Welham Girls' School

Formidable enclosure , 

an overpowering feeling of claustrophobia.

A longing,

for warmth, benignity and geniality.

Yet drowning in the void,

of helplessness, of impotence.

Then a voice spoke to her,

with the amiability she desired.

Maybe it was her conscience, 

or maybe it was the voice of an angel.

Said , "sweet child,

why do you fear the darkness?

For it is beautiful and mesmerising,

soothing and fragile.

blissful and ethereal."

"But it's scary!"

— "hush now little one,

you forget,

The moon,

is a friend of the dark."

"The moon?"

—" Yes, the moon,

they share an intimacy,

some would say even lovers,

Haven't you seen the way 

the moon looks at the darkness?

with a deepening passion,

to hold her still, forevermore."

"There's no light without the dark,

their coexistence ,

is the epitome of spirituality.

So close your eyes little one,

let sleep bring you calm.

Don't fret over the darkness,

but in lieu, welcome it"

The voice faded away,

And deep in the abode of darkness,

she  slept under the placid light of the moon.

And the moon and her darkness,

with hands held together,

looked down upon her,

and smiled to themselves.

~Vidhi Thapliyal

SC