all my life
i've been preparing faces
to meet the faces that
i've met

friends
family
the man who delivers newspapers
at our doorstep each morning

i've laughed at their silly jokes
as they tossed their heads from side to side
in naive stupidity and their sheer ignorance
a pompous lot, the human race i tell you

i've acknowledged their staunch morals
and tried to make them my own
as they scorned at the girl in a skimpy dress
and chewed on mutton bones gluttonously

all my life, i've been trying hard
to blend in
with people who've shown me
that i don't belong with them

and tonight when i shed gallons of tears
i have only my bed and pillow to share
i've learnt that my sadness
is my very own

Shipwrecked
Barefoot on the sand,
She's curved like the beach
Of some tropical land,
Birds of paradise,
In the shadow of palms,
Naked legs,
A tangle of arms.
The dolphin dances
The monkeys laugh,
The water gets cold
I get out of the bath.

the girl grew,
strong and wise.
her beauty is true.
she continues to rise
above her fears,
away from the evil.
she has longed this for years.
now life is peaceful
and happiness knew.
buried in self love,
the girl grew.

a.b.