Imprisoned

For a long time
I have been imprisoned in this cage,
which people affectionately call
the home library,
lying beside my friends
I keep sobbing at my loneliness,
no one picks me up,
no one bothers to see
how hard was my every word
threaded by someone…

Those who used to read me,
who used to hide secrets in me,
and who used to swear by me,
are lost somewhere in devices
like mobile, iPad and kindle,
they don’t even have time
and will to see
that the beautiful flowers
they had kept inside my pages
for a purpose,
have since reduced to skeletons,
was I made for this purpose?

When a new friend joins me
in this cage,
for a while I envy
for its brilliant effulgence,
looking at the dust above me,
but I know very well
that it will also end up
facing the same fate,
who remains happy
being locked in a cage?
But the one who showcases
me and my friends
as his proud possessions
will surely be happy…

–Kaushal Kishore

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