Party

By Chaitra Ramalingegowda

Fate stood still

at the crossroads,

gawking at me,

not knowing

which turn to take.

Joy sat slumped

in a corner,

glumly gazing at life,

puzzled at the

chaos in front of her.

Hope stared wide-eyed

at the turmoil,

praying for a tomorrow

that would magically

fix all that was broken.

Love was on a

merry vacation,

unbothered by the hurt,

the pain and the sadness

she’d left behind.

Angst was having

a ball, given free rein

of the mindscape,

partying it up

like never before.

Guilt was invited

to the party,

all decked up in

her dark finery,

to have the time of her life.

Apathy, though invited,

didn’t bother dressing up,

for she was unconcerned

of other’s thoughts

and feelings.

Gratitude looked to Hope

for deliverance,

but alas, she was the

most neglected

of sisters.

Passion flickered

in and out

like a dying flame,

here one second,

gone the next.

Rage was out in full force,

trying to outdo

Angst and Guilt,

to show them up

before the rest.

Hope waited with

bated breath for Love,

for she didn’t know

how else to rein in

her unruly sisters,

who were hell bent

on wreaking havoc.

Will she succeed?

By Chaitra Ramalingegowda