Self Belief

By Deepali Singla

I want to do rare things,

like climb the invisible wall

that stands before me,

which feels like

hundreds of bee stings.

Whenever I try to walk

after kissing the heart of the floor,

this wall appears like a pebble

under my tongue,

and I attempt to chew,

for my mother’s womb taught me

to gracefully accept things.

This very wall also

haunts my dreams,

with enormous claws pressing on my chest,

making me say,

"I can't do this particular thing."

And sometimes, upon waking 

from the dream,

I proclaim,

"I believe in me.

I believe in me."

By Deepali Singla