No Escape

 

I shot the rainbow

my arrow kissed it and returned

I asked why didn't you break it

you sent me with love to greet it

not to destroy it.

 

I set fire to my books

knowledge made me guilty

of non participation in criticality:

the fire refused to burn

when I asked the cold flame said

I have no strength to burn wisdom.

In disgust, I ate poison

waited for my neck to turn blue

my body to shake vigorously:

nothing happened; when I asked

are you poison or

your character is lost

in the moral confusion

revolting me to end everything -

 

It said you cannot escape

drink life's poison and breathe

sonorously your agony

life will turn sweet.

Sabita Sahu