In Leena’s evocative poem for Different Truths, silence becomes the compass amidst life’s noise, where true words glow brightest from the soul’s quiet depths.

Choose to be silent in a noisy world
Right in the thick of life, right in the middle of conflicts,
Unless something is worthy of your attention,
Stop wagging your tongue!
Words hold so much power.
Think twice; don't waste them on a futile tremor.
 
Not all knots need to be untied
It's okay to be misunderstood
Rather than mislead
If the truth hurts someone,
Zip your lips and push on,
Pretend to be deaf and dumb for a while,
The truth will reveal itself at the right time.
 
Conscience speaks, and silence lends its ears.
A beautiful soul awaits
To read between the lines, through the smudges and stains 
Freeze those words until they’re
Organically laid on the paper called life.
Some people leave their souls through words.
It's engraved on hearts in Invisible Ink.

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Leena Thampi

Jammu-born Leena Thampi, a talented writer brought up in Delhi, has four books and numerous articles published in India and abroad. She received accolades from literary platforms, including Gujarat Sahitya Academy and awards for her best contribution to literature in 2021 and 2022, and Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Literary Honours, 2022, from the World Writers Forum. Leena’s writing style is characterised by a unique blend of emotions and storytelling, making her a sought-after author.