A lump in my throat,

There were feelings untold

Everything was there where it should be

The only thing not was the old me

There were fears

Without a thing to be scared

There were tears

Without a reason declared

But sadness was not something I could possess

The playful image had to be intact

Not supposed to be an emotional mess

I had to put on my greatest act

The battle had to be fought alone

Without a mark on my face

My world was crashing down

Right there where once was my happy place

I searched, and searched and looked

But it was no where to be found

This quest for peace was the most difficult

But the thunderstorm within had no audible sound

After months of unexplainable suffering

Somewhere, somehow I needed a solution

Little did I know that it was there

Exactly from where I was running away

I thought I could hold it all life long

But the human within me gave up

Tears flowed and the words slipped

Finally it was all out

Though it was still in front of mirror

Though my secret didn’t come out

But facing myself after a period of denial

I realised it is what strength is all about

The confession lowered the suffering

Astonishingly removed the pain

Winter made room for summer

My sun was finally shining again

I settled in

The volcano became dormant

My nerves relaxed

I got what is to be finally triumphant

My worst period taught me

The biggest lesson

In the quest for peace

I learnt power of expression

I realised each one of us

Has a story to reveal

All we need for peace

Is to narrate it and help yourself heal

By:

Poojan Sehgal

II, VSE