Zaina Timol
The life of a student is a whirlwind of deadlines, lectures, and the ever-present existential dread of the approaching exam period. But for some of us, there’s another layer of chaos woven into the fabric of our daily lives – the pursuit of putting words to paper. I am a student writer, balancing the beam between essays and novels, textbooks and my fictional worlds.
I started writing at a very young age, and as words appealed to me like nothing else did, they transported me to a world where I could paint my imagination and create my sense of identity. But gradually as I grew up the pressure of academia built up. As a student, schedules became my compass and deadlines my north star. The days became a whirlwind of lectures, seminars, and mountains of assignments. Finding the time and energy to write, to pen down my thoughts became a constant challenge. There were days when the pressure felt like an invisible hand squeezing the creativity out of me. However, the line between academia and imagination is often blurred. Sometimes, an academic essay would morph into a scene in my novel, a character from a story, a constant tug of war, a challenge to compartmentalize and prioritise. And then there were moments of pure validation. The thrill of receiving good grades, the happiness felt after finishing a chapter, the joy of receiving positive feedback from a beta reader - these moments were like a sugar rush that kept me going.
Even then I would say that the journey so far has been nothing less than rewarding. The skills honed in the classroom - research, critical thinking, and clear communication have translated into my writing. And lessons earned from writing stories – perseverance, resilience, and the ability to see the world from different perspectives – enrich my academic pursuits.
I have embraced the chaos and found my rhythm which has let me paint my stories with their unique color.
The journey has been demanding but has come with its rewards. And I am more than thrilled to find out what the future has in store for me.
Poem on the Four Seasons
Embraced in spring’s free spirit, I stood alone and bold.
A heart untamed, or so was I told.
Like an unbidden whirlwind, love swept me high.
Unforeseen, it bloomed like a flower.
Defying odds with each passing hour
But little did I know, it'd be summer’s fiery sigh.
Summer days were endless, but his love was not.
A fleeting spark, a fire soon forgot.
I thought his passion would never let me down.
But summer's flames turned my smile to a frown.
Passion’s cruel twist scorched and consumed me.
A love once burning bright, now fading dim and free.
Autumn’s sigh knocked my door.
Leaves fell like salty drops.
Betrayed by love, a bitter wine,
His words, resonated the wilting season
The whispered lies, a rotten fallacy
Soon, an icy grip seized the land.
Every memory like a falling snowflake.
Heartache and agony froze my very soul.
My heart, which was once whole, now betrayed by love,
Left scars of winter, so deep and grey
The dark and long nights,
Were shadowed in pain.
I lost my soul in the darkness,
Engulfed in woes
As the ice began to crackle, I saw a glimmering hope.
With spring’s return, I felt the warmth embrace me.
The subtle snug, protecting me.
As the flowers bloomed,
I whispered, "It's not my fault."
Spring arrived with its gentle touch.
To cure the wounds and mend what's lost.
Though not healed fully, I found the way.
Seasons change, and so will my dismay.
Though scars remain, my soul will sway.
In time’s unending embrace,
I found strength with grace.
Whispers of hope filled the sky.
I let go of the fear, embracing the pain.
Four seasons, four tales of change,
In each, a lesson, life rearranged.
-Zaina Timol
iLead
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