she hears the real voices
through papery walls
and they dim
paling in comparison
to the screams
in her head

she sips the coffee
the scalded tongue is
nothing anymore
because at least she knows
that she can feel
something

the sizzling pan torments
with its calorific air
and normality
as she hears the real world
and sinks further
into her nightmares

from behind a locked door
with curtains drawn
she listens, hides
and is brought to tears
by the fact she
cannot join in

she cannot let go
let herself relax when it
is all or nothing
so she drifts and hopes
that everyone will
forget her

she thinks 'why must i sink
under the waves as
they all float'
truthfully she held her breath
and herself under
to escape

she'd like to be like them
she craves their version
of reality
hers is so tragic and
she is sure it
will **** her

*© Tara India.