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.

The Birds

'There’s music in the sighing of a reed; There’s music in the gushing of a rill, There’s music in all things, If men had ears: Their earth is but an echo of the spheres.’ – Lord Byron

They penetrate the dawn. Their fast forward rhythm Blinkers the blue sky, Aching my eyes as I look

They float upwards, forwards, back In a see-saw fashion, And play with the wind Through their feathers

Their fast paced action Is minimal and rehearsed, They own the blue above; Opposite their deep water sisters

Tin-can machines Cannot compete, Cutting heavily through air Flying, but not free.

Jessica O'Toole

Jessica O’Toole is fascinated by human interest stories, in a multitude of forms. Having studied English Literature, Staging Shakespeare and Music Theatre, Jessica has performed spoken word poetry and appeared in plays and feature films. Alongside performing, Jessica produces and directs in the UK and abroad. She has written reviews and scripts for an array of UK broadcasters and regularly produces and edit produces scripts for documentaries and short form content. With poetry published in the UK, she is currently writing a screenplay on ancestral patterns set in Cornwall. She can be reached at @iam_jessicaotoole on Instagram.