Let Me Live

By Nishka Chaube

Howls of agonizing pain echoing through the walls,  

the crying of a fresh newborn. 

I was just born, 

 so let me live, 

let me live a few more minutes. 

And as those minutes turn into days,  

days into weeks, 

 and weeks into months, 

Let time unravel before my young eyes,  

a carpet threaded with illusion and mystery. 

Let beauty make itself known to me. 

Hug me close, 

Let the glowing moon bestow upon me its blessings. 

As I grow, inch by inch, wrap me in a delicate, 

 silvery shield. 

Hold me close,  

don’t ever let go,  

else I may fall into the depths of the unknown. 

An empty, 

 static,  

buzzing void,  

devoid of anything at all. 

Cherish me in every stage, I 

 Promise 

 I’ll grow faster than you think. 

Before you can call my name, 

 I’ll already  

Be 

 at your chin. 

Occasionally, shed tears I may, 

 dew drops drifting down my freshly flowered skin. 

Occasionally 

 I may howl with hate 

 and unfettered rage, 

Soft nails sloping lines down reddened skin. 

Occasionally 

I may squeal with jubilant joy, 

Happily destroying everything in eye’s view. 

But please, 

Don't hurt me, 

Don’t hit me, 

Don't shout. 

Or else,  

I don’t think  

I’ll ever 

Make it out. 

By Nishka Chaube