A Thousand Survivals

By Shikha Nambiar

Surrounded by long crooked iron bars, Ditching the traditional with ventilated and well-lit enclosed space, Sometimes the fresh scent of the blooming flowers hitting my nostrils, Somewhen it would be the birds whispering, A variety of cuisines lining up for me, Italian, Chinese, continental,

Oh, I had them all, Every so often, overwhelmed with the shades of the sky,

I try reaching up, To be wrapped in those contrasting colours, Dreaming again?

Sound of chains clanking, mocking me for trying it seems, Darkness seeped in as the night came daunting at me, blinding with confusion, Though I had it all, and yet so cold, The world smiled at me, and believe me, I did too, Only a full belly, an empty heart one, Just another survival, From the master of the cage, master of the rules, Prisoner of the unknown but unmistakably own.

By Shikha Nambiar