28/05/2026
There’s only a couple of weeks to go before our book launch for The Book of Belonging at Nottingham Poetry Festival, so we thought we’d share some of our amazing contributors’ poems in the lead up to the event!
Here’s Aarya Handa’s brilliant poem called ‘Permission to Exist’:
‘When boredom strikes, I float to the fridge.
The pillow holds my weight when sadness consumes.
I pause the stress of work,
to admire the burning candle on my desk -
not just for warmth, not just for light,
but for a single flame of stillness.
Stubborn yet calm.
The sofa supports me,
as a princess dances across the screen.
I study her bedroom for inspiration,
gathering material to build my own.
Memory of home grips -
like the strength of a magnet,
like the pull of gravity.
As a dull conversation drags,
as the world’s noise cuts out,
as my holiday read fails to amuse,
& the island sun’s embrace which I once longed for - (paradise).
Even paradise is no match for the warmth of my own four walls.
Returning from travels elsewhere,
the tarmac greets me
with the gift of home’s air,
whispering ‘welcome back’.
For home is an exploration of consciousness.
It permits existence,
unreservedly.
Inside these four walls, I unfold -
either privy to an audience,
or as a solitary performance.
Author of access,
I am the key that unlocks myself.
Here I belong,
in this mine -
sanctuary of the mundane,
if I so will it to be.
Home’s arms extend outwards,
to invite the outside in.
As the party picks up,
the hallway smiles softly.
As the outside leaves, I peer through the window pane -
our eyes meet.
I watch, as they stroll.
As the street carries them gently homeward
to their own waiting doors,
I remain grateful for the one I lock behind me.’
Remember to join us on the 14th of June between 5.00pm and 6.30pm at Fisher Gate Point in Nottingham to hear from some of our poets and also celebrate the release of ‘The Book of Belonging’. The event is free to attend and you can buy copies of ‘The Book of Belonging on the day. We can’t wait to see you all there!
