By Loveleena Kalyani
It’s so easy to say it’ll all be okay,
Is it, though?
Walking in the rain,
I taste the pain.
Cold droplets ricochet off my coat.
Each prick like a needle.
Are they mocking me or
beating me to my tears?
I steal each step,
still chasing warmth.
My breath hovers over puddles;
Do they dare to reflect promise?
The flickers of street lamps.
Thunder coils my fears into a tornado.
Starry glimpses of the loud noises
Scream to me: you are not alone.
Umbrella and Raincoats have hugged others—making me jealous.
Finally, a shed’s wooden ribs press cold comfort to my shoulder—I step inside.
A single ember flickers,
Breath-shaping fire.