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  

Sorrow And Strength What do I tell myself, When the thought alone makes me cry, When the place reminds me of it, The grief that was witnessed by the midnights? How do I console myself? What words do I say to myself? When I uncontrollably burst out into tears, But try to restrict them to the edges of my pillow? Grief, fuelled by rage Caused due to deep hurt, Causes an ache in my heart, And the loop reiterates all over again. My mind says fine, now you can let go, And for a moment I think I can keep it all together; Then suddenly the feeling of angst comes back, With tears sticking down my eyes, I sob helplessly. The aftermath of my sorrow is always prayer; I realise I can convey my feelings to the higher power, So I pray, I say every bit I want to say, And slowly, bit by bit, my grief starts to fade away. I am aware that there’s always prayer, But I need to bawl my eyes out, To let go of withheld emotions, And pour back in my cup of optimism. For your smallest or deepest grief, Remember...