Sonali’s poem explores love’s depths, weaving longing, vulnerability, and fear. It explores the intricate dance of love, balancing joy, and doubt, exclusively for Different Truths.

you, weaver of dreams,
spinner of silks,
you, who plant seeds with words
and overnight, a forest springs
you, maker of my heart’s footsteps
fast and nimble,
you, dealer of dervishes,
giver of little big things with wings
you, who thread origami birds
to my splitting seams,
do you hear me spinning?
should I tell you before we kiss
how much of a dream
cost me last?
do you know that I have paid
with blood in the past?
you, maker of presents
will you collect the strings that break,
those that unspool when the loom
stops, will you knot those ends?
you, slayer of the impossible,
when all these turnings stop,
the cloth is spun, and the colours run,
will you, as you have got me dancing
on my worn-out toes,
also, hold me still.

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Dr Sonali Pattnaik

Dr Sonali Pattnaik is an award-winning poet, academic, educator and visual artist from India. who has a PhD in English and has taught for over twenty years at Delhi, Mumbai, and Gujarat University. Her debut book of poetry, ‘when the flowers begin to speak’, was published by Writers Workshop. Her art and poetry have appeared in journals including, Muse India, Café Disenssus, Setu, The Hong Kong Review and Fem Asia and several international print anthologies.

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