A Letter To My Mom

By Vaidehi Jha

Was that glitter on your face or tears

That you rushed to hide from me?

Were the hues on your cheeks

Strokes of love or hatred?

Was the shame spilling from your eyes

Planted by this world or by your own hands?

Were those midnight strolls

Failed attempts at running away?

Some thorns lead to roses, you’d say

When I asked why you chose to stay

But I could see your eyes betraying your smile.

I was afraid of the fear in them when you saw him

But I stayed because you did

Until neither of us could.

As Dad’s dead flesh lies in front of me,

I can hear you say proudly,

Not all thorns lead to roses

I wipe the blood from my hands and turn to the sky

Not all graves lead to heaven, I reply.

By Vaidehi Jha