Optimism on my fren's b-day

Darkness brimming over with bubbles
Fading in a flicker of light…
Hope or a sign of the temporal,
The fleeting?

The heady smell,
The tang of lime,
Bitter-sweetness of memories unforgotten,
Reeling steps, reeling mind.

Closed lids and a slit of light,
Taste of salt on burning lips,
A faraway groan on a lonely bed,
…is it me?

In a whirl, the night unfolds
Half formed images, blurred vision,
Entwined bodies, hands, legs
Aghhhhhhhh!
There was a drumming somewhere.

The soda fizzed,
The curtain swished ,
The unmistakable tang of lime —
Clear bubbles rose in a steady stream.

The hint of a dark outline,
But… not enough.
This is ME.
— Himani Sarkar
3rd June, 2005