By-Athira Unni
I've known people
who are so scared
to be alone
that they become
jabbering clowns
at parties
in every room
filled with voices
and forgetful faces
I inhabit the silence
after a sneeze
after a loud laugh
it is when I'm alone
and fully aware of it
that I truly be me--
so I strongly and categorically
reject your attacks
on my loneliness.
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This poem has been published in the book 'The Last Flower Of Spring'. Buy the paperback copy on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/y9sydnxn