Perennial Poetry

The Figuring Out I’m constantly learning, How to get going, All by myself, Without anyone’s help. I’m trying to figure out, Sometimes alone and other times by crying out loud, What to do in a circumstance, When I’m unable to predict the consequence. I try to pick myself up constantly, Put on a smile genuinely, Wear my heart back on my sleeve, Even though I want to give up and leave. Though it might look flawless from the outside, Only I know how lost I feel on the inside. I’m not perfect, I heartfully swear, ’Cause of that, I’m perfectly well-aware. It is tough, getting back up, When I do not know when what can come up, To weigh me down and crush me to the ground, Challenging me to help myself, with no one around. This learning and unlearning is continuous, At times, I am pushed to act spontaneous. But from all the broken glass pieces, I rise up like a mirrorball with a million faces. I will continue to figure out, Enjoy the process and be proud. This is my journey after all, I am only

Scarring Ridicule This feeling of shame, Of feeling exposed and blamed, It haunts me, day and night, I no more know what’s wrong or right. I did it out of confidence, But they compared it to a reference, Saying, “This pictures you in this way, So fix this, ’cause you have no other way.” My feelings are not considered, I feel my freedom of expression hindered. They are making me paint myself differently, Did I give them power over me indefinitely? We are in the modern world, Empowering ourselves to be bold. And there is a way to communicate, Dragging someone down has never proved effective to date. Be intentional in making people feel loved, Even if you think their ways are flawed. Because you love them for who they are, Your ridicule of them should not cause a scar. They say time will heal anything, I say a loved one’s words are what truly bring The feeling of acceptance and comfort, And the knowledge that you will never judge them, no matter what. - Jaanvi Veluguleti

As I Dream, So I Am I am like the ocean bed, Where the water flows over me; But I tend to stay the same, Unchanged, unfazed, and unbiased. I am like the mountains, I stand tall, well I’m strong after all; I might be the mightiest of ’em all, Yet I still house the littlest of ’em all. I am like the woods, As deep as depth can go, as beautiful as beauty can be; I have what it takes to survive it all, ’Cause even when I shed off, I still spring back up. I am like the sky, Vast in my heart; standing as an endless canvas, Waiting to be painted with the brightest colours, The prettiest thing you could ever see. I am like the wind, Swift in my swag, eager to go places; Supporting life as I go around, Whilst enjoying my freedom, all by myself. I am like that quiet hill station, you see; Where you’ll find the solace you yearn for; I am quiet and pleasant, and full of life, Come, I’ll bring the peace you’re looking for. Well, I am whatever I wish to be, As beautiful as I desire to be, As genuine

Ardent Admiration I see you with love in my eyes, I only want the best for you; Where are you from, to be that wise? You stand high in everyone’s eyes, and in mine too. You are an epitome of loyalty, I look up to you in everything I do; In my eyes, you will never lose your novelty, When I pray for myself, I pray for you too. You define success as though It is not a measure of trophies; But instead what you create out of what you undergo; And the way you do it, never less than a masterpiece. Please continue to shine your glow on me, I will always be rooting for you, my superstar; In every beautiful moment, it’s you I wish to see; By charming me and many others, you’ve set the highest bar. I’m your biggest admirer, I can’t wait to meet you, oh it’ll be so fun; How many ever fans you win over, I will always be your number one. - Jaanvi Veluguleti