<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:openSearch="http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/" xmlns:blogger="http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr="http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0" version="2.0"><channel><atom:id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187</atom:id><lastBuildDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2026 16:36:53 +0000</lastBuildDate><category>Life</category><category>Phokat</category><category>work</category><category>FRIENDS</category><category>Denzel</category><category>Legends</category><category>Lyrics</category><category>techie</category><category>Raghav</category><category>poems</category><category>One liners</category><category>birthday</category><category>team</category><category>Angry</category><category>Dreams</category><category>college days</category><category>Quotes</category><category>movies</category><category>School Days</category><category>Dont Know</category><category>Google</category><category>Marriage</category><category>books</category><category>tag</category><category>Driving</category><category>Employee Empowerment</category><category>Employee First</category><category>HCL</category><category>Mayans</category><category>Onam</category><category>Pissed</category><category>Pookkalam</category><category>Pookkolam</category><category>speech</category><title>phokat times</title><description>A celebration of being Phokat...</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/</link><managingEditor>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</managingEditor><generator>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>283</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-6333793016101190506</guid><pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2026 16:36:53 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-10-18T22:06:53.143+05:30</atom:updated><title>So Close yet too Far</title><description>​I stand in a crowd&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;of a thousand faces&lt;div&gt;Smiling through&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;the muffled voices.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I never learned the way&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;to let someone in.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I am close to everyone&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;yet far from them all.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Alone in the crowd&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I learned this ache&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Loneliness is not about&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;who is just around.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I keep waiting for a soul&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;to notice my quiet&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Every day, I carry&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;that silence alone.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/10/so-close-yet-too-far.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-6574201888956673835</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 18:01:41 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-08-22T23:46:14.171+05:30</atom:updated><title>Fucking Witch</title><description>&lt;div&gt;Keep your glass slippers and sweet serenades&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I will take the spellbook and the storm that it makes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;No prince no rescue no dwarfs in a line,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;My power is mine and my fate is in line.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Forget satin and ribbons and soft courtesy grace&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I was born for the chaos and the chase.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Your happy ending can stay in its ditch&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I am far more perfect as the disney witch.&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/08/proud-witch.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-5181208909437266146</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:36:32 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-07-20T23:06:32.374+05:30</atom:updated><title>Echos of Stillness</title><description>​My heart has many faces&lt;div&gt;I dont know which one is mine.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I dont want these faces&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I dont need the stage.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​I just want to be a spectator&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A quiet shadow in my own play.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I have no more performances to keep&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Let the play move on without my act.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​I choose to hang on to the stillness&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A mute watcher of my own self.&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/07/echos-of-stillness.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-7837698157158024902</guid><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:04:48 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-06-25T23:34:48.995+05:30</atom:updated><title>How have you been?</title><description>&lt;p&gt;We traded late night laughter for &quot;How have you been?&quot;&lt;br /&gt;
The affectionate world we shared became a quiet screen.&lt;br /&gt;
New routines rewrote the space where we used to blend&lt;br /&gt;
As priorities reshaped the relationship and the friends.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;​We did not violently break nor did we crash and burn&lt;br /&gt;
Just quietly stepped aside when it was life&#39;s turn.&lt;br /&gt;
The world kept moving on, as it has to do&lt;br /&gt;
And &quot;I am fine&quot; became the truth, instead of just a cue.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/06/how-have-you-been.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-3781787678696691018</guid><pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:37:22 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-06-20T01:07:22.470+05:30</atom:updated><title>Surrogate Life </title><description>&lt;div&gt;​We replaced presence with proximity&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We replaced the lack of comprehension with confidence&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We mistake knowing with knowing about&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​We trade the fire for the friction of the spark&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We map the world but never find ourselves&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We collect the echo convinced thar we heard the cry&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;And count the views to prove that we are alive&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/06/surrogate-life.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-5327844170858158481</guid><pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:49:57 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-06-11T23:19:57.888+05:30</atom:updated><title>Phantom Friendship</title><description>You are like my phantom limb.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;I still reach for you out of habit.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The pain isnt that you are gone.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;It is that my mind hasnt learned it yet.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/06/phantom-friendship.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-6636223319817416429</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:50:32 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-06-05T10:20:32.081+05:30</atom:updated><title>The Paradox of Choice</title><description>​Easiest thing to do is give up.&lt;div&gt;Toughest thing to do is give up.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​Once you give up&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;life gets easy&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;an immediate release.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​Once you give up&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;life gets difficult&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;a long-term weight to pull.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​Choose well&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The exhaustion of trying or&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The guilt of walking away.&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-paradox-of-choice.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-1021383965057126310</guid><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:08:53 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-06-02T22:44:45.738+05:30</atom:updated><title>The bane of Minimalism</title><description>&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;Before technological advancement,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Everything was art.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Now in the name of minimalism,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Everything is ash and no heart.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We traded the intricate and ornate&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;For the clean and frictionless.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We traded beauty and complexity&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;For the sterile and vileness.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We swapped the chisel for the pixel,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The texture for the screen.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;And scrubbed away the human touch&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;To keep the canvas clean.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The arches turned to square blocks,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;the colors faded fast.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;And the modern world forgot&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;how to make beauty last.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Now efficiency is the king,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and algorithms decide&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;with everything a shade of grey,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and little left beside.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We traded passion for a grid,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and beauty for a bruise.&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-bane-of-minimalism.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-3880881707664844060</guid><pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 17:54:49 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-05-21T23:24:49.693+05:30</atom:updated><title>Versions of Brave</title><description>There is a difference between&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;&quot;You handled it so well&quot;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;And&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&quot;You were strong and you survived it&quot;.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The first praises strength&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;that looked a lot like poise..&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A bow to the armor you wore all along.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The second honors the fear&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;that looked a lot like strength.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A tribute to the terror that kept you alive&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;all through the storm&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Two different eulogies for the same fight.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;One for who they saw.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;One for who you had to be.&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/05/versions-of-brave.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-534666545170739627</guid><pubDate>Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:05:37 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-04-26T15:35:37.244+05:30</atom:updated><title>The Power of Done</title><description>Soul usually knows when to heal itself&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;The challenge is the heart and head.&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The heart keeps maps to places&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;that burned the house down.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Calls the ruin &quot;home&quot;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and begs to move into it.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The head builds courtrooms&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;out of maybes and what ifs.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Puts the past on trial&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;but never lets it rest.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Heart negotiates and thinks&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The noise of the trials by head&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Is the process of healing&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Meanwhile the soul&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;quiet in the corner&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;already packed its bags,&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;left the door cracked,&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and whispered&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&quot;come on, we are done here&quot;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The soul doesnt need&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;a verdict to move on.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;it only needs an exit.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-power-of-done.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-8118305588374156779</guid><pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:58:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-04-18T00:28:48.892+05:30</atom:updated><title>Luxury Impact</title><description>&lt;div&gt;​They press a kiss against the brick&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A gentle breath before the blow.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Its the only love that comes our way&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The kind thats aimed to lay us low.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​They tied it with a satin bow,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;To keep the impact &quot;high-end&quot; though.&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/04/luxury-impact.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-622924267374320463</guid><pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:52:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-04-07T22:22:30.935+05:30</atom:updated><title>Noise of Doing Nothing</title><description>&lt;div&gt;Everyone needs more than&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;anyone can give right now.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We ask oceans of half-filled cups.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;In a world where&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;nothing feels steady enough to hold,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The threat is not stillness,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;but the noise of doing without being.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Haunted by doors we didnt open,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;lives we didnt choose,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;afraid something better&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;is always slipping past us.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Hearts unanchored,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;learning to brace in empty spaces.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We reach with salt stained hands&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;toward each other,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and call it enough when someone stays.&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/04/noise-of-doing-nothing.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-4687429802047852276</guid><pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:07:12 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-03-19T21:37:12.694+05:30</atom:updated><title>Professional Stayer</title><description>​I am so replaceable&lt;div&gt;It is actually a crime.&lt;div&gt;I notice a dust mote and&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I overthink it for a time.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I wait for old friends&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;while they are out having fun&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Staring at the void&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;like a half baked bun.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I have lost my selfworth&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;in a pile of worn socks,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;While my real issue is&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A spine that lacks.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/03/professional-stayer.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-8856750497281661222</guid><pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:46:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-03-19T21:17:58.665+05:30</atom:updated><title>Calm after a restless day</title><description>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYE5aSBCADIR9ZCN-RfIGVtza_qeNTHE67cP56q8OYFMvNKvOMVGTIIzGJGRF-XpdgLS2A8NcsayPNA7rXUdbwAyVQer-tH4y1ZzBSukL1E_-QMTy6GkXbPiqz8i0UUaVD-h8LS38wzw9QBJoUFPPx7NuJ5oilOkpuvr5oVUIE0KJ9wzOItqc/s4080/1000145330.jpg&quot; style=&quot;clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;4080&quot; data-original-width=&quot;1884&quot; height=&quot;406&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYE5aSBCADIR9ZCN-RfIGVtza_qeNTHE67cP56q8OYFMvNKvOMVGTIIzGJGRF-XpdgLS2A8NcsayPNA7rXUdbwAyVQer-tH4y1ZzBSukL1E_-QMTy6GkXbPiqz8i0UUaVD-h8LS38wzw9QBJoUFPPx7NuJ5oilOkpuvr5oVUIE0KJ9wzOItqc/w188-h406/1000145330.jpg&quot; width=&quot;188&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A beautiful ambiguity:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Is the sky painting the tree pink,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;or is the tree staining the night?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Either way, the world is whispering&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&#39;be still&#39; after a day of noise&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/03/calm-after-restless-day.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYE5aSBCADIR9ZCN-RfIGVtza_qeNTHE67cP56q8OYFMvNKvOMVGTIIzGJGRF-XpdgLS2A8NcsayPNA7rXUdbwAyVQer-tH4y1ZzBSukL1E_-QMTy6GkXbPiqz8i0UUaVD-h8LS38wzw9QBJoUFPPx7NuJ5oilOkpuvr5oVUIE0KJ9wzOItqc/s72-w188-h406-c/1000145330.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-412966440482679471</guid><pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:21:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-02-26T22:51:47.545+05:30</atom:updated><title>The Art of Enough</title><description>Mediocrity has got a chill vibe&lt;div&gt;Beer in hand, I am feeling fine.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;No laurels, no stress&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Just some fizz and a little buzz&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A frosted glass and a steady breath&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I am letting the hustle pass&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;You are all climbing peaks&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I am sitting still&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Contented in my skin&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;If this is what being mediocre means&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Then pour me another gin&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-art-of-enough.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-7725402399483782405</guid><pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:50:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-02-17T23:43:09.601+05:30</atom:updated><title>Grow some self Respect</title><description>&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Note to Self;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;Stop begging for scraps at tables&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;Where I am not even a guest.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have spent my pride like pocket change&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;On people who don&#39;t even know my name.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is pathetic, this frantic dance I do&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;just to be noticed by the indifferent.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Starve that desperate need for a hand to hold.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;it juat makes me weak and hollow.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Look in the mirror at the ghost I have become&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;while chasing shadows.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sit in the dirt of my own making&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;until I learn to stand up alone.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;




&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/02/grow-some-self-respect.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-656663969661445381</guid><pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:38:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-02-10T23:08:00.961+05:30</atom:updated><title>Existential Loophole</title><description>&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Between a yes and a no&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;There are a zillion possibilities&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;But the questions of my life...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Is chaos the choice I make, or merely my destiny?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Is confusion my goal or my natural talent?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Did clarity block me, or did I block it first?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Did I spin the wheel or do I just vibe irresponsibly?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Is life a hesitation, scripted or improvised treason?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;And is there a sub-clause in my life&#39;s contract&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;that pays me extra for being&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;this philosophically exhausted?&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/02/existential-loophole.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-7392418004723423949</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:09:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-02-09T21:39:57.243+05:30</atom:updated><title>In Case You Are There.. </title><description>I look back more often&lt;div&gt;Maybe you are there&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Maybe I missed a turn&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Maybe you were waiting for me&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I can’t help it&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I still keep looking back&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Hoping to see you looking for me&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Hoping you are still around.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;-- Me, looking longingly at the&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;rava laddu on the dining table.&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/02/in-case-you-are-there.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-5301594599272252920</guid><pubDate>Sun, 08 Feb 2026 17:46:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-02-08T23:16:14.391+05:30</atom:updated><title>Drifting : Slipping away from self</title><description>​The tide of thought pulls me away&lt;div&gt;A phantom in my own history.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I disappear into myself so easily&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;That it feels unreal to still be held&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Inside the warmth of anyone’s memory.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​It might melt me if someone said they missed me&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A sudden sun against the winter ice.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I genuinely forget that I am a thought&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;In anyone’s mind, or that someone like me&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Is even worthy of a place where love resides.&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/02/drifting-slipping-away-from-self.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-9203448165425217792</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:31:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-02-04T22:01:35.976+05:30</atom:updated><title>Doubt - Toll or Troll</title><description>&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;2026&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&quot;Being more normal&quot;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;well, that was the goal,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;But the chaos is winning&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and taking its toll.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​Not assuming that&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;everyone hates me,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Is the mountain&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I am trying to hike&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​If I trade every doubt&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;for a moment of peace&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I would be the next Dalai Lama,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Finally free from the drama.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;** sucks.. nothing rhymes in 2026 **&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/02/doubt-toll-or-troll.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-3856125915127145228</guid><pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:48:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-02-02T22:18:40.315+05:30</atom:updated><title>​One-Star Review of My Own Life</title><description>&lt;div&gt;​I curate a digital facade of joy for people&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I would actively avoid in the street.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​Then spiral in silence because&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&quot;Engagement&quot; feels like a bitter defeat.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​I am resigning from the need to&amp;nbsp; persuade&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;To find a corner where nobody cares.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;​Turns out I am the only one watching&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;This desperate, one-man parade.&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/02/one-star-review-of-my-own-life.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-2974322382755600598</guid><pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:31:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-01-30T01:01:14.433+05:30</atom:updated><title>Be unarmoured</title><description>&lt;div&gt;​Apathy earns no trophy&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Shed the armor of &quot;fine&quot;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and let the light leak out&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;To love loudly is to be brave&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;You dont get brownie points&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;To move with no smile&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;So stop playing hard&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;To just get by&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/01/be-unarmoured.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-6701370230200230362</guid><pubDate>Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:50:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-01-25T18:23:51.659+05:30</atom:updated><title>Share vs Fill</title><description>We check on our friends&lt;div&gt;Not because We have emptiness to fill&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;But bacause We have moments to share.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/01/share-vs-fill.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-5093015227214909772</guid><pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2026 17:09:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2026-01-06T22:39:33.452+05:30</atom:updated><title>My Little Monster </title><description>I have got a little monster,&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;tucked away in my head,&lt;div&gt;I did not try to kick him out,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I just hid him under my bed.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;He is the one who giggles&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;when a friend slips on a peel.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;A tiny bit of chaos&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;is his favorite kind of meal.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;So please do not test the padlock&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Or jiggle my locked cage.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Or he will be out there laughing&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;While he takes you out in a rage.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2026/01/my-little-monster.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13388187.post-2393843137437262236</guid><pubDate>Sat, 29 Nov 2025 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2025-11-29T23:30:56.177+05:30</atom:updated><title>An Ode to the lasting love</title><description>&lt;div&gt;I know we have&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Never held hands walking down the streets&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Never sang along driving down the east&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I know I&#39;m&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Never scared of this distance forever would be&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Never doubted an instance whatever may be&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I know You&#39;d&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Never deny the hug if we ever meet&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Never say good bye before I die in peace&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://phokattimes.blogspot.com/2025/11/an-ode-to-lasting-love.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Preethe)</author><thr:total>0</thr:total></item></channel></rss>