I Held the Key

a dazzling mirror broke in thousands of pieces - dreams shattered and splintered! a feeling of being imprisoned in a cage with no window! sonorous music from my life gradually vanished, mellifluous Koel deserted the garden, which experienced only frosty winter, breathless, I chose to run! ran away…from an appalling heartache... decided to find unbarred ground to enjoy blooming sunflowers, savour the freedom I was entitled to, like an open-winged bird, I flew... into the vast canvas of the kaleidoscopic sky. along with the strong decision, came terrible loneliness, unfamiliar challenges, the necessity of carving a path by myself ! What if I did not run away from that emptiness of the soul? What if I did not rebel , What if I followed a path uncomplainingly, expected of a docile human being, What if I shut my tortured soul…and succumbed to a numbness enveloping my sensations! an incense burns to spread an aroma, I painted my future with nacreous colours of the sky, borrowed the fragrance from ambrosial Jasmine, tall shadowy trees gave me shelter, chartreuse waterfalls descending from steep mountain-tops, leased in me the harmonious rhythm of life. I held the key to my emancipation! No one could free me except myself. Would I stay caged forever? October 27, 2022 "I Chose To Run, But Had I Stayed, Things Would Have Been Like" Poetry Contest Sponsor: Anoucheka Gangabissoon FIRST PLACE

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Ann Peck

Date: 12/2/2022 10:43:00 AM

Dear Mala, You tell a story so beautifully. we should run fast from anything that disempowers us. Congratulations on your win!

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 12/3/2022 10:47:00 AM

Dear Ann, I am so glad you read this poem. Sometimes in my poems, I express a lot of my inner feelings - deepest feelings - from my life-experiences. Truly appreciate your thoughtful comment. Love ~ Mala

Valsa George

Date: 11/27/2022 3:21:00 AM

So very true. We all hold the key to our future ...! From bondages that bind us, we have to free ourselves. No one else can do it. As Milton says, "The mind is its own place, and in itself/ Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.". A beautiful poem, highly inspirational. Congratulations Mala on your first place win.

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 11/27/2022 7:30:00 AM

Thank you, Valsa. Your thoughtful and precious comments inspire me to continue writing. I read many of your beautiful poems, and learn - for me, learning never ends, and this site is a resource for excellent pieces of creativity. You comments render hope and optimism. Love and blessings ~ Mala

Vijay Pandit

Date: 11/26/2022 7:52:00 AM

Congrats on your TOP win Mala. Much enjoyed.

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 11/27/2022 7:25:00 AM

Thank you, Vijay. Really appreciate your kind and encouraging comment.

Christuraj Alex

Date: 11/26/2022 4:27:00 AM

"terrible loneliness, unfamiliar challenges, the necessity of carving a path by myself" - Great work. Congratulations!

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 11/27/2022 7:24:00 AM

Thank you, Christuraj! Your support is so precious. Appreciate your kind comment.

Harry Horsman

Date: 10/29/2022 11:22:00 PM

Wow, yes must come from within, Malabika. the poetry here, excellent, statement for those whom find them in the same frame of mind, that of escape. Harry.

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 10/30/2022 6:27:00 AM

Thank you, Harry. I can't claim to have experienced all the trauma of running away - but I can imagine the plight of some women in the situation.

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 10/29/2022 9:17:00 AM

Yes. The clue to success is within ourselves! Happiness comes from making ourselves passive observers, as the body and mind work their way through social turbulence. I like the way you have described the waves of disturbing emotions and the last stanza, you brought it all into your self like a genie being drawn into the lamp. well done!

Malabika Ray Choudhury
Date: 10/30/2022 6:26:00 AM

Thank you so much, Krish. Expressing through writing is worth when read and understood. Your comment, especially the image of a genie being drawn to a lamp - is exquisite and precious. I try to imagine the plight of many women in our world needing a way to escape from a caged situation.