One Such Another Night

By Purnima Chabria

Late from work, all shivers and fright.. Loneliness outside, loneliness within,

Had to rush home through every thick and thin.. Strangers on the road, strangers in the bus,

Trying to be confident and not create a fuss.. Scary looks and second-rated thoughts all over,

A sense of satisfaction on each step that brings my home a bit closer.. Cracking limbs, swollen eyes,

Still my appearance stout but all lies.. Through the lane that seems to hold within a silent beauty,

Usually I find cops there on heavy duty.. To protect us or prove that we are weak,

My way back home always seems to be like some hide and seek;

And another passerby nears me while I take another step ahead,

Leading to All dreadful thoughts of how he would rape me,murder me and make my family dead.. If I offend and defend and fight and bravely leave him in scars,

Then comes the thought he knows my address, my house, all my cars.. He would come the other day with liquids and alcohols and acids to harm me,

All that I will have to again do is endlessly beg and plea.. I still continue with these thoughts in my mind,

He is already gone and there is another passerby.. While I am almost home,

Those familiar faces and street lamps, and buildings and bungalows all seem to congratulate me on my victory to make it all safely.. One such another night,

Late from work, all shivers and fright.. "

By Purnima Chabria