Perennial Poetry

  The Garden Hour As mysteries await, I sit in eagerness; Trees in my garden sway, As I while away in the lushness. Eerie whispers of insects Ring throughout my garden periphery, As I ponder and suspect Questions of life amidst this breathtaking scenery. The sound of dried leaves crumpling under my feet, And the whirl of winds rumbling around me, I feel a voice inside me waiting to greet, Waiting to check if I’d realise and see. It is the voice of silence within me, Trying to usher me into calmness and peace; “Your thoughts can just wait and be, I am embracing you a thousandfold, just feel at ease.” Sometimes just ‘being’ is what’s needed, The what-ifs can be thought about later; All of life’s conundrums will succeed, And all apprehensions will turn out for the better. So I sit on this quiet bench, While nature calms me today, And with peace in my mind I ascend, For the trees and the breeze will be mine everyday. -Jaanvi Veluguleti

Intrusive Thoughts   Sometimes some thoughts cripple me- What if everything goes away? What if all I have becomes unfree? And what if I’ll have nothing to pay? The time of doom scares me; I know these thoughts are my mind’s mere apprehensions, But what if all is taken away from me? I feel anxious by all these futile comprehensions. The edge of the ridge feels frightening; If I am pushed from it, then what’ll be left of me? All these faulty visions feel threatening, They’re grabbing away my peace from me. If only I could sneak away Alone into my dreamland, Where I’d only see the brightest of days, I’d surely give anything up to stay in that wonderland. My dreams serve as my abodes, untouched, Filled with so much fresh air to breathe; But from dreams, we always wake up unbesmirched, And must face reality with our own sheath. Well, maybe the doom will never befall, And maybe I’ll never sneak away; But my wish is that I’ll always stand tall, Despite whatever might come my way. -Jaanvi ...

My Haven I used to come here for peace, The green trees and the quiet breeze Bring back all the lost memories; Oh, if I start, I can never stop with the stories. This place was my sacred haven, So precious and love-laden. During moments of contentment as well as grief, This place comforted me with hugs of peace. I saw endless sunsets from here, I gleamed at the infinite stars from here; Whenever I needed to replenish my magic, Coming here would just do the trick. I thought of poems while sitting here, ’Cause this place to me was so dear; I found answers when I was desperate, I always felt a surge of power that seemed infinite. Visiting back today brought a few tears Of joy and longing for the previous years, The whispers of wind and the divine’s bliss Will forever be etched within me like chef’s kiss. My haven has witnessed transformative alchemies, It holds endless moments and memories That are eternally mine to relish; And to continue having this perpetual nostalgia is my forever wis...

  Jewel I don’t feel like the same jewel anymore, I feel tarnished and broken to the core.  From the highest cloud, I came crashing onto the floor, Is there anything more left in me to explore? I don’t know if I am viewed the same now, Yet some good remarks I’ve upheld somehow; But the bitterness needs a taste as well, “The bitterness is what leads to the sweetness,” they tell. Time leads to precious tales, And the lessons lead to better sails, Leading me to be unapologetically brave,  As I bid farewell to this drenching wave. Providence has, for ages, been my saviour As I’m carried in divine arms like a soldier, With a love unquestionably abundant and deep, Unlike any treasure I could ever keep. After all, it seems my facets can be polished,  And I can be gracefully bejeweled and embellished. Well maybe I am still the irreplaceable jewel, That authentically sparkles on every level. -Jaanvi Veluguleti