Wasted Baby Breaths.

Tanmayee Paruchuri

When these boys speak out of line 

I ask “what if it was yours and not mine?”

And through association 

They feel humiliation

They take offence. 

Suddenly he roars 

Because how dare I begin?

He’s only hurt because it’s something that’s “his”

He didn’t see them as their own

And he’s been arrogant since—  

And it’s such a shame 

That you were once not your age

And not too long ago 

You adored her face

Does she even know, 

What was ultimately made

Of the seed she cradled, 

Nursed with heavens might, 

Drinking—

Baby breaths—  

Despite— 

Her content aches.

They ask 

Why do I speak 

The way I do, 

But if I let it be 

Let it become accustomed to me 

I taste indifference… 

And it’s a horror you see. 

She calls you naive 

Was it compulsion

Or the inability to sigh?

Is she lying to herself? 

Had she become this under your guise? 

I’m not sure what they wish to attain 

They’re fastened to the ground that you own 

And it’s truly a shame 

No one has ever grown.

Tanmayee Paruchuri