Bio:
Adwaita Das is the author of Quantum Tango, a volume of science-fantasy stories with illustrations, Colours of Shadow, a novella and short fiction collection, as well as, the books of poetry, 27 Stitches and Songs of Sanity. Their art features in Young Mental Health: Mindscape Series, Divine Darkness: Black Bough Poetry and Brown Bodies: The Rights Collective, amongst other publications and series. They have worked in theatre, news, advertising and filmmaking. Global speaker and creative facilitator for inclusive and innovative mental healthcare, Adwaita applies sound and imagery to address trauma and share peace.
The following five poems are from my book Songs Of Sanity published by Writers Workshop India. 9. Stir the sun in the brewed tea, A pinch of silver bromide, A spoon of pearl spit (Posterity to add to the taste), And they will see the reflection of the moon In your intestines When they slice you to make you confess. 23. The stars fall onto my wakefulness. The stars tonight are alive. Tonight this blue night, this blue room of sky and stars, make a wish before all is lost. Make a wish although all is lost. 48. The games that people play Take my breath away, Gut me cold, And leave me crying crumpled in corners. I do string my words beautifully; But this time I’m screaming for help. 49. Chilly seeds on widow cloth. Fire specks dusted into eyes. I have seen her some where in summer, in white. Indian widow using spoons in punishment, for reward. Slave girl, she prepared cow dung cakes for winter to come after rain when she could sleep. 60. Wishing on stars blue and green. So what if it’s not a fairytale And such things don’t happen here. The sky’s still singing for dreams.
Fevers of the Mind 