STORIZEN POETRY
SILVER LINING
- Vidya Shankaral
Palming my ears tightly to block
The discordant sounds of harsh hatred
With tears streaming down my cheeks in a flurry I exited the confines of my locked-down house
And ran up the steps to the terrace An escape from the virulent verbal negativity Of malevolent and pernicious social communication That spread wilder than the prevalent pandemic did.
The darkness of the terrace somehow was soothing (I had not turned on the outdoor lights when coming up)
Lying down upon the rough terracotta-tiled floor I closed my eyes, the soothing darkness to intensify.
A summer sea breeze from the Marina Caressed my hot skin and troubled mind—
I found my breath, and inner silence.
The cooling comfort kissed my eyes open
And set them upon the sky—
It was dark, surprisingly dark
Though a full moon should have risen.
‘Are you, dear sky, reflecting
The agonizing gloom of the earth below you?’
The sky answered not, but as I looked on
A meditative energy enveloped me
The darkness of the sky was not foreboding
And the full moon had risen, happily sailing
Across the sky, but hidden
Obscured by dark stratocumulus clouds.
I waited, patiently like a pupil
Awaiting a glance, a word of wisdom
From my guru.
As if in response, I saw a brilliant lacing
A silvery lining glistening the edges of a cloud—
| STORIZEN MAGAZINE
JUNE 2020
Light was there, all through the darkness
Light is there in spite of the darkness Light shows itself expelling the darkness When the desire to perceive it is ardent.
Though a sombre tunnel I was in Devoid I was not of guiding light to take me
through it
A guiding light, the silver lining in the
adversity
I found only through inner meditative
silence.
No longer did I need to palm my ears
tightly
The discordant sounds to block No longer did I need to close my eyes shut
The virulence of the world to expel
The experience elevating my emotions To balanced acceptance, I went back To the world I belonged, strengthened with
hope
And the faith to discern the light My being resonating with mystical
consciousness
And the unifying sound OM!
Vidya Shankar is a poet, writer, motivational speaker, yoga enthusiast, English language teacher. An active member of poetry circles, her works have appeared in national and international literary platforms and anthologies. She is the recipient of literary awards and recognitions.
Vidya Shankar’s first book of poems, The Flautist of Brindaranyam is a collaborative effort with her photographer husband, Shankar Ramakrishnan. Her second book of poems The Rise of Yogamaya is an effort to create awareness about mental health. She has also been on the editorial of three anthologies. A “book” with the Human Library, Chennai Chapter, Vidya Shankar uses the power of her words, both written and spoken, to create awareness about environmental issues, mental health, and the need to break the shackles of an outdated society.
@shanvidwinsalways
@vidya.shankar.author
STORIZEN MAGAZINE
| 77
| STORIZEN MAGAZINE
JUNE 2020
JUNE 2020
STORIZEN MAGAZINE
| 79
| STORIZEN MAGAZINE
JUNE 2020
JUNE 2020
STORIZEN MAGAZINE
| 81
| STORIZEN MAGAZINE
JUNE 2020