Shalini’s poem explores a writer experiencing creative block who finds inspiration in rainy days and children’s playful antics for Different Truths.

Sitting by my window
enjoying the pouring rain
as it rattles against my window pane.
The pen in my hand, ready to write
with all my might, I try
I am afraid,
I cannot hear my inner voice;
sitting and staring at the rain
playing with the drops that fell
not a word in vain.

Grabbed a cup of coffee
to enlighten me,
as I watch the children play in the streets
making little paper boats and placing them in the water,
shouting and screaming with joy
as they see the paper boats go by.

I am trying to write
as the weather is so pleasant
with a little bird chirping;
I smile;
O, no, it seems my words have 
flown out of the window,
and the alphabet are making no sense to me,
what shall I do? Not a line yet
so I kept my book away
and close my pen and
enjoy the rain till the end.

Suffering from a major brain freeze.

Picture design, Anumita Roy

Shalini Debra Mascarenhas

Debra Mascarenhas is based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and has been here for almost three decades. She is a widow living with her three children. She graduated in Arts and majored in Literature. Writing comes to her naturally. She has two books published in the UK. “Whispers from my Heart” & “Sail into the World of my poem.” She writes short stories and poems. She paints in acrylics while self teaching herself. She is passionate about cooking, gardening, writing, and photography.