Dr Molly’s poem, exclusively for Different Truths, explores her traumatic childhood fear of the ocean, which persists even in dreams.
Many a time
tumultuous
oceans,
giant waves
with dark
interiors
rising up
to devour all
come as
as dreams
terrific
jolting me
up from
sleep...
never, ever
can I
explore,
enjoy
the undulating
beauty of
the waves...
they stir up
my fears
elemental.
may be the
acqua phobia
I developed
when
as a kid,
of four years
I fell into
the flood waters
that inundated
my ancestral
home...
the suffocation,
desperate
struggle for
breath
verging on
a coma between
life and death...
it still
reverberates...
yesternight
I dreamt
stretching on
the upper deck
of my ship
watching stars,
starry treks
having soul talk,
but shuddered
while
looking down
at giant, dark
waves, rolling in
approaching
with roars
to devour
my ship...
I woke up.
awake,
ashamed
am I...
can’t I ever
float above
those waves
with triumph
smiling at
the tides,
'hey! you can't
out beat me'
sure, I need
learn
swimming, with
confidence,
self-assurance...
I need float
over the flux.
Picture design by Anumita Roy
Dr Molly Joseph, a bilingual professor and poet from Kerala, has published 26 books, including 18 poems, two novels, and two storybooks for children. She has edited “A Handbook of Contemporary Ethics” and works for values, global peace, and togetherness. Dr Joseph has won national and international accolades and represents India at SAARC and FOSWAL literature meets. She believes in the power of the word and writes boldly on contemporary matters.
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