Anthology of Poems

“MY FAMILY-MY STRENGTH”

I see everyone I love in a single video call,

And though I know what I see is mere

POET Static and signals sent over a thousand seas,

Hiyaneijemmy Das I also know that I can feel you, I am next to you,

Hiyaneijemmy Das is a student of Class XI at The Assam Even if right now all I can touch is a screen.
Valley School. She is interested in the subjects, Politics and
Economics. She likes to write poetry, read post-war I long for the days of dinner tables pushed together
literature, listen to music, and watch as varied a range of
films, as she can. She hopes to do something that helps To form a feast, all the people I love talking over each other,
other people and leaves real change in this world.
And we’re filled to the brim with food made with love,

Filled and fit to burst, with just as much love for each other.

I see everyone I love in a single video call

And I know it’s so very soon until I see you all.

I see families walk into the hospital swallowing back tears

Perhaps also drowning the knowledge that this loved one next to them

Has her days numbered. I can’t bring myself to see them all the way in.

I see my friend whose eyes flow and sparkle brighter than the sun

When she talks about her works as a doctor and all she’s done

But her eyes don’t sparkle anymore, from her emanates

Mere heaves and sighs of a weary soul.

I see this world that’s decided we’re stronger than what we face

When we wipe each other’s tears, when we whisper

The secrets of our trembling, uncertain heartbeats

And I know that we’ll be okay, I know that we’ll be okay.

These families will smile again, these doctors will walk again

With the spring in their step that purpose and pride provide.

I’ll see my loved ones around one wonderful table again

And I know we’ll be okay, I know we’ll be okay.

I see this world that’s decided we’re stronger than what we face

And I know we will be okay, we will be okay. 39

x

“REMINISCENCE” POET

I remember the time, when I was a little kid, Ruhi Kalita
All curious, innocent, brave and creative
Wanting to explore the whole new world My name is Ruhi Kalita. I am in Grade IX at The Assam
and just can't wait to grow up. Valley School. I've always loved reading and writing. It
makes me feel like everything is possible. It also gives
Then, a decade later on my birthday, me motivation to keep on working hard and not give
When my grandma showed me a picture of my younger self, up. It transports me to a whole new world giving me a
chance to express myself and believe in myself. This is
I felt a deja vu of a kid smiling why I love reading and writing and I will continue to do
And running towards me and then hugged me it in the future as well.

I hugged the kid back and felt overjoyed
And did not want this moment to ever end.

Just then, my mom calls me
And I sat back and realized
How fast the night changes.

40

Dharav High School, Jaipur

Website: https://www.dharavhighschool.org

It was indeed a great learning experience working with students helping them organize
their thoughts and ideas. Moreover, I deem it as an opportunity to peek into young minds,
to understand the resentment they hold back for the political turmoil in the neighbouring
country, to feel the desperation to come back to the normal life. One gets to understand
that children are not passive but they do react to the current scenario.

This constructive activity was a way to vent out the strong feeling suppressed in the inner
recesses in a very positive way. Such platforms help the students not only to show their
creative skills but also to feel immensely satisfied by expressing themselves in a disciplined
and beautiful way. In addition, it was a journey into plethora of words, poetic devices,
rhyming scheme etc.

Ms. Rashmi Tambi
Educator

41

“DOOM” POET

(Dedicated to the present situation in Afghanistan) Tushar Khatu

From behind the clouds of gloom, Tushar Khatu, a 12-year-old student of Dharav High School, likes to
The black sun rose up, read novels, poems and comic books and has a keen interest in art
That's when they arose, and craft. His favourite poems are ‘Fire and Ice’ by Robert Frost and
‘Dreams’ by Langston Hughes. He likes to pen down his thoughts
Bearing weapons of doom. about what he feels strongly. Tushar is blessed with immense
Thought they were some pastors, concentration power which helps him to focus on his goal.

Had all the answers, 42
But they were all monsters,
The part of the biggest disaster.

We saw the bloodshed,
The panic and wailing,
But not a single soul came for the healing,
But not a single soul came for the healing.
Oh! dear world, you claimed you had humanity.
But this infernal society is at insanity,
We are all here, living in captivity.
The women are shackled and beaten,
Childhoods turn to dust,
A man must walk the line of cowardice,
For we are constantly threatened.
There is no sign of compassion,
No love, no affection.

We are living a life
Of constant torture and starvation.
Oh Lord! Do we have to be trapped in this perennial pain?
Or there is some scope of respite ever again?

My heart bleeds,
My eyes cry,

When I see my people
Doomed to die....

x

“LET’S NOT LOSE HOPE” POET

In the devil of the time, we have today, Suhaan Vijayvergiya
There are a few things I’d like to say.
Suhaan Vijayvergiya, a 13-year-old class 9 student of Dharav
We are facing lockdown for quite a while, High School is a budding poet. He loves reading story books,
It’s getting harder to keep a smile. solving Rubik’s cube, playing Synthesizer and Guitar. Though
he is reticent, but is a great sports enthusiast. He is a
Faces are hidden behind the mask, hardworking, dedicated and diligent student. He likes to
Staying away from others is now our primary task. express himself through stories and writing poems.

But dark days of melancholy never lasts long,
And hardships have always made us strong.

Days are not far when friends will meet again,
Leaving behind all their sorrows and pain.

Let’s cherish the memory of those who have left us for
heavenly abode,

Let’s not lose hope and restart lives with full vigour and
happy mode.

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POET “TIME TO FIGHT”

Sarthak Agarwal Let's fight…
Give up the fright…
Sarthak Agarwal is a 15-year-old class 9 student of Dharav High We know the situation is not right...!
School. Sarthak is generally enthusiastic with an optimistic attitude.
He is an avid reader and loves to read mystery, suspense and This virus is a foe,
thriller. His hobbies include reading, drawing, listening to music and There is nowhere left to go,
making 3d models. Keenly interested in computer technology from
early childhood, he likes coding and programming. He is highly It is spread everywhere…
passionate about science and mathematics. He aspires to become a So be aware…!
great scientist. His role models are the scientists like Issac Newton,
Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. With the kind of It’s methods to kill are different,
determination and dedication that Sarthak possesses, he is sure to Mask alone will not be sufficient,
live all his dreams. We have to take all precautions,
Nobody should be left for Corona’s absorption…!

So, let's do our bit…
And Corona will be in a fit…

This will make it quit.

Let's remove the fright…
It's time to fight…

And make the situation right,
To get Corona out of sight.

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x POET

“THINK UPON SERIOUSLY….!!” Riya Badaya

Corona, the woe of hundreds and sorrow of many, Riya Badaya is a ninth standard 12-year-old budding
It has affected the people awfully. poet. She studies in Dharav High School Jaipur,
Unemployment, poverty, Rajasthan. Riya is quite a dedicated and conscientious
Child labour and a thousand things, student. She loves reading books and listening to
To think upon seriously; music.
They are not just words,
But the blatant reality. 45

It snatched many job opportunities,
No schools to go to,
And no food to eat…!

Children young and fair,
Out on the streets,

Working to make both ends meet,
Two hands for four mouths to feed.

Reap the harvest for the seeds you sow,
Today’s illiteracy is tomorrow's woe.

If only the compassionate hands come forward,
Wholesome future of each child should be sponsored.

Blur the boundaries dividing the nations,
Collaborating a little to save this generation.

A miniscule, Corona virus has many lessons to teach,
Man reduced down to a mute spectator when nature sweeps.

If only the compassionate hands come forward,
Co-existence, empathy, tolerance must be offered.

“THE CUTTER’S HYMN” POET

People are in a frenzy about Afghanistan, Nehal Malik
But did they ever notice what’s going on in their own land?
Nehal Malik, a 14-year-old student studying in Grade 9 at Dharav
Maybe in their own family or somewhere else, High School, Jaipur, expressing her ideas through writing stories
Someone is dying inside, crying for help. and poems. At quite an early age, she began to develop an interest
in psychology and human behaviour. Reading has always been a
Lying on the cold floor drenched in a mix of sweat and tears. passion of hers while growing up, and her favourite genres are
Silver metal clenched in their hand, twinkling like the stars, fiction, mystery, crime, thriller, and horror. In addition to reading,
she had also participated in the Foyle Poetry Competition and was
Scarlet blood drying up on the scars. nominated for the Young Poets Award 2020.
Their tears shining in the moonlight
As they bleed all their fears out tonight. 46
But, the night goes and the day comes,
Bringing new insecurities and toxic thoughts like the others

just weren’t enough.
This cycle goes on and on over and over again,
Whispering the cutter’s hymn as it lulls them to sleep once

again.
“Hush, hush, oh little one, you’ve finally reached the end,

All this damage you cannot mend.
There’s no use in crying now,

This darkness, so powerful, in front of it you shall bow.
Once again you get lost in its deadly charm,

Cutting and cutting till there’s no place left to harm.
Hush, hush, oh little one, shattered and scarred,

You had no idea that living and breathing would be this
hard.

It’s time to end the pain you’ve buried so well,
Time to return to the beginning of the end.

Once again the little one unleash the demons beneath,
Time will come to repeat this bloody wreath.”

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, GURGAON

Website: https://www.dpsgurgaon.org

Poetry reading and writing is a continuous and regular activity of our English Club ‘As You Like
It…We love it!’. It not only helps pupils to develop the creative and critical thinking skills but also
enhances their language skills and acts as a therapeutic activity. Writing for an international
collaborative project has enabled the children to understand and appreciate poetry as a literary art
form and identify forms and genres of poetry from diverse cultures and languages. During the
challenging times of pandemic, the poetry writing activity came as a relaxing calm breeze amidst the
social and emotional turmoil worldwide.
Students with creative bent of mind started penning all the global upheaval during the pandemic and
exhibited their own interpretations of life, the new normal, covid, pleasures of family time etc. through
their lexicon of words. It motivated children to develop their aesthetic sense and express their
empathy and compassion through rhyme and metre.
The entire poetry writing process with the students for the project ‘Anthology of Poems’ was an
amazing experience. It has kept the student’s energy channelised and minds busy in the right creative
direction. Day after day, meeting together, discussing and finalising the frames and the lyrics was a
learning joy both for the teacher and the taught.
Hopefully, the outcome of young budding poets of DPS, Sec 45, Gurgaon would be relished by one
and all.

Survi Sinha & Richa Sinha 47
English Faculty
DPS Sec 45, Gurgaon

“SO FAR” POET

I rose to the heat of the sun on my face, Tanvi Jain
To the song of the birds and the winds embrace,
Tanvi is a seventeen year old student. She is the
Everywhere life went on as it did every day, President of the English Club of her school. Her
And if you would ask anyone, they would say, interests include playing piano, reading and writing
fiction and worrying if she has enough shelf space left.
And so far, the world was normal.
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I woke up the second day with some unrest,
Heard about what was happening and felt distressed,

“I’m sure it will be alright,” I said to myself,
And put all my worries on the highest shelf,

And so far, the world was changing.

I woke up the third day in my bed,
And the sun’s rays again fell on my quilted bedspread,
But I no longer heard the laughter of children sweet,

And the rumbling of cars in my street,
And so far, the world was not the same.

A drop turned to ripples in the water,
Just how Mother Nature had taught her,

That ripple soon turned to a wave,
The tide suddenly flooded our cave,
And so far, the world was in trouble.

The fourth day, I opened my eyes,
And everywhere I looked I saw heavy demise,

We were trapped, nary a person in sight,
All was perpetual, be it light or twilight,

And so far, the world was quiet.

The fifth day came, I didn’t want to rise,
To this Earth, which was in a guise,

I picked up the phone and heard some noises,
My friends were calling, I smiled when I heard their voices,

And so far, the world was not so bad.

I heard about the heroic doctors and nurses,
And my spirits were lifting and so were the curses,

Thousands of innovations and lots of hope,
I know we will rise from this sinking slope,

And so far, the world was happier.

POET “HEAL”

Tanvi Nagar Countless days, months and years- they say a winter that’s lasted too long,
There is snow on the pathless land and the stars twinkle in the dawn,
Tanvi Nagar is a high school senior at DPS The grasshoppers in the night, the birds in the morn sing their song,
Gurgaon. She is passionate about creative Whispers have melted into silence, a lot has changed, a lot gone.
writing, as a form of expression. This poem
represents the various reflections, Yamuna and Ganga reflect divinity and peace in their unfathomable depths,
recollections and thoughts that the poet had, Humans discover their long-forgotten love, strength and resilience,
during the pandemic.
The Earth is removing its bandages, plastered on its wounds long ago,
The nebulous horizon is now dawning the shades of blue and indigo.

The morning sun touches the icy landscape and the petals of the rose bloom,
A unique camaraderie- between nature and mankind, removes all gloom.
Humans are prisoners in metal cages many animals spend their life behind,

Maybe Almighty has paused the time, so humans can reflect on their lifetime.

Its calmer now, like tranquility after the storm,
Maybe coronavirus isn’t the storm, but the actions of our past are.

Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian- it doesn’t matter anymore,
Nor do all the jewels and riches we could fight another world war for.

Economies have halted like a train-the jolt hurts one and all,
Words of the wise echo, spiritual leaders beckon us to hear their calls,
Our suppressed zeal and passion full to the brim, overflow from our heart,
For some dance and sing, some spill colours on sheets making exquisite art.

Nature alerts us that it’s the time to take lessons, awaken, arise and act,
Take baby steps to learn the fragility of life, lead ourselves on the right track,

Question, reflect, think and rethink over the past, take measures to heal,
Make the melody of nature a part of our heart and our life’s theme.

Search for our life’s purpose and look for the magic in Earth’s farthest corners,
And find strength, harmony and peace in uniting our futures.

This will heal you, heal me and heal many more bleeding hearts,
Make the icy winter snow melt- then you and I will no longer be far apart.
This will happen the day spring kisses winter goodbye, we will surely smile,
For we would have healed the earth and ourselves, made the most of this lifetime.

49

x

“THE VIRAL ENEMY” POET

Life was going on in full swing, Akshara Singh
I was busy trying to spread my wings.
I was looking forward to high school, Akshara is a 15 year old student from Gurugram. She
But something happened which was not so cool. is a budding writer with a passion for poetry. In
addition to that, she has keen interest in science and
A new enemy struck, technology. Most of her poems, which have been
Since then humanity has seen only bad luck. written during the pandemic, revolve around hope.
She considers Robert Frost to be her poetic
The coronavirus is what we call it, inspiration.
We're fighting against with all our grit.

Covid-19 was big of a shock,
These 2 years from memory I want to block.

Lives and livelihoods were lost,
The price we paid was too much of a cost.

India was the worst affected,
But the new normal we all accepted.

Cases peaked, we freaked.
The future seemed just so bleak.

A vaccine was our only hope,
Without it we won't be able to cope.
Lockdowns and online classes continued,
My teenage years seemed completely screwed.
Cases reduced, offline classes resumed,

Normality was arriving I assumed.
A second wave arrived although vaccines came,

The loose rules and variants I blame.
The second wave is worse than our imagination,
We are fighting this public health crisis together as a nation.

Others are rising when India is falling,
But some hope in me is still crawling.

We are not able to vaccinate,
But this virus, we will someday annihilate.
Yesterday a thousand and seven hundred died

Loved ones beside dead bodies cried.

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“I’M GRATEFUL” POET

Today and everyday I’m grateful for the primeval forests, scarlet Samar Jain
flowers and rampant trees…
A student at Delhi Public School Gurgaon, Samar’s works
fruits, petals and lush green leaves, have been published in several international magazines and
I’m grateful for the sinless animals, birds and all the beings, national newspapers like The Times of India and Hindustan
Times. He believes in the transformative power of words; that
I’m grateful for the dazzling lakes, rivers and seas, it is both an escape and a vehicle to delve into our own
and for all that simply heals, struggles and our own healing. Whether delving into bowels
I’m grateful for the love, of emotions or placing himself in the shoes of others, Samar
and the one who does, has found solace in words.

For the divine dove in the blissful above,
In these unusual times, I’m grateful for the covid warriors who

courier hope,
I cry for those who grieve, mourn for those who leave,

I know, one chair on the table now lies empty,
However, let’s try and be grateful for the plenty,

Alas! What pains me is the dearth,
Be that as it may, I still love my earth,
I promise to care for our earth, anywhere and everywhere,
For I am aware of the nightmare, you must also beware,
I promise to value our home by doing my bit,
I promise to care for our earth and everything it has to offer,
I choose to celebrate earth day, today and every single day.

51

x POET

“THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL” Maleika Hussain

The pandemic caused countless casualties, Maleika Hussain is 16 years old and extremely
But the unknown victims were social activities; passionate about poetry and the performing arts.
She has been published in several books and
The biggest sacrifice for our own safety. magazines and has acted in plays as well. Apart
from that, she is an animal lover, pianist, cricket
“Maybe we can meet a month later, maybe next week” enthusiast and likes playing badminton. She
Soon our patience runs out, our mouths itch to speak aspires to be a famous writer and join Indian
In the open, exposed, with the wind kissing our lips. Administrative Services.

I want to see your true expressions when we talk, 52
The way you scrunch your nose, your smirks, your gawks.

Masks stole half your face away from my gaze.

I miss those bright, white teeth adorning your smile,
But they are hidden away under a flimsy piece of textile;

‘Our savior becomes our biggest enemy’

My ears yearn for the minstrelsy which I adore,
They crave to hear it unmuffled, clear, crisp and pure

One last time before it’s my turn to go.

Those loving touches that remind me of humanity
Are now gone, lost, a distant, forgotten memory.
I know they’ll return when the world has been healed.

Until that day comes, we’ll soldier on through the storm united;
We’re almost there, the end has been sighted,
And the dawn of an era of hope begins.

“THE RISING PHOENIX”

POET As the Corona warriors we say, to the world’s challenge, we've found a way,
If you think that you don't fit in, we've got a story, so let us begin.
Yoshee Jain We know, we can’t open a lock with the wrong key,
but that’s how life for all is meant to be,
Self-driven and passionate coding times may get tough and tides may rise,
and a mathematics enthusiast, but moments will pass in the blink of an eye.
Yoshee believes that technology
can be a force for bringing about Unprecedented as the times may be, unprecedented solutions are the key,
significant change in the world Be on the watch, there are ways out, a light somewhere amidst the vast grey islands of clouds,
and making it a better place. She
is an advocate for girls in STEM Times may be tough and hard, we’ll work out solutions and be on our guard,
and a budding social The things may go wrong as they sometimes will, but it’ll keep us going strong and uphill.
entrepreneur, dancer, and poet.
Poetry is a companion for her With changing economies and rising fears, and eyes all around filled with tears,
soul, and dance brings with it Education online and medicine took a kick start, hopes in plenty to fill everyone’s heart,
the rhythm to accept the tides of
life. Together, they help her learn Working from home is the new do, schools and offices, empty and blue.
more about herself than anything
else, connecting her with the Of course, we love to camp, bike and swim, adventure used to be our middle name,
world in a way that fuels her But with all living on the brink, saving lives is the only aim,
willingness to contribute to Staying indoors can be fun, helping parents under the sun,
others around her.
Protecting the elders and the young, from corona, a foe living amongst,
Washing our hands frequently, or just a matter of social distancing,

Walking out of homes wearing masks and gloves, reaching out to all with love.

Unmasking compassion with gratitude immense,
Masking our differences with the world rising as one in defence,

Believe what is unseen and trust what is hidden,
For it is the stallion of conscience and will, that our soul has mounted and has to be ridden,

The burden may be heavy and stress may be high,
With the reins of faith in our hands, the weary journey is travelled without a sigh.

Corona one day will be gone, the world will rise to a new dawn, 53
A planet full of love, equanimity and care will be born, smile on all faces will adorn,

To know that every moment we're alive, it’s our love that will survive,
Together as a family, at the wheel the future we will drive,
So, let’s join hands and save the world,
Bearing a flag of Corona free planet unfurled,
Rising from the ashes to be reborn,
With mesmerising colours, singing a melodious song.

“A WAVE” POET

The wave came crashing in, Sargun Singh Bhatti
bringing along a rush of sediments.
Some fertile, others recollection of past. Poetry: a form of art that can encapsulate one’s
thoughts and feelings at a given moment in a time
But the wave had its melody capsule. For Sargun, it is experimentation with
it flowed in and filled the vacant crevices emotions. He loves writing stories and poems heavy
filling the colors with the flow of its own with metaphors, such that the message flows in
irrespective of the reader.
Each droplet a trench of its own

And then the wave receded
as quick as it crashed in my hands.
With a barrier dissecting destiny between both of

us
I am left in a moment full of reminiscence

But I wait in the wake,
for the barrier to crumble,
for another wave to show me another melody.
The wave will come crashing in.

54

“THE THIRD DIMENSION” POET

Poem to be edited Avya Gupta

Avya is a thirteen year old curious learner with an insatiable thirst
for knowledge. She is an avid reader and loves delving into indian
scriptures. She loves expressing herself by writing meaningful
poems. Her work has been published in an anthology in UK. She is
also passionate about computer programming and drawing and has
won several awards for the same. She is a bright student with a
flair for public speaking and debates. She maintains a cheerful and
optimistic attitude towards life.

55

“COVID-19: THE UNKNOWN POET

FUTURE” Rhea Singh Sud

Why does our populous world look so desolate? Rhea is a sixteen year old student and is an editor at her
Has the virus forced us to abate? school. Her interests include sports, art, reading fiction
and writing poetry, essays and articles. A passionate
There are memories of struggles and misery, author, poet and a strong believer in the good in the
Of possibilities and opportunities, world, Rhea wants to bring about a change and make
the world a better place. A self-taught painter, speaker
Of crowded hospitals and empty balconies and badminton player, poetry to her means more than a
People were imprisoned inside a cage they called home, way of literary inspiration. It connects her to the outside
Streets that were full of people now only a few roam, world in a way that nothing has been able to do till now
In times like this, unsung heroes took a step forward, and fuels her desire to help others in the world.

Together all of them marched onwards,
They became defenders who serve to save,
Amidst the deafening silence brought by every wave.
Keep smiling, they said, keep your hopes high,

And the world will not once deny,
Think of all the good all around,
In this world, goodness is profound,
Soon, we will see the dawning of a new day,
And forever that day will stay.

56

POET “MY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Utkarsh Kathuria IN A NEW WAY”

Utkarsh Kathuria is extremely passionate Today, my birthday is finally there,
about poetry, story writing and painting. He And I was thinking it since many days no matter I was where.
has been published in several magazines and
has submitted articles in many forms. He also I am really missing my friends and teachers,
participates in many arts and acting But we all meet for 3 hours because of the online class features.
competitions. Apart from that, his hobbies are
playing the guitar, swimming and football. He I am really hoping that the school reopens really soon,
has won many football tournaments also. And all of us could talk and play together in the noon.

I have planned various activities for my birthday,
And also, I can play with my papa because it’s his holiday.
I hope that it will be the most memorable birthday for me,
And till now I am feeling like I am drowned in the love of sea.

57

NAVRACHANA HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL, GUJARAT

Website : https://www.navrachana.org/

The project, Around the World: Anthology of poems was undertaken with many objectives
in mind.
It was anticipated that participation in the project would enable the students to:
1. Collaborate with their peers across continents.
2. Develop sensitivity to varied viewpoints.
3. Hone their communication skills.
4. Apply creativity and imagination to express their thoughts and ideas.
5. Give vent to emotions through poetry in a safe and non-threatening environment.

The project has given wings to our students’ imagination in the tough confined times
during the pandemic. We have engaged and enriched ourselves, creating conversations and
connections with each other while learning to respect diverse perspectives.

Ms. Kashmira Jaiswal 58
Vice Principal and Collaborator

“THE DAWNS OF TODAY” POET

The dawns of today, Tanmaya Kshirsagar
Saw the strongest of humanity-
Vulnerable, helpless and exhausted.. A class 12th student pursuing humanities, I am passionate for
writing and literature. My choice of electives has been
Mines of optimism and motivation, psychology, political science and design; case in point the
Rendered as dry rivers and empty wells; inclination for research and analysis. I have always believed
that words convey what silence cannot. My fortes are blogs,
The dawns of today, creating web content and editing manuscripts. Poetry and
Have seen humanity betraying humans works of Charles Bukowski, Robert Frost, Fyodor Dostovesky,
Agatha Christie remain an inspiration to let the versatility in
Or the other way round.. my writing reign. Being the humble recipient for the National
scholarship Indian Classical vocal, music is something that
The sunrises of now, connects me better to emotion and articulation of words. This
Foresighted to be beautiful sunsets, poetry is a metaphoric depiction of the state our societies
Escalated into dark cloudless nights dwell in today. Going through grief and losses at a very
universal level, often we humans tend to neglect the small
The early mornings, baffled by uncertainty, rays of hope around us and fixate on the small potholes in
Now live a day at a time… life. We ourselves are unaware of the tremendous optimism
that resides within us, that can change a million lives when
Nevertheless… we ignite that fire. Every new morning is a new opportunity
and a chance to make memories that stay with us for infinity.
The dawns of today,
Now have learnt to wake up more resilient

And brim the wells with hope
We now find constellations of goodness and faith in dark skies.

The dawns of today,
Taught us to value memories and cherish moments,

beyond the horizons…

59

POET “THE AIR”

Garima Jain The air enclosed by those 4 plain, white walls.
Amazingly unaware that some day, it has to exit through the same window
17 years ago, back in 2004, on 22nd October,
I was born, completely unaware that life which had once been its source.
would put forth so many challenges just to It sensed super comfort within the confinements of its small chateau,
create a component of powerful poetry within
me. My passion for creating stories and The temporary nature of this shelter, the air did not know.
producing poems was neither inherited, nor
innate. It was a mere product of my introvert The room was its world now.
nature, due to which I succumbed to pen and In that tiny dumpy dwelling, it found its love somehow.
paper, giving my fist-hand experience a new Resisting any change, it did not want the nest to be renovated,
look. Well, nobody knew that this habit would Seeing love shatter into corpses requires patience, which the air did not possess.
turn into my hobby, my passion, my dream,
my goal. Ever since, there was no looking But, it was ultimately overpowered by the architect and his massive machines,
back. Having done my primary education He marched powerfully to the walls and opened up his drilling machine.
from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, I now reside in One after the other, the clitter and the clatter, these noises badly hurt,
the cultural capital of Gujarat, that is The air couldn't bear all this. It wept and whined, it cried and cursed.
Vadodara. My name is Garima, currently, a
grade 12 student of Navrachana School Sama. Helpless. Devastated.
It surrendered itself to the mercy of that architect.
And all the while, the eyes tightly shut, they noisily wept.

Still. Serene. Quiet. Calm.
It was all over. The air's house lost its charm.
Slowly. Very slowly, it tried opening its eyes, which, by now, were as wet as ice.
And oh! Magic! The air was awestruck. It couldn't believe its eyes.

Stupendous scenery. A marvellous dawn, with birds and trees all around.
The nature dancing-n-singing in joy, over a beautiful blue background.

Yes. Its surroundings had changed, but changed for better.
The air now understood the architect, and thanked the latter.

Permanence is temporary.
There is always a big, better reason beneath the deeds of that power, that's his

supremacy.
Opportunities are always masked,
Those who identify them and accommodate accordingly, win the task. 60

x

“ANGST IN THE AIR” POET

Grief trickles down my neck like a sweat bead; Prachi Patel
Thick and heavy.
‘’We make out, quarrel with others, rhetoric, but of
Across the room, I see it run infinitely from eyes red the quarrel with ourselves, poetry.”
It’s all around me; saddening sighs, lost gazes and dragging days.
It’s all in the news, it’s all in the phone conversations that start -William Butler Yeats

with a thin-lipped muttered ‘oh’ and ends in moist eyes. I obtained my primary and secondary education from
And yet, I’m unmoved. Navrachana Education Society, the 18 years of
exposure to different elements of the world with the
And yet, all I think it took from me is my words. opportunities provided from the school, I can say
It’s like someone’s knocking at the door, but I’m already out of shaped me today as I am.
Finding myself inclined to the language, I started
the window. participating in different debates, elocutions, public
“Are you alright?’’ I hear a distant voice swimming somewhere in speaking, poetry workshops, anything that had to do
with this literature world; and like some inevitable
my reality. I nod. What do I even tell them? event, my love for the language grew each waking day.
Grief is like this bubble that wraps you up inside, while the world I started writing poems from an early age, my first
poem being penned on nature and its mysteries.
outside continues at its pace. Today, my poems and writings usually display and
But grief, to me, comes differently. What good would it even do revolve around human emotions and feelings; its
shallows and its depths.
to enter an already broken home?
“You alright?’’ I nod. They don’t need to know all the peculiar This particular piece, termed ‘angst in the air’, weaves
together my emotions at the time I lost a dear one. I
things inside my head, hold this poem close to my heart, an otherwise
And it’s better to keep scavengers off the ground of dead. soothing aspect in the hustle of my life.
To say the least, poetry heals!

61

Kendriya Vidyalaya No 1 Kalaikunda, Kolkata

Website :https://no1kalaikunda.kvs.ac.in/

The COVID 19 pandemic has changed the lives of our children, robbing them of the joys of
growing up and learning together.
Struggling to adjust with the "new normal", they are undergoing an emotional turmoil which
requires venting out. Writing poems is an excellent medium to put emotions into words.
The learning outcomes which I observed develop in my student during this activity are:
• Creativity, Imagination & critical thinking
• Vocabulary
• Effective communication skills
• Self-esteem
• Confidence
• Empathy
• Positive mindset
• Attitude of gratitude

Ms. Doli Chaudhuri 62
PGT Biology

“DEVIL” POET

Have you seen any devil? Sreya Subhadarshini
I hadn’t imagined it in life,
But now know how it’s like. Sreya Subhadarshini is 13 years old. She is in class VIII. She
It has spread all over the earth, studies in Kolkata, India. She loves reading, writing and
And China is the place of birth. listening to music. Her teachers find her empathetic and
Don’t take its name, it’s terrifying, dependable.
Otherwise, it will be in your life.
Like it’s playing with my mind,
Why this devil is not kind?
Seems to be kidding with us,
What can we do? It’s Corona virus,

It’s not fine to be alone.
Where should I go? I wanna run,

But it will return.
I don’t know the saviour will be a human or God,

But nowadays everything is so odd.
Don’t know what future holds,
But now we have to be bold.

Bring us back to where we started,
Because that life was like we wanted.

63

The Newtown School, Kolkata

Website : https://ntskolkata.org/

“Poetry might be defined as the clear expression of mixed feelings.” —W.H. Auden.

And mixed feelings they were, at the onset and then my students started giving a shape
and form to their abstract thoughts. I allowed them to write copiously in order to express
the tumult of thoughts inside them. What I enjoyed most was watching them edit their
own creations, not to take away the spontaneity but to eliminate the superfluous. The
mixture of jumbled words and feelings were being distilled. The feelings were no longer
mixed, the truth that was being told, straight from the heart.
Ms. Aayesha Haider
Faculty of English

64

“UNLOCKED IN LOCKDOWN:
A BIRD’S MUSING”

POET Astonished, I woke up from yesternight’s slumber,
To see humans had vacated my habitat,
Drishana Kundu I began conjecturing the reasons,

I am Drishana Kundu, a seventeen year old, studying in Class Was it a catastrophic war that had annihilated humanity?
XII of The Newtown School, Kolkata. I enjoy hiking and love Or were they throttled by their own vanity?
reading and writing about the Himalayas. I love the sights, Or, was I living in a dream...,
sounds and smell of the hills. I am also passionate about
environmental conservation and climate activism. Later did I learn it was nothing but an invisible enemy.

With humans caged in their houses, this home is happier,
The air’s sweeter and the sky a shimmering blue,
Our freedom and happiness are new,
I can now fly to unprecedented heights,

No longer does my tail tangle with the twine of kites,
The Everest’s enjoying its solitude,

Snow’s shinier on the slopes of high altitude,
Cars are few, but stars, a plethora,

and feet no longer trample delicate flora.

Nature is, finally, rejuvenating and recuperating.
For humans,

Some are brooding in their towers,
Some, relentlessly fighting the invisible powers.

And as I soar through clouds transient, 65
my wings piercing the azure sky so ambient,

I realise,
The future is flickering,
Humans it’s beckoning,
To put up a valorous fight,
Never let diminish the light,
To learn, realise and grow,
Seeds of a new dawn to sow.

x POET

“My, My, What A Time To Be Alive!” Anushka Bagchi

I open my eyes, I am Anushka Bagchi, fourteen years old,
To a world of technology, studying in Class IX of The Newtown School,
Laptops, TVs, Smartphones, Kolkata. The insatiable artist in me enjoys music,
playing the piano, dancing, cooking, drawing,
It’s all so ordinary. and sketching. Competitions and contests keep
But when I video call my grandfather, me energised. I daydream a lot! Quiet
interestingly, I get most of my best ideas out of
His eyes go round and wide, daydreaming. I also like to think out of the box
He says these words with excitement- – look at things from different perspectives.

“My, my, what a time to be alive!” 66
He is in awe that he can see me,

And hear me too,
Whether we sit in different countries,

Or just different rooms!
And he is speechless,

When he finds out we do classes online,
The cause of our Monday morning blues,
Is now the cause of his big, toothless smile.

Seeing his adoration and excitement,
In the tiniest, boring things,

Things we all take for granted-
It really makes me think.

We live in the fantasies of our ancestors,
We live such magical, comfortable lives.

And honestly, it makes me agree-
“My, my, what a time to be alive!”

“BEHIND THE MASK” POET

Life was normal – Anusha Sengupta
The old normal.
Going to school, parks and malls, I am Anusha Sengupta. I am 14-years old and study in Class
Large crowds and cinema halls. IX of The Newtown School, Kolkata. My hobbies include
Full of activity, everything was fast- paced, reading, sketching and origami. I take lessons in singing and
Through the mundane daily tasks, we all raced. painting. I love playing with my brother and sister, going on
And then – came the pandemic, and it all came to an abrupt halt, long walks with my father, exploring recipes with my mother,
A global crisis, just a tiny virus’s fault, and spending time with my grandparents. I try to find
Hopelessness, despair, our lives rearranged, happiness in life’s simple pleasures.
But is it only from good to bad, that everything has changed?
67
Every cloud has a silver lining
Can we ignore how much we are learning?
If students were not forbidden from gathering in masses,
Who could have imagined having online classes?
No going to malls; Is shopping then something in the past?
Just order online! All problems surpassed.
Staying at home, spending time with family
Be it cooking, doing chores or simply being together happily.
Remember all the hobbies we had to give up?
Let’s resume them now, before the time is up.
It’s true, the days are just ‘ZOOM’-ing past,
But our thought is our ship, we command the mast!
The surroundings are dark, but let’s not lose composure
We can find positivity, if only we look closer.

We are almost there, the end is in sight,
And at the end of every tunnel, there is always light.

COVID might have been a severe blow,
But the future beckons us, the coming days are all aglow.

It really has changed our definition of normal,
But this experience has a great deep moral —
When engulfed by darkness which seems hard to fight,

It is time to ignite our inner-light.

x POET

“THE ERA OF DOOM” Aishani Ghosh

Nothing is forever, I am Aishani Ghosh. I am fifteen and a student of Class X of
Nothing can stand long, The Newtown School, Kolkata. I love painting, writing, crafting
and cooking, but what I enjoy most is exploring new vistas. It
I've seen death, is my enduring curiosity that makes me want to know more of
And I was told to be strong. the unknown, hear more of the unheard and try things which I
haven’t tried before. It’s their novelty that keeps me happy and
This wild pandemic, helps me explore new perspectives.
One of its kind,
68
Has left us all in threat,
With a cure hard to find!

No one's safe,
As it may seem,
But while we all live,
We shall fight to the extreme.

Once and forever,
When it will go down,
The Sun will rise again,
And wear the befallen crown.

In golden letters, in history,
This era shall be named,

The incessant fight of the deceased,
For greatness shall be claimed.

“REBUILDING WITH PASSION”

POET 2020 was a kind of year,
Where many people shed so many tears.
Sambhavi Mehta
With tears came sorrows,
I am Sambhavi Mehta studying in Class X, The Newtown Left many hearts hollow.
School, Kolkata. I am 15 years old. My hobbies include reading,
digital art and writing songs or poems. I absolutely enjoy To fill these holes,
weaving my thoughts into words. Learning new things I tried to reconnect with my soul.
fascinates me, and it could just be learning a new word!
Though my interests are varied, what engages me most is Attained some stability,
reading…reading romance and fantasy. Discovered new capabilities.

Dusted my shelves of old hobbies,
They aren’t something foggy.
Baked cakes to take a break,

For once, I didn’t keep myself at stake.

This year came as a blessing,
For people like me who needed some finessing.

I rediscovered myself,
Focussed on my health.

So many activities I took part in,
Spent some time with my kin.

Learned to love and grow,
I saw a glimpse of hope which I couldn’t before.

Felt relieved from the stress, 69
Got things off my chest.
Souls were lost,
My eyes were glossed.

But I say this with no regrets,
I met a part of myself----which I hadn’t yet!

SHIKSHA KENDRA, DPS GURGAON

Writing poems is a good way to bring out your creativity. The rhyme and rhythm, are
soothing to the writer and the reader. It helps the poet to express his/her feelings and
ideas. It helps to create a whole world from imagination and get completely immersed in
it. It is therapeutic and relaxing. Encouraging the children to write poems, is actually
giving them an outlet to bring to the fore what's deep down inside them. It can also
serve as a stress buster or motivator depending on the writer's feelings.
Madhu Kapoor
Educator

70

“THE PANDEMIC” POET

Just like a normal day, I went to sleep at night Arpita Chauhan
And woke up to see things I’d never seen
My name is Arpita Chauhan. I am 14 years old. I like
A virus that originated in Wuhan City of China reading novels, writing poems and stories and just
had spread to 215 countries. being creative. Besides English, I love studying
Science and enjoy doing Mathematics. My elder sister
Masks and hand sanitisers, I never knew existed is my role model, as she has always been there for
were now essential. me. She is kind , gentle, hardworking and goal
oriented. I wish to be like her.
Death of millions everyday.
Afraid to even breathe, I sat there

thinking,
Could this be the end of the world?
Though people were being jobless and homeless
The Pandemic had its bright side too
People’s bonds with their families grew stronger,
Animals were living a healthier life

due to cleaner surroundings.
This disaster brought people together

to fight against the Pandemic.

71

K
U
W
A
I
T

72

Indian Education School, Kuwait
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, The Middle East

https://bhavanskuwait.com/

Students understood the relevance of expressing untold emotions through poetry. They learnt
to convey themes and messages given through a poem. They used various poetic devices in
their poems to convey the mood and tone of the poem. They learnt to marvel at the beauty
and power of verses they wrote. They observed peace and tranquillity of nature in their lives
and developed a sense of understanding to live in the lap of nature. They learnt the lesson of
overcoming hardships in life and the importance of being a source of inspiration to others.
Ms. Hima Nirmal
Educator & Subject Coordinator
Department Of English

Mr. EP Prasad Mr. Liju Joseph Mr. Shylesh V 73
Educator Educator Educator

“THE MELODY OF DAWN” POET

I was afraid of the dark night, Lakshmi Nanda Madhusoodhanan
Even you hid secretly with me.
While all of them held their breath To Gain Your Own Voice, You Have to Forget About Having It Heard."
And ran somewhere far away. Lakshmi Nanda Madhusoodhanan hails from the Land of Zamorins,
Kozhikode, Kerala. She is currently studying in the 10th grade in Indian
At the dead of the cruel winter, Education School (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan). She has a great passion in
The time has frozen. writing, painting, dancing, and enjoys reading books.

My painful memories too 74
and my numb heart has been buried in the white snow.

At the disruption of the inceptive dawn,
Let the scorching heat dry up my tears,
Let it melt the white snow with my numb heart,

Let it help shed my memories.

And oh, I will try, I will but
My numbness shall bloom a bed of flowers

A bed filled with evening primroses
Let them not weaken it with agony.

Let me follow the melody of dawn
and walk the withered flower path

In the middle of the night,
Allow me to ignite a fire.

Let the petals burn one by one,
Let the ashes of the flowers
Make a fresh scenic flower

With thousands of colourful petals.

Let my false darkness, truth, joy
Burn along with the petals,

And at the next melody of dawn
You will find solace in peace.

x POET

“RETICEO” Reyna Mary John

Reticeo! Cries our soul, Reyna Mary John is a poet and author with bright imagination
As eyes betray our true thoughts and an inquisitive mind. Introspection is key to all the pieces,
Windows to the world we call then, and she loves to connect her works to each other. With a
mind of a child in a teenager’s body, she finds solace in words
These windows are my loss. and her pencil. Sweets and coffee bring out the best stories,
and the only thing that bothers her is the lack of words that
Puzzling mysteries we create rhyme with orange.
To hide our broken souls.
Our once happy memories 75

Are now nightmares, bottled woes.

We are creatures they say,
But they never realise

That our smiles are always shallow
And our hearts they always cry.

We are deep, dark and sorrowful,
Just glass waiting to shatter,
Yet on the surface all they see
Is bright reflected water.

Is it selfish of us
To want to hide everyday,
Yet still feel your presence
As you listen to our tale?

If you really want to know us
Then don’t judge at first sight.

If you truly want to know
Watch us drown ourselves in spite.

Note: reticeo is latin for keep silent or leave unsaid

POET “A SHIP IN THE STORM”

Manha Anees Shina As a ship in the storm, old and wrecked,
I give ear to an echo from past.
Manha Anees presently studies in Grade 8 at Indian Education School, My youth with glee and triumph,
Kuwait. She has a great devotion towards literature, dance, art, craft and Memories of ease and pleasure.
organization. Her favourite author is Enid Blyton. She believes that every
poet is given a palette of colours of different genres, light and dark. The Cheery to melancholy, I glide with my thoughts,
poet’s walk of life is towards filling the canvas with magical hue and the A rollercoaster ride to life midway.
breathings of heart. She aspires her resistant wings to fly up high For banknotes, I barter my delight,
towards enthusiasm. She believes in the saying , Don’t limit your
challenges, challenge your limits! In the haste of the world, I flow with the mass.
I see no anchorage for my shattered existence.
The anchor has detached, the ferrous has rusted.
Now to have reached the closing of my ease,

To not frown at, any lapse of mine.
My solitude soak with tears, my goal was barren,

I close my eyes to eternal ‘peace’
And sink my entity in the ordinary convention.

76

x POET

“SMILE THROUGH THE PAIN” Reine Mary John

When pain comes around, Reine Mary John is a young enthusiastic poet and writer with a
It’s like we’re on the ground. creative drive paralleled only by her love for chocolate. She
When anger overcomes our minds, loves mystery and fantasy with a dash of thrill. Despite only
It’s like we closed all the blinds. entering the second decade of her life, she has a mature taste
and mind and many accolades to her name. The only thing that
When sadness clouds our thoughts, gets her best is the dictionary and even an old foe.
It’s like we’re suffering a loss.
When fear drowns our lives, 77
It’s when anguish thrives.

When our hearts turn to ice,
Nothing will suffice.

When darkness fills our souls,
We have no access to the controls.

But there will come a time,
And everything will be fine.
When the sun shines our way,
We will have the will to stay.

When loved ones are nearby,
And there will be nothing to fear.

But till we cross that lane,
We will smile through the pain.

“I AM A LITTLE LAMB” POET

I am a little lamb. Nakshatra Neeraja Binu
No golden fleece,
No ram head horns Nakshatra Neeraja Binu is a 13 year old Indian girl residing in
And this is my home. Kuwait. She is a student of Indian Educational School Kuwait
and is in the 9th grade. She has a real passion for reading and
“ETOUhhiRs–wOIilgtVeedtI,StwhIaiOtthleoNroekd”., writing and developed her literary flair at a very young age. She
loves reading and writing poems and draws inspiration from
Pulverized and patched piece of land? her favourite poets like Robert Frost, Maya Angelou and Carl
Naked like my sheared flocks and tattered like my trotters? Sandberg. She also loves reciting these poems and is a seasoned
public speaker, having spoken on numerous national and
Well, international stages. Her other hobbies include playing the
There was a time - piano, watching movies, and solving riddles.
When suns would rise and sleepy pearls would fall off,
from those grassy hills. 78
Setting rays would drop off red in grazing trails.
There was a time -
When feathery winds would furl my fleece,
go far and wide.
Rains would pour and,
cleanse the sins of sombre soils.
There was a time -
When sounds of bells would summon sulky summers,
And flaky snows would festoon frosty winters.
There was a time -
When grass and hay and candy grains,
would sweeten sheepy seasons galore.
There was a time -
When we would live.
Hey – I’m just a little lamb.
Perhaps you could tell me,
Why have my skies lost their sheen?
Why my pastures burn and boil?
Why are my creeks dry and dead?
Why am I a refugee in my own land?

Why?

“ASHES OF LOVE” POET

I'm a firefly Hima Nirmal
Loaded with love, Educator
It burns me in and out
With blisters and sore skin A passionate teacher who engages minds, listens to questions,
That no morphine can cure! and likes to take up challenges in life. She conducts motivational
Thought of dashing into a river classes for the people in various strata of the society. She
Or something cool! spends her free time in writing poems and short stories,
BUT it may release my soul painting murals and helps students struggling with emotional
Not my burning love! insecurity. Currently, she is working as a teacher and a Subject
Not my raging fire! Coordinator in the Department of English in Indian Education
Oh! I can't devour what I contain School, Kuwait.
Nor can I emit!
The scourge... it turns the plight
Of my soul into ashes!

Ashes!

79

M
A
L
A
Y
S
I
A

80

METHODIST GIRLS' SCHOOL - IPOH

https://ourargosy.blogspot.com

Poetry reading and writing activities in ESL classrooms help pupils to develop the creative
and critical thinking skills. With that in mind, I developed a poetry writing project where I
employed the read, explore and write strategy in my poetry classroom. To get my pupils
interested in poems, I first picked some local and international poems which are catchy
and recited those poems to them. Then, I had them thinking and made them to write their
interpretations before I could explain and explore further with them. This was the start,
then in phases we moved from one activity to another until they could produce poems on
their own. The entire poetry writing project took about 8 weeks and it has helped them to
express themselves and keep their minds busy with something worthwhile during the time
of COVID19 pandemic lockdown.
Mr. Mohana Ram Murugiah
Educator

81

POET “MY CHILDHOOD SUPERPOWER”

Chin Qian Tong When I was young,
I grew up with some superpowers.
Hi everyone! I am Chin Qian Tong 16-year-old student
studying at SMK Perempuan Methodist Ipoh in Malaysia. My Every time when I fall sick,
favourite quote is “Today that you have lived in vain is the A bowl of hot porridge appeared magically.
tomorrow that a person who died yesterday truly wanted to
live.” by Sophocles. I like watching videos on YouTube and Every time I fall asleep on the couch,
listening to music when I am free. Waking up in bed the next day.

Every time I woke up with nightmares,
There would always be a doll beside me.

Every time I went home after school,
The messy bed would become neat again.

But when I grew up,
This ability never came back.

Now I finally realised,
I don't own the superpowers,
But I own my parents' love.

82

x POET

“SILENT CRIES” Rachel Wong Yan Yii

Another day with a cloudy morning, My name is Rachel Wong Yan Yii and I’m a Form
I woke up to the sound of rain drizzling, 4 student. Currently, I am studying in Methodist
Washed myself and did some cooking, Girls School Ipoh Perak. I enjoy reading English
Another day of constant online learning. books, listening and singing songs. I have enjoyed
drawing since I was young however as I grew up,
I kept asking myself, I didn't have much free time for drawing. I am
Why are people not aware of Covid pandemic? always looking for ways to improve my
Answers which are not able to be found in a bookshelf, communication skills and learn new things not
Problematic situations like the country's socioeconomic. just in school but outside the school
Busy schedule of project assignments and classes, environment.
An unbelievable amount of work that no one could imagine,
Students having stress are unavoidable cases, 83

I just wanted some carefree time alone.
No one knows,

The amount of tears I have shed at midnight,
Only my pillow knows,

How I had hid my emotions away at night,
They say happiness will find you,

But I think sadness will find you too.
My reflection stares back from the broken mirror,
Distorted pieces staring from broken glass shards,
I've lost myself deeply in thought inside the mirror,

Time passed like the speed of cards shuffling.
I have freedom to choose my pathway,
I will walk along to my own pace,

Let the happiness come and the sadness go,
I see sunsets and rainbows,

A valuable teenage life I should cherish.

“TIME” POET

Tick tock, tick tock, Nur Adriana
I spend my day looking at the clock,
Only to realise the hours that go by, Hello! My name is Nur Adriana binti
Mohd Rashdan and I am a Form 4
Days, months, years. student. I am currently studying at
But time, well, time seems to be the only thing to remain, Methodist Girls’ School in Perak,
Malaysia. I like to spend my free time
After all the laughter and tears, listening to music and watching movies,
The sound of the clock seems to be the only thing ringing in my ears. especially movies that are crime-related.
My dream is to become a doctor, most
I hate keeping track of time, probably an oncologist as I was inspired
Because it constantly reminds me of the things, I never had the time to do, when I watched the show Grey’s
Like, that one book that I forgot to finish because I hated it’s third chapter, Anatomy.
Family members I keep forgetting to call, assignments I never had the time to finish.
84
I hate time because it keeps passing without leaving a single apology.
I hate how it keeps changing paces,

Sometimes it’s slow, sometimes it’s fast,
Like how I blink and a whole week seems to have passed.

But, then, again,
Time seems to be the only thing I need on days like these,
Time to try out all the coffee at every store down the block,
Time to have more gossip sessions with my friends when one of us is having a bad day,
Time to talk to my brother about his day at work or about the new intern that’s driving

him up the wall,
I could list more things I want to do if only I had the time to.

The space between yesterday and tomorrow feels like a lightyear apart,
Yesterday seems to be filled with memories that make me laugh,
Tomorrow, I just wish those memories will last a while,

Today, I’m facing a screen, writing about what comes after tomorrow.
Trying to form a conversation in a world where people have lost communication sounds

like a disaster waiting to happen.

I remember my father telling me to always look on the bright side,
Yes, time might not apologise nor will it ever,
Time might be the villain in your life story,

But while running away, time left behind the memories,
Left lingering for you and me,

Making sure that chapter in your life never ends,
Because time, time can also be a friend.

x POET

“A WORLD OF PAUSE” Venmadhi

Children are playing with gadgets at home, Hi everyone! My name is Venmadhi and I'm
Adults are obliged to work from home, currently studying at SMK Perempuan
Methodist Ipoh. I enjoy listening to songs and
Teenagers couldn't go out and meet their friends, watching television as they always play an
Old people are worried when they couldn't meet their family in gatherings, important role in relieving my stress. In
addition, I adore seeing the mountains view
No schools, No restaurants, No theatres, near my house especially when it is raining. I
Why did all this happen out of a sudden? try my level best to thrive on challenges and
set goals for myself.
COVID-19,
A nano-sized virus killing millions of people around the world, 85

No matter which religion you are,
No matter how old you are,
You are in danger!

A virus that changed the world from a peaceful place into a plight,
Billions of people are suffering,

Front liners are struggling to save the patients,
The whole world is under lockdown,

People's lifestyle has been broken down,
From a joyful life to a lonely life,
From a smile to a cry.
It's been a tough time for us,
But believe me,

There’s always a wonderful thing is hidden behind every tear,
Take this opportunity to spend our time with our family,
It will make the bond stronger together,
It's just a matter of time for us to live our life like before.
This pandemic is shaping us into a stronger person,
We have learnt a lot during this time,
No matter what happens,
God always will be there for us,
Pray that your loved ones should be safe,
And this pandemic should come to an end point.
Everyone is obliged to wear a mask,
Social distance is maintained everywhere,
People shouldn't gather anywhere,
Everyone should stay at home,
In order to break this vigorous spreading of coronavirus.
Sincere advice from me,
Stay home, Stay Safe,
And remember it's going to change one day,
We will win the fight against Covid-19.

POET “THE TRAIN OF LIFE”

Isha Kaur A rainbow in the sky,
The sea beneath my eyes,
My name is Isha Kaur and I’m currently studying in Smk So, it is when my life began,
Perempuan Methodist Ipoh. I’m a big fan of the piano and my So be it when I grow old.
favourite musician is Beethoven. Besides, I also love watching
television as it is a good stress buster for me. I’m interested in Life, a journey with blessings and disguise,
enrolling myself into dance and yoga classes in the future. A journey full of ups and downs,
A journey with stations
A journey with accidents.

At birth, we boarded the train, met our parents,
We believe they would always be on our side,
But as time goes by, they step down,
Leaving us alone in a painful journey.

Faith, the star at midnight,
Faith, which saw that hurtful eyes gaze,
Faith, which upholds the unseen hope,

Surrounded, yet not consumed.

Neglect me!
No, I suffered long,
I've met my path with tears like dew,
Oh, Lucy! Till we meet again.

86

x POET

“TODAY” Liew Ann Qie

Today, Good day, everyone! I’m Liew Ann Qie, a Form 4 student
A day after yesterday, studying at Methodist Girls’ School in Perak, Malaysia. And
A day full of unknown, as for my hobbies, I love reading comics and poems on the
Internet. Not only that, I am also keen on updating myself
A day full of hope. with the latest movies and dramas regardless of genre and
country of origin.
Some say,
It’s a new beginning and day, 87

It’s a great day,
It’s below my expectations.

We hope,
We will have a blast,
We will have a good time,
We will have a day full of memories.

Will today be,
A day that we expect?
A day that we treasure?

A day that we love?

After all,
We do not know,
So, let’s just have fun,
And not regret.

“VELVETEEN’S SECRET” POET

One’s who love to shout and scream, Choo En Yao
When the baby plays with the cream.
Good day everyone! I am Choo En Yao and I'm a Form 4
One’s who love to talk non-stop, student studying in Methodist Girl School Ipoh Perak. I usually
When she meets someone at the bus stop. spend my free time writing articles since I am one of the
members of Sin Chew junior reporter. Listening to music is
Slow and s“tOeEandUey’sRfwinOhisohVeisdIaShpeIOrerwfNeocrt”kiowniistth,out a miss. one of my hobbies too because I can let may hair down during
One’s who is a walking calculator, my leisure time.
Wise in spending least and saving most.
Her shout and scream, 88
Lead a girl to be independent in her life.
Her advice and grumble,
Lead the girl to practice healthy habits.
Her perfectionism,
Lead a girl to learn more life skills.
Her good money management skills,
Lead the girl to a good financial plan.
Food says intentionally by the girl,
She will prepare without hesitation.
Things says intentionally by the girl,
She will buy it without hesitation.
Words says intentionally by the girl,
She will remember and take action.
Some bad habits intentionally by the girl,
She will correct immediately and not forget to grumble.

She is the light of the girl,
That brightened her road.
She is the shadow of the girl,
Always here when she feels sad.
She is the medicine of the girl,
When she was almost mad.
She is the compass of the girl,
That led her to do the right thing.
The girl wish she can talk,
She can only keep it in her heart.
A secret that cannot be told,

Cannot be told,
Despite how hard she has tried.