"A Birthday" - A Poem by Shaik Meera Saheba

A Birthday

The minute we are born we cause a family's happiness

And we live, commemorating the day each year by adorning new clothes,

Giving away chocolates and a celebratory handshakes,

Playing with friends during the early birthday parties

And stealing all the balloons decorating the walls,

Fighting siblings for that tempting piece of cake,

Blowing out candles and eating our favourite dish prepared by mom,

Playing musical chairs — all when we were children.

We grow up, only to miss all the fun.

                                                             -  Shaik Meera Saheba (BtCFs)

"The Truth" - A Poem by Aishwarya Lakkakula

The Truth

The very life beyond the Satyuga,

The very thirst beyond the Dharmachakraparivartana,

The very violence beyond the Satyagraha,

Is one - the Truth - a popular make up.

I am not Harischandra, Buddha or Gandhi.

It's me and to me,

The Truth is not selling the better half to the grave

As if that Half was not heartfelt but just a 'Rebecca'.

To me the Truth is not leaving the promised Rahul

As if it was the child's mistake to land in the cradle by himself.

To me the Truth is not hanging the revolution with a feather of dove

As if the bloody silence was to hoist the monarchical peace in the dark.

To me the Truth is to be Humane.

To me the Truth is to tie a cent-knot to the word.

To me the Truth is the Equilibrium of 'Do' and 'Say'.

Truth is that I hardly speak

As it is to me the Ban love for you in the Pacific trench of my heart

That the coy cannot be expressed now and ever.

                                      - Aishwarya Lakkakula (BA)

"Lockdown helped me give wings to my words" - An Article by Hiranmayee Srinivasan

The article "Lockdown helped me give wings to my words" by S. Hiranmayee Srinivasan was first published in Times of India, Hyderabad, Citizen: Reader's Corner on February 3, 2021

Lockdown helped me give wings to my words

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story within you. – Maya Angelou

The coronavirus and the consequent lockdown were realities that none of us could ever imagine. However, for a person like me who has lived adventures, primarily in her mind, the sudden pause offered more time and space to relax and nestle between the unexplored terrains of my own self.

I have always wanted to learn many things but couldn’t do it, probably, because of lack of time or opportunities. This time, I figured out my interests. In the first few months, I took up a one-month certificate course on ‘My Captain’. I learned blogging, content writing, photography and got to know the basics of psychology, and also short film making through an App.

I met different people virtually, interacted with them, exchanged ideas, and gained quite an experience. Some months passed this way and slowly idleness started to consume me. I was not sure of what to do next. So, I decided to bring my new skills into action. I started a personal blog on my life experiences, lifestyle choices and also micro fiction.

At first, it was not easy for me to write down and edit my thoughts. It was time consuming and each post challenged my writing skills. I had to invest time in reading and improving my writing skills, I learnt things slowly and gradually and though errors are unavoidable, yet, I have learnt to rectify them with sincerity and humility. And today, because of my will and motivation, I am better at what I always wanted to do.

After 10 posts – seven on my life’s experiences and three fiction – I now have 23 followers. The blog has reached my friends, family and some other bloggers too.

I have also taken up sketching with pencil. Drawing and sketching were my childhood hobbies that brought me a balance of mind and body; peace and action and kept me away from over thinking. I am glad that the lockdown gave me a vision, a purpose, a passion to let my words take wings and bring back a positivity that can make me a better person.

                                                                                            - S. Hiranmayee Srinivasan (BA)

"Duality" - A Poem by Keertana Kuchipudi

Duality

She was a storm with the potential to calm,

She was melancholy that could make someone joyous.

She was chaos that could transfigure someone's life,

She was a melody that could invigorate someone's thoughts,

She was a spell that could liberate someone's soul.

                                                   - Keertana Kuchipudi (FsCCs)

"Her Semblance" - A Poem by T. Anurupa

Her Semblance

She is as beautiful as dayspring, but as scary as gloom.

Her voice is euphonious, and her heart is benign.

She is the voice to unknown tunes assembled by her soul.

She is a boost to others, but she needs to be cheered up.

She creates an aura of love, with the essence of eternity.

She is an enigma you crave for; she leaves you sleepless until you win her.

                                                      - T. Anurupa (MSCs)