A melancholic poem about a caged bird and its tormentor, by Mohini, exclusively for Different Truths.

Don’t dwindle down that road
Only the rare take it
And I take it only a few make it.
 
Do not get swayed from your precious path
I don’t think you’ll make it that far
Beautiful bird, sometimes cages are there to protect you.
 
Look, your cage is made of gold, silver and diamonds,
Tell me, chirpy chirp,
What more do you want?
 
The outside world and its winds
Are not for you to fly
Stay put, save yourself from the storm,
And while you are at it, sing a beautiful song.
 
Why I have loved your innocent courage,
But believe me, and there’s no place for it
In this wilderness of a voyage.
 
So, save it, please –
Your dance and your streams
Clip your wings and die in your dreams.

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Mohini Awasthi

Mohini Awasthi, a 24-year-old poet from Lucknow, has completed her graduation and post-graduation from the University of Lucknow. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in English from Indira Gandhi National Open University. In the poems, she attempts to capture the social sadness that the world has presented to her. She is on her way to understanding this world and its nuances. Her writings vent her bitter-sweet life.