The hill was high.
Her spirit higher.
The sea was deep,
Her dreams deeper.
The task was tough,
Her persistence tougher.
Sounds of distractions loud,
Music of her dreams louder.
Work was over whelming,
The village encouraging.
The pain was scathing,
Her endurance towering.
Standing on cross road(s),
Decisions determine destiny profound.
Choices surround,
Attractions abound,
Journeys are rarely all smooth,
Tough times reveal many truth.
Navigating road blocks,
Determines final stock.
-SHALINI KATHURIA NARANG
Shalini Kathuria Narang is a Silicon Valley based software professional and freelance journalist. She has reported for national and international newspapers, magazines and news sites. Her poems have been published in several anthologies including Starry Nights: poetry of Diaspora in Silicon Valley . She is a monthly contributor to Masticadores USA and has been published on Spillwords Press. Her blog site is: Rhythm and Rhyme. She is originally from New Delhi and has settled in the Bay Area with her husband and two daughters for 25+ years.
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MasticadoresIndia // Editora: Terveen Gill 
Shalini’s poetry is a tribute to women worldwide, a celebratory write for International Women’s Day on March 8th. A woman’s path has never been easy, but she has ventured on despite the rigid restrictions and the chaotic responsibilities. The roles assumed by her are many and she has proved herself worthy of them time and again. The High Hill could be intimidating but the tenacity of a woman’s spirit can conquer the greatest heights, it can beat down the toughest challenges.
Congratulations Shalini!
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Thanks Terveen for aptly and beautifully capturing the essence of the poem and the significance of the day/month. Sisterhood via helping each other climb our personal hills is another important message that I want to emphasize. Thanks for featuring it and highlighting the emotional and mental strength that each of have to reach out to time and again in our journey of life.
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Beautiful, Shalini!
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Thanks dear Barbara 💕 .
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You’re welcome, my friend! 🤗🥰
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That’s the spirit. I don’t have such a positive spirit, but I do admire people who have it.
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Many a times some of our strengths are latent and come up as and when the need arises. 🙂
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Yes, a beautiful piece indeed Shalini. I like the sound of that positivity of standing proud and facing anything that gets in your way, enduring whatever it takes. A great piece and lift for women all over the world. Thank you, Terveen, for bringing this to us women. YEA!!! Congratulations, Joni
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Thanks dear Joni. 😊 resilience of the human spirit especially women’s is my intent in this poem. I grew up hearing stories of great strength and resilience of many women of the family and this is my humble tribute to them all.
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It is a great poem, congratulation on publishing and to give courage. 💌💌
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Thanks for your kind words dear Myriam. In my humble opinion-we thrive with supportive and nurturing relationships and mutuality in the relations is vital for long term sustenance 🙂
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She prevails!
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Yes she does and time and again rises like the phoenix or grows like a lotus.
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Love the phoenix and lotus symbolism.
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Your poem is beautiful as always Shalini! ❣️
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Thank you dear Cindy.
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Such a beautiful and powerful poem.
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Thanks dear Michelle. 🙂
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Some of the most powerful beings I have encountered, are the women in my life. Loved how you put this into words. Thanks for sharing Shalini.
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Thank you. 🙂 With regards to women in your life.
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