Awakening Within | Johny Takkedasila

When was it lost?
It's been a while.
Each time it slipped away,
I yearned to make it mine,
Yet, I still can't find it.

Do you know?
How often I pressed my face,
With emotions too deep,
While crumbling within,
Yearning to unveil veils.

Ocean surges in my eyes,
I build bridges, strive to divert,
After darkness solidifies,
Sea shatters,
Beneath morning pillow,
An unyielding deluge.

I somehow lost my life,
What will become of this existence?
Stage shifts,
Desires, biases,
Fell upon me,
And life slipped away.

I distanced from life,
Out of fear, agony, pretense,
Self-inflicted harm,
Battling with myself,
Admitting I am my own foe,
All mistakes perceived,
Are misguided corrections.

Have you ascertained,
Whether life resides 
Within you?

No one truly lives,
For mere digits and limbs,
Humans flee inner forests,
Is a lifeless sprint 
What do we need?

Johny Takkedasila is an Indian Telugu poet, writer, novelist, critic, translator and editor born on 08.06.1991 in Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh, India. His literary journey, which began as a Telugu poet, has seen the publication of 23 books.
He has received numerous awards for his contributions. The Central Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar for 2023 (National Award) was awarded to “Vivechani,” Criticism book in the Telugu language.
His poetry has been featured in many international anthologies, and his stories and poetry have found a place in international magazines. In addition to writing in Telugu, Hindi, and English, he is also involved in translation.
His literary style appears to aim at making readers contemplate and sensitize society through a compelling narrative. His other works Tiny Treasures, Puberty, Kattela Poyyi, Siva Reddy Kavitvam Oka Parisheelana and Akademi Aanimutyalu were published by Ukiyoto.