The tiny wooden box held a yellowed note.
Sergeant Akbar clutched it to his chest, amidst the hail of gunfire above.
We are but prisoners of our own desires: to be loved, to be needed, to be consoled.
Sometimes, all at once.
©Shailaja V
27 thoughts on “Message in a box”
Comments are closed.
Such a short but compelling read! 🙂 <3
A profound note. This really could apply to anyone in any situation.
Jennifer has been stalking through the comments today saying everything I want to say, first.
Reading this, I got such a strong sense of the physical/spiritual dichotomy. Wonderful job.
Was that just 42 words? You definitely achieved much more than that
I know just what you mean.
So very beautifully said, a treasure put on paper.
Thank you Pixie. Strange that I wrote this in the grip of a personal struggle and yet it applies at all levels.
🙁
how terrifying… war and the loss of innocence is something I will never understand.
you have said it all Shailaja.. and in just 42 words
Thanks Susan. Some days, the words find themselves easily.
Yes, Kalpana. That freedom. How lovely it seems.
More often than we realise,Aditi.
It’s a feeling I can never understand. Ever.
Aren’t we all enslaved? Thanks ,Lata ?
Powerful words, Shailaja. Nice job!
we are prisoners of our desires and need to be set free. very neatly expressed Shailaja
So much said in few words! How we are bound by our own petty insecurities….
Sometimes I wonder the level of courage needed to actually fight a battle, be it for the country or a beloved or beliefs…
loved thed phrase ‘prisoners of our own desires’
Thank you very much, Beloo. That and the idea that we are imprisoned in them becomes so much scarier to comprehend at times.
Memories, attachments can be the darkest prisons to break free from. Very nicely expressed, Shailaja.
To think that the same thread of emotion can apply to so many relationships and scenarios is also deeply worrying. Thanks for the share and comment, Rachna <3
Thank you very much, Lori. I loved your post on the mom-daughter dynamic yesterday <3
I often wonder what goes on in the minds of those on a battlefield. Short, crisp and impactful.
You say so much with so little.
Yes. I realized after i published it. Will switch it. Thanks!
It looks like you have last week’s badge, but there’s plenty of time to swap it out.