This boy
Wedged between his kin
Who hold hands
And bow before
The feast
This boy
His grip weak
His head unbowed
Stares through the frame
And I look away
This boy
Wedged between his kin
Who hold hands
And bow before
The feast
This boy
His grip weak
His head unbowed
Stares through the frame
And I look away
The gentleman in the train
Stares with contempt
At the man sitting beside him
As they both journey
From and to a place
Where none wait for either
The same earthen diyas
That when alight bring
Joy and spirit of a particular kind
Burnt a woman today
If roses could make you hate
And lullabies keep you awake
If you cannot find calm near the ocean
Or breathe well among trees
Then let symbols and beliefs
Enter the realm of rationality
With rocks and dust
To keep them company
Not fully realized
Within the hours I sleep
I carry them along
I dine with them
I drink to them
When alone
I speak of them
At times more about one than another
At times never about one
But I carry that along too
Whims and urges demand that
Not even fully realized
Within this space
I leave them for sleep
And the next day
While you wait for me
I rush to the place
But stop on seeing you
And remember the days
When this was easy and natural
Now I hide and peer
Unsure of what I’ll say
Of what you have to tell
Of what all we have forgotten
The years have harmed you less
Anxiety marks itself on you
Similar doubts stem I gather
I fail to sneak away
You see me now
We are in trouble