A City That Inhales Poison

By Plaksha Srivastava

Sitting on the porch,

Glaring into nothingness, like

I was there but not really.

Sinking, falling, drowning, shrinking

Restless, hopeless, soulless, helpless

As I stared blankly, a vision appeared

A river as pristine as my intentions, passing through

Mountains as steadfast as my love for art.

That's the world I live for

That's the world I will leave

As I stared blankly, smog disrupted my vision

I was back, on the porch

Glaring into city that inhales poison

                 (and thus, exhales it too?)

I was there, at last because forget living,

The State wouldn't even let me daydream of tranquility

By Plaksha Srivastava