Explore Kushal’s poem, exclusively for Different Truths, which is an introspective journey through surreal time, memory, and self, wrapped in poetic beauty.

Not such a catastrophe,
losing your mind; it equals
weathering the tick tock 
of an ancient clock you bought 
because retro is cool.
Time hears the beats of it. You
ceased to be aware of it 
Losing your mind isn't bad at all,
albeit people, curious, question 
about the timepiece, its history.
Your story surfaces, stealing your peace.
You read or heard somewhere 
That time doesn't exist. Past 
isn't here. The future lies in the clouds,
in the solution of an infinite equation.
The present is the thin membrane between 
Two sets of absences. Yet, you try
to measure it, you try to analyse 
your traits, behaviour patterns,
and in those blissful moments
when you are deaf to the tick-tock 
You try to pry open others.
Open the window, please. Blue pills
have bloomed in that periwinkle vine.

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Kushal Poddar

Kushal Poddar, the author of ‘A White Cane for the Blind Lane’ and ‘How to Burn Memories Using a Pocket Torch’, has ten books to his credit. He is a journalist, father of a four-year-old, illustrator, and editor. His works have been translated into twelve languages and published across the globe.

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