When an eloquent and thoughtful student blogger shares not just his words but his original poetry, we know we’re in for something special. Read this excerpt written by Aleksandr Chandra before he departed for Delhi:
I am from chimes, from Cheerios, and chimneys.
I am from the colonial-style shutters that abut the windows.
(Purple, warm, they smelled like lilac).
I am from the rose bush
the Magnolia Tree
Whose pink petals burst every spring like bouts of inspiration.
I’m from Christmas cards and Dutch uncles,
From Michele and Prashant and Chandra.
I’m from the know-it-alls and the pay-it-forwards,
from never give up! and never give in!
I’m from itni shukti hame dena data
O Lord! Give us the strength to keep our faith firm in you
And other Hindu verses I mumble under my breath.
I’m from a town in Connecticut, and a village in India,
Lobster rolls and warm white rice.
From the wedding ring my father lost while painting,
The voice I discovered while dancing
Inside this embellished cupboard
was a patterned box donned with perennials,
spilling pictures of old faces and special occasions,
the ones I can by no means physically relive.
Yet, I am from this tree of memories—maturing every moment—
An exquisite Magnolia waiting to blossom…
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