Being me is a poem from my collection of poems and short stories ‘Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree‘. Check it out here.
Being Me
Category Archives: Under The Shade of The Banyan Tree
On Edge
From my collection of poems and short stories Under the Shade of The Banyan Tree
The Witching Hour- A Short Story
I watched the dense thicket of clouds slide over the giant luminous cookie in the sky. A pitch-black darkness descended over the neighborhood, and there was not a single streetlamp to mar it.
It appeared that All Saints Eve was going to live up to its reputation after all. I glanced at my companion. I could tell she was thinking the same.
“Should we start? The time looks right,” Myra said.
“Yeah, let’s go.” I smiled at my longtime friend and neighbor. She adjusted her lace-up corset and handed me her long and tattered train before gingerly stepping out of the alley that had been our hideout ever since the beginning of our ritual. Once again, I had to pause to admire her elaborate costume. She was very pleased with it, especially since she had put it together herself. The delicate tea-stained ivory lace and tulle dress accented with droopy brown roses gave her a wispy and forlorn look. The years and our adventures had supplied a precious aura of authenticity to the dress, as it had been tripped on and ripped several times.
Podcast: The Witching Hour- A Spooky Bedtime Story
Love spooky stories? Me too! So much that I wrote one. Listen as I narrate The Witching Hour exclusively for your listening pleasure. Be sure to turn the lights off 😉
Novel Times Book Club#4 A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell – Novel Times with Simi K. Rao
Authors Jenny Delos Santos, Katharine M. Nohr and Simi K. Rao discuss A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy who Helped Win World War 2 by Sonia Purnell.
Podcast: A Cup of Chai Short Story 2/2
Podcast: A Cup of Chai Short Story 1/2
Your wait is over!
Presenting Part 2/2 (concluding part) of A Cup of Chai!
This short story was published in my newest book Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree.
Roma, is a recently married young Indian woman, who arrives in the United States. This story is about some of her experiences. Please do check it out. And check out the book too.
A Cup of Chai- Part 2 of 2
The podcast is available on multiple platforms such as Anchor.fm;Breaker; RadioPublic and others.
Please listen, follow and subscribe. You can leave your thoughts here or at any of my social media sites.
Check out my books HERE.
Find links to my social media sites here: https://simikrao.carrd.co/
Podcast: A Cup of Chai Short Story 1/2
Hi friends!
I’m trying something new here– narrating one of my stories.
A Cup of Chai—This short story was published in my newest book Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree.
Roma, is a recently married young Indian woman, who arrives in the United States. This story is about some of her experiences. Please do check it out. And check out the book too.
A Cup of Chai- Part 1 of 2.
The podcast is available on multiple platforms such as Anchor.fm;Breaker; RadioPublic and others.
Please listen, follow and subscribe. You can leave your thoughts here or at any of my social media sites.
Check out my books HERE.
Find links to my social media sites here: https://simikrao.carrd.co/
The Ritual (A Short Story)
It was at one of the five star hotels, Marriott I think, the fancy one in Juhu. Thank heavens it wasn’t at his home.
The room was cavernous and daunting with creepy shadows all over created by the hidden lighting everyone is so crazy about nowadays. I was led there by two of my new husband’s giggly cousins. I’d have loved to smack their pretty faces but that’d have invited a ruckus. Besides, I was preoccupied. I was terrified. Terrified of doing it with someone I didn’t know anything about. What little I did could be googled on the web. But then was my lot different from other women. Examples were all around me–my mom, aunts, cousins, friends.
Maybe it was because everything had happened so fast; because I had no clue of the future; because the ghost of Rohan still clung to me like my own shadow. Because. Because. Because.
Review for ‘Under The Shade of the Banyan Tree’
Hi friends!
I’m very excited to share with you an excellent review for my new book ‘Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree’ from US review:–
“I am the mistress of my own destiny.”
The author’s unique work takes its audience on a voyage. The journey begins in the banyan tree’s shade, where ‘Gods recline and meditate’ beneath the tree that, in every Indian village, is the center of activity. Then one wanders into loneliness, that ever-present friend who asks, ‘Where would you be without me?’ From there, the reader encounters daughters and strangers, wars and tyrants, until one finds the lone koi who declares defiantly, ‘I am the mistress of my own destiny.’ As the journey ends, one experiences romances and losses, rants and insights, strong women who continue finding their voices and places in their relationships, the conquering of everyday mundanity, the depiction of everyday items, and love that is found in even the smallest actions.
This book propels readers into the philosophical, the social, and the cultural by fusing poetry, art, and short fiction narratives that depict the everyday lives and existence of characters, animals, figures, and objects. In short verses that jar readers to examine their own existences and beliefs, the poems in this book serve as quiet meditations that ease and distract readers from the hectic, workaholic lives so many live. The short fiction narratives interspersed throughout the collection cleanse the palate by offering a small serving of humanity, promise, and hope. The sketch-like artwork incorporated throughout makes one contemplate the ties between art, literature, and life without superimposing an interpretation on the piece accompanying the art. Thus, this unconventional yet intriguing work becomes a meditational reading. Fans of poets like Nefy will truly appreciate this book.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review of Books
All the reason for you to get a copy. Available as both Ebook and Paperback!
Available Now! Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree
The wait is over! My new book Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree–Poems, Rants and Short Stories is Available Now in paperback and eBook.
Synopsis: Life is not about achieving perfection, it’s about reconciling with your imperfections.
Poems are fragments of life. Under the Shade of the Banyan Tree is a unique poetry collection for women, there are blissful moments; deep, invisible wounds; cries for help; declarations of defiance and philosophical observations. The poems and prose pieces compiling the collection are fragments of life elucidating the different phases of the human condition. This book will leave readers wanting for more and have a deep impact on women of all ages.
You will certainly enjoy this book as I’m speak here from the heart. Beautifully illustrated you will find in this book many of life’s truths, in the form of poems and stories. Here I share a piece of me and I’m sure you’ll find in it a piece of you.
Order your copies here!–
‘Under the Shadow of the Banyan Tree’ available for pre-order!
Poems are fragments of life.
In this collection, there are blissful moments; deep, invisible wounds; cries for help; declarations of defiance and philosophical observations. These poems are fragments of life elucidating the different phases of the human condition.
My book is now available for Pre-order. Reserve your copy here!
Once published it’ll be available on all platforms 🙂