They rush to pull the blankets off and wake me up
When all I wanted was to just stay in bed
Let my exhausted body replenish its energy
But they say I did nothing yesterday
I did not do any sort of strenuous activity yesterday
Or the other day before that
But isn't trying to convince yourself that everything's alright
Considered as one?

All I hear is greetings and wishes
In different joyous tunes paired with hugs and kisses
I force my lips to stretch in a smile
Feign gratitude and fake excitement for this day
But in all honesty I'd like to go back to sleep
Though my dreams will transform into nightmares
The voices of the tiny demons in my head disappear

They sing me songs with so much glee
I hear my mother exclaim it's time to celebrate another year
Or was it my father's voice?
I'm perplexed as I try to figure out which
So many faces, so many lips and voices
How I wish for silence to dawn on this house
How I wish for silence to dawn on me

My grandmother brings out a tray
There lies a round mass of gustatory paradise
My mouth doesn't water like how it did during the past years
She places candles on its surface and lights them up
A rush of envy runs through my veins
Grandma, light me up instead

I close my eyes like they all say I should do
Fervently pray and make wishes without bounds
I feel lost for I don't know what to ask for
But when my vision is engulfed by darkness
I find myself wishing for peace
Please, I'd like to have inner peace

I open my eyes and huge grins are what I see
Everyone waits for me to blow the candles
I stand here to please the audience
So I lean towards that rounded object
I take a deep breath and my heart whispers another wish
Let me be these candles
I'd like to feel the heat of being alive even once
Then rob it all from me
I still wish for peace
Please allow me to go back to sleep