A Year in Waiting
Profound it seemed,
That, which could be,
this year foretold
promising futures to me.
That I’d find my voice,
Act on my choice
and deservingly rejoice
the coming of age
of the one I want to be.
Labour laced this concoction
pouring into pre-existing moulds
making me fit better
tempered by turbulence
stretched to seek solvency
amidst sinking streams
I took it all, not unflinchingly
inoculations against ignorance
to meet myriad manifestations
of a more mature self.
Run riot did these turning tides
clean me tidy
of my last reluctant rind
more keen and capable of learning,
acquiring from everythings’ court,
absorbing astutely like sediments
of shale by the river rushing
All for a higher calling,
an I, who’d be worthy of my honour.
The jury’s still out on this metamorphosis
or is it hung, to honour the perceptible paralysis?
I did not rise like a phoenix
nor burst forth like a beast
Instead of starring atop the Christmas tree,
I fear the boxed up, tinsels-for-a-tomorrow
is what has become of me.
Maybe there’s nothing of mine to write of
I consumed all the precipitants
but the awaited explosion of the extraordinary
still stands
I imagined my rise, a dancing firework display
and a deafening shatter, to come with my fall,
but inspired by indifference,
I evolve into an existence with nothing at all.
About the poet:
I am Ekasmayi Naresh. Following my undergraduate studies at Christ University, Bangalore, and my graduate studies in Clinical Psychology at MAHE, Manipal, I am currently working as a therapist and researcher in the field of mental health. In my world away from work, I devote my time to writing. I primarily dabble in poetry, giving prose an occasional spin, when it suits my fancy. I am a regular contributor to the online magazine, The RipTide and the literary journal, ChaiCopy. As an inveterate lover of poetry, I am in awe of the power of words to create and collapse meaning.
About the artist:
I am Hitaishi Gautam and my medium of paint is mainly water-colour. I am from Siliguri, West Bengal. I try to paint as much as I can but haven’t been very active in a while. This particular piece came from a picture I saw on tumblr a long time ago. I loved the monochromatic feel of the picture so I try to paint my own rendition of it. You can find me on Instagram @hita__hita and @hitaishi.g