There were no snakes in my sleep.
Nor, the hill bandits coming together
To rob me of everything.

Into the darkening,
There remained a hostile world
Of other sorts.

Rooted to this vision.
You and me watched -
My slow demise.

Until, after,
This scene had faded:
A clarity developed.

Who can tell?
One day.
Some day.

At random - I might die
In my sleep.
And before I am assigned.

To the flames
You might hold me back,
To moisten my lips with your kiss.

Transfixed in the newness
That I am no more -
How will you be?

Mumbai
2013

Geeta Chhabra

From the book: Smash My Glass by Geeta Chhabra.