An Open Book

I’m an open book 📖
people come and write
whatever they wish on its pages
about me, about themselves
and about those totally unrelated
in their own alphabets and words
of different hues and shades…

I don’t mind
as they generate both
good vibes and weird thoughts
that help colour
some other pages of my choice,
but some other people come,
deface a page or two
and add some more words
and colours on subsequent pages…

I smell their emotions
and start comparing
with those of pretty flowers,
soft tendrils
as also cactii and croton leaves
of my tiny garden
that evoke some funny thoughts
about my past,
though tainted and dented
yet painted and scented…

Some people come,
read a few pages,
turn a new page
with something in mind,
but close the book while going,
I reopen the book
keep a pen and inkpot for them
and light a lamp
for every new leaf so added
amid fresh air and fragrance…

–Kaushal Kishore

Advertisement