By Sukriti Chopra
Behind the curtain
the sun shines
warming the back of
the dark fabric
as it enthusiastically
pushes to illuminate
the room where I would
hide under the covers.
Behind the curtain
is the bustling world
waiting for me to
join the revelries it offers.
Behind the curtains
is the window that
wants me to peek outside
to show me
the world is worth embracing.
Behind the curtain
are the sounds of
life being lived,
cogs turning gears,
shifting to keep all moving forward.
I kept the curtain drawn,
for the light would take away
the darkness in me that
I clung so tightly to
for the world's joys
felt so hollow
the bustle being my sorrow
for the world through the window
did not entice me
I did not belong out there,
thankful for the curtain
that protects the
darkness that envelopes me
for the lively sounds
were noise for me
hammering my head
that was already tortured
by the chatter of my mind
So, I kept the curtain drawn
curling into the cocoon
of darkness, silence,
aloneness, and stalled time.
Behind the curtain
lay the world
a world I saw desperately
wanted to escape.
Yet,
I broke the cocoon
stretched my wings
took flight and
roamed the world
exploring life.
Today,
There is nothing behind the curtain
the light, that warmth,
the liveliness of nature
the sounds of life
now permeate the room
that is my life.
The curtain is gone
I wish to keep my window bare
I don't need the curtain
to create more darkness;
there is enough within
if I ever wish to summon.