HAUNTED MANSION

HAUNTED MANSION


A cacophony of sounds,
Wild images, in and out,
Lullabies and lovely tunes,
Piercing words, abuse and shout;

These are what do occupy
Many corners of my mind;
They drain out serenity,
And, sadness, do leave behind.

Sometimes in pensive moments,
Holding to my mother’s hand,
Walking, playing on sea shore,
Searching shells in silver sand;

Sometimes shouting in school match,
For a favourite player,
Arguing with referee
That his judgment was unfair;

Sometimes lovely sweet nothings
Shyly whispered in the ears,
Only to end finally,
In a parting full of tears;

Sometimes a roaring silence,
Loneliness so desperate,
Talking to myself as I,
In the dark nights, lie awake;

All these and such many more
Silent voices, pungent screams,
Forever do occupy
My waking moments and dreams.

What am I, what is my life?
What is my beleagured heart?
It is a mansion haunted
By ghosts that never depart.

• Written in 7-7-7-7, abcb format.


MC Gupta
7 October 2003