august in america, 
if you’re indian, feels like standing 
barefoot on two continents. 
one foot in suburbia, 
the other still touching मिट्टी from back home. 
this month is a थाली — 
a full spread — of तिरंगा vibes, 
राखी ties, and barbeque highs.

we raise the झंडा with one hand, 
and a soda can in the other. 
"भारत माता की जय!" echoes 
right before someone says, 
"भइया, veggie burger में extra हरी चटनी देना।”
kids wear kurtas to school, 
aunties do parade prep in crocs, 
and uncles suddenly turn into 
freedom historians slash grill masters.

there’s a rakhī on wednesday,
परेड on saturday, पनीर tikka on sunday —
august is a playlist where सारे जहाँ से अच्छा ?
somehow blends into born in the usa.
the fireworks in the sky? 
yep, also in our hearts.

for us, august isn’t just a month — 
it’s a mood. 
a reminder that no matter how far we go,
हम दिल से तो यहीं हैं — desi and dazzling.

so this august,
whether you're singing, sizzling, or storytelling —
celebrate everything that lives
between दिल and grill.

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