India)

II

Advisory Board

ChairmanBrian Wrixon (USA)

MembersAngie Blake (USA)Elizabeth E Castillo (Philippines)Marilyn R. Cañete (Philippines)Sharique Jamal (India)Charles Darnell (USA)

III

Dear Readers,Greetings!

A promise is a commitment by someone to door not do something, but love is the emotionwhere the promises are unsaid. In this issuewe are trying to explore those unsaid promisesand dreams which are not shared before.

We are extremely thankful to all our poets,writers and artists to enlighten this uniquetheme with their exclusive creations to amazeour readers and art lovers.

I am proudly including the poems of Mrs.Connie James 86­year­old mother who grewup in Kansas City and in southern California,she has been a lifelong supporter of art,literature, and music, but has kept her ownpoetry relatively hidden, until recently,Timileyin Gabriel Olajuwon (Nigeria), CharlesDarnell (US), Alicja Maria Kuberska (Poland),Praveen Gola (India) few more poems fromdifferent parts of world, short stories andarticles.

Interview of emerging Canadian poet is takento inspire new poets. The paintings of MissNeelam are remarkable. My Special thanks toOur Advisory members, Editor Ms VasanthiPapu, Associate Editors, Art Head Mr. RajVerma and his art team, Layout maker Mr.Kumar Vikrant and his team.

I hope our efforts would come up with flyingcolors. Readers could share their opinion andcreations with us through mailreflection18@ymail.com

Sharing my love poem:

1

Unsaid Love

Love is a bond...A unique spiritual tie,

Between two souls an unbreakable relation,Which is beyond any worldly calculation.

Love is a game...A secret mission planted by nature,

It's a responsibility to be carried between two,A selfless care protecting from all damages.

Love is a journey…A sentiment traveling from one to another,Hearts connected with each other and beat,

Silence speaks, feelings conveyed without bridge of words.

Love is a promise...A promise to keep life long,

Unsaid and untold to undergo it's worth lifetime,A truth of worthiness and loyalty for each other.

Love is a faith…Close to blind as love is known for,A trust needed to keep in­betweens,

So that no obstacle can break a concrete relation.

Love is spiritual...An internal dealing to enlighten souls,

A natural fire to ignite same sentiments,In two pure hearts to connect and to feel love!

Happy reading…Love and blessing

Iram Fatima ‘Ashi’(Editor in Chief)Saudi Arabia (NRI)

2

Poet, Translator, Singer, Broadcastlocution Radio and T.V.

She was born in Tijuana Baja California,Mexico. She studied a Master Degree inComputer Science, specialization in ArtificialIntelligence. Master Degree in ComputerScience at the University of Montpellier II,at Montpellier, France. Volunteer at theFootball World Cup France 1998, in TIC´Sand English – French and Spanishtranslation.

Coordinator and simultaneous translatorFrench­ Spanish­ English at CUPHI III inthe III Congress of Universal Hispano­American Poetry in Los Angeles, California,2014.

Participation in the34th World Congress ofPoets at Peru 2014. She participated inseveral International Poetics Anthologies atChile, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Canada. Herpoems have been published on InternationalJournals and Reviews, such: Ila andTaourirt at Morocco and, “The Poet” atTunisia, and the famous magazine OKAZ inSaudi Arabia.

Her poems have been translated into English,

Cameroonian, Arabic, Portuguese andFrench. Have had read in InternationalPoetry Recitals in severals Countries aroundthe world, and transmitted in National andInternational Radio programs.

In the field of translation, she hascollaborated with International Poets andWriters providing versions of their literaryworks. Her translations were published inmagazines and newspapers in: London,Italy, United States, Morocco, Canada,India, Uzbekistan and Hazaristan.

She was awarded in Spain and winner of aspecial mention at the International PoetryPrize NOSSIDE, Italy 2015, recognized byUNESCO.

She has been named as a member of the selectInternational Group of Poets who composePENTASIB. WORLD FRIENDSHIP POETRYcreated by the father of the visual poetry:Doctor Penpen B. Takipsilim.

Her poems were included on the XXI CenturyWorld Literature Book, Presented at NewDelhi, India with Internationally renownedpoets and writers.

3

Redemptive breezeimprisons my space,like raining starsas fragrant wordsat the crescent moon,salt conspires aboutyour shooting and lastingexistence.

Blue air flutter aboutyour wetvertices notes,ascendingthroughthe tree’s essence.Guttural soundsspottingthe horizon.

I sense youamong murmursof leavesdilutingliquid shadows,

imaginarypigeon’s pieces,luminance musicof the dreamswe forge.

I find you,wrong or right,in haste;in the rain’sincessant voice.Beautiful travelerof dreamed stepsand arms of fire.

Drowned indesire­scented steamI dusk uponforeign oaks,as touch produced byyour path;dark moorof an old skyreinventyour word of light,the illusorycopulationof language.

TRAVELERAuthor: Alicia Minjarez Ramírez

Translation:Alaric GutiérrezMexico.

4

A longing breezetries to show itself,like nostalgiamigratingup in the air.

Water permeatesmy body.Your breathfills inthe context.

Longing secretsthat the windshakes up in the offing,then nothingness.

I walk behindupon the moistureleft by the dropsunder the branches.

Birds get detachedfrom their nests,looking forthe promised shelter.

Church bells ring,outsidethe nightinterrupts.

I long to dry offthe rain,like those birdsbesettingpark treesin the evening.

The stillness of your eyesinvades me…Ecstatic wings,paralyzing their flight.At my silence’s feet.

IT RAINS…Author: Alicia MinjarezRamírez

Translator: Alaric GutiérrezMexico

5

Naked and lurkingtendernessat the riverbank,a kiss clinging onas a vineand climbingthrough the sapof my branches.

I spy on the nightin your thistles,adjacent meridiansin the nectarof your Nile.

Of all your summersemanate and disappearcrepuscular fragments,frosts decoratethe melodic chantof oriolesand blackbirds.

I invent you and lose youin the zephyr choleric notes,the sublime lightnessmakes silence thunder up.

Dissolving my dawnsin the hustle of memory,fire against the lightof the stranger and nubiletorso of your body.

You rain and crumbleover my fragrant touch,blast that exaltsthe sound of the stonesbuilding upmy roads,long goneand desolatedlandscapesblooming todaybehind yourown steps.

THE PATH OF YOUR STEPSAuthor: Alicia MinjarezRamírez

Translator: Alaric GutiérrezMexico

6

Longing mitigatesthe drunken night,treasuring the imprintabolished by desirethat breaks usand brings together,intrinsic fireof profane versesunder the intrigueof shadows.

Materiality keepsour bodies tied up tothe lunar instantof balsamic ether,burning desiresfalling apartevaporatingthe mossy seductionof having the absolute void.

You’re dust in the breezeof my conscious being,bringing delightfuland melodic essencesinside hollow fruit treesof worn out headings.Imprecise and sharp legendof upcoming evenings,barking at the sap sight.

Derange me, seduce me, drive me.Like a consonant plungingupon the rhetorical memory,dialect upsetting and chaining us upbeyond our hands.

Exhalation,dementia without sanitydefining my earthly Nirvana,meanwhile, I belong to youunder the remotesilence glass…By rubbing your timelyspike.

LOVERSAuthor: Alicia MinjarezRamírez

Translator: Alaric GutiérrezMexico

7

Behind that doorare all the thingswhich bordered my past.Stripped illusionsuntouched by words,sheltered and helplessin the heat of the past hours.

Flows of dreamsthrobbing immensitydragging the continent.Dusty tide convergingadorned by smiles,moon in balancein this cave painting.

Ecstatic morningsin nightly suns,luminescence,harmonic discrepancyin the green channel,your pillowthe evening of my hands.

Hypothetical consonantsdefying the nightinversed cups

of the same sky,coded tongue in codicesinspired in your mouthfor my ear.

As one who seesopaque footprintsthrown into the battleof the night,I happen by inertiawhere the stonebecomes the lakewith no more armsthan the airily sightenlightened and eternal.I advance helpless as the rain,wind that doesn’t turn back,never returning waterreflecting my diffused face.

Last contemplationof the knocker.I brick up the door.

Drink up my words…and resume my steps.

PASTAuthor: Alicia MinjarezRamírez

Translator: Alaric GutiérrezMexico

8

Manvi Sharma believes ingaining in depth knowledge ofevery aspect of life and is an

explorer from art to places andpeople at large. She is pursuing

graduation in English andwrites surreal fiction at its

best. She has a good taste inmusic and socially gels with awarm heart with each personshe comes across. Preaching

notions of love, her penfathoms flair in the softer

aspects with a pinch of salt.

Love: the need to love ourselves. There is and will always bea need to love ourselves. No matter what situation we are in,the moment we find perfection in ourselves, we grow. Wegrow when we feel comfortable in our own skin and acceptwhat we are. That is called purity.

Growing yourself as a being or an individual is in itselfcreativity. The difference between lovers and loving someoneis expectations and giving your soul to the one you loverespectively. When we talk about love, we always imaginethe perfect couple who look great together; a slim andbeautiful woman with a handsome and tall man.

Is that all love is about? We have not understood the fact, yet.

Let us try imagining a couple with two different personalitieswho are trying to overcome and love each otherunconditionally. Love is not limited to the 'cute' things thatour generation believes in. It is beyond everything in theworld. It is the most beautiful thing that can ever happen tosomeone. Love can also be giving one's soul to another. Thefine line between lovers and loving someone puts up thequestion of self introspection that helps our growth as anindividual.

9

Nowadays, love, that is, the relationships which comes withpatriarchal domains in it. The man tries to suppress thewoman putting by his label on her. Love is not aboutcontrolling one's actions and perception, it is aboutunderstanding the other person and being able to supportand accept them.

On the contrary, the society mingles two things together :Love and Lust, making it more difficult.

The generation still hinges between the confusion that isholding up their emotions. With the desires and fantasies ;sexual fantasies being the most common among youngstersenhances the casual flings among lovers these days. The fineand definite line between Love and Lust need to beredefined here, as it is being erased by the hypocrites of lustreplacing the idea of love by lust.

On the other hand, Society stands still in the majortransformation of the lifestyle, whereas some findthemselves stuck and end up committing suicide.

The lifestyle thus enhances the sexual urges, resulting inincreased expectations and youngsters being influenced.

And hereby, we lose the purity of love in the 21st century.

10

Now in the valleymy life is singing

I’ve lived in his womband been bornto speak of it

In a fashion, my loinshave hugged his waistthe air was perfumedwith our flesh then

Now in the valleymy being

is quiet within his belly

He has kissed my breastsand stilled my brains,

to dream only in the distanceof the stars

11

For even without our child,I’ve loved himin alteration

I knew him before;I lived in this valley,

as if it were all

Yet the sun shapes the moon,always in sameness,

they are one

Now my beingis sometimes pushing

toward a pinthat once held the earth

and knows of its greatness

Then the valley windsbecome restlessfor it is in sleep

I know the contentmentonly peace beholds

12

For in his landstars bear the wander

and time between is in our heartswhere the voices of the dove are sweet

I live in this valley nowI found it not so long ago

its path is true for meand should be for him

It is where seedsnever are forgotten,

and there are no tears amidst my being

I’ve felt the shadowand the sun,

still I am the samethrough love

Growing like a flowerwho adapts to its pathby use of either shadow

or sun

Still remaining a flower

So look for meI’ll wax and wane

with your worthinessand thus we will unite

within the light

SHEKHINAH SPEAKSConnie James

(USA)

13

Co-Authors - OM

santihsantihsantih -

International Duet

Poets

Jen Walls (USA) and

Dr. Ram Sharma

(Meerut, U.P. India)

have been selected as

two of the five

honorable recipients of

the 2016 Distinguished

Poet Awards from

(WIN) Writers

International Network

– Canada.

The 2016

Distinguished Poet

Awards will be

presented to: Jen Walls,

(USA), Deborah L.

Kelly, (Canada), Paul

Dhillon, (Canada), Dr.

Ram Sharma, (Meerut,

U.P. India), and

Anatoly Molotkov,

(USA) respectively.

The prestigious WIN-

Canada Awards Gala

will be held at the

Royal Palace Banquet

Hall, 7845 Edmonds

Street, Burnaby BC-

Canada on Friday, May

27, 2016 and there will

also be a public poetry

reading to host all

Poet-Awardees in

attendance on

Thursday, May 26,

2016.

14

Jen Walls

Jen Walls is a celebrated international author/poet; bringing love inside joyful heart’s

radiance to pulsate us deeper, inside a personality of rare positivity. Jen’s first artistic

collection of poems, The Tender Petals, was released - November 2014, through

inner child press, ltd. USA. Her second poetic collection, OM SantihSantihSantih,

combined elegant nature-inspired spiritual poetry with Dr. Ram Sharma of Meerut,

U.P. India and was released November 2015, through The Poetry Society of India.

Her loving peace-filled poems come alive in renowned print and electronic world

peace anthologies from the USA, UK, Africa and India. Jen Walls has recently been

selected to receive the 2016 Distinguished Poet Award from Writers International

Network (WIN – Canada) for her contributions for poetry and world peace. She

currently resides in Saint Paul, Minnesota with her loving family.

Contact Jen Walls: mywritegift@gmail.com;

http://www.innerchildpress.com/jen-walls.php

15

Dr. Ram Sharma

Dr. Ram Sharma is an accomplished poet and writer; writing in English and Hindi.

He uplifts many within his magnetic appeal inside the field of poetry and literature.

With a dedicated personality, he’s spiritually driven and utilizes many gifts achieved

within his studies, life-work and world travels. He has written for research papers,

articles, poems and reviews and has been published within esteemed journals,

magazines and newspapers throughout India and abroad. Sharma’s literary works

appear inside prominent web journals, foreign e-journals and magazines. Dr. Ram

Sharma has recently been selected to receive the 2016 Distinguished Poet Award

from Writers International Network (WIN – Canada) for his contributions for poetry

and world peace. He has produced the following poetry volumes respectfully: Muse

(2002), Serene Moments (2008), A String ofWords (2009), Poets for World Peace -

Volumes 1 and 2 (2010), Anthologies 1 (2011 ), Lamp of Love (2015), OM

santihsantihsantih (2015, co-author). He has contributed editing on 22 anthologies in

English Literature. Dr. Sharma is presently an Associate Professor in English at

J.V.P.G. College, Baraut, Baghpat, U.P., India and is the Editor-in-Chief of two

international publishing journals: RUMINATIONS and GLIMPSES.

Contact Dr. Ram Sharma: dr.ramsharma786@gmail.com

16

Flow on summer breeze – with heart­joy

stretch free onto soulful feathered wings;

calling love within – we’ll only fly and rise.

Float bravely – each these breaths of breeze

come open and freshly calm inside this life.

Blow freely – within scented flowers – loving all.

Carry soul far and kiss deep – weathering kisses

only to become God’s fragrant bliss­blossoms.

Arise within spirit’s sacred splendor ­ open inside

flooding ­ we are only the sun ­ a forever­radiance.

Come out from the deep darkness of night.

Sing with sweet birds' calls – continuing on

into the light – bursting within each height of spirit;

overflowing with Supreme – serene gladness.

Blink into the blink of an eye – pour divine heart.

Dr. Ram Sharma and Jen Walls4/16/2016

All Rights Reserved

17

Hey my cute birdie! Where have you been?Quite a long time you were not to be seen.

Your absence locked me in deep sorrowWith the least hope left for tomorrow.

Hey my sweet buddy! I took a rapid flightTo the heaven above with all my might.Flew with an offer to the mightiest LordTo bless and reward you as the best bard.

So sweet my birdie, and what did He say?When will He grant me the best pay?Why does He often test the good soulsAnd let go the brutes with loopholes?

Nay mate, such brutes may now act cleverNeither can they cheat nor evade forever.

Lord’s mercy is always for you my best palAnd bestow you the best rank amongst all.

Thank you, my fair birdie for all your love,I find an angel in you, My Lovely Dove!How will I repay the kindness you show?

If there is any way kindly let me know.

18

You are the definite loveYes you!

You are the perfect pearlYes you!

You can take me to your world,And keep in your safe.

All I need is youYes you!

You sprout up my lifeBriging all colours to my life

Having you as my soulmate is the perfect thing I could findYes, you!

Making me imagine the world we will live inYou always bring a smile on my face

Nothing will ever change if you will always be my mateYes, you!

19

Under his eyes, over his bodyInside his soul, over his prose

I found myself..Like the rainbow in the sky

He became my sunWho made me shine

I was as radiant as the sunAnd I stood like the distant stranger

With no intentions to change.

He pounced over me, I pounced over himNothing could be more perfect than this

Exactly the way I thought,Don't know if it was love, but I wanted it to last forever

I felt safe, the way I never felt earlierI looked at him, he was already staring with all his love in his eyes

I smiled, he kissed.

Like a star in the sky, he shines in my eyesKissing all day is the only thing I could do to him,

Hugging, Kissing and dancing in the rain is all that I wish forBecause it was love that brought us together again

I want to live those moments in his arms,No matter how far we are.

20

Searching for you is what I do every now and then,Loving is what I think every moment of my pain,

No matter how far you are, you are the first thought of my night and day.

I haven't met you yet, but you are the one I bet,Developing love for you is not what I did,

Love for you is what developed me.

Growing apart, is a part of love baby,Talking to you is what I miss,

But trust me, my love is just growing for you daily.

21

Let me take you where you always wanted to beLet me hold you forever

Let me just be in you, for the times we never sharedLet me feel you, for the times we will not be near.

You are my definite star that shines in the skyYou are my ink to pen, that never usually writes

No matter how far you are,I have never felt this way so far.

Hold me in your arms, hold me tight.Kiss me hard, kiss me with pride

But that will not be enough my dearBecause our souls have met in divine.

Loving is what everyone do,But this is not I want to do with you

Give me your heart and soul,And I will show the world to you.

People are meant to leave, feelings are supposed to changeBut for me and you, it is not that wayI just want you in all possible ways

Loving you is the only desire I have and will be the only way.

22

23

24

25

26

Enamored with the hue of my eyesYou can’t reach my mind’s depth

Deaf to quiet protestsYou put words in my mouth

Bogged down in the trap of guessesWe are lost in the dissonance of feelings

Dreams out of tune sound falseOur desires pass by indifferently

The seeming closeness separates usEntangled in meaningless sentences

We become increasingly distantLove dies with no right to appeal

27

Aarati Salian is a 25 year old girl residing in Mumbai. She found her love inwriting since her younger days but only followed it up when she grew older.

Professionally, a fashion follower and enthusiast, Aarati does styling and fashionblogging and during her free time, she likes to write poems, read novels, listen to

world music, sketching and involves herself too on social activities.

28

The morning was bright andchirpy. The pleasant weatherwas teasing the inhabitants ofthe Earth to rise up and shine.The atmosphere at Krip SinghSuri's house was no different. Itwas Sunday and all the membersof his family were up andawake. It was a rare miracle thateveryone was at home today andso Krip Singh made it clear to allthat today would be a familyday.

So everyone got up early andrushed at the dining table for themorning breakfast. Krip Singh'sdaughter­in­law had made alavish spread for breakfastwhich included parathas andsweet curd, south Indian idli andsambar with filter coffee to gowith it. Krip Singh's oldestgrandchild, Kamas, too, enjoyedcooking and so, he had madesome French toast.

The Singh family enjoyed thebreakfast and for the next hourthere was raucous chatteringand clattering of plates andspoons as everyone movedabout for their choice ofbreakfast. Kamas made a platefor his grandfather and then satdown to eat.

Som Prakash and Om Prakash,Krip Singh Suri's sons sat downto watch TV as soon as breakfastwas over and Kamas along withhis mother and aunt got up toclear the table. Krip Singh satdown on the floor to play withhis younger grandkid, Karan. Hehad made a stretch of chartpapers, watercolors andmodeling clay. Krip Singh's kneehurt slightly as he folded his legsto sit down. He mentally made anote to ask his doctor for aremedy for it the next time hewent for his check­up.

The Singh family enjoyed thebreakfast and for the next hour

there was raucous chattering andclattering of plates and spoons as

everyone moved about for theirchoice of breakfast. Kamas made aplate for his grandfather and then

sat down to eat.

29

Meanwhile, in the kitchen,Supriya, Kamas' mom andMohini, his aunt,were teasingKamas about his latest girlfriend.

''So Kamas, how is it going withRuby? Haven’t you made itofficial yet?'' Mohini asked.''What official? What are youtalking about bua (aunt)?''Kamas blushed at the mention ofRuby's name though.''Ahha … my son is blushing.C'mon Kamas, you can tell us.After all, we all are a family.''''Arrey Mamma, please, there isnothing like that going on.'' Aftera pause, Kamas added, ''At leastnot yet''.''Ohhooo, that means there is apossibility of somethinghappening?''''Hehehe bua, maybe. I can't sayanything now.''''Kamas, don't be so lazy okay.Otherwise, someone else willtake her and you will end upattending her wedding aftersome years.''

Saying so both Supriya and

Mohini burst out laughing andKamas joined them too.

After finishing with the dishes,Kamas went out in the hall andcalled out to his grandfather,''Daadu(grandfather), I am goingto my room for practice. Wouldyou like to join me?''

Krip Singh immediately turnedto look at Kamas and a smileappeared on his face.''Of course Kamas. Is thissomething to ask me? Now comehere and help me get up.''Karan looked at his grandfatherand asked,''Daadu can I help youtoo?''''Areey beta, of course you can.''

So Kamas and Karan bothhelped Krip Singh get up on hisfeet. Karan was very pleasedwith his job as he thought he wasresponsible for helping hisdaadu stand up. He gave a bigsmile to Daadu. Krip Singh tooappreciated Karan's strength andbrushed his hair playfully.

Krip Singh immediately turnedto look at Kamas and a smile

appeared on his face.''Of course Kamas. Is this

something to ask me? Nowcome­on here and help me get

up.''Karan looked at his grandfatherand asked,''Daadu can I help you

too?''''Areey beta, of course you can.'

30

Karan then got down to hiscoloring business while KripSingh and Kamas proceeded toKamas's room for practice.

Kamas was practising tobecome a singer. He was verypassionate about singing andwanted to pursue itprofessionally, but his parentswere not keen and did notsupport his passion. So, Kamasinstead , decided to continuesinging as a hobby whilecompleting a traditional formaleducation in business studies.

Kamas found only one personsupporting his passion whole­heartedly and that was hisgrandfather. His grandfatherencouraged him completelyand even sat through his jamsessions and told him where hewas going wrong or whichareas were renderedbeautifully.

Krip Singh had been a singerhimself in his younger days. Hewould sing at functions andreligious gatherings. But backthen, there was no exposure forsingers and it was notconsidered a suitable career

option and so Krip Singhgradually left singing as he gotmore involved in a family life.

But now, Krip Singh felt as ifhis younger days were revivedwhen he saw Kamas sing. Hedoes not sing now, but he findsimmense joy and happinesswhen he watches Kamasperform.

Kamas started singing a songand Krip Singh sat beside himand closed his eyes as heallowed Kamas' deep voice fillthrough his body. Kamas hadchosen a melancholic song fortoday. Krip Singh was in atrance and he allowed himselfto be pulled deeper into theindentation of his mind.

''So Daadu, what do you thinkof my composition?''''Beta, this one is your bestcomposition so far. I loved it. Iwish I could sing some linestoo. You know, certain tunes inthe track .. I would have sungthem better.''''Acha Daadu, you want tochallenge me han. Chalo then,let's hear you sing.''

Kamas started singing a songand Krip Singh sat beside him

and closed his eyes as heallowed Kamas' deep voice fillthrough his body. Kamas hadchosen a melancholic song for

today. Krip Singh was in atrance and he allowed himself to

be pulled deeper into theindentation of his mind.

31

And saying so, Kamas handedover the sheet of lyrics to hisgrandfather. Krip Singh heldthe papers in his hands, took ina deep breath and closed hiseyes and sang out the songwith all his energy. He did notrealize, but soon his handswere moving in tandem withthe rhythm of the song.

After he was done with hisperformance, he lookedtowards Kamas for a response.Kamas looked at hisgrandfather with a surprisedlook.

''So beta, how was it?''''Oh my God .. Daadu, I did notknow you sang. I mean ofcourse I do hear you singing atreligious gatherings, at homesometimes but this kind ofsinging. Daadu … have youlearnt singing?''''It's a long story. Would youlike to hear it?''''Of course Daadu''

And so, Krip Singh narratedhis whole life story to Kamas.His dreams, his aspirations, hissacrifices. Everything was laidout bare in front of Kamas.

''Daadu, didn't you ever feellike getting back to singing…professionally?''''No beta, where is the time forall that now. And to top it, I ama 60 year old man. At this age,it is better to sit at home only.''

Supriya then came into theroom and called Kamas andKrip Singh for lunch. Thefamily gathered in the gardenin front of their house and hada long and lazy lunch.

After lunch, Kamas helped hisfather clean up the garden andarrange the things. His mindwas still lurking around thestory his grandfather hadnarrated to him. Kamas sensedthe need and the desire in KripSingh to start singing again,professionally.

''Daadu, didn't you ever feel likegetting back to singing…

professionally?''''No beta, where is the time for

all that now. And to top it, I ama 60 year old man. At this age, it

is better to sit at home only.''

32

A week later, Kamas washaving coffee with Ruby at apopular coffee joint when henoticed the banners for a TVshow. An International channelwas organizing a singing talenthunt countrywide in India forthe first time. The singingtalent show has been verypopular abroad and manyregional channels aired theshow on their channels justbecause the show and itsjudges were so popular. Kamascould not believe that a showof this caliber was making theirforay into India.

Kamas nudged Ruby, who wasbusy in Snap chatting on herphone,'' Ruby, Ruby … lookthere behind you, above thecounter. Look at that awesomeposter for a singing show.''

Ruby seemed irritated at beingdisturbed, yett she still turnedback to see the poster and as

soon as she set eyes on it, shetoo couldn't control herexcitement.

'' Oh .. emm … geeeee …. Is thisfor real? Is this super awesomeshow really coming to India? Ijust can't believe it. Oh myGod! Kamas, this is such a hugething. That's it, I am going toSnap chat this right now. Likeall my friends have to see andknow that the World SingingTalent is coming to India.''

And saying so, Ruby startedclicking pictures of the posteron her phone while Kamasstarted dreaming of a brightsinging future.

That evening, Kamas decidedto ask his father if he couldstand in audition for the show.He knew what his Dad wouldsay and so, Kamas had ananswer ready.

Ruby seemed irritated at beingdisturbed, but she still turned

back to see the poster and as soonas she set eyes on it, she too

couldn't control her excitement.

33

''So what did your dad sayKamas? Is he okay with youauditioning for the show?''''No Ruby. My dad seemedpretty miffed when I suggestedit. But I was not going to giveup so easily. I told him therewas nothing to lose. I need tohave the chance to try. Youknow, all my life, I did as hewanted. I obeyed everydecision he made. So, I thinknow he should agree to mydecision at least, if not obeyingit.''''Hahaha, oh Kamas. You arefunny. But let's say you getselected in the initial auditionsand finally get to play for themain stage. Are you ready forit? Are you ready to foregoyour whole life you have hereand set on a journey you arenot even sure of?''

''Ruby, I think life is all abouttaking chances. I believe that ifwe don't take the chances now,we are only going to regret itlater. And I don't want that.''''Hmmmm, I like it. You knowwhat? At each stage of youraudition, I want you to sendme a picture. I will Snap chat it.You know, something likedocumenting the life of a no­one to someone.''''Hahahaha Ruby …. You areso foolish. I am not a no­one. Iam already someone. Haven'tyou seen the girls watching mewith joyful eyes while I wassinging at college.''

Ruby playfully pushed Kamasand they walked laughing andjoking without realizing thatlove was indeed growingstronger between them.

''No Ruby. My dad seemedpretty miffed when I suggested

it. But I was not going to give upso easily. I told him there wasnothing to lose. I need to have

the chance to try. You know, allmy life, I did as he wanted. I

obeyed every decision he made.So, I think now he should agreeto my decision at least, if not

obeying it.''

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It had been 2 weeks sinceKamas spoke to his dad andfought for his chance to go forthe auditions. The auditions forthe different stages were held atdifferent cities, all away fromKamas' home.

Kamas, without fail, sent hispictures to Ruby, who Snapchatted everything with nicecaptions. Ruby wanted auditionvideos too, but the channel hadstrict rules and did not wantany videos taken before theofficial telecast.

3 weeks had gone by and Stage5 of the auditions was on. It wasthe last stage and Ruby hadbeen nervous the whole time,waiting for Kamas to send aphotograph. He said, he wouldsend a photograph only after

the audition was over.

So Ruby waited with batedbreath for a photo to appear inher phone, hopefully bearinggood news.

And finally, after a long wait,Kamas sent a photo of himsmiling wildly and jumping. Heeven asked Ruby to caption thephoto with words like 'smalltown singing hero,’ 'finallyrecognized.’

Ruby thought Kamas had gonecrazy, but still agreed as it washis big day. He was going toreturn tomorrow morning.Ruby was very excited to meethim.

3 weeks had gone by and Stage 5of the auditions was on. It was

the last stage and Ruby had beennervous the whole time, waitingfor Kamas to send a photograph.

He said, he would send aphotograph only after the

audition was over.

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''What are you talking Kamas?’’Supriya, his mom, askedflabbergasted.'' You are going to travel all theway to Australia for this. I don'tthink this is a practical thing todo.''

Som, Kamas' dad added,'' Iagree with your mom, Kamas.This is not a Bollywood moviewhere you will have a happyending. This is real life. Whyare you knowinglyjeopardizing your future? ''

Som then turned towards KripSingh and said, ''And papa, Ican't believe that all thishappened because of you. I justcan't believe.''

Krip Singh sat in his rockingchair while little Karan lookedon. He couldn't understandwhy the elders were screamingat each other. He held KripSingh's hand. Krip Singhsmiled and asked Karan to goplay in his room.Ruby too was there in theroom. She was shocked at thedevelopments.

She had come home thinkingthat probably the whole Surihousehold would becelebrating Kamas' successfulauditions, but instead,something else was happeninghere.

Kamas, who was quite thewhole time finally spoke.‘‘Papa, I understand youcherish my best interests inyour mind. I mean you are afterall my father. I know youwould not want anythingdreadful for me. But at thesame time, how can I ignore thepassion, the desire, the urge tosing? Daadu's urge to sing?''

''But Kamas … At this age …what is the point of Daadusinging at this age?'' Supriyaasked with genuine confusion.

''Mamma, you were not there.You were not there whenever Isang. The time I sang right herein my room. Daadu was theonly one who came into myroom and heard me singingevery day, without fail. I,myself, was so consumed in mypassion to sing, I forgot to

Kamas, who was quite the wholetime finally spoke. ‘‘Papa, I

understand you cherish my bestinterests in your mind. I meanyou are after all my father. Iknow you would not want

anything dreadful for me. But atthe same time, how can I ignore

the passion, the desire, the urge tosing? Daadu's urge to sing?''

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acknowledge that among usthere is a man who sacrificed somuch just for the sake of hisfamily. He gave up his passionfor the sake of us.

I saw myself in Daadu,Mamma. I saw the samepassion, the same desire, thesame urge to sing. And trustme, he is a fabulous singer, butwe never knew or rather neverbothered to know. And so,when I saw the poster forauditions, I decided to go for it.But not for me, for Daadu’ssake. Daadu himself did notknow of my plan.

I just had to ask you and Papafor permission to go. And thatis why I forced you all to allowme to take Daadu along. I guessyou all probably thoughtDaadu will speak sense into meand we will be back. Butinstead I spoke sense into himand convinced him toaudition.''

''But what about age limitKamas?'' Ruby asked.''Ruby, you have no idea howmuch I begged the officials to atleast give Daadu a chance tosing. Daadu started to losehope, but I was hell­bent onhaving him in the audition andthen when the judges heardDaadu, they just loved him andchanged the rules just forDaadu.Can you believe it? Daadu willbe the surprise element of theshow when it airs. I can't tellyou how happy I am.''

Krip Singh smiled faintly as alone tear escaped his eyes. Henever felt more loved and morevalued as he felt now.

Krip slowly got up from hischair and said, ‘‘Som, I know itis too much to ask for. I mean itis a ridiculous idea for me to goto Australia for the Main Stagewith Kamas. I mean, he has hisstudies here and I can’t makeyou sad for just fulfilling my

Krip slowly got up from his chairand said, ‘‘Som, I know it is toomuch to ask for. I mean it is aridiculous idea for me to go to

Australia for the Main Stage withKamas. I mean, he has his studieshere and I can’t make you sad for

just fulfilling my desire. I am sorryson for letting you down.''

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desire. I am sorry son for lettingyou down.''

Som then burst out crying andheld his father's hand and said,''I am sorry Baba(father). I neverlooked for what you wanted todo. You looked after me andOmi until we became stable andthen we went on with our liveswithout looking back at you.We moved forward Baba butwe forgot to hold your handand take you along with us.What Kamas did for you shouldhave been done by me. I am sosorry Baba. I let you down.''

Krip Singh hugged his son andthey cried silently. Kamas wentand held both his father andgrandfather and then said,''Okay, okay now enough crying.I think, it is safe to say that weare going to Australia. Thisshould be a happy moment.''

''But what about your studies?’’Krip Singh asked Kamas.''Don't worry Daadu. Thissemester is my Internship one. Ican do something based on ourexperience right here. Got somebusiness ideas to tap the seniorcitizen dream fulfillmentprogram. I don't know, a lot ofthings can be done. Don't worryDaadu. It is about you now.''

Ruby wiped her tears away andsaid,'' Hey if you are going,even I am going. I willdocument your whole journey.My semester too is that ofInternship one and I couldeasily do something forcommunication studies orsomething. I don't know, but Iam also coming.''

Finally, there was happinessand rings of laughter could beheard in the house.

Krip Singh hugged his son andthey cried silently. Kamas

went and held both his fatherand grandfather and then

said,'' Okay, okay now enoughcrying. I think, it is safe to saythat we are going to Australia.

This should be a happymoment.''

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Kamas sat with his grandfather on one sideand Ruby, on the other. Just before theycould leave for Australia, Kamas proposedto Ruby and she said 'Yes'.

Kamas had the two people he loved by hisside. He smiled as the plane took off. Daaduheld his hand tightly and asked,'' Kamas,this is the right thing to do, right?''

‘‘Yes, Daadu, trust me. This has been longoverdue.''

Kamas pressed his Daadu's hand lightly andkissed him on the cheek while Ruby took apicture of the moment on her phone.

''I could not help it. But this has to bedocumented. This story is going to makehistory.''

Ruby then took out her small pad and penand wrote a story headline ­ Unsaid Love &Dreams.

ANYTHING FOR LOVEAarati Salian

(Mumbai, India)

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My dreams areabout her,

haven’t any say.They appear unbidden,

and awaken me.Sweat stands,

like bloody beads.shakes,

of a drunkenderelict,

the aftermath.Stars snicker,

their shoulders heaveas my body

twitches againstthese nightmares,

my addiction.

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Forms of Love are manyDepends whether you just happen to find any

The earliest form of thisI saw in my Mother and Father too

The love which kept me on the cradle of eyelidsAnd the love that always turned true

The love I found in my Brother was somewhat strangeAlways expecting me to do something in exchange

Shouting, fighting, doubting, hidingWe spent our childhood with memories enlightening

The other form I found in my FriendsFriends who quarreled a lot

Asking always if I loved them or notPestering, irritating, creating too much of troubleYet standing by me forever and making me doubleThen there was a wait for the Prince on a palfrey

The one who wanted just me, in the wedding dowryThey kept coming and going, whom I thought as my own

In all I found some reasons at least to frownThen he came and settled in my soul

The Prince of my dreams, in him I could seeThis love put a stop to my search

I found him the best ever born on this earth.

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The first blush of loveclings to the heart forever,with dreams in the soul,

memory of a special tenderness.Pangs of love speak in multitudes

the unsaid is an ache –a bolt out of the bluedefying duplication.

Unwritten are the words of loveInscribed in the heart

engraved with emotions,amidst all words and actions.

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How many times I tried,I tried to say you ....those three words,

How many times I tried,I tried to say you ....to catch those birds,who were emerging,

into my heart.

Whenever I came,in front of You,my lips tried,tried to speak,

but the very next moment,the whole scenario changed,

and they softly spoken,a simple "Hello" indeed.

We both met,for long hours,

where a deep infatuation,bound my heart,

and when it comes,the time of depart,

I again tried,tried to say those three words.

Sometimes I thought,that why don't you caught?

my deep signals,that I slowly throw towards You,

in some pun intended form,and later that I tried to reform,after seeing your simple smile,

a simple smile on your face.

And on one day I collapsed,when you informed me about your thoughts,

that you were compel to say those words,Yes , those three words to one of your beloved,

with whom you were going to get marry,and was inviting me as a jury,

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to kept me as a witness for your proverb ,when you will speak those three words .

Tears were flowing from my eyes ,when that precious moment of your life reside ,

I murmured those words in my heart ,when you were speaking those in front of your heart ,

and that made me spell bound ,as a magical feeling surrounded me profound ,

"I Love You" were not just a verb ,that was the life of those three words .

Those three words were nothing ,for You .........

But those three words were something ,for Me ...........

Those three words made ,Your Life ........

But those three words spoiled ,My Life .

Though I tried many times ,but failed .........

but as you tried ,You gained .........

But still those three words ,are more important for me than You ,

Because those three words counted as ,my "Unsaid Love" just for YOU.

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45

46

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An Unsaid Dream

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Ashi: Greetings to you Davinder Ranu! At the outset, on behalf of‘Reflection Magazine’, I would like to thank you for accepting myrequest to interview you.

Davinder Ranu: Pleasure is all mine. Thank you!

Ashi: Tell us something about the place you belong to, your childhoodand education.

Davinder Ranu: I am originally from Punjab and my childhoodyears were awesome there! I lived in the village, grew up playingwith marbles and many other games. Walked around the wholevillage, went to the fields with my friends and ate sugar canes, sobasically just had a good time all day and came home in theevening. In 1997 I moved from Punjab to Canada. I have a HighSchool Diploma. I was never a fan of studying so decided not tostudy further and just work.

Ashi: Please share your writing experience ­ the age you started writingand what inspired you to write.

Davinder Ranu: I started writing in my early 20’s. My literarycompositions were not so great because there was no one to helpme or tell me how to write a Punjabi poem, English poem andPunjabi songs. I remember my visit to Punjab in 2007. A lot ofgreat Punjabi songs came out that year and after hearing all thosesongs I wanted to try writing so I did!

I am originally fromPunjab and my childhoodyears were awesome there!I lived in the village, grewup playing with marblesand many other games.

Walked around the wholevillage, went to the fieldswith my friends and atesugar canes, so basicallyjust had a good time all

day and came home in theevening. In 1997 I movedfrom Punjab to Canada. I

have a High SchoolDiploma. I was never a fanof studying so decided notto study further and just

work.

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Ashi: That’s great!!!, kindly tell us something about any other hobby ofyours.

Davinder Ranu: I like going to the cinema and watching moviesespecially Bollywood movies! I like long walks, running andalso I like reading biographies of famous and not so famouspeople how they lived and died.

Ashi: However, poetry or prose is a medium to express one’s innerfeelings. Is there any specific moment or event that made you write?

Davinder Ranu: There are a lot of moments and some eventsthat took place in my life that made me write. One of them beingpeople always cursing me and telling me I am good for nothing!One time a guy in high school told me I am nothing but a spit onthe ground, but I never really got offended. I just thankeveryone for any feedback they give me regardless of it beingpositive or negative. Something to write about in the future youknow!

Ashi: What is your favorite topic to write on? And do you have aspecific writing style?

Davinder Ranu: To be honest I don’t follow any particularwriting style. I just write whatever comes in my mind. It’s allgood with me! I don't really have any favorite topic. I do likewriting about the reality of this physical world.

Ashi: Would you like to share something about your personal life withour readers to know you more closely?

Davinder Ranu: I am a person, naive and gullible but after beingvery nice to the people of this world. I have been humiliated,made fun of and what not so now I am reserved, and don’t dothose things that bring misery to my life and now I try to staycalm and be happy within myself.

Ashi: Oh that is really sad, I hope you will get good people in your life.Please share who is your favorite writer/poet?

Davinder Ranu: I don’t have any favorite writers or poets but Ienjoy reading Oscar Wilde, Shiv Kumar Batalvi, and work ofother writers that interests me!

I am a person, naive andgullible but after being

very nice to the people ofthis world. I have beenhumiliated, made fun of

and what not so now I amreserved, and don’t dothose things that bring

misery to my life and nowI try to stay calm and be

happy within myself.

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Ashi: According to you, what are the most important elements of goodwriting?

Davinder Ranu: As being a free style writer, I believe the bestelement to good writing is expressing your thoughts and writingright when something comes in your mind.

Ashi: Very well said. Did you always have full appreciation and supportfor your talent in writing?

Davinder Ranu: No, I did not always have full appreciation andsupport for my talent in writing it is only after 2011 when I joineda site called Booksie and met great poets and writers there. Thenslowly I got support and appreciation from them, and some areeven my really good friends now. I am getting appreciation nowfor my works that I write in Punjabi. So this 2016 year is lookinggood for me!

Ashi: According to you, which poem, lyric and short story of yours isyour masterpiece? Kindly share any of your poems which is close toyour heart.

Davinder Ranu: My English poem “Who Cares” is close to myheart and one of my short stories “What if Some of Your DreamsCame True”. Both these writings, in my view, talk about thereality of the physical world.

Who Cares

Who cares if you didn't get what you wanted?Who cares if you were loved by none?

Who cares if you didn't reach the kingdom of God?Who cares if you were the unhealthy one?

Who cares if you didn't get the woman you love?Who cares if that woman at the bus stand didn't look at you?

Who cares if people make fun of you?Who cares if nobody was surrounding you at the time of your death?

Who cares about anyone or anything?Life is just life…..Just accept it as it is

And you will have limited happy days on Earth before you depart.

I did not always have fullappreciation and supportfor my talent in writing itis only after 2011 when I

joined a site calledBooksie and met great

poets and writers there.Then slowly I got support

and appreciation fromthem, and some are evenmy really good friends

now. I am gettingappreciation now for my

works that I write inPunjabi. So this 2016 yearis looking good for me!

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Ashi: Melancholic and beautiful, according to you what is the bestthing about being an author and poet?

Davinder Ranu: Becoming world famous and leavingsomething to read behind for the people who are not born inyour lifetime.

Ashi: So true. I read your Punjabi lyrics, kindly share why yourtheme is mostly based on ‘heartbroken’ or sorrow?

Davinder Ranu: My theme is mostly based on heartbreak andmy works are sad because that is one of the realities of thephysical world. And I also write from my own experiences andof course my imagination!

My theme is mostly basedon heartbreak and my

works are sad because thatis one of the realities of thephysical world. And I also

write from my ownexperiences and of course

my imagination!

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Ashi: As the theme of our issue is ‘love’ so please share your personalviews on this.

Davinder Ranu: To be honest I don’t know anything about lovebut what I would say is that if you fall in love with someone orsomething then love without the feeling of possessing and letthat flow naturally and save yourself from unnecessary miseryeven if that would not be successful.

Ashi: Very well said with spiritually. What advice would you give toemerging writers and poets like yourself?

Davinder Ranu: Read and write whatever comes in your mind.There is no such thing in writing as right or wrong . Writing isself expression

Read and writewhatever comes in yourmind. There is no such

thing in writing as rightor wrong . Writing is

self expression

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Ashi: So true. Give your opinion on Reflection magazine and wouldyou like to give any advice for improvement.

Davinder Ranu: I always like reading Reflection magazine forits quality and I strongly believe it is one of my greatestachievements to be interviewed on this magazine. I am notreally a much of a critic but I have seen Reflection magazineimproving a lot and I hope it keeps growing.https://www.facebook.com/thelostpoet1

Ashi : Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom in the field of artand for improvement of our literary magazine. The budding artists willget encouragement by emerging poets like you and would boost uptheir enthusiasm to be more creative. Good Luck to you as youcontinue to learn and grow as a writer.

I always like readingReflection magazine for

its quality and I stronglybelieve it is one of my

greatest achievements tobe interviewed on this

magazine. I am not reallya much of a critic but I

have seen Reflectionmagazine improving a lot

and I hope it keepsgrowing.

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I don’t want to love anymoreSuch a heavy heart, it is sore

Red eyes, blank mind, empty soulWind, please blow him out of my world.

How could it be? I love himBridegroom of my close friend

She is so beautiful in the churchNo one knows how much I am hurt.

My red heart turns out black oneDrought, split off into thousand pieces

Heat, coldness, frozen, brokenMy teardrops dye her bridal bouquet.

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Selfless LoveZainab Bhoira

(Indian stays in Saudi Arabia)

Mankind, Oh Mankind !Break not other's heart as in it our Creator is

enshrined,Oh Man! It’s time you stop acting blind,

And think of all with your mind,Count the blessings of your Lord, Oh Mankind!

Let us all stand united….Thanking our Sustainer for what he provided,

Promising him to remain undivided….The Almighty is sure to have us guided

Towards the path of the insighted...

Let’s aim to help those in need,And make our goal to do good deed,To these act of virtues, do pay heed

To make this world a better place indeed!Certainly, Our Creator would be pleased….

Mankind, Oh Mankind! This is “Selfless Love” …That amongst us we should wove,

By working hand in glove,To free the “White Dove”....!

Blessed will we be by the Almighty above!

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Let the wind blowthrough the silent Sky.Let all the hurdles fallat the melting point.

Let the moistened dryness of lipsbleed red, the color of heart.

Let the serenity of loveflow in life.

to take off the stormshard in ride.

Let the soul sworn the skyto relish the freedom of

limitless joy.

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You came into my lifeon an ordinary day,I never knew that in

my heart , you'll forever stay.

I never felt the same waynever felt so happy

the way you made me laughin a very special way.

You loved every bit of meand put a crown on my head

I'm your princess , your world,your night and a day ..

The reason why I'm breathingand the wherefore of all these,

is because you've touched my soullike no one else did .

If ever I will leave this worldand go somewhere beyond

It's your hand I'll want to holdto lead me to forevermore .

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I remember when I was a kid, I used to watch fun­orientedmovies. I know we all did that before but all of a sudden, how

did I became choosy about films? Some say, I choose filmrating websites though it’s true but my answer here is thatwhen I came to know about conceptual films like 3 Idiots, Irealized that the audiences needed entertainment value aswell as the conceptual interpretation (read philosophicalmessages) in a film. There are also some films that most

audiences did not understand other than their entertainmentvalue. Here are some films I will recommend you to watch in

chronological order­

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5. 3 IDIOTS (India)

This movie tells us about self­confidence, understanding values and toseek a different view of knowledge. The way the movie has beenportrayed, freshens up the mind with a lot of character development. Thiseven tells us the irony of the world such as the education systems and life.The characters touch our hearts. It is based on a novel IIIT­ Five PointSomeone by Chetan Bhagat. This creative movie is portrayed in a heartfeltway. All izz Well!

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4. WHAT ABOUT BOB? (USA)

A doctor­patient relationship is not only that but also a special bondingwhich the conservative people do not understand. It is true that thepatient is livelier than the most boring doctor. It made me laugh due to itsentertainment value but the concept is so unique that most failed to repeatthe actual movie as well as Ghostbusters (Bill Murray also starred in it).The best psychiatrist is in you.

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3. TELEVISION (Bangladesh)

A battle between the controlling patriarchs and the village people. Aconflict between religions. The acting and the story is perfect. It tells howthe patriarch changed his mind while he slowly understood hismisconceptions towards religions and television. The review says it all.

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2. GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (Japanese)

The innocence of the victims during World War II. The finest animatedfilm ever seen in the animation history. Innocence is portrayed in aheartfelt manner and the concept of a relationship tells the overall valuesof the characters. A brother and a sister looked for a dream, a light of hopeand a struggle with class discrimination. The story is based on a novel ofthe same name. It shows that everyone must understand the views ofpeople who are helpless and we must be helpful to them. This is beautiful.

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1. A BEAUTIFUL MIND and FORREST GUMP

Both of them are really beautiful movies that deserve the first spot. ForrestGump is a film about humanity, creativity, self­confidence, imaginationand observation which makes a great impact on the people who nevercared about other people and never helped the hopeless. We can learnabout adjusting with different cultures and people with differentattributes. It is based on a novel of the same name.As for A Beautiful Mind, it is about people with the best creative minds inhistory such as the honorable John Nash for the Game Theory. This biopictells us about how beautiful the mind is. It gives the audience chills as thestory and its message progresses. This is a must watch movie.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Dead Poet’s Society, Jason and the Argonauts, The Lord ofthe Rings Trilogy, Beowulf 2007 film, The Dark KnightTrilogy, Her, Citizen Kane, Rajkahini (Bengali), Third PersonSingular Number (Bangladesh), Dipu Number Two(Bangladesh), Colors of Paradise (Iranian), Song of theSparrows (Iranian), Separation (Iranian),PK (India), Udaan(India), Haider (India), When Marnie was There (Japanese),Laputa: Castle In the Sky (Japanese), Spirited Away(Japanese), Snow Queen (German) and Ex Machina.

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Dreams are what we hold for yearsand wish some days they be fulfilledThis hope keeps us awake sometimes

but to see the dreams we sleep at nights.

In our slumber we try to touch themonly to realize mere dreams they are

But someone said “Dreams are for real”So do we believe every time.

As a dreamer sometimes we also day­dreamwhen our eyes are open wide

our mind gets lost to a mystic sightwhere we see myriad lights.

Sometime the dreams we see areso subtle and confined to heart

They never get wings to flySo they remain dreams for lifetime.

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Love starts from eyes,Then only I realized

When I gazed in your hazel eyes,To fall in love with them.

A sweet short love story was to start,I thought forever it will last

But hurdles are always there,to complicate things.

"How will she look as my brideStanding holding hand, by my side,"

One of my best friends askedWhen he saw you, coming towards me.My heart cried, a dreams was shatteredAs if I were hit brutally and hammered

immediately I knew, I have lost youOur love story will end so soon, I never knew.

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Sketch ByAnam Arefeen (13 years old)

(Saudi Arabia, NRI)

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Painting By

Adifaah Arefeen(11 years old)

(Saudi Arabia, NRI)

74

A change I can feelMy world came to a standstill.

No clue of how it happened to me.It took me by surprise,

The glitz when I see in my eyes.

Love silently knocked my heart,Feelings I was unaware,

A phase I thought to be so,The depth I never came to know.

To say him the unsaid words,Finally when I realize,

And I get to rise,Words fell short,

When I rose to speak,His eyes when met with me,

A surge of love ran through me.

When I get a glimpse of his,My heart skips a beat,

Neither I could say nor could keep the feel,With him, every time when I meet.

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The words not spoken,I bury inside me.

A fear of losing love,Crept within me.

How to conceal the feelings,I have for him.

Feign I know not how to do,Want to tell I so want him dear,All I wish I could get him near.

Something is never meant to be.I step aside for which,Is not made for me.The words unsaid,

Will be hugged in my heart.From him my feelings,Can never stay apart.

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Why do I write, is still a mystery to me. It justbegan on a lazy Sunday afternoon six yearsago; when I saw a documentary onunderworld killings. The narrator of theprogramme stated that most of theunderworld killings were undertaken by EastUttar Pradesh's rather unknown young men.They simply kill people for money anddisappear. The underworld people hire themfor important killings, a new killer everytime.

Thus the story, 'A Clean Hit,' hit my thoughtsand I scribed this story for Bookise, an onlineportal for writers and poets. This story wascritically evaluated by some eminent writerssome of them found that story a fast pacedthriller and some pointed out thegrammatical mistakes they found in thestory, so the journey began.

Kids who grew up in 80s, were ushered incomics and pulp fictions world. Some ofthose pulp fictions were meant for youngchildren only. All I preferred out of the lotwas, 'Rajan Iqbal,' series by S. C. Bedi. Thisteenage detective duo used to solve murdermysteries and other crimes to help the police.It was a new exciting world for me. Wechildren used to hire and read those littlepocket books with lucrative front cover onthem, every day during our summervacations. And I can say that writing crimeand mystery was seeded during those dayswhen I was reading all those little excitingcrime stories.

After the age of 14 there was a long timewhen I didn't read a single novel or comicsfor those were the days when I had toconcentrate on making myself something and

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eventually ended up becoming a publicservant under UP government. A few yearstook me to collect all my old golden daysbooks and comics, then the long readingsessions began, sometimes I used to commute80 km to my office and that was the timewhen I consumed a lot of crime novels. JohnGrisham, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum,Jeffery Archer, David Baldacci, Peter Mass,Sydney Sheldon, Mario Pujo, James HadleyChase were ushering me into the wonderfulworld of crime fictions. Besides I tried to readsome Indian crime writers as well but Icouldn't reach the third chapters of theirbooks, I don't say that they were bad writersbut they didn't have what I was looking for.

During the writing of ‘A Clean Hit,’ ‘AfterTwo Years’ and ‘Jack’s Emancipation’ onBooksie I came across two wonderful friendsand fellow poets/writers, ‘Iram Fatima ‘Ashi’and ‘Shazia Shekh.’ They were not only goodpoets/writers, but wonderful critics also.Some of their comments on my stories keptme going. On their insistence I came back onfacebook to keep my long dead facebookaccount alive.

Facebook gave a new boost to my crimefiction writing. Here on facebook I came toknow that there was a wonderful new worldof books by the name of ‘Anthologies,’ I triedmy luck with a prominent book publisher’sproposed anthology on ‘Thriller & Suspense’theme, eventually the publisher rejected mystory and put a question mark on my writing.This is another case that the very story waspublished by another publisher and aprominent literary critic suggested me towrite a full length novel on that story.

Later working on Jack Series was equallyexciting. Creating a new world for him is alsoa part of this exploration. 'Will City,' 'ColonelPass,' 'Wilderness Of River Kali Valley,' andcreating vicious villain like Deva was really

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challenging. One of my publishers asked meall about these factious places and charactersnames and how they came into existence. Theanswer is really very hard in these timeswhen the market is inundated by love storiesand related anthologies. How can I tell himthat I still live in those good old days whenpulp fictions used to rule over the heart of anumber of people and all these factiousplaces are just a trial to live in those good olddays, when there were bandits, criminals andheroes?

Writing a full length novel occurred to meseveral times and I started writing one with aco ­writer, but things kept us both busy andthis habit of procrastination is delaying theprogress of this novel. Meanwhile I wrotethree novellas and gave them a final touchbefore sending them to a publisher.

I've written for several publishers till nowand often had been invited by Editor/Writerfriends of mine to write a story for theiranthologies and I love to do it. Writer’s blockoften takes over my writing instincts but Istart creating new stories mentally to avoid it,sometimes it was really helpful.

Once a friend of mine who is a critic of mystories too asked me how long would I go onwriting crime and mystery stories. Questionwas really relevant in this highly competitiveliterary world. Once I tried to write a lovestory but I failed and the story was rejectedas well by another publisher. So all mystories which I wrote on Mystery & Crimegenre were accepted and published byseveral publishers so I think I'll keep writingin this genre as long as I'm not out of newideas.

Once there was a time when book stalls werefull of fictions and other books. Owner of AHWheelers Book Shop, Moradabad; who hasbecome a friend of mine in the process ofpurchasing a number of books from him in aspan of seven years, often complains for thedecline of book sales. Well this is a bittertruth that the number of book readers isdecreasing pathetically and in suchdepressive world one cannot make one'sliving by writing books, but the one whodares must be appreciated. So the journey ofexploring me through my stories is still onand I hope it will go on forever.

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A Love StoryTapan Ghosh

(Durgapur, India)

Bandana you........Our marriage day is very near but seems....so farYes, me too dearAfter seven days........My dear Raj, forgive me, my beautiful face which was inspiration for your poetry, has beendamaged by an accident, I can't show this face to you, please marry a lovely girl....your Bandana.Next day’s reply to the letter.......Dear Bandana, what a coincidence, last night I lost my eyes in an accident, now I am blind, if youdon't look after me, nobody will......They got married..........After 32 years of marriage, Bandana became seriously ill and was going to die; her head lay onRaj's bosom.Very slowly Bandana says, “ I am so lucky to be able to give up my last breath on your bosom.”After so many years, Raj removed his black glass from his eyes, tears were running down anddropping on Bandana’s face.“ Can you see?’’said Bandana.“Yes, I can, I loved only you, not your face,” replied Raj.Bandana looked upon Raj, with unblinking eyes, tears were running down from her eyes but shedidn’t say any word....

After some time she gave up her last breathRaj wiped her eyes and shut them forever

But Bandana is still alive in Raj's heart........

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MONSIF BEROUAL

He was born on October19th , 1994. Monsif is on hissecond year at theUniversity of sidiMohammed Ben Adlallah,Taza city, Morocco.

His poems have beenpublished in differentInternational anthologiesaround the world; readthem on radio programs atCanada, Chicago, Argentinaand Mexico.

His poems have beentranslated into: Spanish,Arabics and French.

Every breath from my soulevery dream can be real,love makes us feel better

even we are sad or feeling lowfrom the first sight of her angel's face

upon her face a sweet smileI'm in deep love

I wanna keep her reflection in my mind,in my dreams without touching her.

I want to keep her in my sight foreverlike the soul in my body.

She's my drugshe makes me feel high,so high without limits

without an end.She's my drug

like the happiness in my blood.She's my cure of the pains.

My eyes addicted to her eyesShe is the love…

without a temple!

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We'll die embracingIf the injustice throwsOne of us engraved,

We'll die each other facingYour ethereal eyes and long brows

My painful moment would be saved.Though this is unworthy killing

There might some honorHeaven's angels seek.

Perchance after decades, our relicsMay find on earth some honor

In temple's chimeAnd in every flight of dove

There may shelterOur happy love.

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Wonderful! Thanks Reflection Magazine for another lovely issue! Joyful to appear with Dr.Ram Sharma sharing some of our duet poetry too. Humble thanks for all! Wonderfulcontributions by many great poets, writers and artists. Thanks dear Editor and Reflection’steam!Jen Walls (US)

Congrats ...& Best wishes to one n allSaroj Chopra (India)

Wonderful issue, many great creative writings, new talents, new designs. More power.Asror Allayarov (Uzbekistan)

Happy to be a part of this endeavor.Charles Darnell (US)

Feeling Happy again to be a part of this lovely issue.....Best wishes to the team for thefuture.....A special thanks to the Editor.Praveen Gola (India)

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