In the world of poetry, words have the power to evoke emotions, challenge societal norms, and inspire change. For Vanya Sidana, a talented student from 12 C, her poetic journey reached new heights when her poem titled "Perfect" was published in the prestigious National Poetry Month: Art Synergy's Collection for 2023. This heartfelt poem resonates deeply with the youth population of today, offering insights into the pressures of conformity and the pursuit of individuality.

In "Perfect," Vanya beautifully captures the struggle many individuals face to fit into society's expectations. The poem eloquently reflects on students and what they want them to be versus the individual they pretend to be, highlighting the dissonance between their true self and the idealized image society imposes upon students. The powerful metaphor of looking in the mirror reveals the internal conflict faced by the protagonist, unable to embrace their authentic self under the weight of societal judgment.

Breaking free from the shackles of conformity, the protagonist chooses to escape from the angels and finds herself in the arms of the devil. It is a bold and thought-provoking decision, symbolizing the pursuit of personal freedom, even if it means going against societal norms. The poem challenges the idea of perfection, exposing the flaws in its pursuit and the consequences of sacrificing individuality for societal acceptance.

Speaking about her thoughts while writing the poem, Vanya shared – “I started writing since grade 9th. I would write some poems or songs and chapters of a book and upload them on the internet. I got some response and that encouraged me even more and since then writing has been a means of escape and a hobby for me to let go of the stress.

I wrote this poem thinking about all that is happening in our society. Children especially girls are expected to be perfect. A child is expected to be a model student, model child, a great athlete, a talented singer or a dancer. She is expected to excel in every field and are extremely pressurised when they don’t.

 I wrote this poem thinking of how people who accept the child as they are, like their friends are perceived. We are told that friends will never help us in difficult life situations and just to spend time with them and have fun.

A line in this poem “But if it meant being perfect, she’d rather dance with devil than sing with the angels” is the main line as the entire crux of the poem lies in it. I compared friends to the devil and the society with the angels. If I had to explain the poem from my perspective and the reason, I wrote it is that a child is expected to be perfect by the society and the people who accept the as they are they start to run away from their problems, start having mental illnesses. They go to their friends, share their problems with them and feel light and feel like they have found a place where they belong. When the society tries to bring them back, they shun them away because they would rather be with someone their age who accepts them as they are than be with someone who expects them to change and be perfect. This is my interpretation of the poem. I believe that a poem has a million interpretations and everyone has their own.”

As Vanya continues to explore her passion for poetry, her success story serves as an inspiration to other aspiring writers and artists. Her ability to articulate profound ideas through her verses demonstrates the transformative power of words and the impact that a single voice can have on society.

We hope and pray for her talent to continue flourishing, and may her words continue to resonate, inspire, and challenge the world we live in.