Shame

By Aparajita Basu

The dawn after dark,

Chilly and foggy,

In a fix to clear the mind groggy.

Thick mist paved the way for perfect camouflage,

A trembling feeling 'cause people might judge.

Taking the walk of shame,

Away from the desires to tame,

Succumbed to the peer pressure?

Or simply connecting the dots between lust and leisure?

Trying to go by holding on to the temporary,

Is this becoming life's permanent itinerary?

Once wise, now making foolish decisions..

Desperate, this shallow heart hopes for a little remission.

Knocked on wrong doors before,

'Cause they felt too right,

Only mistakes appear now when I see them in hindsight.

Lovers whom I couldn't love back,

Always wishing me well,

And the restless soul here knows no bound to dwell,

In the mirage of what-ifs,

Only adding depth to the tiffs,

Between the mind and the heart,

That eternal conundrum is now making me a hollow bard.

Longing a refuge in the web of words,

These mute thoughts screaming just to be heard.

By Aparajita Basu