Sights and sounds at Green Meadows.

The line moves on
of some men
and mostly women

the sun lighting the red bricks
on their rusted iron plates.

Suddenly, a woman is out
 to  look at a child
relishing the taste of mud
then scoots off
as some men arrive in a sedan.

Now the line moves on
at a hectic pace
arms go up in a familiar rhythm
as bricks and empty plates
get exchanged.

The show goes on
taking a cue from somewhere

of a restless baton.

The child is bored with the mud
cries aloud as she toddles around
her mother in the line
may have heard her.

Soon the digging of a borewell begins
shrill , piercing, monotonous
unending and deafening
all the other sounds.

Small Message,Big Impact by Terri L. Sjodin. A Review by Sunanda Satish

Today, time is money. It is precious and hard to get. There is also a sense of uncertainty looming large in every sphere of life. In such a world, “a three- minute elevator speech” is all you have, need and can get, to say whatever you want.

Terri L Sjodin’s book makes a delightful read, apart from the fact that it comes packed with information. On a personal level I liked the book, for it is about the dictum that I believe in – a small message is enough to make a big impact. Rather, a big one is very often boring! The moment I see that the Forwarded e mail is a long one, I just hit the Delete button! Hence,  Terri and I bond not just on this idea .but also on the significance of the individual inner conviction.  “What is the hardest product or service to sell?” is a question in the FAQ section of the book. The author’s answer will be the gospel truth for all times and generations: “the one you don’t believe in.”

The book deals at length about the concept of “the elevator speech”- the message delivered in the time span of an elevator ride. It is explained logically in twelve chapters. It takes you from defining your goal, to your target audience your material, method, delivery, practice and judgment. In other words, you learn not just your work better,but also become an enlightened self about your own strengths and weaknesses.

My personal favourite is the chapter titled “It’s the presenter’s job to bring the message to life” I couldn’t agree with the writer more. For me, the book also came to life, so to speak, with that analogy from the Barbara Streisand movie, The Mirror Has Two Faces!

I also loved that invaluable tip on dressing from “Nana and Pop”. That should, indeed, belittle the craze for and the conviction that “designer clothes” can always get you across!

Through out the chapters, it was heartening to note the stress laid on integrity, individuality and hard work. These virtues coupled with an intense, power packed Small Message….I guess, heads must  turn your way!

From a pavement in Calcutta

To my  mother

Do not open your eyes
It must be so cozy over those rags
In the basket, under the little tree.
Nothing has gone except the wobbling tram.
Your mother is there kindling the fire
Her face pickled in grime and sweat
She shoos the flies gathering round the broth.
Do not open your eyes.
Nobody has gone except the grubby old man,
Muttering as he gets his chest down again
To pull his rickshaw load along.
Let them all go
Ever trampling everywhere
Do not open your eyes
You fit my photo frame perfect
Let me click just you so cozy in your basket.
No, do not open your eyes
Let me have nothing else
In my photograph, in my memory.

Sunanda Satish

First published in The Telegraph