Submit your work, meet writers and drop the ads. Become a member
 
Aug 2023 · 250
Hammerspace
Joel Johny Aug 2023
With pen in hand, I conjure worlds unseen,
From thin air, I summon stories pristine,
In this extradimensional tapestry untold,
My creations emerge as a sight to behold.

Through writing, my creativity blooms,
An artist's haven where imagination looms,
Through ink and paper, I breathe life anew,
Giving birth to worlds, both old and true.

In shadows' embrace, my past remains,
A 26-year journey laced with stains,
From childhood's depths, where trauma seeped,
A shattered soul, its wounds still steeped.

Through poetry's lens, I'll paint my tale,
In words that pierce, where sorrows prevail,
With each verse, a cathartic release,
A glimpse into wounds that never cease.

Through metaphors, I'll navigate the pain,
Unravelling scars, like cracks in the pane,
Yet, through it all, a flicker of hope,
A flame that dances, a resilient scope.

Through poetry's embrace, I'll heal the scar,
Transforming anguish into art bizarre,
For in Hammerspace, I shall reside,
A wounded poet, finding solace inside.
Written an original poem after a long time. Lemme know what's your takeaway from this
Joel Johny Feb 2021
Once upon a time, there was a girl who wanted to do something to help her escape reality. So one day,she started painting on a blank canvas.Each stroke was done meticulously,as she was slowly creating a flawless masterpiece.When she eventually finished painting,she gazed proudly at her work and smiled.

It was quite obvious, that she had a gift.She knew it too. She could feel it flowing in her veins. Days passed and she got caught up in her own life, frolicking and gallivanting across exams, jobs and relationships. She was preoccupied with worldly pleasures, running after things which never really mattered. She was happy, but unhappy at the same time.

At last, she realised that she should do something which moves her/is passionate about.

So, she quickly went to a nearby craft store and bought some canvas and paint. She started painting in her room, completely unaware about time, from dusk till dawn. She realised there was still some magic left in life to revel and rejoice in, as we transcend our dreams and realise our self worth.
P.S.Wrote this for a children's magazine
Dec 2019 · 107
It's Me
Joel Johny Dec 2019
Hey,It's me"

Enveloped by emptiness..

Feeling incompetent

Trying to unmask society.

What is society anyway? I ask myself..

An ideology created by us to escape separateness..



It's my 23rd birthday in 4 days,but i'm not excited..

Nothing to look forward to..

Clueless and numb..

My dreams seem obsolete..

I'm tired of routine.

Not afraid of death or scary ghosts..

I welcome them with open arms..

On a chilly December night..

I retrospect on the years passed by...

Trying to figure out how i reached here..

Suffering is suffering,love is love



Tomorrow is another day,let's make amends
Random thoughts on a sober night
Dec 2019 · 111
JusticeforPriyankaReddy
Joel Johny Dec 2019
I can't even fathom what goes through the minds of such men who commit such horrendous crimes..another girl brutally ***** in India,with her corpse burnt..

This is just one of the million cases that have come up in our country,excluding ones which are not even reported..

I think it's high time we men start taking some action..the best way to tackle a situation is to destroy it at it's root level.i.e.educating young men that they should respect women by default..

Whenever i hear or read such instances,i wish that i was a vigilante and could go **** all these men who bring a shame to our country..and i'm sure even other sensible men also feel the same way..

Here's what we can do to stop these atrocities from occurring each day..

1.Stop objectifying women: Women are not to be termed as "bundi","maal","****" and many more terms cause it doesn't make us realise that they're human beings,just like us and should be addressed as per their names ..Phrases like "cover the face,**** the base" gives men a false sense of satisfaction,thinking women are "trophies" and lustful objects that are born only to satisfy our desires and don't have a mind of their own..If you know people who use such kind of phrases or if you are among them too..please refrain from using those terms and stop hanging out with such people and tell them their mentality and structure of thinking is damaged and need to re-wire themselves.

2.Be vigilant: If you ever see someone or a bunch of people trying to harass/violate someone,report the authorities immediately and try to stop them from doing so..beat them up if you want to..it's your duty as a citizen to look after one another..
Even if it's someone of your own blood,don't hesitate..cause such people are not humans,they're monsters.Such behaviour is never to be condoned.

3.Seek help:This is for those who have gone through such traumatic/near death experiences,please TALK to someone,anyone whom you can trust...don't restrain within..and Men ..please make women in your life comfortable around you and aprroachable..so that they can rely on you in their darkest times..it's never easy to confide in someone..so respect their decision ..don't lie to them or ignore and give false hope..

4.Stop Fake allegations:Women,humble request, don't put somebody's life in danger by putting fake allegations of **** and harrassment on them,cause it's like the story of "The Boy who cried Wolf"..when it happens to you for real,no one will come to your aid,so stop playing with other people's lives to boost your ego.It's not gonna mount to anything..it endangers lives of actual victims of ****.

5.Consent is necessary:This one is probably the most important of them all,always ask for CONSENT..never try to force it,respect the other person's decision..
you have no right to violate anyone's body without their consent and don't even think about misleading them with false promises ..you men are the worst..these double faced idiots who pretend to be nice guys and exploit a girl's trust..if you want to impress a girl,do it with your own personality,don't fake it...she'll realise sooner or later...It's because of you guys ,women in our country sometimes misjudge guys who are actually very nice and humble..SHAME on you scumbags..

These are some points that i wanted to make..REMEMBER, Respect and humility should be there by default,it shouldn't be demanded..BE a responsible citizen and put an end to this demonic crime.
This is a rant after the recent mishaps in India..hope you relate with it..and if i've missed out anything,lemme know
Nov 2019 · 162
Broken Record
Joel Johny Nov 2019
I live in a closed world with open wounds,
Jubilant scenes my mind eludes,
Wishing I could find my own place..
Away from the endless crowds i never fit in with..
Away from all the fakeness,drama,chaos,numbness,hatred ....
The feeling of not belonging and wondering ..
Why i'm even trying to maintain a life i aint happy with...
It hurts when you can only see what you lack..
The constant pressure to change into the only thing we'll be accepted as;something that isn't you...
I'm at rock bottom..
Freefalling in a travesty of feelings...
Enjoy the ride,my fellow readers.
Just a late night contemporary piece .
Sep 2019 · 162
Real or Surreal
Joel Johny Sep 2019
I exist in a world that's really different,

A world where I don't feel like I belong...

A world where we have to live with the fear and uncertainty that everything; can be taken from us in an instant...

As you can see, I'm terrified beyond rational thought...

All these demons in my mind slow me down as they run deep...

I want to break down my walls and open up,

Angry and sad all the time,

I got tunnel vision...



I try to detach myself from me and attach to someone else,

Ends up being more painful than it seemed to be...

It's easy to lose what you never had,

Warping my mind over the image people have for me...



I'm sorry for all the rage, wasn't born with it...

Trying hard to harness all my repressed emotions as we speak...

I want to extrapolate life itself and put an end to this malicious prosecution of humans...

Our mind is delusional at times, and is too smug by undermining its beholder...



I'm weaving all these thoughts to put an end to my misery,

Find the basic purpose of my existence.



My dear reader,

Life is all about making mistakes and doing things to set them right,

It's a never-ending cycle that we're all a part of...

So, let's strive towards our surreal-like dreams and
Fabricate them into reality.
I wrote this last night trying to let out everything i had in my mind on paper..hope it makes some sense..feedback would be appreciated
Sep 2018 · 515
Step into my mind
Joel Johny Sep 2018
Step into the mind of a young man
Staying up late night
My mind's a mess living in a world of stress
So let me break it down for you
I write verses to fight my inner demons
Rapscallions everywhere tryna bring me down
Imma keep grinding in a tranquil hell
Till i reach another level i've never been on
The world is enough a hell to be ******
Why curse it further?
During my severed journey in metro rails
I see people with facades of character
Unable to merge with their true mores
No one can recognize me amongst them
Oh! I guess im a stranger to you

All i think about is music
Past memories splash like tidal waves
Gallivanting between my two identities
One fractured, the other to survive
My heart struggling to untether from itself
Now I wonder which is my home...?
This one or the world i dream about..
Now you may leave...
Thanks for sticking around.
This piece is about the pitfalls of a person's mind and what all thoughts he or she could be serenaded with in an alienated society..
Aug 2018 · 283
The Inevitable Truth
Joel Johny Aug 2018
Every time i reflect on myself,
I feel like i'm someone else...
I know I stay true to my inner being,
but I'm always
compelled to be a better me.
I keep asking myself..
Is this a facade or an impression
Am I even me?
Am I all that one's meant to be?
Or am I blind to what others see?
Well, i don't actually care what others see
I create and tend to live my life in my own unique way
Being spontaneous,that element of mystery always there..
Maintaining a "positive image", it will inevitably break..
Despite the distance, i think you and i will be fine
In a world created inside our minds,
Blissful and unique.
This poem is about self-discovery and not flinching to the hate around you...stick to your opinions and let you discover you...
Jul 2018 · 208
Casting Couch
Joel Johny Jul 2018
Im gifted and talented in my art
But people keep unrealistically positive expectations from me
Our society is overly attached to the superficial,
All chasing a mirage of happiness and satisfaction
There's no harm in being hedonistic..
But it shouldn't come at the expense of someone else
Asking for a "compromise",talent is shoved down the barrel
Im open with my insecurities, thats why im saying out loud
Be it a man or a woman..
You shouldn't make them suppress their anguish
And succumb to the pressure..
Respect is not something to be demanded
It should be our default mode..
This is a fictional work to spread awareness about the dangers men and women face when they have to climb the ladder of success in their respective fields..This is the truth and it should be out there..
May 2018 · 516
Molly the Superwoman
Joel Johny May 2018
Her name was Molly
She was the eldest in a family of 6 ,
Her dad was an alcoholic and gambler
Her mom sold milk to make a living
She had 2 brothers who were too lazy to work or study
So, all the weight and expectations fell upon her
But she never complained, kept working diligently
She was a silent worker who never asked  for sympathy
She was a role model to her youngest sister
She was quite smart and intelligent,
Beautiful and brave,
She was unabashed and was down to earth
She completed her degree in nursing
Despite financial struggles, lack of support and misogyny
And became a successful nurse
She served people for 28 years without any protest
She taught me to be myself,and the virtue of patience
I consider myself blessed to be her son
I look up to her to this day...
She has sacrificed so much in her life
All she asked ever in return was to break stereotypes
And do things which no one will expect from you
Thank you ,mom for everything..
This is my ode to my mother...i tell her everyday how much i love her and i dont need a specific day to remind me of that..but writing is my passion and what better than show some love through it..Hope you folks like it
May 2018 · 193
A play called Life
Joel Johny May 2018
We've all been cast in a play called life
Some of us are still figuring out what roles we play
Antagonist or Protagonist,
Each one of us is a part of the main crew..
People may come and go..
It depends on your performance
There will be critics as well as fans
Watching your every move
Listening to every dialogue you speak..
We don't know who the director/producer is

But as soon as the curtain is opened..
We have to enact the parts assigned to us
Our performance plays a crucial role in this play
We may chose to leave or choose a different role,
In the end.,
It all comes down to how we continue in the rest of the play...
A blink-and-you-miss-it appearance...
This is my revamped/enhanced way of elaborating on one of Shakespeare's great quotes..
Apr 2018 · 442
The Prodigal Father (Haiku)
Joel Johny Apr 2018
On  a vibrant sunny morning
I woke up to a loud knock
Calling out "It's me ,son"..
trying to write a haiku here...let me know how you feel about it..Haiku is a  short Japanese form of poetry consisting of 3 lines...
Apr 2018 · 220
I'll leave you
Joel Johny Apr 2018
"I'll leave you if you don't stop loving me"
Never thought ill hear this from someone
Thats what she said to me last night
I never thought loving someone
Would hurt them...
Guys like me never get the girl we want
She wants me to forget her..move on
Cause she feels she incapable of loving anyone in life
She doesnt want me to wait or hope
Cause she wont be happy if im not happy
I dont blame her...im not angry at her for choosing to be alone
Im just confused as to what hurts more...
To love her or not to love her
This is a real life example which happened to me..hope you get to learn something from it..drop down your comments as to what you feel
Joel Johny Apr 2018
You hope you're doing the right thing by becoming a better person ,but you don't realize you're also becoming a different person..
People may not appreciate what you've become now,react badly...but eventually..its for your own good..and they will see it..sooner or later
Apr 2018 · 179
Survive The Struggle
Joel Johny Apr 2018
We've all been told that we struggle to survive..
But nobody told us to survive the struggle..
You can't battle with life when life itself is the fight..
The world got no empathy, aint no spark of light..
They say once you started something, it needs your effort to stop..
But i cant stop writing..it helps me express myself
I believe rhymes don't matter if the concept doesn't offer a solution or get to your head..
Culture is passed down from generation to generation,
Only to be cut down in half.
We're all victims of duality,always afraid of what people might think...
Nobody cares about the crooks,
Unless its something valuable they took..
I hope you get the mental picture im trying to paint in your mind..
I acquire knowledge by cognition, not through ******* up
To summarise, life is change
It aint about getting famous or being rich or chasing beautiful honey's..
But its about making the biggest change in one's own life
Trying to inspire some peeps in here..hope you like this one..this one's straight from my heart..no facade..just simply pouring out...
Mar 2018 · 203
She's A Woman
Joel Johny Mar 2018
She is a woman
She's not everything you want her to be
Respect is not to be demanded
It should come naturally
Their intelligence is spiced with beauty
Filled with virtues of integrity and patience

You may think she's fragile but she can knock you down anytime
The universe is within her...she can make her own decisions
She's not an object for you to satisfy your lust with..
You can feel warmth and affection from her smile

I hope things were better now,
Where everyone is happy and contented
Where women dont have to carry pepper sprays in their handbags everytime they go out..
Just for one day...try to imagine yourself in their shoes

So, lets be thankful for all the women present in our lives
WHo have touched and inspired us
Believed in us and taught us to be resilient
Cause we men can never survive without them in our lives
Its International Women's Day today and i'd like to dedicate a piece for all the women from this planet who have been through a lot of struggles and pain..faced humiliation but have fought hard to survive in this godforsaken world...
Feb 2018 · 141
Ask Yourself..
Joel Johny Feb 2018
Love is the answer...
But what's the use when you dont know the question..
Feb 2018 · 195
Love is...
Joel Johny Feb 2018
Its not something you can find in Nicholas Sparks' novels..
It has a pivotal role in the survival of mankind..
It cant be seen or touched..but it can make you feel something
Something which fills in you what you were missing your whole life
It can change people who have been incarcerated by evil
Its a beautiful impact you leave behind after your demise
Let's all join together to share this gift
Not just with your closed ones,but those who have hurt you too
Embrace it fella..Breathe
Feb 2018 · 131
Feb 14..
Joel Johny Feb 2018
SHe said.."Hey!..Where are we going?"
I said" We already there"..
Just open your eyes and follow the instinct of your heart
This is the start we both were looking for
Even if we dont know where we are
Hold on to ecstasy..we both belong together
Feb 2018 · 223
Looking for...
Joel Johny Feb 2018
i just wanna wake up each day feeling peaceful
I present myself to the world with a fake grin
Inside its hurting..
Living in the past is so exhausting
Im getting older...its never stopping

Can anybody out there hear me
Im done running
All im looking for is a like minded girl
Who loves words as much as i do
ANd will love to share the tranquility of poetry
Together
Love isnt easy..it never was..thats why its called love
But im willing to give my best and love a woman more than i love myself..
Just a valentines day humdinger
Jan 2018 · 449
You're very strong
Joel Johny Jan 2018
Life is a hard puzzle
Its always gonna be a struggle
I wish you were in an idyllic place to be ... without any worries or pain,
If you're too afraid to speak or let it out
Let your heart beat instead..
It is okay to feel empty sometimes
Physical pain doesn't even come close
To the type of pain you've been through
As our lives ares slowly drifting
i just wanna say im glad you pulled through
You're very strong
This is dedicated to a friend of mine whos been through a lot of pain..shes   blessed and god gifted and its been a privilege knowing her..im sure she'll do amazing things one day and be proud of herself
Jan 2018 · 205
An ode to Jesus
Joel Johny Jan 2018
i was young and naive,full of emotional turmoil
I'm playing tough guy, I won't cry! Really internally I'm about to burst.
Time has flown past so fast when did I become this man?
Scared as hell and coudnt tell ya what's bout to come next
But I know you were there with me from dusk till dawn
Thank ya for never quitting, giving up on me.
I promise to fulfill your purpose
If wasn't for your gifts, there would be no glow on me.

I told myself I wouldn't breakdown in  verse
But it's hard to walk away from the one place you'd always go first
Leaving at all the memories, **** that's the worst
I know we dont talk much..but when we do..it feels great
Thank you Jesus...I can finally feel my life has started to change
Took me out of the dark and let me see the brand new me
Never give up when you're down, you can get back up.
That's all i needed to hear from you

I'm gonna let go of the past break the mold of this cast
you gave me the heart of a poet,so easily shattered by your touch,
Be careful what you hold on to, Because it just might be too much,
As it drips from your hand, Piece by piece,
Never knowing where it will land,Never having any peace.
Cause Jesus is the man..and he was born to be the light
To cast away all our troubles far beyond our sight..
God has helped me overcome a lot of stuff i dont even like thinking about ..so this is just my way of saying thanks man...i know youve got my back
Jan 2018 · 163
Voiceless Thoughts
Joel Johny Jan 2018
My thoughts do not speak
Nor do they have a voice of their own
The words are on my lips
but fall away like water beneath ships
Under a rug my emotions have been swept,
On many moonless nights i have wept
I succumb to shameful acts of self fufillment
Trapped In a dark world of unfulfilled expectations
Tell me ,What's the difference between morality and reality
Can one truly comprehend the teachings of society
Is it possible to abide laws and still be able to see
For in a faithless world, one longs to believe.
All my emotions are colliding as i write this..
my ideas have fallen through, my glass still half empty.

I look you in the eye ,believe me,I can hear you all sigh.
I know that you don't get me, i know that you don't see.
Maybe,I shouldn't speak,maybe you think I'm a freak.
There's so much I could voice, many things you should know
But each time the words begin to leave ,
My heart whisper's that I should go
There's so much I could share ,but is this really the place?
If only my thoughts could speak for itself..
They would echo across this hall
So lets just stop pretending, every moment is never ending...
my feelings are hidden, cast away from light,
without a voice to feed them , they recoil beyond my sight.
What happens under darkness shall come to light
Isnt it a little ironic,
Cause im standing here speaking about the unspoken..
Im leaving with my feelings unsaid..
As silence will echo my voiceless thoughts.
i wrote this for a slam poetry comp..
Jan 2018 · 196
JanuaryNight
Joel Johny Jan 2018
I take a step outside my door,
I can feel my spine chilling, my jaw tightly shut..
My fingers buried deep inside my palms,
I can smell the dampness of the ground
As i walk with a delirium in my mind on a sober January night..

Why do we fail to see the beauty that surrounds us everywhere?
Why cant’ you feel the joy in all the small things people share?
We all deserve to move ahead,yet why are we held back?
A charmed smile hides much more than we could see.
You fail to hear cause you never listened
Must i be scrutinized always for being myself
Truth hurts but pain is an old friend...
Please don’t disregard the guilt or forget about shame
These two big players are leaders of the game..
Amidst all this chaos and fury of rage,
I wonder..
Should i crawl back into darkness and swallow my pride..
Lingered memories caress my mind

What happened after that is irrelevant at best..
All I will say is that I was nothing but stressed
I know now that I hold so much more worth
And I love myself more than anyone ever could..
Just know that these words have come straight from my heart
Im trying to make this a poem so it seems like some kind of art..
just remember..no matter how bad those memories were
You can never restart or relive them,
But can always learn and try not to repeat them..
Thing may not seem going your way now
But soon there will come a time
When you'll be laughing back at your problems..
The fact that you're alive is a cause for celebration..
SO lets not waste it on petty problems
Should you ever need a shoulder, please find me.
I hear a voice which seems familiar as i come back home..
True beauty is within, layered under sin
Hold me tightly in your thoughts and I will hold you in my heart.
#thereforyou #loveyourself i hope im able to touch a readers mind and heart through this piece..im not perfect..im perfectly imperfect..
Aug 2017 · 199
Serenity
Joel Johny Aug 2017
All i seek is some serenity,
You think you relate,
But i truly doubt it..
I'm past all my darkest days
All that anger in me bottled up,
Finally got a catharsis...
Don't be so *****..
Just ask yourself..
Why do you let others outlive you?
You are unique and different..
No reason to be feel ashamed..
Why are relationships so complicated nowadays..
Has Lust suppressed Love..?
All i seek is some serenity..
Is it too much to ask?
well..do comment if you like it ..
Jul 2017 · 155
Pain
Joel Johny Jul 2017
You walked into my life and i felt renewed.. saw glimpses of myself in you...knowing you have been hurt badly in the past..i refrained from attaching myself to you..cause ive have gone through the same pain..darker , pitch black.. unlit world..my childhood was full of trauma,,with a few bits of happiness..all i ever wished was for someone to give me love which i didnt get..but i realised love is a priceless gift...and you have to earn it..ive always tried making people laugh,happy..with my utmost efforts..cause i wanted a gleeful environment around me..couldnt bear to see anyone sad..Pain is something which teaches you whats right and wrong..which sets you in your senses...makes you think deeper. It makes you more mature and confident..atleast in my case..its true.
If i had a wish..it would be to eradicate pain out of my loved ones...cause ive been to that place..and trust me..its not pretty out there..i may not be rich famous or successful..but i can assure you..ill be with you forever..loving you until it hurts.
Jan 2017 · 527
Blank Page
Joel Johny Jan 2017
A Blank paper has unlimited possibilities
When you write,
Its like re-creating yourself
Mind connects with the page
All the thoughts spread in a meaningful order...
Writing may be a diminishing art,
But whatever you write..
It stays eternal and cant be destroyed..
If i paint my feelings on paper,
Like a portrait..with light and shade
Would you hang it on your wall?
When i got a writers block(condition where the writer stares at a blank page or screen for hours without writing anything),i got this amazing idea..hope your mind connects with each line..:D
Jul 2016 · 1.1k
Oh! He's So Handsome
Joel Johny Jul 2016
Oh my God! He's so handsome
Just the perfect guy you'd like to go with on a date
Hoping he would come this way i just cant wait
I just cant believe this is a very big chance
So full of excitement at the hope of romance
My heart is scared i hope this does not show
The smile on his face casts an enchanting glow
He keeps his head high and stands so tall
I'm sure he will hold me tight and never let me fall
He has got the most cutest dimples..
Ohh **** i wish he fails to see my pimples
I was dreaming all this while about you and me..
Sad to say...He's not in love with me...
this poem was written by me through a girl's point of view..after observing them..whatever thoughts which come into their mind when they see a handsome man..enjoy :)
Jul 2016 · 1.3k
Love is Dangerous
Joel Johny Jul 2016
Love is Dangerous


Our love is so dangerous,
Cause it's not working for the two of us,
You told me i'm your one and only,
So tell me why you make me feel so lonely,
Every game you play with me...
I be the loser in the end...
You say you trust me now...
But... then you go and change your mind... :'(
For now...ll just swallow my heart and let it die..
*sigh
this poem was inspired by a girl who came in my life like a breath of fresh air but left in a storm..hope you like it :)
Jul 2016 · 363
Night vs Day
Joel Johny Jul 2016
‪#‎NightVsDay‬
I sleep all day, think all night..
Daytime is boring, nighttime is fascinating,
Sun scorches all day,like a fiery ball...
Moon stays calm,mysterious & ageless....
Nightlife is full of magic if you look closely,
Its mystery compels you to search deeper within you..
As it slowly dies to give life to dawn...
I get intoxicated with the moonlight,
Drown all my worries in its beauty..
I don't care what you think bruh but ......
I'd rather be a night creature full of mystery...<3
than an early bird waking up with doubts and regrets..
im a nightlife lover .so wanted to write on it, describing its effect over day..hope you can relate with it :)

— The End —