Monday's Child Has A Frowning Face- Femina

P Sujatha Rao drags herself through the week

If the title reminds you of the rhyme 'Monday's child is fair of face', let me hasten to add that the attempt is deliberate. The modern working day has arrived, shifting gears to move into the fastest lane. Nine-to-five jobs have become a thing of the past and extended working hours now extend to the next morning... I guess it's time this nursery rhyme grew into adulthood with certain new twists!

Monday: Isn't it an universally acknowledged fact that Mondays are the worst days of the week? Mondays are the harbingers of an arduous journey through the week with no end in sight. Getting out of bed itself seems like a major task, setting a grim mood for the day. Communication is at its nadir at home. Mime prevails and dialogue is avoided unless absolutely necessary. Eye contact is almost non-existent. Monday's child is full of frown, indeed!

Tuesday: The day continues in the same mood set by its predecessor. Movements are agonisingly slow but communication shifts gears and conversations notch up to monosyllables, albeit being abrupt and a trifle unfriendly. Tuesday's child is full of grief!

Wednesday: There's a shade of improvement in conversation as monosyllables give way to phrases, sometimes even an occasional sentence! Eye contact creeps back. Movements are quicker, reflexes slowly come back though you're still dragging your feet. Wednesday's child is still full of woe!

Thursday: The twilight zone! The realisation of the nearing destination evokes occasional laughter and suddenly, you seem to be capable of bringing that extra spurt to your gait. The goal seems within reach. Conversation improves steadily, laced with occasional humour, no less! Thursday's child has not far to go.

Friday: Life finds its way into the body and you suddenly realise that the world is not such a bad place after all. You're even part of some happy 'sharing and caring' philosophy that someone's going on about. The mood is anticipatory; every neighbour suddenly appears to be a kindred spirit. Friday's child is loving and giving.

Saturday: Hark! There's music in the air and a beat in your limbs as Saturday night fever catches on. There's revelry around and you hear laughter throughout the day! Life indeed seems to be very beautiful! Oh, yeah! Saturday's child is full of smiles.

Sunday: Sabbath day! Bonny and blithe, good and gay, well - only till evening! By evening you're back to your slouchy posture and grouchy demeanour.

Hey, the program is about to run into a loop and we are about to end up at the beginning again... the dreaded Monday, and mind you, there is no 'Escape' key to abort this program! You're set for good!