Eyes

By Aarshia Ray

The windows you tried to coax into opening,

Were fastened and locked.

The glass panes were tight,

Grey curtains draped over metal railings.

You turned your back

On that austere window,

Of the house of your dreams,

On the lonely pair of eyes which looked out.

Those lonely brown eyes,

Staring blankly at nothingness,

Heavy-lidded, but timid,

Sensitive strength masking intentions.

Whether grief, or perhaps nostalgia,

Of some fair day, some bright sunshine,

Green fields with happy men.

Thunder raged as you returned,

Pity perhaps, sympathy maybe, empathy surely.

Convincing yourself they needed you,

Not the other way round,

Your eyes looked into theirs,

Stretching out a delicate palm.

The orders were strict,

Prim and precise;

Occupants rebelled,

But never defied.

The window opened by a crack,

The soft skin met a wrinkled hand,

Prematurely aged, nature violated.

You withdrew your hand in shock,

Hesitated and extended again,

A nervous smile on your lips,

Bravery creased on your forehead,

A cheery grin on theirs,

So alien, but so familiar.

You parted your lips,

Whispered phrases,

Replied in equal measure.

You spoke sentences next,

Replied in phrases yet,

You crafted essays, penned stories,

Bled letters, weaved epics,

Sang poetry, imagined dialogue,

Acted plays, delivered monologues—

Replied in phrases yet.

Their grin faded awkwardly,

Attempted to close the window.

Truth is too much to take.

Controversy too deep to wallow in.

Intellect too deep to wade through.

Escapism smacks failure,

Gallant loss is not built for all,

Best defence remains offense.

You smiled wider uncomfortably,

Clung to the pane in wild desperation,

Desperation for home,

Some fantastical abode

Which rode on golden stars,

And had silver wings,

In the dreams of children half your age.

The window closed eventually,

Order reinstated.

The sun glared at your face,

You shut your eyes,

Wet cheeks and salt on your lips,

Their eyes had turned away,

Unmasked and real,

Shallow and nonchalant.

They did not dare look at you again.

They did not dare look at you again.

By Aarshia Ray