poetry – chocolate and politics

Will You Be My Valentine?

This semester, I’m taking a course required by my university’s curriculum called What’s Love Got to Do With It? At UF, this class is highly sought after, with students of all ages vying for a spot in discussions about relationships, sex, and, of course, love. During our last class, we gathered around, feeling the tinge of loveContinue reading “Will You Be My Valentine?”

Healing Through Words

During the lowest points of my life, when I was afraid to ask for help and pitied those who pitied me, my only refuge was found in words and the spaces between them. When no one seemed to understand me, I turned to writing to make sense of my emotions, convincing myself that feelings wereContinue reading “Healing Through Words”

WHY YOU ARE NOT INSPIRED

As a child, I was wildly creative. I genuinely did not care what others thought of me; painting on walls and writing my own music, and making movies with friends. Growing from this carefree child into who I am today, I ultimately lost the time and, with that, the fervor for creating. My days wereContinue reading “WHY YOU ARE NOT INSPIRED”

DEAR YOUNGER RIA

Today officially marks one week since my seventeenth birthday. As with each year, seventeen does not seem to hold any more weight than sixteen. Yet, when I reflect on all my prior birthdays, I notice the minor qualities that I have developed with each passing year and life experience. As I explained in the postContinue reading “DEAR YOUNGER RIA”

OVERSHARING

Sometimes I look at social media as a a harmless tool. It is a cure for boredom, a place to put funny videos or pictures we like of ourselves. It’s what we scroll on and instinctively turn to each time we open our eyes in the morning. It is necessary and means we can connectContinue reading “OVERSHARING”

WAITING: AN ODE TO INDIA

I am a world traveler and each place I go to gives me a wealth of experiences that is unique and enriching. But, something about India is totally different than anywhere else. I guess it is because here, I am completely immersed in mundane life, and there’s something beautiful in that. Unlike other areas, itContinue reading “WAITING: AN ODE TO INDIA”

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

From as far back as I can remember, I have loved to create. As a young child, creativity came so easily, I simply put pen to paper and the words flowed out as if a stream coming directly from my mind. Nowadays, the time I have to translate my thoughts into a more coherent formContinue reading “THE CREATIVE PROCESS”