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A Walk in Paradise

Updated: Jun 8

A Walk in Paradise is a collection of ten poems from Santhosh Annabattula on the topics of death, downfall, duty, faith, hope, liberty, love, revolution, society, & soul. ​​Explore his verses while relishing the essence in them.​

 
Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada

Contents


Free Access

  1. ​Abstract Pain

  2. Au Revoir

  3. In the Path of Your Happiness


Exclusive Access

  1. Journey to Freedom

  2. Metamorphosis

  3. Road Less Traveled

  4. Rower

  5. Story of a Smile

  6. The Liberation Song

  7. Woven from the Same Fabric

 

Credits

This anthology is photographed by Pankaj Tottada.

 

Product

This anthology is available in paperback & ebook.



 

Poem I

Abstract Pain


Describing the mental pain of a man seeking eternal peace, poet Santhosh Annabattula crafts his verses writing the thoughts of a fallen spirit filled with sorrow.


“Abstract Pain” is a paradox stating that the pain within our minds is an abstract entity that could be eliminated even if our spirits are broken.

 
Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada

I stand on the threshold of pain

With the autumn rain for tears

Eyes behold the blurred horizon

In all its shades of grey


Days dissolve into oblivion

Time flies past in disdain

People move like puppets

Tied by strings of callousness


All that was once beautiful

Is buried under the ages

As the world crumbles inside

Shattering the wounded soul


Empty spaces grow everywhere

Bred by the seeds of isolation

Memories freeze the heart

Draining the last traces of hope


I stand on the threshold of pain

When nature sings in lament

I let go of my senses

And wait to embrace death.

 

Poem II

Au Revoir


Narrating the story of a lonely flower hoping to find a companion, poet Santhosh Annabattula writes about how the flower found his lover. However, as nature dictates, happiness is short-lived as his lover leaves soaring into the skies.


​In a tragic yet poetic way, the poem “Au Revoir” masterfully talks about how a lonely soul couldn’t resist but seek his lover throughout the final stage of his life.

 
Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada

Once there was a flower

Among many of his kind

Neither fragrant nor beautiful

But life blossomed in his spirit


Morning, noon and night

He waited with undying hope

For a companion to feel for

As time ticked in loneliness


She came from the sky above

Like a moving rainbow of colours

Weary and broken the butterfly was

She fell straight into his arms


He cared her back to health

With the warmth of a mother

He brought her back the smile

With the camaraderie of a friend


He listened to her enchanted

As she told stories of the world

He felt happiness like never before

As he came alive in her presence


With the wind back in her wings

She soared up into the sunlight

Happy and dancing the butterfly was

She charmed her way into his heart


The winds have changed course

Time rolled on with the clouds

She disappeared into the twilight

Leaving a trail of darkness behind


He looked on with a foolish hope

With every breath longing for her

All colour drained out from the world

As he sank to the depths of despair


The first rays of dawn roused him

He mustered all the spirit left

And broke away from his abode

To be blown into the wilderness


He looked for her everywhere

On earth, water and sky

He braved the sun and the rain

And slept under the stars


His search passing in vain

His strength and will failing

He drifted along with the wind

Only with blind hope by his side


Death was within reach

When he saw a silhouette

She rushed to his side

He felt warm in her lap


There was one thing left to say

For which he came all the way

He spoke, smiled and went quiet

“Au Revoir my love”

 

Poem III

In the Path of Your Happiness


Being mocked by forces beyond the human spirit while being occupied in his pursuit of fulfilling his dreams, poet Santhosh Annabattula describes how Hope reached out to help him stand against the odds.


​The poem “In the Path of Your Happiness” talks about the light at the end of the tunnel, just like the sunrise after a dark night. It mentions that we are unstoppable with Hope along our side in our moment of need.

 
Cover Photo by Pankaj Tottada

I was sitting on a lonely beach,

Building castles in the wet sand.

A nonchalant wave sweeps it away

Making a mockery of my dreams

I crumble down in despair,

Until a pair of hands help me,

To build it stronger this time.

I look up and see your smiling visage

And stare at your eyes in wonder

At how alike we both are

While a silent smile crosses my heart

Realizing that I’m not alone.

Many people we meet in life,

The wind which passes through everything,

Sings only in a special piece of wood

Every note of music flowing out of the alliance.

The moon is what but rock and stone

Until it is tenderly touched upon by light.

The sun and the rain seldom meet

But nature paints a rainbow whenever they do,

In joyous celebration of their togetherness.

You showed me there is a dawn

After every twilight; And that night

Is only a brief journey towards the light

You saw and woke up the butterfly,

Hidden inside the façade of a caterpillar.

Your thought is like the first drop of rain,

Heralding the shower of happiness.

Your warmth is shared by the first ray of dawn,

Which melts the darkness from the inside.

Your grace resembles a thousand candles,

A light in humble devotion to the lord.

Your voice is the sweetness,

In the lullaby of a doting mother.

Your friendship is the all-embracing sky,

Which distances can never split

In these times of fleeting promises,

Of shallow emotions and masquerades

You rise like the evening star so fair

Shining like a beacon of hope.

Is this all really you?

Or is this how I see you?

That is best left unanswered

For my mind is already made

I hope all my prayers

Will find a way to fulfill your wishes

For I will find bliss

Only in the path of your happiness.


How is it so far?

  • Loved it!

  • Liked it

  • Forget it

  • Hated it


 

Poem IV

Journey to Freedom


Questioning anyone bound in the shackles of working their lives out, poet Santhosh Annabattula extends his hand to join him in breaking free and relishing their lives forever.


While doubting their motivation and reason, the poet asks if such an existence is worthy, especially after being gifted an extraordinary life by the Gods.

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