Kottayam, Kerala, India

We are there for you

They gave me pills

One, two, three

“This will make you free.”

They ask of my wellness

But I have to shush my illness

“What would they think?”

So don’t even ink

You need help?

You can’t ask.

Keep them happy

That’s your task.

“Are you okay?”

They’ll ask.

But let your symptoms out,

They are not okay, there’s no doubt.

“We’re in this together”

Until your mood swings

Impede their day altogether.

So, keep things at bay

And don’t ruin their day.

Father

Shielded I feel

Holding your hand.

At home I feel

On a glimpse of your face.

You help me walk,

You feed me warmth.

But now,

Our distance could contain oceans.

Wrenched in despair

My eyes are drenched.

The moth in the flame,

The drug in a vein,

How hard to breathe,

How hard to live.

Your reasons I value,

A stress-struck life,

Myself a burden.

But my son,

I wish you were here

For a moment at once

To have you close

Before my eyes are closed.

Home

The freedom you offer,

Infinitely limiting.

Segments of soul

If any left uncrushed

Longs for an exit.

Take me to prison

Take me to asylum

Take me anywhere but home.

I am claustrophobic

Of your narrow-mindedness

I am made a victim of your happiness.

Take me to graveyard

Take me to hell

Take me anywhere but home.

You deny me doors

One from you

And one to the world.

Search my coffin too

Else peace wouldn’t find you.

Mine is a coffin without a door

“What’s there to hide anyway?”

Take me to death

Take me to madness

Take me anywhere but home.