Unrequited Love

By Manivarna Nair

The first time she fell in love with the stage, she stood by the stage wings,

All she had eyes for were the actors playing out the different feelings,

She did not let anyone take her away and stood there throughout the play,

She laughed and cried, felt anger and pride, falling in love that day,

Since then, she was determined to be an actor and rule the stage,

To be able to portray every emotion experienced at every age,

Day and night she learned and practiced playing a different role,

The mirror in her room saw her transforming from an angry old woman to a chirping young soul,

However, soon she realized that hard work failed to mask her lack of talent,

She failed to become the character, her emotions couldn’t get vent.

Her loved ones stood by her and wanted her to keep on trying,

But she had come face to face with the reality and she was not cut out for acting.

Her life came to a point where she had to make a choice,

To go on pursuing a dream and keep on fighting for it comes what may,

Or to accept the bitter truth, bow out, and discover yourself again in the light of the day.

She was left broken by the realization, million pieces she was shattered in,

Her unrequited love for art left her hollow and empty within.

But like a fighter she picked up herself with all the strength she could gather,

She had served the art well but guess they were not meant to be together.

She crossed to the other side of the road which led to her passion,

Staring into the distance for some time, she then decided to change her destination.

By Manivarna Nair