Efflorescence 2025 - Chennai Poetry Circle - 18 Jan 2026 - 25th Edition Release - Happy to be part of the Anthology Launched #UmasreeRaghunath #Anthologies

 https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/anthology-by-chennai-poets-circle-released-it-features-60-poets/article70533937.ece

Efflorescence 2025 – Umasree Raghunath

Poem Title:  Happiness Matters

Looking out through the window,

I watch the doves conferencing the pane

What would they be talking?

I wondered and felt happy above disdain

Health, I compromised unthoughtfully!

With it, my happiness vanished gleefully

Stress, was my constant companion

Sharing my space, meals and every tension

Pleasing people, was my go-to goal in life

Less did I know, that I can please all like a wife

Targets, Milestones, is what I thought matter

Pleasures of life took its backseat to batter

Every invite honoured, every event attended

I felt like the Guest of Honour with smile intended

Then, the hospital bed invited me with glory

I embraced the needles and medicines in fury

Tears rolled down, when I no longer mattered

To everything I thought I am indispensable!

In no time, people forgot I exist, except family

And few best friends who still adore me in ally

A silent lesson, creeped up in life

That nothing but your inner peace and happiness

Is all that matters, for you and your own

No matter, what position, title or money you hold

Don’t rush to do hundred things, but few

That makes you happy and lets you be healthy

Be like those doves conferencing on the window

Instead of being your own fake shadow

Be a person, who can smile with happiness

Spread peace, spread joy and live life!

Book Launched on 18 Jan 2026