To My Cousin

You told me of your yearning

For the breezy summer of smiles

You cried a while, then mumbled

Incoherent words of apology.

Surprised I was, at your

Sincerity born of innocence.

You spoke of mean professors, a dull college,

A nice girl, broken families, death,

And of me, as your immortal sister.

I had felt distant, being sleep’s prisoner

Dejection mirrored in your eyes

A while, the moon played on them.

Fatigue overtook me, so I

Turned away from you

And crept into slumber’s arms

As the freezing wind cruel grew

And the windows blowing yielded.

My feet felt cold, like

Dead grandmother’s feet did.

I woke, seeking a warm blanket

The black one with holes being the only one

You gave it, saying you never used one

Though I knew I needed it

Soon I slumbered again in fatigue

While you sat in the corner shivering

As the needle crossed twelve

You shook me hard to wish me ‘happy birthday’.

I found you curled like my pet cat

In the corner, when the sun came up.

Slowly, I felt the memory of a moon

And I felt tears and smiles.

Only you remembered cousin,

That I had come into the world

And was still alive to be wished

Orphans at moments with parents and siblings

Living in houses than homes

Having shed tears of origin same

I could only suffice your grief

In the memory of the groundnuts

You gave me years back

Forgoing your tempting hunger

You sat beside mute

Watching me eat in relish

As the carriages rattled away.

ANUSHA.U.R.

16 yrs