A dark poem, by Vatsala, deals with the pertinent problems of depression and suicidal tendencies. A slice of light is the victory of reason, a hope that dispels the dark clouds, in this verse, in Different Truths.

In my 20’s, I have played
an impulsive game many times,
“Whether I slash my wrists
or jump off a cliff,
Who will care
where my soul treads?”
Thus spoke my heart
full of unfulfilled passion
lost in the rain
of hypnotic depression

“But isn’t life larger than that?
Why don’t I simply smile
and lie on the tropical beach
and shelter my thoughts
under God’s luminous hat?”
Thus whispered the logic
of a saviour
carrying in his palm
the star of reason

“Depression, Reason,                                     
Die, survive”
Those words swirled, churned
in the insomniac’s fright

“Enough!”
said my spinning head
“Depression!
I kick you off”,
“Reason!
In your lap I’ll rest”
Up till my last breath
on a pink cloud,
I’ll travel,
choosing the blue
and discarding the grey;
Like a warrior, I’ll fight
for the gift called Life.

Picture design Anumita Roy

Vatsala Radhakeesoon

Born in Mauritus, in1977, Vatsala Radhakeesoon has had a keen interest in poetry writing since a very young age. Her poems have been featured in local and international newspapers, magazines, journals and anthologies. Her first poetry book ‘When Solitude Speaks’ was published in 2013 on the approval of the Ministry of Arts and Culture (Mauritius). She is currently self-employed and continues to write poems in English, French, Kreol and Hindi.

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