On a quiet afternoon every month, a group of women gathers at one member’s home in Jalandhar, not for a social gathering or a formal meeting, but to read poetry they have written themselves. Teachers, professors, homemakers and women from different walks of life come together with notebooks in hand, finding in verse a space to express emotions, experiences and ideas that often remain unspoken.The gatherings are organised by Mahila Kavya Manch, a platform for women poets founded by writer Naresh Naaz. The organisation has a presence in several parts of the state, with district-level units functioning independently and holding monthly poetry sessions.Unlike many literary organisations, Mahila Kavya Manch does not charge a membership fee. Any woman with an interest in writing poetry can become a member, regardless of her profession or literary background. Sessions are held either online or offline, depending on the convenience of members, while offline meetings are usually hosted at a member’s residence.For many participants, the platform has become more than a literary forum. In the middle of demanding careers, household responsibilities, and family commitments, the monthly meetings offer dedicated time for creativity and self-expression. Members say the experience of reading their work before an encouraging audience has helped them gain confidence and discover an identity beyond their everyday roles.The organisation also hosts annual state-level gatherings, bringing together women poets from different districts on a common stage. For many who began by reading poems in a living room, it becomes an opportunity to share their work with a much larger audience.At a time when social media has made publishing easier but meaningful literary communities harder to find, such gatherings continue to remind participants that poetry is not only meant to be written; it is also meant to be heard.