Resigned Child

By Sumedha Gupta

You are the light that shines in the center of your chest, 

It is you

Identify yourself

Hold a mirror up

It is your younger self

She is paining

She is crying

No one ever came for help

She extends her arms to you

Give her all the love and care 

Let her smile freely

Let her cry for help

For she really needs it

She is not pretending

She is not being too much

She is just

Just 

Just 

Just ASKING FOR HELP!

Exhausted

Tired

Resigned

She sits with her knees to her chest

She has accepted that no one will ever arrive for help

Scared, in a dark corner

Where no one can see her face

Not even herself

It is her and the darkness,

Her only friend

The pool of tears that once was alive

Has now dried

And little weeds from the cracks 

Reach upwards in vines

And entangle her body

Wrap her in their steady grip

And she sits still

For she has resigned.

If you ever come to see her

Bring with you a camera

Just capture the image

And burn it into your brain

And in everyone else's too

THAT IS HOW SHE SURVIVED.

That is how she kept going

That is where she resides

Face in the darkness

Vines around her body 

Freedom, you ask for!?

She has been captive for a while.

And still she looks up and gives you a smile-

So innocent, so pure, so sweet

As if nothing had ever happened

As if she were fine

But look at that photo you clicked of her

That is how she lies

Covered in vines

Wearing a smile

For she has resigned

Look at her, please

She won't let you

But look nevertheless

TRY

FOR ONCE, TRY.

See how quietly she sits there 

See the love in her eyes

See the hurt in her chest

See that what is hidden so securely behind that smile

She calls out for help 

But this time,

YOU SHOW HER LIGHT.

YOU show her light!

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FOLLOW THROUGH!

SHOW HER YOU LOVE HER,

NO MATTER WHAT!!

THAT SHE IS SAFE

THAT YOU WILL CUT THE VINES

THAT SHE WILL RUN FREE IN THE GARDENS

You show her the light, now

Don't play with the resigned child

For she has nothing left to give

She just sits there quietly

With a smile

By Sumedha Gupta