Peace and Conflict by Zaigam Akhtar
Men are for war
But Man is for peace,
Us and Them,
Ours and theirs
The conflict never seems to cease.
As people, we’re all strangers,
But as humans, we’re one,
Blood or Ally,
Friend or Foe,
We shall never come undone.
Conflict is inevitable but war is not,
For one can be resolved but the other can not.
So what shall it be?
War, hatred, violence we’ve seen a lot,
Let’s now give Love, peace, and harmony a thought.
And though harmony may be at discord,
We must not break our bonds.
We must listen to each other’s music
For when we do,
all the differences fade by the mystic chords.
Together we stand, divided we fall,
With the conflict let’s not drop the ball.
For what is it?
If not a mere difference in perspective,
For salvation demands, we act as a collective.
Seasonal Symphony and Rhythm of Relationships by Vasvi Sood
People are like seasons, you see. Some are cold and distant, just like the winter months. It chills you to the core to be surrounded by them, but soon you realize they are admirable in their own ways. You don’t look forward to the hailstorm but admire the snowfall. Their hair has turned white with experience. The bitterness is just a shield to protect them from vanishing when the sun shows its wrath.
Next comes the spring, always full of life. The kind of people who bring rainbows and sunshine into your life. The moments where birds build their nests and animals dance outside their burrows. Oh, how lovely it is to have everyone love you so much! Up until the darkness spreads, there’s a substantial difference between having admirers and friends, it seems. And deep within their hearts, they know they wouldn’t be anyone’s favorite when thunderclouds take over their beautiful rainbows.
Then comes the summer months, mostly hot, but the nights bring relief. These people have experienced the scorching heat, but they are the ones who appreciate a good downpour. These people are like mentors who give valuable life lessons. They can make you work in the sun long enough to foster your growth and provide shade when you’ve been through enough.
Lastly comes the autumn months. She’s charming, she’s captivating, the kind of mystery that keeps you thinking about her long after she’s gone. These people are there in your life for a very short while but give your life the most depth. Spending just a few moments with them has left a lasting impression on your heart.
A Familiar Ache by Vasvi Sood
In these cold months, my heart grows colder,
Laying in bed, I go through a familiar ache.
The love is long gone, but the memories remain,
I often think about the abode together we made,
The glass has now shattered, and the walls have cracked,
But despite it all, it still stands strong held together by sellotape.
Remember the beautiful garden we watered every day?
Now it remains neglected for too long.
I don’t grow roses in it anymore;
I have sown a thorn forest though,
It wounds the trespassers and protects what little is left of my tiny house.
I don’t stand guard waiting for you anymore.
I still go about my day with the same zeal and charm,
But when I lay in bed in the cold winter nights, I go through a familiar ache.