Two Years and a Thousand Steps

By Anusha Murali

As these two years of the fellowship draw to a close, I find myself reflecting on all the days, both good and challenging, that have shaped me into who I am today. I carry deep gratitude for every experience, and with a full heart, I now bid farewell to this incredible journey of being a fellow.

Two years ago, I stepped unsure,
A suitcase full of dreams, and fears galore.
The silence of a new home creaked at night,
The absence of familiar faces dimmed the light.

Cooking for one, cleaning alone,
Learning to build a life of my own.
What once felt heavy, unknown, and wide,
Now walks beside me, like an old friend with pride.

Mornings with chores, and work through the day,
I’ve found my rhythm, in my own quiet way.
Fear of the mundane has turned into grace,
And I’ve finally found peace in my own space.

Missing my family used to bring tears,
But now it brings strength, not just quiet fears.
I carry them softly, not as a crutch,
But as warmth in my heart, a gentle touch.

Strangers offered kindness, and stayed awhile,
Some left, some stayed, some made me smile.
Old bonds faded like postcards from the past,
And new ones bloomed — not meant to last, but vast.

Now, I don’t search for hands to hold,
I’ve learned to be brave, and quietly bold.
Managing life is no longer a task,
It’s a cloak I wear, not a heavy mask.

This journey has carved me, line by line,
Into someone I now proudly call mine.
Two years, many lessons, and stories to tell —
I came here a shell, and I’m leaving whole and well.