Boxes

By Yash Raj Shukla

Creatures peeped over my box's wall,

To fading colors of a paint once done;

Once a while and up they crawl,

Witness him they had known as - One.

Through tiny holes or a strenuous climb,

They hear for hints of a murmured voice;

Some laugh out loud or emotions mime,

Seeing the walls of a detestable choice.

You'd waited for them to peep and look,

You'd waited to hear them laugh or cry;

Naive to gulp in their baited hook,

Blind to the days when noise runs dry!

You built a box with all your might,

Built it pretty and big and strong;

Tall enough to cease your flight,

Painted dreams to go along.

Soon your dreams were boxes too,

Walls too tall for one to reach;

Box-less neighbors left were few,

All their walls too strong to breach.

Some go off searching boxes afar,

Newer ones to rebuild and shine;

You set ablaze your box to char,

Move instead to an open shrine.

By Yash Raj Shukla