Perennial Poetry

 Hold a Hand We never know What someone must be feeling, Whether they’re in joy or in the deepest sorrow, For they could be celebrating, or they could be grieving. Our sole job is to be kind, Be empathetic, make them feel heard and seen; All they might need is a holding hand, To help them cross over the stream. Sometimes one doesn’t need advice, Just an assurance that it will be okay Can be more than wise, It could supportively uplift their day.  Try to be there for someone, Even if it’s for a few moments; For you could be their shining Sun, While they rearrange their broken fragments. Empathise with kith and kin, Be kind to a stranger, For you never know who you might be saving, Always take the chance to make someone’s day better. We, humans, are social beings, And hence, thrive on understanding and communication. So may we always have good intentions, And strive to make healthy and healing connections. -Jaanvi Veluguleti  

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