When I love others
who I clearly know
do not love me back,
it feels like I'm just
pouring water
into a
basket.

But you,
you are my undoing.
The fuzzy signals,
the light on today
but off the next;
the endearing look today
but nonchalance the next.
All just makes me feel
like I'm pouring water
into a basin
made of cotton.

While I do know it won't hold,
I still helplessly hope it does.

There was a time
when those calls
were bothersome;
a time, when those talks
into the night
were like a disturbance.

Albeit, those times
were the best.
Filled with banters,
squibbles, and laughters.
Those times were the sweetest
of the times we spent.

But now, everything is all quiet,
like a still night
without the sound of crickets.
And now, I can't help but pine
for those times,
as I keep mulling in my head,
"I crave that disturbance".

Sometimes,
I wish I had the power
like Joshua did
when he made the world
stop moving
for a whole day.

Just that I don't want it
for killing enemies
or conquering cities.
No, I don't.
I have enough chaos
already going on.

I just want it,
so that I can stop the world
for a couple of hours,
maybe even a whole day;
just to catch my breath
and take a rest
from this thing
called living.

On this page, I'm in spring
the flowers blooming,
birds chirping,
and nature, flourishing.

On the next page, it's winter
the leaves are withered,
the floor, snow-covered
and nature, from the cold shivers.

On the following page, I'm royalty,
basking in wealth and glory,
overlooking the masses,
whilst enjoying all delicacies.

On the following one, I'm on the streets,
scavenging and pilfering,
experiencing what life is
for the destitute.

Each page takes me
on a different journey.
It wraps me amidst its words
and carries me along in its story.
It's neverending and ever-soothing.

To you, I might appear lost;
as I am drowned in the world of books;
my mind drifting from one universe
to another.
But I can't be anymore aware,
right, found, and alive in this world,
than I am in reality.

I woke up suddenly
and it felt like I had slept
for a century.

I walked into the living room
where I was surprised to see
many members of my extended family.

I knew I heard them talking
quite normally; but as soon
as I entered, they started whispering.

I ignored them and walked to the door
eagerly - like I do nightly to wait
and welcome my only remaining parent.

I became cold all of a sudden
as I remembered why they were
all gathered in our living room.

My only remaining parent had died
that morning; and I had fainted
right after hearing it.

"Someone should hold him from falling!!!"
Was what I heard last
as I felt my body hit the ground.
I had fainted - again.