Golden Cage

By Kashvi Goel

Men have done what’s right in their minds,

For them laws seem to have faded into oblivion.

There are no laws, no wrongs, no rights, no sins.

I am spiralling however, for I think I have sinned.

If not, why am I behind the bars?

Bright, golden, cold bars.

I am that exquisite bird to you, a cute chick to others.

Yes, they adore me.

Will they think twice before skinning me alive, 

Consuming me?

I am whipped every day,

I can smell my metallic blood,

Taste its salt, too.

They say you are a liar,

You are a cheat,

You will destroy me.

These fellows are candour. 

And me?

I am just a deceitful, obnoxious girl.

These truths, or lies, they kill me.

The peel off my layers,

One by one. 

Merciless. 

They say they love me,

They are just looking out.

Go to hell, I want to say.

I am not a criminal. Am I?

You come when sky meets blackness,

You place a silky rose-tinted lace over my eyes.

It’s scented, 

Like honey and wine.

Comforting, alluring. 

I have sprinted left

When the right was terrifying.

Walked to the right,

If left wasn’t satisfying.

I have hidden 

somewhere below the grounds,

Concealed myself 

Behind those wispy clouds. 

I am trapped now.

I have nowhere to go.

The clouds are too heavy with my tears,

It is raining day and night.

The ground’s too soft and moist now.

It does not stay put.

I have a knife

But it is a battle of guns.

I did not choose the war.

Safe to say, 

I don’t think the war chose me either.

You,

You pulled me in.

They say your skin is like rocks,

I say that like a diamond.

Your voice is hoarse,

For me, as cooling as mint.

You do bad things they also told me,

Those things have made me strong.

You can’t love him, they whisper,

He taught me what love is.

You are my owner,

I know now.

They are just the guards.

You come in darkness,

Let yourself loose,

Love me.

I answer every day,

My baby is perfect. 

A clandestine question remains alive,

Why have you not set me free?

By Kashvi Goel