Tempest
In the sea
As the thunder cracks and fast gales blow
the waves howl as high as a tower
The sky turns black as a ghost
A thunderstorm so dreadful that
Sailors and crewman beg for mercy
The terrific thunderstorm warns no one, spares no one
But rattles every single living soul around
Even though ages have passed since
The dreadful tale of that thunderstorm passes on
On the port
As the palm leaves sway gently
A girl sits with pristine calm
With a slight smile on her lips and gleam in her eyes
With folded hands on her lap
She contemplates about the mysteries and complexities of life
Intense melancholic thoughts howl inside her, haunt her
Her mind turns stark black, a mess of interlinked memories
Nobody knows the turmoil within her as she makes life-altering decisions
Nobody knows the inner Tempest within her
-Madhvi Sharma
Author's note- 'Tempest’ sheds light on the mental health of teenagers. This poem contrasts an outer tempest with an inner one. While most people observe, recognize and accord significance to an outer thunderstorm, not much people do the same for an inner tempest within the mind. Mental health is important.
