Fine | Madhavi Nagapurkar

I always say & believe,

That I'm fine.

I'll be okay, I say.

I put on a mask,

Unknowingly so.

To protect others

And me.

From what i feel is,

My ugly reality.

Now me & others, have

Gotten used to the mask.

Forgotten that I exist,

Behind the mask.

Scared to remove it,

Sacred that the real me,

will be hated

& abandoned.

They say they'll love you,

No matter what.

But when nobody understands,

You and your issues,

Loving get's hard.

I like living in the false reality,

But it's not reality, is it.

Reality hits.

Mask is removed.

What's wrong?

What triggered this?

Your life seems fine.

Why can't you be more grateful?

They ask.

Why aren't I normal?

Why can't I just get over it?

Why can't I finally do something that I decided to do?

Why can't I just get better?

What is wrong with me?

I ask.

Questions keep pouring.

It gets overwhelming.

I put on the mask.

I believe I am okay.

They believe I am okay.

Everything is fine again.

I am fine, I say.

I'll be okay.

A sound mind in a sound body | Aiswarya Menon

It’s moments like these you realise who’s real and who’s fake

Sometimes life is just to be spend alone else they give you an ache

Never run for people’s wish as they take you for granted

Follow a path in life which makes you feel enchanted

It’s a new month ,a new hope , a new way amidst the stress day.

Rise up , rise strong , rise different and rise tall

Each experience teaches us a new lesson

Hence never regret your life’s decision

These months have been a wreck

But be happy you got some rest

People have lost their lives

Take a deep breath,you’re still alive

Some have lost shelter,some lost their loved ones

Some do not have food yet they strive to move

Let’s take a moment and thank what we have

We never know what we have in line

Listen to your favourite music

Talk to your loved ones,

Do something you enjoy

That’s the way to rise and shine.

The most beautiful feeling | Isha Nebhani

I wouldn't call myself particularly an Amorist,

i am rather ambivalent towards the theory,

and frightened to my core,

devotion can be scary,

for if today you fancy her like a rose,

and watch her slowly bloom as her petals unfold,

but time plays rather peculiar tricks on human soul,

and soon you'll be bleeding against her thorns,

and her face will be all a blur,

like a memory kept too long,

and it's excruciating to let her go,

still you swear each night to do so,

but you see her with your eyes closed,

and you're drunk on her musings,

when the moon performs ,

and you're sitting in the first row.

Don't mystify my words,

in opposition of love,

for it remains the most beautiful feeling,

and to experience it is an honour,

nevertheless i believe,

to love is to let go,

true infatuation is slightly fanciful,

it lingers finer,

in poetry,

and in books.

Naked Love | Simran Sabarwal

I’ll paint my stretch marks

While I caress my fingers through them

I’ll paint my stretch marks

When I’ll feel not good enough about my body

Because stretch marks are undeniably beautiful

But they make my body real

And skin be it textured or not

Is to be touched with the same love

And the aesthetic of it is just for mortality’s sake

But the feeling of touch remains forever

Next time you touch your skin

Run your fingers once in a while through the lines

You’ll realise that they make your body more raw

And the attraction towards real is less I’ll agree but it’s inevitable

And under the sheds of those skin layers

Is the pulse of the cells keeping you alive

Because once you stop breathing

No one’s going to remember

If your stomach had strechmarks

Were they four or five ?

An Elegy for Love | Anjali Pandey

I complained and lost thee,

my beloved portal to oxytocin,

I have always adored you.

Never really meant the words I said out of complex emotions,

you looked inside of me when I was most vulnerable,

if you may have judged me, just keep it to yourself.

As lovely as it was, I wouldn't have minded dying in your arms.

A portal to my enemy you saw---

what you shouldn't have, but fate was written,

goodbyes were due, and we skipped them for the love of summer,

oh! summers, summers in your arms, lovely, lovely sleep I had,

evening breeze so welcoming to my face,

I have never felt like this anywhere,

no wanderlust to see the world, I could have died happily in your arms.

where to go? oh! come and tell me,

you're eternity, endless, boundless, love of physicist,

possibilities to find answers fulfil their chest with pride in it.

Where should I go now? I write to you but you will never read it!

Summer was when you adored me as much as I adored you.

Mozart makes me weep silently as I write to you endlessly,

If you're Keats then I'm your Fanny,

fate was written so I was left without you my honey.

Peace | Murchana Raba

I will be at peace ,

When the battles end.

The armours will be thrown ,

And I'll wear the spotless white dress .

When I loosen my bun ,

And let down my dark brown hair shinning in the rays .

I will be at peace laying pale in the sand .

The ocean would wash away ,

The reddish brown off my brown skin .

Reminding them of the dried rose in my journal.

And thats when they would consider my bleeding wounds unhealable .

The mask of smile would be the friend ,

I leave behind in the arena of war .

Like the orange sky turning black ,

My eyes will slowly turn vissionless .

Only then I shall rest .

And only then I shall find my peace .

And in the tranquil I shall sink .

In the end | Jinal Jain

In the end , while we twitch and struggle

Through the lonely road till a dead end .

We'd realise some obvious what ifs .

And those actions that turned out different .

While some find the light through tunnel

As easy as falling asleep .

Yet some struggle on those ventilators

as the devil silently creeps .

While some snatched away too early ,

Yet we forget to cherish the living .

The world is a crooked place but live

It to fullest before your clock stops ticking.

As they say endless theories ,

Unlimited stories and yet we are clueless .

But I hope there's a paradise

Where we are more humane than blessed .

Where we wouldnt feel the need to steal ,

Hurt or betray . We'd be just some being .

But i wish most find the light in sleep ,

Because in the end there will be a new beginning.

How Blind Is Love? | Bharthi Annapandi

Once a blind mistress asked her blind husband,

Shall thou love me if I were a worm?;

To which he said no.

Moved by his answer in a low tone;

the miss exclaimed - wherefore!

the noble men smiled and answered -

I hast fallen for thy face nor thy corse

but for the beauty of thy eyes ,

how they enlarge looking at mineth

how thy eyes speak with every blink,

seeth the way they move makes me gay,

For if thou were a worm thou shalt not possessth one !

Darling listen even though we are blind

I feel it every time.

But O Lovely if I too were a worm ,

I bet we shalt beest the warmest worm couple ever .

कामियाबी | Shreya Kanp

अभी वक्त चाहे जैसा भी हो

वह तो जरूर बदलेगा

सपने तुम दखते रहो

और मेहनत भी करते रहो

क्योंकि किस्मत का पन्ना तो जरूर पलटेगा

हां,अभी मुश्किलें बहुत सी हैं

पर हौसला अपना बुलंद कर

क्योंकि झुक जाएगा वह परवत भी

तुम खड़े होगे जिसके ऊपर

यह आंधी तूफान भी जरूर रुकेगा

और सूरज की किरणे भी दिखेंगी

तू बस अपने आप में विश्वास रख

क्या पता यह तूफान ही

जिंदगी में नई सुबह लाएगा

कही खामोशी तुम्हारी बेबसी न बने

उसको अपनी ताकत बनाओ

कामियाब इतने बनो की

तुम नहीं , दुनिया उसकी जश्न मनाए।

Colours- Good or Bad? | Drushti Ladhane

Blue might be the sky,

For us to go up very high.

But it can also be the deep blue ocean,

Which might be a total failure potion.

Red is the colour of love,

For couples to make their vow.

But it can also be anger,

That makes our loved one be a stranger.

Green represents generosity,

Which may bring us prosperity.

But it also shows envy,

That takes away from us who were friendly.

Yellow brings us positivity,

It can also boost our creativity.

But as it also shows cowardice,

There may be many who empower us.

People know black represents death,

For us to be alive until our last breath.

But what is unknown is,

It also symbolises power, elegance and prestige.

White might be boring,

Cold, empty and distant.

But it also brings us,

Peace, purity and innocence.

For us to see there are many more colours,

All are both positive and negative sellers.

But it is up to our desires,

To choose an option before it expires...

ARCHITECT or AUTOCRAT | Anushka Joshi

Born with absurd traits,

And not a lucky mate?

If extreme wonder is

what you do,

To find nature's

treasure through...

For all the gates to be open,

Then dear..,

It's neither your gate

nor your bad fate!

Living, not yet lively..

Refined and loyal

with benevolence,

Not yet happy!

Is actually bad fate...

And you are it's creator

My Architect!

Centered around a

single happening ?

why..? Should keep you

Away from you yourself.

This world is a chao,

With society it's biggest

Autocrat.

Knowing it, a simple deed.

Following it, becomes

so tough indeed!

SAD! But yes,

It's a bad fate.

Some are architects...and

some are terrorists.

karmas aside,

Both are just themselves,

Far from the laws of society.

These autocrats are powerful

but not that...

That they could handle ..

Either the success of

an architect, or

the pain provided by

terrorists!

so....

Would you like to be

an ARCHITECT or an AUTOCRAT?

Trying is Achieving | Pranav Chetal

Run man run

Achieve that target

You’ve got to learn a ton

Crush that target

Coz It’s the final summit that defines the climb

Anything less than that would have been a waste of time

Woah! wait a minute

Was the difference between being a winner and a loser just that last step

Had I stopped 2 feet back would I have been a failure instead

Something doesn’t add up here

Aren’t we always taught to achieve our goals no matter what

So, what happens if you don’t?

This ‘all or nothing’ mentality breeds extreme emotions

If you achieve something, Great!

Otherwise, your efforts were just a drop in the ocean.

But how about we don’t look at it in a binary way

Since at any given point in the process you’re doing what your heart says

Isn’t the fact that you’re able to do that an achievement in itself?

It’s a victory against complacency and holding back thyself

Yes, crossing that mark can definitely be pleasing

But don’t forget, that even Trying is Achieving!

बंधन दो इनकार नहीं है | girish chandra agarwal

भटकी नौका खोया माझी मन मचला पतवार नहीं है।

चलो निमंत्रण आज दे रहा बंधन दो इनकार नहीं है।।

पड़ी फुआरें गरजे बादल दिल ने तुमको याद किया था।

नई नवेली दुल्हन सी निसि की छवि ने उनमत्त किया था।।

कसक उठी लखि इंदु प्रियतमा नैनों ने भी ज्वार उठाया।

खोजा तुमको ढूंढ न पाया गाया मैंने राग विरह का।।

पथ भी बीहड़ लंबी राहें मुझको तेरा पता नहीं है।

चलो निमंत्रण आज दे रहा बंधन दो इनकार नही है।।

शीतल उनमत्त पवन चलता अंबर मे भी तारे खिलते।

अंबर में खोये मधु प्रेमी मधु पीने को आतुर रहते।।

चकवी तरसी चकवा रोया अब रात दे रही उनको बंधन।

निशि की उनमत्त पवन मलयज देती है उसको आज तपन।।

आ रही भावना दिल में है कविता लिखता पर साज नहीं है।

चलो निमंत्रण आज दे रहा बंधन दो इनकार नहीं है।।

Four Square Walls | Kashish Goyal

Four square walls,

where affection calls.

Not merely a roof and room

but where her heart bloomed.

Where he protected her;

Vowed to guard her.

She called it her ‘Home.’

Protector became a predator,

while this realization threatened her.

Tears poured from her eyes,

for her life was built on lies.

Giving him a fake smile,

he stared at her for a while.

She grew up believing that it was all her fault;

that day it was not assault.

Her fear chained her tight,

and silence gripped her plight,

while the secret ate her mind,

and her wounds remained unkind.

Faking it to be her Home,

She searched for her lost soul.

All numb with a grim and glum,

she realized how treacherous these four walls had become.

Longing to flee from the pain,

she sought an escape in vain,

and cried, toiled, and gave all,

thinking the price to recreate her Home was her downfall.

Lost herself in the void,

Wondering for how long she can avoid.

Wanting to be heard,

She buried her burns.

She wants to end it all

and stand above them all.

She wants to break away

from that awful damn day.

Enough is Enough,

This time she will stay tough.

It’s time to open new doors,

for there is so much to adore.

She found her home,

for she realized it’s not a place but a feeling.

Now she has not one or two but many homes.

For wherever she goes

she makes it her own.

Now she walks with pepper spray in her hands,

for you never know where you might find those testosterone tyrants.

She mourns her fear,

wanting it never to reappear.

She walks into her new home

with dreams and freedom that make her stand alone.

She wants to be a slone,

for there is euphoria in this new home.

मुझे यकीं है कि तुम मेरी कही गई बातों को दोहराओगे | Sumant Pratap Singh

तेरे मेरे बीच में एक लखीर खेंच दूं तो कैसा रहेगा,

चंद पैसों के लिए अपनी कविताएं बेच दूं तो कैसा रहेगा,

माना कि तुम दौलत से आंकते हो लोगों की मेहनत को,

लेकिन मैं अगर तुम्हारे सब इनाम खुदमें समेट लूं तो कैसा रहेगा,

इतना आसां नहीं होता एक कविता बनाना,

पहले खुद को समझाना फिर उसी एक सोच में अपना दिमाग लगाना,

कलम जब बगावती हो तब खुद से ठन पाती है,

आंसू,क्रोध,मोहब्बत,और नाराजगी हो तब एक कविता बन पाती है,

खैर तुम्हें इससे क्या, तुम तो ये सब खरीद सकते हो,

किस्मत तुम्हें क्या मात देगी, तुम तो हारे हुए को भी जीत सकते हो ,

मगर हर शायर पैदाईशी गुलाम नहीं होता, किस्से उनके भी सुनाए जाते हैं जिनका कोई नाम नहीं होता,

मुझे यकीं है कि तुम मेरी कही गई बातों को दोहराओगे,

पर सवाल यह है कि क्या तुम इन पर अमल कर पाओगे,

मैं तो बेनाम हूं, और शायद बेनाम ही रह जाऊंगा,

अगर रही खुदा की रहमत मुझपर तो कलम से कभी किसी के काम आऊंगा,

इसी तरह मैं हर रोज अपनी सोच को आवाज देता हूं,

और शायद यही करते-करते मैं एक दिन मर जाऊंगा

पर वादा है, तुम जब भी इस बेनाम शायर को पढ़ोगे तो सोचने पर मजबूर हो जाओगे,

मुझे यकीं है कि तुम मेरी कही गई बातों को दोहराओगे....

Her Life | Prakriti Adhikary

Being a girl...... A curse or a boon,

Believe me they are like pearls,

Make them shine just like the moon.

Being a girl isn't easy... Some get killed before birth,

They aren't just a cup of tea,

Try to see through their worth.

They aren't allowed in the temple...... The days they bleed like hell,

You think their life is very simple,

Coz you don't get to see through the shell.

As they enter adulthood....... People think they're lame,

Marriage is the only thing they should, They need to get others' surname.

They are never the priority

first..... All lies to see you get,

Behind your eyes they're cursed,

Why didn't they have a child yet.

Carrying someone like you for nine months.... They have to work day and night,

Still if the womb carries a girl rather than a son,

To get a life both have to fight.

The cycle goes on and on...... Ages have passed away. I know humanity hasn't

gone,

And I know it will stay.

How will you get a life?...... Just give it a thought,

Try to relieve them from a bit of strife, They are blessings the world has got.

My Person | Surabhi Choudhary

I'm falling for you

Never had another choice,

Falling hard for everything you say

And your incredible voice...

Conversations that last

Until the velvety black ink

In the star-studded sky

Turns to a lovely golden pink...

Wishing on a fallen lash and

A star shooting across the moon...

For us to share stories tonight that'd

Make me smile tomorrow noon..

Words for a confession fall short

And all the rest...

Compensated by nothing but

The rushed thudding in my chest...

I'm intoxicated by your heady aroma

That sparks off countless daydreams,

Woven with the smell of shared coffees,

Cold beers and even colder coffee icecreams...

Your unbound satiny tresses

Are often envied by my fingertips,

As they sway in the breeze

Caressing the curve of your lips..

The gorgeous arch of your eyebrow

Framing that russet tinted mole,

Holds in its vice-like grip

My mind, body and soul...

Salty air, sandy feet and sea waves

Right here in a world of our own,

I realise that I've found my person

As my gaze rests on your collarbone...

I wonder what it'd feel like

To run my fingers down your spine,

Set ablaze by your teasing smile,

To give myself to you and call you mine...

We've each begun to understand

The other's silence and smiles,

And yet, the nervous inches between our toes

Tantamount to the thalassic blue stretching for miles...

I know our destinies are linked

So is our future and our present,

As you say you await the full moon

Rather than admiring a rathe crescent...

In a parallel universe, meet me sooner

Sans conditions, limits and preconceived notion,

Be my desire, dream, longing, yearning

And not just my most treasured bottle in the ocean...

Or perhaps in another life

Even if they don't find it worthy of fables,

I pray our love is seen as love

And not loathed because all they see is two girls...

Keepsake | Sonali Chamadia

Opened a door.

Unfamiliarity filled him in as he walked on the floor.

Remembering the laughters that brought warm crease ,

have now turned into cold breeze.

He shakes his mind off an unfortunate incident and takes a glimpse.

Looking forward to finding answers for his father’s obsession,

he follows the light’s reflection.

Grey and old steel almirah kept in the room filled with dust,

where once he slept and brushed.

The time of youth where stealing scooter keys of dad from the almirah was everyday task.

but, where have I been? What was I upto? he would never ask.

Finding traces of his father’s life when almirah opened

Used Rusted blades

Paise coins and

Dabbas of cotton wicks,

as molding cotton every morning.

The custom was never broken.

Small pieces of life stored in that cuboid.

But When his life partner of 67 years depart. It left a huge void.

His obsession over almirah was about safety, it gave to his memory.

As he moves at his son’s house with his almirah ,it’s his kind of remedy.