Letter From The Founder
Letter from the founder Dear reader, The issue that you’re about to delve into is an incredibly special one, and something that we, at Ayaskala, haven’t ever done before. It’s a curation of the poems a group of women wrote as a part of our first Poetry Writing Retreat. In January, this retreat was a […]
In The Winter of My Twenty Third Year Being Alive
In The Winter of My Twenty Third Year Being Alive by Paridhi Puri I got new glasses.Applied ointment on my face every night, tried to shower every day, and went down on my knees and prayed to God. In the meantime, the sky is bludgeoning,my shade leaking out of windows, textbooks and clothes that have […]
movement
movement by Sanya Srishti I move.I move, and I walk, and I run.But mostly, I move—quietly, through bridges and lanes,as the wind follows.I move with the sound of the wind,with the box of chocolates I carried with her,roaming through school buildings,class by class, on her special day.I move with my grandmother’s voice,telling stories of Devi […]
The Room of Memory
The Room of Memory by Dania Siddiq (i) la ilaha illallah i came out of my mother’s womb screechingfurious and i weptfor three days inconsolablyi knew i was now quest-boundtime-sick an image cradled memy tongue still moves to the sound of my mother’s beating heartshe incessantly wished for a daughter and i heard iteven before […]
Almond as a Eulogy
Almond as a Eulogy by Kariha Javaid I peep through the keyhole at snow capped mountains Wrapped as a giftIn concertina wires.If I blink too fast,The waves engulf a shikara.Condiments of kehwa along the margins of Dal. I peep through the keyhole at Jahangir on his deathbedwriting a eulogy for my room.A dying monarchmournsA dead […]
Excitement
Excitement by Reema Ashabir from where it comeswherein it goes; this flutter – puttertingling – ticklingtrembling – tumbling moving in joy, shaking in joydancing, singing, crying in joy tell the worldat the same timehide it away lest it fades away, orchoose to flee away ever fearful of its sunsetalways mournful of its goodbyesfor keeps it […]
The Universe, Tucked Between My Walls
The Universe, Tucked Between My Walls by Bani Kaur Memories folded like pressed flowers,tucked away in secret.This space is mine –Neither borrowed, nor shared, not measured in relation to anyone.The wind wakes the flowers gently,nudging them toward a sun they do not fear.A wild vine creeps up my walls,and I do not cut it down.I […]
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage by Harini Sundararajan Men across centuries have Walked paths long and desolateWith eyes only on the prize,God, divinity, holinessAnything outside to make the misery bearableWould they have ever stopped to wonderIf there’s a place closer home that they’ve never ventured towards?To these men I say— This poem is a pilgrimage,All the words leadTo this […]
The end is a continuity.
The end is a continuity. by Aayushi Anand You’re inside my roomWelcome to my quiet refugeEnveloped in intricate huesThere are soft pink wallpapers, draped in blue Floral patterns enchantingly wovenIn a labyrinth of emerald leavesThe crystal decorative pieces sparkleWith the bygone love, laughterAnd grief A fortress ornate with delicate embersOf memories A beautiful little telling […]
Please Smoke a Cigarette Beyond the Cauchy Horizon
Please Smoke a Cigarette Beyond the Cauchy Horizon by Aashima Prasad Time was made an angry daughter.She locked the gate at 7:30 p.m.for her ruffian brothers to return to booksinstead of smoking at the street corner.An angrier father burnt her booksto arrest her rush and gush,teach her- education only made her a lady,never a leader.She […]
