Diamonds and Emeralds   by Srinesh Bhowmik     In search of diamonds, I wandered far, Through realms of shine, beneath night's star, Yet midst those gleams, a truth unfurled, I forgot the worth of emeralds, in your world.   For emeralds, rare, in their verdant hue, Hold depths of beauty, eternal and true, Like your eyes that shimmer, in gentle grace, My heart finds solace, in your embrace.   Diamonds may dazzle, with their radiant light, But it's emeralds' calm, that soothes the night, And in your presence, I've come to see, The treasure I sought, was always thee.   So forgive my folly, my search misplaced, For in your love, all gems are embraced, You're the emerald rare, in life's grand design, My precious gem, forever mine.  ... Srinesh Bhowmik lives in Bangalore and writes poetry. Click here to read our interview with Srinesh.

  Split Across Borders     by Ajit Chandrasekhar   Imagine if one part of your property is in one country or state, and another part is in another country or state. This can happen.   One example is one part of your house in France and another part in Monaco. Your bedroom is in France and your kitchen is in Monaco.   A mother tells her children, a son and a daughter, ‘We are going to Monaco for dinner.’ The boy gets up from his study and asks, ‘What? When?’   ‘Now,’ says the mother.   The mother and the two children go down the stairs to the kitchen. The mother boils up some pasta. While the pasta is cooking, the father returns from work. The children prepare the bread and soup. The father makes the salad. The boy lays the table in the kitchen. The girl brings the pasta and soup. And all four of them sit down and eat and laugh. ‘We are in Monaco now.’   For dessert they have ice-cream. After dinner, the family goes to the...