Within the quiet, books embrace my mind,
A refuge from the chaos and the noise,
In printed worlds, a sanctuary I find.
The storm outside can rage, unkind,
But here, inside, the words become my gentle voice and joys,
Within the quiet, books embrace my mind.
Each story leaves the harshest fears behind,
Digital Art by Alina Sukhovskaya
A hidden door, a choice, a poise,
In printed worlds, a sanctuary I find.
Through every chapter, peace is redefined,
Soft whispers replace doubt’s cruel ploys,
Within the quiet, books embrace my mind.
No judgment lurks, no cruel glance combined,
Paper and ink and pages, my favorite noise,
In printed worlds, a sanctuary I find.
So let the world outside fury grind,
I read and let my soul shape its joys,
Within the quiet, books embrace my mind,
In printed worlds, a sanctuary I find.
Oil on Canvas by Alina Sukhovskaya
Oil on Wood by Alina Sukhovskaya
Biography
My name is Anjali Patel, and I am currently a sophomore in high school. In school, I am a Pre-Medical student and am interested in becoming a doctor in the future. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music and spending time with my friends, as well as reading. Overall, I like to find ways to relax and balance my schoolwork with my interests.
What is your main source of inspiration? 
My main source of inspiration, in general, is my mom. My mom was able to overcome different obstacles in her youth and has taught me to persevere through any challenge I may face. When I was younger, she instilled in me that reading was very important and acted as a calm when everything may go wrong. For this piece specifically, I used that feeling of comfort and escape that reading and books provide, especially when everything around you seems so chaotic.
What motivated you to write this piece, and what is its message?
I was motivated to write this poem because books are often felt to be a refuge where people can relax and find peace. The message of the poem is that reading can be a sanctuary that protects the mind, whether that be from stress, fear, or judgement. It shows how stories and words can bring comfort and an emotional calm even when the outside world feels overwhelming.
