If I Were To Write A Letter.

By Yukti Bhatnagar

If I were to write a letter to anybody,

dead or alive,

I’d choose to write it to the girl

residing inside my body.

I’d ask her to come out

from the deepest recesses of me;

I’d tell her to rather embrace the black

she hides in herself in.

I’d let her know that she isn’t alone

in the pain she’s felt in all her years;

I’d plead with her to not inflict

any more on herself.

I’d make her believe that all the scars she hides,

those visible and those not,

carry the beauty

of the gorgeous thunderstorm she is.

I’d call upon the baby,

she’s caged within venomous spikes.

I’d implore to the mother standing guard

at the feet of her wounded kid.

I’d demand her to bellow her war cry

and charge into the light.

I’d beseech her to stop detesting

the demons sleeping with her each night;

I’d argue with her to look in their eyes

and see beyond the hate in their stance.

I’d beg her to climb over the walls

and rescue the broken warrior on the other side;

I’d petition her to give them

and her a needed chance.

I’d assure that the sun won’t burn her

nor will the rays blind her.

If I were to write a letter to the tormented child

hiding behind my walled heart

and barbed soul,

I’d will her to grace me with her trust

and allow me to be a guiding torch

in her pursuit to ameliorate.

By Yukti Bhatnagar