This poem, written at age 15, mourns the loss of childhood. It was one of my late father, Ramesh Chandra Shukla’s favourite poems. The painting is by my mother, the artist Kusum Shukla. Compare this poem to The Hour of
Children, Children!
A Tribute
I wrote this poem in 1982, age 15. Growing up I always felt like an outsider, different from my peers. As an adult I have come to appreciate that we are all unique, that being different can be a strength, and
Portrait of Dignity
I wrote this poem in 1984, age 16. It describes the dignity with which one can bear one’s pain, even if one cannot hide it entirely. Compare this poem to The Flame (1985). The painting is by my mother, the