They Cry Too

They also get sad,
but they don’t show it,
they also feel pain,
but they don’t tell,
they cry too,
but tears don’t roll down,
feelings remain inside their hearts…

Quietly they leave the streets
of their villages or cities
and their houses,
where they grew up,
where they used to weave
their dreams of aspirations,
to become something,
to become worthy for themselves,
for near and dear ones…

But no complaints whatsoever,
they realise their responsibilities,
they have to move out,
sometimes for studies,
and sometimes in search of jobs,
lest they prove to be incompetent,
or irresponsible,
lest their dreams be shattered…

They start looking tough
even though their hearts
may be melting inside,
for their mothers, fathers
and for the special ones
they love most…

Boys who used to make noise
all the time in their houses,
who used to sneak to fridge
in the middle of night
for a steal of an icecream, cake
or whatever just for a change
from reading and dreaming,
become so calm and serious,
immersing in a dignified silence,
just like their innocence
and houses they leave behind,
to swim against all odds,
to take over the entire frame,
just to be on their own
to own their owns,
present and future…

–Kaushal Kishore

images: pinterest