Alesha Khan
The Fatal Quest
In the lull, I find the echoes of what,
I used to ask,
Why the writer dies?
Why they suicides?
Why the poet hides?
A reason for their sighs
A wise man disclosed:
No one can feel the pain
until they are in the same chain
To make my mind shun,
I choose to be the one
No one told me the reason,
Not until now
Neither someone answered
Nor I asks it anymore
Let's sign a pact
To find that fact
Look, I'll be the example
Someone else too will scramble
I'll die
You'll find why
Author’s Words:
This piece, "The Fatal Quest" is one of the most intimate and vulnerable I have ever penned. It was born from a place of deep, personal questioning during my time as a literature student, where I endlessly wondered about the profound sorrow that seemed to shadow the great writers and poets I so admired. I could read their words and their histories, but I could never truly feel their pain. I was always on the outside, looking in.
The journey to the answer became my own. When I stepped into the role of a writer myself, the world shifted. I began to absorb the weight of everything around me, the silent struggles, the unspoken realities the collective sighs of society. I started writing not just stories, but my lived experience contending with the heavy responsibility of holding so many truths at once. It was in this crucible of creation that I finally understood. The poem is that realization: a raw confession that we cannot fully comprehend a feeling until we have worn its chains.
I initially envisioned this poem as a cornerstone of my upcoming poetry collection "A Quiet Soul" but when I saw the theme for this issue, I knew "The Fatal Quest" had found its true home. Silk and Ink Magazine is where my own voice first found its way into the world and it feels like a profound full-circle moment to offer back a piece that so fundamentally encapsulates my lived experience as an Asian writer who looks keenly in the society and its culture. It is my hope that in sharing this personal quest, it will resonate with others who have also sought answers from the silence and perhaps, make them feel a little less alone in their own chains.
Author’s Biography:
Alesha Khan is 20 years old emerging voice in contemporary literature from Shujabad, Pakistan. A graduate in English Literature and Linguistics, she wields language to explore the depths of human experience. Her literary talent was formally recognized when she was honored with the Literary Icon Award in Multan in April 2025.
Alesha's work, known for its emotional depth and social consciousness, has transcended national borders, finding a home in prestigious international publications such as Silk and Ink Magazine, Andromeda Magazine, The Odyssey Youth Literary Magazine and Scribbled Online. Her storytelling prowess is also featured in a national anthology, showcasing her versatility across poetry and short fiction.
Beyond the written word, she is a dedicated advocate for human rights and youth empowerment, channeling her conviction into action as a member of Amnesty International and serves as an Ambassador for "Empower," a global platform dedicated to breaking structural barriers in public speaking and leadership for youth worldwide. Committed to personal and professional growth. She is currently enhancing her leadership capabilities through an Aspire Leadership Program conducted in collaboration with Harvard Business School. Through both her art and her activism, she strives to give voice to the silenced and illuminate shared human truths.