Dr. Molly’s poem evokes tender emotions about loved ones, capturing Valentine’s Day essence beyond romantic love for the Special Feature, exclusively for Different Truths.

when my heart
              grows tender
with thoughts
                   of you,
the valentine
                     feel
precipitates...

you, my valentines
              who made
my life is green...

though
               out of sight
you all
                not out of
my mind...

how my
         heart throbbed
those days
                 in thrilled
anticipation
             of a glimpse,
that fond
                look, care
that made me
               feel special...

how I trotted
            with a sprint
on my legs,
                 the wild
mountain roe...

your rainbows
             beckoning...
hah!

   how times fleet
leaving behind
      lasting memories
of many a
            rendezvous...

no, you are
               not gone...
you still
                light up
the mundane
        it's monotonous
repeats...

I love you all, dears
                      be it
the friend,
              with fond
concern,
          the avid reader
with admiration
          
or the one
          who left unsaid
more than
                  said...

those batting
                 eyelids
the quivering
                      lips...

this
           not to make
you jealous
           my life long
Valentine,
            sorry,
           no pretences
between us...

despite
       all the crankiness
you and I
           throw at each
in these
           twilight years
of our lives
           aren't we like
the supporting
           staff for each
emotions growing
               deeper in
shared joys
          and sorrows?
the mountains,
                 valleys
we traversed
          through misty
terrains,
where shadows
            grew longer
  as we walked...

     yes, Valentine
           is the feel
when the
          sweet sorrow
seeps in
           the pain of
too much
         of tenderness.

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Dr. Molly Joseph

Dr. Molly Joseph is a professor, poet from Kerala, who writes travelogues, short stories and story books for children. She has published 14 books,12 books of poems, a novel and a story book for Children. Her poetry with its unique style, has been characterised as "Ribbon Poetry." She has won several accolades which include India Women Achiever’s Award 2020.Her latest book, Water Sings over the Stones, won the best Poetry Book of the Year Award from ALS. She believes in the power of the word.

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