Autumn Leaves : A Journey Through Grief and Hope

The emotions I went through and the journey I have travelled are what I have tried to share with you in each poem. These poems come from the depths of everything I felt, from the moment I could express myself.

In grief, some people shed tears, some lose sleep, some are overwhelmed with anger, and many lose their faith. I did lose my sleep, but beyond that, most of the above did not happen to me. Instead, poetry became the only way I could truly express what I was going through.

These poems emerged in both Hindi and English. This surprised me, as English is my first language, not Hindi. Yet, at times, I found that in Hindi, I could discover the truest words to express what I was feeling.

This book also traces a gentle transition from grief to acceptance. I hope you, dear reader, are able to see-and perhaps walk-this journey with me.

- Mamta Lalla Wasan