20-DAY POETRY CHALLENGE | EDITOR’S TRIBUTE

Let’s Pause and Toast for These Spectacular Poets!

A poetic prompt — “pause”, for day 20

“Dear God, let all the noise and heartaches of this world take me to a serene pause — though it pains me more, by bearing even just a bit of it, I know I will find peace.” — Josh Balerite Acol

Everything around me seemed out of control My breathing — gulping, gasping for air can’t stop from COUGHING incessantly though almost giving in to falling unconsciously

as my eyes felt heavily drooping I tried to keep them wide open — Is this what happens when you seem expiring, hardly breathing out?

Someone shouted, “Josh! Take a PAUSE, just a few minutes further— soon we’ll be done!”

and I did really take a pause as I wait for more and more patients to come along —

“Lord, thy will be done, if thou art be your loyal frontliner, then let me do this patients’ screening more gracefully than ever, give me more patience to halt, ponder and hold my breath a bit stronger…”

I can clearly remember those Covid19 days when I was the sole screening tester and swabber in our place, and almost a hundred prisoner patients were in a long queue in front of me.

There was no alternate medical staff for me then, and I almost pass out due to lack of oxygen as I am wearing a full heavy gear of PPE (personal protective equipment) clothing composed of — a medical grade N95 mask, two surgical masks, a goggle, a face shield, and an overall garment to protect me from still unidentified Covid19 positive patients.

Truly, I had a hard time that day, but just the caring thought for those helpless patients, and their families, I was able to take the simple power of taking a pause — saying a short but sincere prayer, and it was for this sole reason, I survived that tremendous ordeal.

This is the last day of the 20-day poetry challenge of my friend Sahil Patel. I know I am a long way behind, but I truly admit I am savoring every minute of this. Thank you so much for the tag, Sahil. I do hope you had fun, too.

Please do check out his original prompt version undermentioned:

Since this prompt is about the cue, “pause”, I do request for you to take one, hold your breath for a second, and please take the time to recognize all the awe-inspiring poets who collaborated with this poetry goal.

I will bring them up to you in no particular order:

1. Sahil Patel, the initiator of this challenge, considers himself a writer who didn’t like to read. Can you believe him? Kidding aside, Sahil is a very active penner and poet. His exciting writer’s bio relates something so interesting about his biggest achievement in life — that is, writing.

Furthermore, he strongly emphasizes,

“Words have the power to heal and change.” — Sahil Patel

And this by being a great observer with clarity, being a passionate reader, and open to changes.

2. Bhavna Narula, my sweetest dear friend and I consider a “soul sister” here on Medium — Bhav is a tremendous teacher, a passionate writer, and a dreamer. She claims,

“Everything I write turns into sarcasm…”

Shht… This is just a secret between you and me. I learned how to create my own quotes through her because she is my idol. Here is one of my fave quotes that she personally penned:

“I didn’t have a great past, neither was I born with a silver spoon, but if given the opportunity to exchange my problems with anyone, I would be happy to give it a pass.” Bhavna Narula

I tell you she is an inborn extraordinary poetess, a comedian, an Indian classical dancer and performer of the form Kathak, an obstinate, eccentric, unconventional, and friendly person. You may read more about her through her profile bio:

Please don’t fail to read her impressive adaptation of this cue, “pause”:

The next poet I am going to introduce to you is no other than,

3. Geetika Sethi — She leaves a bit of sparkle everywhere she goes. A wife and mom to three, Geetika is a fantastic Holistic Health Coach, author of upcoming books, a top writer in poetry, and a curation goddess on Medium for all her astonishing writeups. You can follow her through her Medium handle:

Her response to the sixth day prompt, “what I am afraid of” gave me hair-raising tickles, as this is the first time someone had my name in the title of her poetic piece. Thank you dear Geetika Sethi:

One of the impressive poets I have met also during this challenge is:

4. Ntathu Allen — She is an editor of Illumination publication, a dazzling Yoga and meditation teacher. She also writes about ways to foster more peace, self-love, and happiness.

Find more about her through her Medium handle:

Mind you, folks, I fell in love with her rendition of the sixth day prompt, in an amusing, acrostic way, “emotions”:

Here is another spectacular poetess who has joined this hurdle, and no other than the gorgeous one,(I can see, she is one because of her lovely icon, you see, ‘winks’)

5. Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她). She is fond of filling in the cracks on conflicting self-improvement advice and translating how these can work for a more diverse audience. She is also the bubbly editor of The Brain is a Noodle and eggsisting, a top writer in Poetry, and Food. She says that this year,

“I will do more of what makes me happy, do less of what doesn’t spark joy — habits & routines, rushed work last-minute, movement, mindfulness…” — Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她)

You can understand more her interesting traits through her writer’s bio:

Do take a look at her refreshing 17-day prompt version of “freedom”:

A poet, writer, teacher, cat lover, with her very special pet, named Luke — is another remarkable poetess — Doctor Fam as I call her, she is:

6. Dr. Fatima Imam with her Medium handle:

A great historian who emerged into a fascinating poet, Dr. Fatima is an accomplished writer. Doc Fam says,

“I want the readers to know that reading, writing, teaching, and Luke keeps me satiated and satisfied. Books give me the freedom to travel to any universe of the past, present, or future, whereas writing enables me to create brand new ones. Teaching empowers me to become a part of someone else’s intellectual transformation.” — Dr. Fatima Imam

Her fantastic adaptation of the prompt “pause” sent me jitters:

Next on my list is no other than our pretty Doctor,

7. Dr. Preeti Singh — She fills my list as one of my sweetest buddies. As a magnificent Yoga enthusiast, according to her,

“Breathing brings calm and peace to your life and balances your mental health.” — Dr. Preeti Singh

Aside from being a Doctorate in Finance, Professor, Author, she is also interested in education, nature, environment, culture, and also a top writer in poetry. You can know more about her through her bio profile:

One of the prompts that lured me into this challenge is her version of the, “I miss you” prompt, in response to mine:

Here’s my adaptation of the “I miss you” cue, whom Doc Preeti has responded:

Last but not least on my list is another exceptional poet who composes heart-rendering pieces, in the person of:

8. Melanie J. She is an impressive writer and garnered a “top badge” too, in poetry, with a deep passion to spread positivity, inspired by the flow of nature. Her version of this day’s “pause” prompt struck my heart the deepest:

That’s it for today. Thank you so much for taking a “PAUSE” to read my piece, dear one. Cheers for more challenges to come!

Talking about new writing challenges, I am introducing to you a fresh one, from our very own founding father of Illumination, Doc Chief, Dr Mehmet Yildiz — kindly visit the link below:

100 Day Challenge For New Writers

How about you, when was the last time you had a break, and how did you feel about it? You can tell me through your comments. Stay well and be safe ever.

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