Dear Readers, I am thrilled as well as a little hesitant to venture into the realm of publishing my first English language poetry compilation. It is like taking my first baby step. The compilation 'Dust in the storm' is simple as well as philosophical. It has altogether thirty-two poems representing the different stops on the journey of my life. They are the manifestation of my dreams and aspirations, encompassing memories from childhood and my life in adulthood. I have always believed that poetry is one of the best and most powerful medium to express even mundane things with profundity, in few words. It is never easy to write something sublime and thought provoking with brevity; but poetry allows such direct communication. This is the beauty of poetry. I appreciate life and am always in awe of this beautiful world. This is the reason my poems are full of optimism even when its subjects are complex. Topics like love, sleep, and death, though common, may not have similar impact on all people. I hope to share my stories with you through this book. The poems: 'Death', 'Me and My Mirror', 'The Solitary Walk', 'Ode to Sleep', 'A Call', 'The Spirits'- are philosophical in nature.'Realisation' and 'Ode to Unrequited Love' are about my dreams and quests. Some poems fall in the category of nostalgia, like- 'The Tamarind Tree', 'Ode to loneliness'; while some explore my deep bond with nature. Nature is God's manifestation. It is not only beautiful but also very mysterious. It has always acted like a healer for me; imbuing me with sublime serenity and inspiration. My visit to Kailash Mansarovar further strengthened this bond; it not only humbled me, but changed my perspective on life. 'My Basket is Full' speaks about this experience. I do not boast that these poems are literary marvels. Nor would I like you to read them in that spirit. Rather, these poems are just me depicting my pleasures, dreams and uncertainties in a way that makes me happy. I hope you enjoy them and my simple words can inspire you to share your stories as well. ---Thanks, Abha Kala