Touch Me Not

By Sharon Nimmi R

touch me not 

when i’m on a crowded bus. 

touch me not 

when i’m on an empty bus. 

touch me not 

when i’m at work, 

at school or at college, 

or when i’m at my worst. 

touch me not 

during a break. 

touch me not 

when i’m asleep or awake. 

touch me not. 

touch me not. 

touch me not. 

the bushes i hide under 

are no match to your keen eyes, 

my green is no camouflage, 

it’s like i’m walking on thin ice. 

1, i’m begging for my life, 

2 and you cut with your blade. 

1, i’m found dead, 

2 and you’re already in your shade. touch me not. 

touch me not. 

touch me not. 

drooping sensitive leaves, 

‘epithet’, ‘pudica’,.. SHAME. 

strong healing roots, 

but that never gave me my name. i am called 

touch me not, 

yet i am touched and ruined. 

now i demand that you TOUCH ME NOT. pea.

By Sharon Nimmi R