Chrysanthemum Chronicles, Winter Issue

CHRYSANTHEMUM

V O L . 1 I S S U E 1 | J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

C O V E R S T O R Y : I N C O N V E R S A T I O N W I T H P O E T & W R I T E R N I S H A T A N D O N

FEATURED INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, WRITER & PODCASTER SUNIL BHANDARI

TO MINA DRACULA'S LETTERS OF LOVE

CHRONICLES

I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o u r n a l o f P r o s e & P o e t r y

The entire editorial team of Chrysanthemum Chronicles wishes to express heartfelt thankfulness and gratitude to all its contributing poets/writers. The copyright of all the poems and story rests with the author/poet but Chrysanthemum Chronicles asserts the moral and digital rights to publish the content. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electrical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

C O N T E N T S

0 6

0 8

1 4

1 9

Opening Poem Maidens and the River by Dr. Ritu Kumar

Cover Story: In Conversation with Writer & Poet Nisha Tandon

Melange: Featured Interview of Poet, Writer & Podcaster Sunil Bhandari

Poetry 20. Other Americas in a Haibun by Ellaraine Lockie 23. Winter and a Train Journey by Banani Sikdar 26. Embracing Winters by Shweta Bose 28. The Winter Train by Kokila Gupta 30. A Snowy Evening by Aruna Bose 32. Winter's Ambrosia by Sudipta Chowdhury 34. Winter's Spell by Amrita Lahiri Bhattacharya 36. The Gossamer Winters by Shakuntala Kanakagiri 39. Winter's Impeccable Charm by Bhargavi Ravindra 42. The Enchantress by Nandita De nee Chatterjee

W I N T E R I S S U E

Once upon a time in a faraway land, there lived two princes Chrysanthemum and Chronicles. They were jaded as the frost had set in enveloping everything far and wide. As far the eyes could go, it was all covered with snow. Winters made their life dreary, so one day they summoned some great writers and poets from distant lands, and thus came those brilliant writers and poets who weaved some winter poems and stories and told them to the princes. Chrysanthemum and Chronicles had an idea of preserving them all in a journal and thus came alive the First Print Issue.

But; when the whole kingdom was busy making merry with their beloved writers near the warmth of a never dying fire, they heard the sobs of the greatest lovers of all, Dracula’s cold heart’s call to his beloved Mina. The two princes welcomed the rogue to their castle and for many nights he expressed his love in words for Mina. And those words travelled far reaching to the ears of those women poets who began creating that eternal manuscript with their love filled hearts and sent them to the kingdom of Chrysanthemum Chronicles. Now they are all inked in golden letters over the casket of Dracula as he lies in peace at day time. And pays still each night, his umpteen thankfulness to those women writers who read his heart and weaved his emotions into poetry.

Once again the homeward train of winters was ready to leave but it brought many stories and poems this year, which will be kept safe forever in the golden journal of the two princes, ‘Chrysanthemum & Chronicles’...

Cover Story & Interview

B Y M O N A L I S A J O S H I

9 | J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

Nisha Tandon , currently residing in Dubai is an entrepreneur with an HR, Training Consulting firm. Having versatile experience in hotels, educational institutions and corporate entities, Nisha has had multi-dimensional exposure to the different arenas of work. Her exuberance and passion towards children led to a meaningful contribution to the teaching community and she worked for a significant tenure as an accomplished teacher in an elite school in Delhi. Working in hotels and coming across people with different perspectives towards life, got her a lot of experience which she uses in her poems quite appropriately. As an author, she has successfully released compilation of poetry of her emotional journey of life through her maiden venture, entitled 'FOOTPRINTS'.

11

I N T E R V I E W :N I S H A T A N D O N

Cc. Tell me more about your daughter, ‘Anoushka’ as I see many poems in your book are dedicated to her. Does she remain the muse for your debut poetry collection?

Nisha. Actually “FOOTPRINTS” is inspired by a poster I read in my childhood and it stayed with me all along. For me, the word Footprints impersonates the closest people who have stood by me in my life, through thick and thin. They ensured I was not alone during the lowest phase of my life and walked beside me in spirit if not in person. But yes, Anoushka, my 17 years old daughter, diagnosed with Down syndrome has played an important role in my life and has been a source of inspiration. She has changed me as a person and her attitude and zest for life inspires me with positivity that reflects in my poems. The trials and tribulations we experienced in her journey so far have also motivated me to write down my thoughts

Cc. Your second poetry collection, ‘Chand Ehsaas’ is again a book that portrays emotions, feelings and has much more plated in a profound way. Do you take it as the subject of your poetry or it is just the random thoughts or feelings that you weave as poems?

Nisha. My second book of poetry, “Chand Ehsaas’s” genesis stemmed from my experiences of emotions and feelings in the journey of life. Over time many incidents have affected me, and I incorporated the most soulful ones in my work. My favorite subject for writing would be an array of human emotions and I derive passion from the world around me.I think it is not a conscious effort to write about emotions, there is a natural draw for me towards them. I guess I value my relationships and my feelings towards them and they influence my verses. It happens organically, I guess! My inspiration strikes from reality or a passionate emotion, I as a poet, is exposed to.

Cc. Does anyone else writes in your family and did that make an impact on you or it came naturally? Like poets often say that poetry finds them.

Nisha. Writing poetry has a therapeutic effect on my mind. We have grown up listening to my father, who can write possibly on any theme. So probably it was genetic, and I took it up with sincerity to compile and publish my work with the encouragement from my family. And yes, as you rightly say Poetry finds you. Anything I ever want to express somehow gets expressed in verses.

19

Poetry

45

Story Time