Wildflower
She rode across crystal rills,
The musk of the wild entwined with the wind.
Fierce, angular eyes fixed on the arrow—
She released it, swift and sure,
Striking the red without a backward glance,
as her gaze soared with the eagle above.
The rhythm of the land pulsed through her,
Gallops echoing in the breath of green.
A sudden chill wrapped around her skin
As she stepped down, bouldering the mountain
The sun dipped low,
Turning the fountain to molten gold.
She raised the drink to her lips—
A taste of heaven.
With a quiet smile,
She glowed in the fading light,
And let out a cry of pure joy.
Forever free. One with the wild.
- Monisha Vyas
Both this poem and the cover page are inspired by Brave, a movie that still fills me with thrill and joy. I resonated deeply with Merida—her craving for freedom, that adrenaline rush, the fearlessness. Like a wildflower, resilient and strong. The song, the scene—everything felt perfect.
But beyond that, this piece holds a special place in my heart because of an incredible memory with one of my favorite teachers, Mrs. Anita Mathew. She always encouraged me to keep writing, reading, and letting words flow. I remember showing her this poem about six years ago—her reaction, her support. I’ve often tried to reach out but haven’t been able to find a connection. Maybe, like said in Brave, fate will weave our paths together again someday.
The movie means even more to me now—it reminds me of my wildflower spirit, my occasional stubbornness with my mother, and, most of all, the gratitude I hold for a teacher who believed in me. Mrs. Anita Mathew, I remember you in everything I write. Thank you for everything.
