Here’s a poem by Shivani about loneliness and belonging, exclusively for Different Truths.

Words from a fool,
A river of painted disaster,
I am not wise enough,
But I am my thoughts’ master.
People I love, wrinkled obsession of altruism,
Lurking within my surfaced desires,
A vision of fire,
Flaming into the air as violent leashes of gold,
Sparkling into a viewer’s eye,
Golden.
People can be homes,
A home of our favourite sounds,
When I am hurt and untrustworthy to myself,
I could go to a place who smiles,
Lord don’t give me bricks and stones,
Huge pillars and a floor so cold,
A garden with tulips and roses,
Bless me with people who I can call home,
Safe and healthy, a vision of comfort,
It’s the comfort to my soul,
Lord give me people who will not let me walk through fire alone,
I don’t need silver spoons and TV cartoons,
I don’t need marble floors and polished galore,
I don’t need piles of books and collection of fancy shoes,
Love cannot be fed in an expensive room.
When I burn, when I hurt,
Take me to the places I would smile and burn,
Take me to the people who I call home.

Visual by Different Truths

Shivani Singh

Shivani Singh is a 15-year-old student, currently studying in Delhi in 11th grade. She is an alumnus of Mayo College Girls’ School. She composes poems, prose, articles, short stories and more. She is also passionate about instrumental music and singing. She published her first poetry book, ‘The Divine Reality’, at the age of 14 . She aspires to become an architect and a bestselling author.