That Was The Day

By Ananya Mahapatra

I was smiling, bright and loud...

But it crinkled froze when I saw a familiar face in that crowd.

I realised it was you,

my smile, even my heart froze too.

For an instant, I froze;

maybe because I got disturbed.

After a while, I smiled back…

like it did not bother anymore…

Yet,

only I knew, or maybe you too—

For the grave of the wound you gave me,

my heart couldn’t rest as ease as once it was, any longer...

Still,

I smiled back… like it did not bother anymore…

My heart ached for a moment, yet I pulled myself together…

That day I looked away from you...

Yes,

That was the day,

When I was smiling, bright and loud...

But it crinkled froze when I saw your familiar face in that crowd.

By Ananya Mahapatra