Visual verse: What is over the exile fence?

Visual verse: online Anthology of Art and Words is a Berlin/London based Anthology of Art and Words. It is an Ekpharistic journal that gives a compelling image, challenging writers to come up with their own artistic inputs. The picture becomes the prompt. I tried this for the first time. Please find the work here:

What’s over the exile fence?

Life at our side of the exile fence is one of angst. Of not being sure.

The fence, from my childhood, seemed to be great wall. One that fenced us in, within our lot. Here, we would often come, trailing after our mud-caked football, chewing bubble gum and watch them in high boots, driving nails into the fence. Stay away, the crow warns us, cawing from the fence.

Sometimes, I wished, should I climb over? But fear, like steel bird, hanged its large wings over me. Surveillance has many eyes and those float in space.

I dream often, how is life at the other end? I see people packing their bags and leaving. Through barbed wires, jumping over the gaps. For that other side, where they say sun comes up in technicolor hues and the world is not a battered blue…. It’s a relief from destiny.

Another gap, I discovered today. I peeped through it, watching the twilight through my dark side. I wished I could get a little closer, to that bright flame of hope on the other side. The crow cawed again, and my feet fell rooted.

By- Chaitali Sengupta

Photo Credit: Free domain photos, Pixabay

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My Books

A collection of award-winning works exploring the human condition through poetry and prose

Cross Stitched Words

Poetry Collection

A collection of prose poems that earned the 'Honorable Mention' award at the New England Book Festival in 2021

The Crossings

War, Migration & Survival

A powerful collection of poems exploring themes of war, migration, and human survival with profound sensitivity.

Timeless Tales in Translation

Translation Work

A masterful translation work that received the special jury award at the Panorama International Literature Festival in 2023.

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