"My Cup of Coffee" by Veda Sri

 

My cup of coffee 

Every day, I crave for you. 

You’re the reason people call me suave. 

You’re my partner on sleepless nights, 

and companion on busy mornings. 

You keep me warm during Christmas time, 

and I confess that you were my love at first sight. 

Even though you are bitter, 

you make my memories sweeter. 

I thought love wasn't my cup of tea, 

but now I know that it's definitely my cup of coffee. 

                                                                 - L. Veda Sri (BA)

"In The Air" by Tirumala Tejasri

In The Air

They said love was in the air 

How could it be? 

I couldn’t smell it. 

The rising sun couldn’t banish the chill in the air. 

I hugged myself for warmth and nodded 

To the chirping melodies from my balcony—

Greetings from bird to bird before they flew in hope to touch Heaven.

Then the sky broke to wet the roads, 

A pack of dogs huddled together to protect each other from the rain. 

I heard a baby cry in my neighbour’s house 

Her mother held her in her arms 

And spoke of dreams and the sky and the rain. 

The baby’s smile was warm enough to change my mind. 

Love is abstract and endless.

Love is in everything that lives and doesn't. 

Love is in the air.

                                                     - Tirumala Tejasri (BtCFs)

"Mount Sinai" - A Poem by Christina Joyce Kotha

 

Mount Sinai

Dark sky, twinkling stars; 

'Twas like a never ending journey to Mars. 

Chilly air, giant rocks 

On the path I trekked, wearing Crocs. 

Stopped by the tiny wooden tea spots, 

Where ancient lovers drew many hearts. 

That place gave me utmost warmth, 

Especially when an Egyptian offered me some broth. 

When I reached the top of the mountain, 

It made my heart gush like a fountain. 

Gazing at the moon so near, 

Made that moment extremely dear. 

Learning about the ancient glory, 

Every other thing was nugatory. 

As I walked down from the mountain top, 

The beauty of the sun rise made me stop. 

Thanking God for his splendid creation, 

I wanted to stay there for generations. 

My heart was filled with so many memories, 

That became the cornerstones of wonderful stories. 

Thus, it was one heaven of a ride 

On Mount Sinai. 

                                                - Christina Joyce (BtCFs)

"Because It's You" - A Poem by Sahithi Cheapuri

Because It's You

My day begins with your beautiful name,

and it will forever remain the same.

I thank the almighty everyday,

for your presence in my gloomy day.

My life is filled with your spark,

that my heart accepted as an ever-fixed mark.

The happiness you bring leaves me spellbound.

In that state, I forget the world around.

My life is blessed with the essence of your presence.

With you I live a little more,

I'll love and trust you until I can't any more.

                                                              - Sahithi Cheapuri (BA)

"Truth" - A Poem by Tahreen Fatima

 

Truth

Truth is like the Sun. 

Although it drowns for the night, 

It will rise the next morning 

And shine again. 

Truth is also a lot like Love. 

Often difficult to find. 

But when found, 

Impossible to forget. 

Truth speaks— 

without a tongue, 

without a voice. 

And truth reveals, 

The human crying beneath the very smile you wear; 

Or the monster lingering within your loved one. 

Truth is not just a bed of roses, 

So learn to embrace the thorns. 

Truth is the shadow that dances 

Forever, from dusk till dawn. 

Truth is the only virtue that does both—

Hurts and Heals. 

Hurts the Heart, 

Heals the Soul!

                                                    - Tahreen Fatima (BtCFs)

"Manisha" by Tasleem Fathima

Manisha 

What's the use of making so many highways when there isn't a single street in India where women can roam freely?

What's the use of so many schemes made by the system, when the system itself fails to give justice to the victim?

What happened with Manisha was the death of humanity. The culprits aren't from another planet, they live in the same place we belong.

They could be one of our relatives.


Don't wait for any administration to introduce one more void document to deal with these incidents. Instead, we’ll deal with this ourselves.

Yes we can! But how?

Let not the fire of Manisha's body cool down. Let it burn until the dark night fades out, giving way to natural enlightenment. Let's be the one percent change we want to bring in the society.

Irrespective of your gender, teach your grandfather, father, brother, uncle, professor, boyfriend, colleagues to respect women. If they don't care about that, then tell them to value their own life which came out of a vagina, that belongs to the same community where another woman was raped and received no justice. Where the victim would be remembered as another abused vagina.

Eventually the one percent change will sum up to a hundred, creating a peaceful society to live where everyone is Human. 

                                                                                                           - Tasleem Fathima (MSCs)

"Stargazed" by Sunena Kawle

Stargazed

There were so many questions

How to do it?

Am I capable?

Is it worth it?

The society, my family?

Hesitancy, doubt, fear

Now constant companions,

I gathered my courage

Even as my soul was anxious.

I went on the mat

I fought and wrestled,

I came out, lost and beaten:

Thirteen seconds was all it took.

Days turned into weeks,

Weeks into months.

They are now a collection of

Scars and bruises,

Old and new.

I went onto the mat again,

Willful and ambitious;

I came out

Stargazed and victorious.

                                             - Sunena Kawle (BA)