By Chaandneeka Choudhury
Mentored by Goldie Kasturia
(Budding writer attending Takhte’s Creative Writing sessions)

In a peaceful town, the shadows dance.
Two souls found solace in a fleeting glance.
He, a boy with dreams like the sky,
She, a girl whose laughter could make the stars sigh.

Beneath the old wood, where the sunlight weaves,
They carved their names in the autumn leaves.
With hands intertwined, they shared secret dreams,
The world faded around them, or so it seemed.

They roamed through the gardens where the sunflowers bloomed.
In each other’s presence, their holding hands were consumed.
The sun’s rays fall on their youthful faces,
The two youths filled the empty spaces.

In the warmth of the summer, they danced in the rain.
Every droplet was a promise, and every smile was a refrain.
They spoke about eternity with their hearts open wide.
Not knowing that time would soon take a stride.

Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, and months turned to years.
The seasons turned colder, and love faced its hunts with fear.
They watched as the leaves, once bright and pleasing,
Fell gently to earth with sorrowful feelings.

“Will the stars still remember us, far apart?”
He asked with a burn inside his heart.
“I’ll hold you forever in memories, dear.
Through laughter and tears, you’ll always be near.”

But life, like a river, flows wild and free.
And fate had a plan they could not foresee.
Opportunities beckoned; calling them far,
To chase distant dreams, to follow a star.

They lingered a moment, then turned to depart.
Two paths diverge, each bearing a heart.
With one final glance, a promise unmade,
They stepped into futures where memories fade.

Years rolled on like the tide on the shore,
Each heartbeat is a reminder of what came before.
He chased the horizon; she danced with the moon.
Yet echoes of laughter would beckon them soon.

And so, in their journeys, though miles may divide,
In the whispers of autumn, their spirits collide.
For love is not lost, though the distance may sting.
In the heart of the seasons, their memories take wing.

Here’s to the boy and the girl who once knew,
The power of love in the moments they grew.
Though paths may be parted and time may be cruel,
Their story lives on, a beautiful jewel.

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

Stuti Manda

From the women of the past, 
To the women of the future. 
We write to thee, 
As a note for you to heed. 
You must have heard the stories of princesses, 
Being rescued by their princes
Though it is of utmost importance that you know, 
That you don’t need to sit around waiting to be saved. 
You must have heard the stories of great women,
Who didn’t bend to the rules of society and demanded equality. 
But do not feel dejected, 
You, too, will do great things in your life. 
You, too, will face obstacles, 
But you, too, will overcome them, proving so many people wrong. 
Even if you stay home for your family, 
You, too, are doing a great deed. 
You now have to make sure, 
That a woman achieving anything is a norm. 
From the women of the past, 
to the women of the future.

Winners of the India-Ireland Poetry Fest on ‘Care, Courage and Commitment’ is finally announced.

Big shoutout to all the winners, for writing euphonious and expressive poems. It was completely a literary treat to read all the varied formats, ranging from allegory, elegy, limerick, ode, and so on.

We are grateful to our chief jury, Prof. (Dr) Prasannanshu, Professor of English, National Law University New Delhi; Founding President, Delhi Poetry Circle & Founder, P3 Poetry Group for his valuable review and feedback.

The best-juried poems will be published in an e-book. Date for Virtual Book Launch and Winners’ Felicitation to be announced by August-end.

Ireland

India

Please Note: Winners’ list is arranged in an alphabetical order