A powerful and an evocative poem about the pandemic, exclusively for Different Truths.

An invisible mask, we always wore… 
      concealing our secrets, pain and lies;
      an invisible mask, we always wore...
      hiding our feelings, prejudices and hurt;


      just as, each back has a knife, 
      each face has its mask. 
      A thousand masks, a million masquerades,
      to hide one’s own face.  
      Yeah, the true selves. 


     The visible masks, now hide our face, 
     should we, now, tear the invisible ones?
     and reveal the true heart of mankind, 

     amidst the masked humanity, for once? 

Visual by Different Truths

Chaitali Sengupta

Chaitali Sengupta is a renowned writer and translator, known for her diverse works in fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and translation. Her latest book, “The Crossings,” explores themes of war, migration, and survival. Her debut collection, “Cross Stitched Words,” won the ‘Honourable Mention’ award at the New England Book Festival in 2021. Her translation work, “Timeless Tales in Translation,” won the special jury award at the Panorama International Literature Festival in 2023.