LEARNING JOURNEYS

A Slab Of Iron

The speakers blasted louder than ever, the people yelling and cheering increasing the sound decibel, and the Pakistan flag standing high and tall, basking in the sun’s light, embraced in the clouds, just dancing to the wind, or to the Indian music? I couldn’t help but stare at it, in question What would it be like to have peace? What would it be like to stand together? What stood between us? I knew the answer It was only a gate, with the stories of thousands oppressed, kept from peace. It was only a slab of iron.

This an impressionistic writing piece based on a visit to Wagha Border (From the G7 Amritsar trip)

Dayita Raju, G7C

Seven Days Of Solitude - A Multitude Of Emotions

The learning journey took us on different trips Grade 8 was whisked off to the vibrant state of Rajasthan by a flight And I took a trip down a flight of stairs! This small misstep had cost me So my seven days of solitude had begun. And that ended up becoming a learning journey by itself.

The classroom was a stage and I was the sole performer It was just me and my fortress of solitude against the universe Time slipped away from me, exactly how my legs slipped away from the steps The elevator doors dissolved the world around me, the chamber moving me toward an uncertain future.

Bouncing erasers, flickering lightswitches, and gloom-ridden conversations These made up the soundscape of my day A discography of dispiritedness. Even as the room got a couple more occupants, it seemed empty as silence and awkward glances deepened the existing void

Then came anticipation, as I awaited the return of my classmates and wondered - What would things be like once they returned? Would I miss the solitude that had become my friend?

I no longer saw the ghosts of the people that once filled this place with a sense of life I only saw tranquility And a part of me wanted it to last

The class returned with a chorus of coughs, and I missed the chaos within the order

Things came back to normal, but I realized that sometimes, there’s a great comfort to be found out of the comfort zone

Samarrah Sivakumar , G8A