My first kiss

My first kiss was like a rod pushed inside my mouth
I was filled with revulsion
All that saliva pouring into my mouth
He told me
Move your tongue at least
I struggled
He said you don't know how to kiss.
Then asked me whether I liked the kiss.
I didn't know what to say
To hate him or pity him
I wondered whether kissing was a skill or an expression of love.
I have been kissed many times but that memory of the first kiss that filled me with revulsion
Stays with me...
Each time I ask do I know how to kiss?

My attitude towards life

I have faced plenty of struggles in my life. On the personal front as well as the career front. Life has constantly thrown challenges at me and I have faced them sometimes as a fighter and at other times not so strongly. I feel life is a learning lesson and it teaches you something at all times. Through my failures and successes, I have also learnt some lessons.
Firstly, face every day with a smile. Every day is new, every moment is afresh and we don't know when an opportunity may be knocking at our door.
Winners never quit. This is an often repeated quote, but very true in life. We never know that with the next push we might win.
Every cloud has a silver lining. This is again a frequently repeated quote but in my most dark moments of life, I realized that I was a fighter in life and I could face every turmoil in my life with this too shall pass attitude.
Don't know how the world sees me but I see myself as a fighter. Someone who faces every challenge with a can-do it attitude. 
Life has thrown bouquets as well as brickbats at me and I have faced every challenge with a positive attitude. People have not supported me in my struggles and have actually enjoyed seeing me fail but my guardian angel has always protected me. I always find that one friend who stands by me through thick and thin. While there are plenty of people who want me to learn a lesson and see me fail. There are also those who secretly pray for me and wish me well. I may not always know my well-wishers and sometimes trust the wrong person as I tend to judge people at face value (a weakness, I know), but my well-wishers have seen me through thick and thin.
Thus my attitude in life always stays positive and I believe that for me, life always ends with a smile just like the Shepheard in The Alchemist, I find my treasure.

Life at its best

When is life at its best?
Is it a journey or a conquest?
A road to be travelled on or a battle to be won?
Is it when you are winning or when you are struggling and about to win?
Which one is the best moment?
The anticipation of a triumph or the moment of triumph?

Is life at its best in happy moments?
Or when you are totally immersed in something?
Is it when you are passionately involved in something?
Or is it the realization that you might win?
Can we break down the best moments of life?
And pinpoint yes, this is life at its best?

Is life not at its best at all times?
In joyous moments.
In times of struggle
In times of strife
Every moment of life is worthwhile
Ask those who have been denied life
What its true worth is?
So, live every moment as if it was your last
And celebrate this splendour that is life.

Transition

Currently, I am going through a phase of transition. I have to move from familiar surroundings and move to unsure, untried terra firma. I wonder whether I should write a poem about my current state-of-mind or just write a post. I settled for the latter. The feelings that I am undergoing cannot be described in a word or sentence. Is it turmoil or my why me attitude? I wonder at the unfairness of my situation. Why do I have to undergo an upheaval every time? Don't I deserve to settle down?
I wonder if complacency has undertaken me. Have I stopped challenging myself? Do I deserve better?
All these thoughts trouble my mind but I realize that life goes on and change is the only constant in life. May be my writing skills need to be put to a test. I need to explore my horizons. The new role that I will be assuming will challenge me. I may succeed or not. But, I will not give up without trying.
The present world is the world of Google and Wikipedia. Where all information is available by typing in a search word. I too can learn and know. I too can face challenges. I will not be complacent and rest with my knowledge gained at school and college. I will learn new things and keep abreast with the changing times. I will adopt a new role, don a new mantle and move on to new paths.
My life has been full of challenges and a new challenge does not deter me. I accept it and decide to march on with all my strength. The familiar lines of the American Poet Robert Frost ring in my ears.
"And miles to go before I sleep..."

How to write a love letter

Recently I received a strange request on Linked in, Anil Sharma (name changed), a call centre employee wanted me to write a love letter for him to his girlfriend. He, of course, was discouraged by the high rate I quoted, so I decided to devote a post to all those who want to express their feelings through the written medium. I mean you can always say it with a song or an SMS. You could also make use of greeting cards, but of course, if you like things the old fashioned way, here goes:
I do like long letters and e-mails, so I would suggest you write a long one if you plan a letter, a short one is a note, not necessarily a letter.
The first thing to do is, to check the mentality and likes and dislikes of your prospective partner.
The age group-- yours and hers are very important, if you are teenagers, keep things sweet. Some girls like letters written in blood (personally, I feel it has better uses and ink is just great :)) well I’m not too sure whether you should comply with such tastes, but yes, try and keep things simple. If she likes things straight, avoid games. If she is a bit mature and likes a bit of style, please do not rush in, just write a friendly feeler, it should introduce the idea, that you have something other than plain friendship in mind. See how she takes it, does she like it, or she is avoiding certain topics, while just maintaining the friendship, if she is just politely replying, then stop, she may not be interested.
On the other hand, if she returns your attempts at mild flirtation with some hints and suggestions, start building the friendship, and of course when you finally, confess your love, induce some humour into it, so she doesn’t feel overwhelmed and feels pressurized into replying.
Nothing is more distasteful than a friendship that has gone sour, just because you couldn’t control your feelings.
The final word on this one—Good Luck!:)