Join me on this four-year journey to become the Meril I am now.
Nonfiction
Commuting Up
Shuttling between two neighborhoods, Flushing, Queens, and the Upper East Side, this story follows a girl’s journey to school. Along her commute, she discovers her identity and the meaning of hard work and perseverance.
You are found guilty for your lies. Death Sentence From Truth is Punishment.
As a teenager grows into adulthood they begin to understand the consequences of their words. They no longer have bliss, and the people around them continue to remind them of it.
things hidden on the surface of skin
These stanzas are the documentation of the pieces of people I’m allowed to see.
As A Woman
In New York, there are many times I’ve been catcalled on the train. I wrote this poem to release my bottled up anger about the constant catcalls and times I was seen as an object.
If Only You Knew
Subconscious writes a letter to assure Natalie of the doubts she has about her self-worth.
Banana Bread and Lemon Glaze
A short story about code switching and living between two worlds.
Flight 1004
She’s finally ready to explore the physical world for the first time, but something is missing and it’s the final piece to reconcile her two metaphysical worlds.
Life’s a Circus
The personal narrative of how my journey to learn to juggle taught me about life.
Night Swimming at Summer Camp in New Hampshire
The girls swim in the lake at summer camp. It is the only place around them that is cool.
It Wasn’t Your Fault
To contemplation and betrayal.
tears of the past
Sometimes, we surprise ourselves in the ways we act in certain situations that life throws at us. This piece tells of my first encounter with this lesson.
of remembrance and regret
This essay is a tribute to my grandmother and an immortalization of my biggest regret.
I’m Happy
A piece that has been waiting too long to say what needed to be said, out loud and to the world. Regardless of everything that has happened this year, I’m happy to be alive!
Noodles and Pasta: Different Yet the Same
I wrote this piece to reflect on my favorite tradition every year– my family’s Christmas Eve dinners, which demonstrates my multi-cultural background through the food that we eat.