DEAR

 

(Painting By: Tanya Jain)

Look at me, dear, and tell me what you see.

Which face, which reality have I decided to show?

Can you sense the plastic smile?

Does it hurt to listen to fake laughter?

The corners of my eyes, crinkled with forgotten joy,

Glistening gaze, overflowing from the soul;

Can you decipher the storms brewing within?

Oh, dear. Careful. Easy it is, to get lost.

Knots, curls entwined, unkempt and uncared for,

Hours spent pulling, failed attempts to uproot anguish;

Is the stench of sorrow quite so evident?

Perhaps, some fresh air, dear, to clear it away.

I stare out the window,

My chest a voiceless hollow,

Strangers pass by, oblivious,

Was that you I saw, skipping about happily, as I faded away, dear?

So, look at me, dear and tell me what you see.

Are the colors brighter today?

I painted a persona, just for you,

Do you like it,

Dear?