Shalini’s love poem depicts a mermaid’s unyielding love, resonating with nature’s whispers and swans, in the Special Feature, exclusively for Different Truths.

In the silent river’s gentle tide
her boat adrift, quietly glides
She lies supine, a delicate mermaid
Her fingers ploughing the calm,
still waters.
Her tantalising hair dancing in the
breeze,
oblivious to her soul’s sole desire.
 
Beyond the horizon,
is her beloved’s abode
His flute is divine, and her heart does hold
A deep longing incessantly grows -
The willows, too, weep
huddled in a row.
Her brimming eyes and the waiting river.
The immeasurable skies,
and the swans cry...
The mountains, the sky, the river
all knew.
The birds echoed her songs of love,
her stories of devotion.
 
She has walked on the path
of burning embers
with silent lips and melting tears -
not of sorrow but of pure love.
 
The rain came and washed her pain.
Each day, the Sun sends out its rays.
The wind fanned her tear-stained face.
She smiled through it all…
for every touch was her Beloved’s caress.
every moment in His embrace!

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Shalini Nandkeolyar

Shalini Nandkeolyar has a diploma from the New York Academy of Theatrical Arts. She acted in several plays. A gifted singer, she has a music album of Bhajans. She’s a poet and has been widely anthologised. She studied English Literature and Philosophy and has a degree in Business Management. She is a Reiki Master, an evolved and committed seeker on a path of deep surrender.