As I Saw Myself In You

By Desiree Marisa Fernandes

Now at the fag end of an unsolicited friendship

The unexpected turn of events

Found us nonplussed at the cross ends.

Unable to foresee beyond the bend.

Rewinding in time to a rekindled bond

Did you feel compelled

That there was something to savour

Is it in obliging me a favour?

Was it an ill-omen to delve into

Familiar waters that I once drowned in

To capture the beauty that lay beneath

We settled for higher grounds to begin with.

As we swum across the still waters

The hazy turbulent tide leered its way

But learning to ride the high waves

It was myself that I had to save.

To build strength and tenacity in accompanying you

Your despair was once my very own

But in covering all of your pitfalls

It was finally you that took the call.

Nothing ever seemed alien to me

That you’d hide behind the garb of your surliness

But irrespective of your ken, persona or whatever you are

There’s a faint reminder that in guilt you carry your scars.

You needn’t have to be so hard on yourself

And mask up in a façade of valour

Its in our vulnerabilities et all that we identity

Who’ll finally stand by us and testify.

By Desiree Marisa Fernandes