Notes About The Poem

August- 19- 2025

Broken but Bold Enough to Bounce Back Poetry Contest

Sponsor Anoucheka Gangabissoor


 

Broken but Bold Enough

Working against heavy odds, 
      a little hovel, he did build
     in a verdant stretch of fertile land,
            off the noisy frenzied crowd

   With sheaves of hay, he thatched its roof
        with reed and bamboo, its walls were made
   with mud and charcoal, its floor was glazed
             with wooden planks, its entrance laid.

        At dusk, when birds to their nests depart
    and beasts to their covert burrows and hole,
         after the days toil, all weary and weak,
        he, into the cozy comfort of his home would steal.

   Through months and years, it gave him succor.	
      sheltered him from searing sun and raining cloud.
   made him differ from the gypsy tribe
       gave him footing in this populous world.

    He wove around it many a dream.
   with frugal care, his needs he met-
           prudent like the squirrel stocking nuts and grains,
  in its secret granary for rainy days wet.

      But alas!

   His haven is mercilessly pulled down. 
           its very foundation, raced to the ground.
  the once beautiful stretch of land, 
       now lies like a derelict heaped mound.

    The eviction squad usurped his land
        robbing off its greenery and grace 
           and hurling him down to the streets
    like a tenant, sans notice, driven out of his space.

   Bewildered, failing to budge an inch
       like a boat, midway stranded in sea, he stayed
    but his resilient spirits, to him affirmed
   ‘never defeated, though destroyed’

  Soon the mud hovel, to a palatial mansion turned  
    where he envisioned himself king of the land
 his fields, yielding a bumper harvest of grains and fruits
      and his children joyfully dancing, holding his hand

  Why scoff it as the fancy of a fevered brain?
       rosy dreams find room in every man’s domain.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

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Poet Avatar
November 29, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Back with hearty congratulations, dear Valsa, on your contest win with this excellent poem,
Guptar Avatar
November 28, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Congratulations, Valsa, on your win in this contest with a moving poem, associated at times with squatting. Skilfully narrated, it holds the reader`s attention until the end. Wishing you a shining day.
Dietrich Avatar
August 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
You are amazing how you can come up with responses to unusual prompts in such creative ways, Valsa.
Kendrick Avatar
August 20, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Ahh!! Yes, those dreams can keep a person going. Thanks for sharing this one with us. I enjoyed reading it. Sara K
Narain Avatar
August 19, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Its a frequent story of urban encroachment in rural areas. But the spirit of rural people never dies. Nice contemporary poem.
Poet Avatar
August 19, 2025 at 9:20 AM
In your lines, dear Valsa, a grace reveals itself. You've deftly seized upon those fickle acts that yearn to claim more than their due. In every moment that unfolds, the man finds a quiet peace, a gentle whisper of solace in the rustling leaves and the soft sigh of the breeze. In the dim light of greedy masters, who feel no remorse, he found within his heart the strength to rise again.
Cunningham Avatar
August 19, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Greedy landlords have no shame, thankfully he found the strength to bounce back. Well written Valsa. Tom
Rodrigues Avatar
August 19, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Sounds like the man finds contentment in every circumstance. Hugs ~ Kim
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