Susmita:
    I hope you really enjoyed your stay here in our beautiful homeland. I'd like to thank you for visiting our country not just for the scenic beauty, which is enough reason by the way, but for the purpose that drove you here. Sharing is often a herculean task but also a selfless reflection of being human. I believe sharing your story, your piece of art with us really added flavour to your visit here. So, appreciate your courage, I'm honestly proud of you.
    The reading session you hosted at Quixote Coves was beautiful and thought provoking. Before your session I was completely unaware about the brilliant work of Audre Lorde and James Baldwin, now I can't thank you enough for choosing their literature for the session.
    Poetry is often seen as a luxury. Luxury by meaning is optional or not essential. However, poetry is a vital necessity of our existence which makes the use of word luxury with poetry irrelevant. Poetry helps us understand our deepest feelings, feelings help us understand our oppression. When we understand oppression, we can imagine change. This is the reason why poetry is not a decoration it is a weapon of survival. 
    I personally loved this discussion because this was my eye opening moment or to be a bit dramatic, I had literal goosebumps once the reality hit me. Our society is no different today too, we are still taught to distrust our feelings, suppress our desires, be quiet, be obedient, be logical instead of getting in touch with your emotion, serve others instead of listening to your inner voices because if we ever learn to break the silence then we question, we question ourselves, we let our anger work at best of its ability, we challenge the system of patriarchy and we refuse to be oppressed. This is what they fear the most. It's high time we realize that the system spares no gender including men. Therefore, poetry is power, poetry is political, poetry is a tool of resistance, poetry is survival.
    During, the reading session of 'Giovanni's Room by Baldwin I love the part where David encounters his first dilemma surrounding his sexuality. I found it deeply moving. When David and Joey had their first night together, at the time it felt natural, innocent and beautifully honest. Moreover David feels happy. But the morning changes everything. David wakes up and suddenly feels fear, shame and disgust not because that's what he experienced but because he realises what it means in society.
    It's sad how society teaches boys to fear softness, how masculinity is glorified, how shame is learned and not natural and how internalised homophobia is injected.
    Therefore, the experience itself was not traumatic for David but the shame was. Baldwin shows how David's silence and rejection of his identity destroys his true self and deviates from acting human.
    Impact or change doesn't necessarily have to be drastic or grand because mine isn't haha. Having said so, I am trying to reflect whatever I've learnt from you, the amazing people I got to encounter in the session and the authors. I'm trying to be a good listener for myself. I am definitely working on those inner voices. Getting  to know yourself has been hectic but at the same time therapeutic. As a result a week ago I made one of the biggest decisions of my career based on the theory of Lorde's ' The Erotic.' That has now become the compass to navigate my life, maybe a little. I might have thrown words here and there but honestly, the session healed something in me that was long forgotten.
    Thank you Mayis for loving what you do, your resilience brought art to life. I couldn't have asked for a better facilitator than you. You're extremely comfortable and genuine with your art. You're inspirational! I was so happy leaving the room after the session. You have the most enchanting personality and I was intrigued by your ability to define feelings; words somehow behave when you command them. I'm grateful for the experience. Keep creating art! After all, Earth without art is just Eh!!! Wherever you go in this world, you'll be in my quiet prayers! And also, I love your photography, you notice things and potray it in your stories with so much grace. I enjoyed seeing Kathmandu through your lense! Enjoy your remaining days here and safe travels!! I wish you all the best for your future projects!