Postcard for Grandma 

Ranjit Das

Whenever I lie down on the bed

The darkness of your stories descends around me, Grandma.

Old quilt, extinguished lantern,

The princess’s smile and the ghostly sounds from the jam tree

Come down.

This darkness embraces me,

Protecting me from the fierce, flesh-eating darkness outside,

Every night, in my sleep.

In the eyes of the stars in the sky,

A watchful presence remains.

One day, out of resentment,

This darkness will no longer come down,

I know.

On that day, Grandma, I will see

The monsters from your stories…

A high school teacher, Pritha finds her deepest connection in poetry, where every line feels like a mirror to the soul. Though she loves to wade through the stories that novels offer, it’s poetry’s ability to turn the ordinary into magic that keeps her coming back to it in moments of happiness and sorrow alike. She dreams of travelling the world, weaving memories from the rich mosaic of cultures and cuisine. Her days are brightened by her students, whose curiosity and humour constantly remind her why she loves teaching. She’s been learning, since what seems like eternity, to understand movies beyond the surface. Tagore is her safe haven, a place where she finds calm amidst the chaos. Despite all the flaws she sees in humanity, Pritha chooses to believe in its goodness—a quiet hope that carries her through the world. That said, there are days when she can’t help but feel that dogs make far better companions than humans.