Solitude

By Khushi Arora

I never cared enough

about my voice

unless I found myself solo

in a space, brimming with

people.

I never thought enough

about my oddly comical

laugh

unless it tried

harder to escape from

my diaphragm.

I never minded silence

enough until it

was all that

outlined my shadow.

But I did care about reapplying

my lipstick each time it was

rubbed off while eating, kissing, laughing

and drinking

which now neatly stay permanent on my

lips.

By Khushi Arora