Comfort and Cakes

By Shambhavi Kulkarni

Birthday cakes and messy hand-written cards,

I reminisce over the easy days,

when our only problem was missing the morning bus to school

Mumbai doesn't feel like home, I'm aware

leaves you feeling lost amidst the tall skyscrapers,

but you're so much more than the heaviness that weighs you down,

a headstrong woman with the world at her feet

you never have to worry about taking care of me,

even with zero pennies, we'd make a castle of memories

build pillow forts to keep us safe,

hot soups as we fight the winter away,

and a lullaby to drift us away into a deep slumber

my role model, the only warrior I'll ever know,

the seagulls are close and the wishing well not too far,

I'll make sure you get everything you need,

just hang in there and hold onto me.

By Shambhavi Kulkarni