Writing origins: A poem at 14

Inspired after a talk in Brussels featuring three prominent Indian writers, I decided to dig deep into the vault and share my first ever piece of writing.

It's a short poem I penned in 1996 that featured in my school magazine later that year.

It became my first ever published work and - as fate would have it - not the last.

Sure, some parts seem kitsch and corny in hindsight (I was 13 when I wrote it!). Still, the main message of the poem seems relevant to this day. Though you should judge for yourselves... 


The Rain
by Rahul Venkit

There I was standing among the trees,
Knowing not whether to break or to bend.
My whole life seemed so dull,
I feared I had arrived at a dead end.

I began to figure out
What had gone wrong
Where I had fallen short
For days in monotony seem so long

I pondered and pondered
Walking around full of despair
When suddenly, out of the blue
Down came the rain like a nightmare

It rained heavily, it rained hard,
Showing mercy to none but a few
Washing away everything in its path
Leaving the world as good as new

Though it meant nothing much at first
The experience was not in vain
I realised I must start afresh
And I owe my inspiration to – the rain.

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