VOORPRET*

This is a word from the Dutch, without an exact English translation, but which means
“the anticipatory excitement before something happens.”

SALUTATIONS TO SHIVA

Chanting for those inclined to listen, by American kirtan singers Krishna Das & Jai Uttal; it’s “aum namah shivaya” and “boom shankar” in equal parts.

AVE HITCHKI*

This took off from a song I came across.Now traditional Indian folk music is not my everyday cup of tea, but there’s something about the tune that hooked me. The lyrics are about a lover who’s remembering and missing her man who’s gone off elsewhere in search of work.

• AVE HITCHKI – Hindi for “I’ve got the hiccups”.
  According to old folklore, hiccups occur when someone is thinking about you.

TOGETHER APART

I’m experimenting here. Every alternate line links with the other, i.e. the bold with the bold & the italics with the italics, to form two separate poems in essence. If you’ll read it as such.

THE PENNY DROPPED

Heavy was his burden: