From a boyhood dreamer to a record-holding poet, this is a story of perseverance, imagination, and the power of the written word.
By Sidharth PK
Life’s challenges are daunting, often feeling unparalleled or even impossible. Yet, life invariably teaches us lessons, bringing forth the imagination that propels us forward. I firmly believe that every person we encounter imparts a lesson, even if it involves unforgettable turning points that are difficult to grasp. Navigating through these challenges requires patience and a steadfast belief in oneself. Though we are all alone in our journeys, the constellation of experiences, both ruptures and joys, shines brightly along the way.
As I enter the 25th year of my life, I look back with an undeniable commitment to my struggles and the opulent desires that have driven me. I’ve discovered hidden talents, unknown even to myself, beginning with the moment I first picked up a pen to write. That simple act opened up a world I was yet to explore, a small yet profound world waiting beyond my doorstep. Reality, however, often contrasts sharply with our imaginations, demanding deeper understanding. I was not merely born into this world but into a destiny shaped by the will and testament of time.
The early years of my life intertwined with memories shrouded in the impeccable obscurity of childhood. As a boy, I had little understanding of the fire, imagination, and vast ocean of possibilities calling out to me. Life, with its wild winds and inescapable solitude, began to stretch my understanding. The first verse that flowed from my pen ended in pain, a reflection of the limitations my school placed on arts and creativity. The institution’s doors to imagination remained firmly shut.
My mother, whom I consider a child’s first true love, was my earliest and most ardent supporter. She transformed our house into a home, where the walls echoed my childhood dreams. I scribbled poetry on my room’s walls, and my mother, recognizing my budding talent, never complained. She always encouraged me to pursue my passion, imparting wisdom with a gentle touch, like a goddess of life and light.
FR Thomson, a teacher I will never forget, was the first to reveal the magic hidden within poetry and literature. I vividly remember a line from a poem I studied under his guidance: “To me, the meanest flower that blows can give thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.” Wordsworth’s expression captured a moment of pure, modest beauty that has stayed with me. I admired poetic giants like Byron, Pablo Neruda, and John Keats, absorbing their free verse into my very being. FR Thomson taught me that all great literature—whether epic or story—embodies unfulfilled dreams and the endless tides of life. I approached poetry with humility and truthfulness, more inspired by it than experienced in it. My imagination found a home in my soul.
Despite the pain and disillusionment of my school years, I clung to the hope my poetic shadow offered. My love for literature only grew as I continued to meet with FR Thomson. My first attempt to get published in a newspaper ended in failure, but I did not see it as a defeat. Instead, I believed that the newspaper had failed to understand my poetry. Failure, as Professor Alphons Ligori once told me, is not the end. I was determined not to abandon my journey with the pen.
Success eventually came, unexpectedly, after a decade of perseverance. My first published poem, “Why Parted Thee So Early?”, set in a romantic tone, appeared in a local daily and opened my eyes to the possibility of triumph. As a graduate, I studied sociology, a subject that fascinated me, though my heart remained captivated by the historical musings of great civilizations. After college, I stepped into the real world, a place brimming with mystery. Today, as I reflect on my journey, I am at a loss for words to express my humble beginnings, which eventually led to my achieving an all-India national record for the maximum number of published poetry books.
Believe in the power of thunder, but never forget the brilliance of the lightning that precedes it.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this Magazine. The author is a columnst/writer from Kerala and can be reached at [email protected]
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