‘Poetry gave hope when I had Covid’

Poetry isn’t just about rhymes or some powerful sentences strung together that gives one likes and follows on social media. It has deep power within it and Ekachit Khullar, a class 11 student at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, is blessed enough to experience it first hand.

Two years ago, when his entire family was down with Covid, Ekachit wrote poetry to remind himself and his family of the hope that was most needed then. Now writing both poems and short stories, Ekachit has come a long way. 

Selected as this week’s Promising Poet, let us read what the young boy has to say about his penmanship.  Read edited excerpts:

Ekachit, when did you start writing poems?

When I was in class 9, I wrote my first poems. Only two years ago, not very old. 

And what inspired this?

Many events from my life to be honest. However, the one that brought out the poet in me was the Covid lockdown. My entire family had caught coronavirus . We were very depressed. Poetry inspired me to bring hope to the atmosphere and spread it around with my creative expression.

Wow! That;s so inspiring and beautiful! Is this also the idea behind your poem Life? 

Yes. My entire family had Covid. There was so much sadness at home. We were so afraid, we almost lost hope. But once we began recovering, we found hope again and it was then that we realised that we can survive in the most difficult of times as well. So, poetry played a huge role in this. 

Also, my friend Saurabh inspires me a lot. He writes lots of beautiful poems and this helps me to find my inner self in the form of verses. 

So, who is your favourite poet?

I would like to name my buddy Saurabh as my favourite poet. He must keep this talent going. I loved his recent poem Blaciena, lovely expression. 

Tell us when do you write poems?

I like writing in the daytime. I find it better then. 

And what’s your best topic and process for writing?

I enjoy writing about love most. As far as the process is concerned, if I am in flow I can write many poems in an hour but if I am not in the right frame of mind, it can take up to an entire day. 

Your upcoming writing project?

I am writing a short story on the concept of reincarnation. Let’s see how it goes!

And lastly, how does your school support you?

My teachers encourage me so much. They always read my poems and count me in for different creative writing activities.