Dreams

By Sneha Mukherjee

She was not alone but she was lonely,

They all held her responsible; called her hapless,

“Was it really my fault?”

The question disturbed her always.

Often, she used to wonder,

What life would be like,

Will it be same with all the pain?

If she could have her parents back.

She knew they are gone,

Somewhere else; a different world they say.

“Why?”, she questioned,

Why they left her and went away?

She did not have any friends,

She never went to play.

They treated her as a domestic help,

Run errands and work all day.

Sometimes she wished for a deep slumber,

So that no one could ever wake her up.

But then, there was something within,

Which told her to never give up.

Those were her dreams.

Yes! She was a dreamer,

From where do they come at all,

She could not fathom ever.

She dreamt of freedom;

To run away and never turn back,

To break down all the shackles,

To see a new world, take a new path.

She dreamt of love;

How it would be, she wondered,

If all the hatred washes away,

And she could love and be loved.

She dreamt of happiness;

To sing and dance in the rain,

To sail that paper boat in the stream,

To laugh aloud, get rid of all the pain.

She dreamt of celebration;

To burn crackers and light the lamp,

To go to the village fair,

With her father hand in hand.

She knew these are nothing but dreams,

A collection that is so dear,

But so far from reality.

Yet, she was a dreamer.

Her dreams kept her alive,

Gave courage for the battle she fought,

She won’t give up, a promise she made,

For it is only one life she has got.

By Sneha Mukherjee