Special Edition: Toolika Rani

Toolika Rani

1. A Curse? 

(Based on a picture by Jerome William Berglund) 

Looking out of the window

to probably catch

a glimpse of the outside world

in an endless journey

where loneliness seems the only word

that resounds in the deepest chambers of the heart,

dark outside; the mirror decides to reflect

an image of your true self;

being alone no longer remains a curse.

***

2. How Long is the Night?

A journey alone in the times unknown

casts a darkness around the throne

seated where does she quietly mourn

the passing out of the halcyon days.

Alas! She faces a drought of rays

which could pierce the darkness deep

so that she would no longer weep

in the quietest, softest ways of hers.

Can't there be a turn of verse

where mourners sing and despots burn

in the hell of fire, they intentionally turned upon her world?

We hear the night can't be forever.

***

3. The Hidden Galaxy

In the solo journey of life

even though there is darkness behind

the glass that separates

two semi-realities,

her eyes pierce through

the layers surrounding her

with somewhat blinding frivolities,

and travel to a dimly-lit star

blinking unashamedly on the face of eternity;

therein lies her destiny.

Silhouettes of fellow passengers

shine on the dark mirror

each ensconced in their world

staring out into a void

searching for their own light

some far-sighted, some colour-blind

some engulfed by the dark night.

And perhaps they don't realise

that far above, some peering eyes

enclosed in a chamber dark likewise,

in them, their gleaming star, recognise.

Floating thus, in a liquid universe

inside their cells the varied nuclei

form the galaxies shining bright

together a light, but dark inside.

***

Bio: Squadron Leader (Dr) Toolika Rani is an ex-Indian Air Force Officer, Mountaineer (Everest Climber), Motivational Speaker (twice TEDx), Bi-lingual poet, Author, Assistant Professor of History, and was the G-20 Brand Ambassador of U.P. Government. She is the author of eight books i.e Beyond That Wall: Redemption on Everest, Sherpas of Solukhumbu, three English poetry books, and two Hindi poetry books. She has edited an Anthology on Himalaya, The Mountain was Abuzz, displayed at the Kathmandu Mountain Film Festival 2024.

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Setu, July 2025