A poem is not
words rolled together
to form strings, weaved
together to make fabrics
embroidered with emotion
carefully crafted to have
one's heart feel lighter
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To the woman who has won the fight,
"...All the men around you know that
you're rock and fire and nothing tender,
and feel intimidated, standing in the
same room. They know that the old
tricks that scare us will do nothing to
you..."
Love, oohs, aahs and strength,
Your sister who is learning from you
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To the woman who is scared to fight,
"...I do know you have the strength to
prepare yourself for a battle once,
twice, thrice, almost infinite times.
Why? Because you're a darn woman.
You are stronger than any man who
might have tied you with the ropes of
anxiety and fear..."
Love and lots of courage and luck,
Your sister who is no longer scared
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To the woman who is no longer fighting,
"...You are born a warrior. You probably
didn't choose this battle, but it chose
you. Because it knows you can. And
what happens when the warriors don't
give up? They win!..."
Love and lots of strength,
Your sister who is also hustling
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FROM QUESTION MARKS TO FULL
STOPS - An account of her death
"...That's how I ended up in this forest.
It's been 7 days. I've thrown my phone
in the river. I don't know where to go.
My food supplies are ending. I am
afraid to go to the city. People might
start asking..."
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Dear self,
"...If I haven't said it enough, I will
always love you to the moon and back
and again to the moon. These things
are just to keep you happier. I'd love to
fall for that cheeky smile more often.
Also, where's the burger I asked you to
get so we could share it?"
Love, always at first sight in the mirror,
Aarushi-
Dear self,
"...Now I know, that like every mortal
being, you're not flawless. But I do not
care. I still love you, because you weave
stories so beautiful that I cry while
writing them. And even though you're
too shy to show it to the world, I love
the paintings you make..."
Love, still at first sight in the mirror,
Aarushi-
Dear self,
"...I'm probably too shy to say it as it is,
so here it is... You're the only person I'd
share half of my burger with..."
Love, at first sight in the mirror,
Aarushi-
Dear love,
"...So, enlighten me. What is this
warmth you provide that everyone
craves? Because in your arms, all I felt
was icy winds constantly freezing my
chest. Have I not known you enough?
What is this beauty of yours that
everyone seems to be obsessed with?
Because with you, I have only seen
myself at my ugliest and weakest..."
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