On Day 3, the theme was “Illuminating”. Here are some of the best poems and stories that highlight brightness, hope, resilience, and inner strength, selected from our talented writers.
1.
The illuminating white light emerges,
From a huge and fluffy cloud above,
Soaks me in its purity, brightness, and healing.
I can feel it touching every cell,
Every part of my body relaxes and surrenders,
Repairing every weak nerve or a deep-set wound.
Oh, that stubborn pain hiding somewhere—
It’s removed too, within moments.
The sheer brilliance makes me feel whole again!
I’m deeply connected to Mother Earth,
Profoundly awed by Her majestic presence,
The scintillating Mothers above and below—
How blessed I am.
Why should I not be living queen-size every moment?
— Amrita Mallik
2.
She stared in the mirror at every scar and bandage on her face.
It was her cross to bear.
She was tired of acne; her schoolmates teased her, calling her ‘Bumpy Face.’
That label tore at her daily, shaking her confidence.
“Kelianna, it’s time to go,” said her sister.
“Stop staring at the bandages like they are labels. Move!”
The only word she heard was ‘labels.’
She paused, remembering her mother’s words:
“Stand in your strength and love above the label.”
These words illuminated her vision from within.
She stood smiling and stronger—ready to face the world.
— Payel Biswas
3.
Your illuminating aura gleams through every speck,
As the Universe celebrates your enlivening presence.
You are the embodiment of divinity in all life,
Every being radiates the energy of your essence!
You are the Mother, the compassionate nurturer,
In you resides the life force of the eternal seed.
You endow us with the spirit to survive,
The primal energy that flows, how you decreed!
You are the conqueror of all darkness,
The harbinger of fortune and blessings galore.
Your eternal light evokes spiritual grace,
And dispels the gloom from our heart’s core!
— Anwesha Bhattacharya
4.
Be a song of happiness for someone’s heart,
Be a bestower of love and care,
Be a drop of rain for a parched land,
Glow with warmth and compassion.
A quiet flame, a gentle grace,
That illuminates from deep within.
To brighter skies and stronger days,
A spark of imagination, bringing hope to every space.
Holding on tight to the raft of optimism,
Surf the waves as they come and go.
With courage and sparkle inside,
No challenge can dim your light.
Give wings to others so they can fly high,
Be the beacon of hope through endless night!
— Anju Gillotra
5.
A little light in the dark
Is my beacon of hope.
Shining, guiding, illuminating the way,
Reminding me there’s always a luminous day.
Trials are deep, pulling towards a dark hole,
Tunes of despair surround the soul.
Shadows encircle, things get hazy,
Thoughts terrify, making me crazy.
They say change is the only way of living,
But do they notice that I’m not healing?
Time is cruel, but cruelty shapes grace,
Teaches how to value what remains in place.
Adding strength, it drives to revive,
Wrapped in wisdom, inviting us to thrive!
— Pragyan Parimita Nanda
6.
The illuminated sky marks your arrival.
We look forward to days of pure joy and revival.
You are the divine embodiment of power,
Your presence makes us come together.
May your illuminating path guide us every day,
Oh! Mother divine, oh! Symbol of strength,
Bless us to be happy,
Keep us safe from paths of greed,
Keep pouring your strength to face challenges,
Keep illuminating us to make the right choice, avoiding haste.
Nurture all with a gentle touch, yet teach us to defend tactfully when required.
— Aditi Lahiry
7.
I jumped up and down; the pain was excruciating!
I needed to convey it, but my vocal cords weren’t cooperating.
They called me nonverbal—it was devastating.
I spoke in silence, my mute trials in communicating!
I searched for kind faces and motivating touches,
Hearts that understand even my mistaken ways of venting!
I hate the stares—they are frustrating!
I love to be understood, request empathetic hands for resting.
It isn’t too dark, nor too late.
I find many who are accepting,
With lots of hope, I am waiting
For that compassionate light—that’s sure to be ILLUMINATING!
— Vanishree Venugopal (Pushkasmom Smule)
Each poem and story here reflects the spirit of illumination—bringing light, hope, and healing to oneself and others.
If these illuminating stories inspired you, share your thoughts in the comments below!
