The Medley

is a twice-a-year literary journal run by the students of Hansraj College, University of Delhi. It is a repository of stories, poems and essays sent to us from around the world since 2018.

On The Edge of the Storm

The storm brews afar in the sea We can’t run and we know it You’re worried, or so you say And look into my eyes searching for answers I am no library — I illustrate no dances That would soothe the wind god Or potions that can make you fly So we would not have to breathe The dust of our ruined house No, I have no method to save our cattle The shepherd dogs all ran away They know when to abandon a lost cause Nor is there an oracle, or a wise neighbour lady No champion from a prophesy To come and save us With art, tricks or bravery You look at me again, this time With cold understanding in your eyes There is no running The winds will take our home The water will take our cattle And in that fluidic graveyard Our bodies will lie neck deep But as long as you want to draw breath After the storm has come and gone I will laugh in the face of death And spit at the feet of the wind god.

Kushagra Tripathi

Kushagra Tripathi is pursuing a masters in Mathematics from BITS Pilani, Goa Campus. He is a resident of Lucknow cafes and bookstores. Kushagra aspires to be a writer and someday hopes to write a series of crime fiction novels which end with Lucknow getting nuked. He loves reading fantasy and hates people who chew with their mouth open.