Through it, I’ve learned about life,
Discovered myself,
And took a profound dive.
Now poetry is my Companion.
Johny Takkedasila, a multilingual writer, poet, and novelist shares his poems
Johny Takkedasila is an Indian Telugu poet, writer, novelist, critic, and translator, born on June 8, 1991, in Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh, India. His literary journey began in 2016 as a Telugu poet, and since then, he has published 29 books in three languages. He writes in Telugu, Hindi, and English. His Hindi volume, “Zindagi Ke Heere,” has been published, and he has translated Telugu children’s stories into English, resulting in the book “Tiny Treasures.” He is recognized for his contributions to various topics within Telugu literature. His long poems on transgender issues and women’s rights have received significant acclaim. He has also addressed issues such as the gay community, illegal relationships, and the Devadasi system in three separate novels. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the prestigious Central Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for 2023 for his criticism book “Vivechani” in the Telugu language. His English poetry has been featured in many international anthologies, and his stories and poems have been published in international magazines. His English books “Puberty” and “Girls in Dark” are notable highlights of his literary career. Educated up to the M.Tech, Johny Takkedasila currently serves as the head of the Telugu department at the online literary platform Pratilipi.
Companion
Writing poetry
Doesn’t need imagination.
Poetry should sit beside humans
And caress them.
It should play in our hands,
Carried like baby on shoulders.
It should smell like milk
From child’s mouth.
Save lives,
Solve problems.
Poetry shouldn’t be confined;
Let it flow
Like a river’s grace,
Touching hearts.
But where can we find
Such poetry?
Who possesses it?
Are we looking for someone
To sell it?
It’s foolish to think of
Buying or renting it.
Through it, I’ve learned about life,
Discovered myself,
And took a profound dive.
Now poetry is my Companion.
***
Nocturne
At midnight,
Poetry fall from eyes,
Along with yesterday’s wounds and pain,
Poisonous serpents,
Broken wind.
As if windpipe had been cut,
Like nestling
Under bird’s wings,
Carrying tomorrow’s sorrow,
Time to smile,
Time passes.
Some poems in it,
A few more
Mischievous looks.
Can’t make decisions,
Can’t make choices,
Can’t outwit the mind,
Learning to dwell in thicket,
From one place to another,
No such thing as moving.
Correcting myself,
Landing where it is,
Extinguishing bitterness of dreams,
Cooling in dark,
Arranging words,
Weaving sentences,
Early morning,
Delivering tender verse.
I am now,
Cunt cracked verse.
________________
Read: Tears meet sun – A poem by Indian Telugu Poet
