Here’s an evocative love poem by Harinder – exclusively for Different Truths.

He would wait with bated breath just to get a glimpse of her 
He worshipped her just as a goddess is worshipped by a worshipper
Everyday she would walk straight on the road with her nose in the air
She just wanted to show him that she didn't care
Everyday he would throw a rose on the road
And callously she would stamp on it and then give a smile broad
The rose was crushed oozing blood white
It was his heart that bled red everyday and he pretended he was alright
It became a story of crushed roses and a broken heart
By now he had wasted a full rose cart
She got so used to crushing a rose everyday
That she got restless when he was missing one day
She went to the same place and cried everyday
And wished that with his heart she had not played
Then one day she saw him at the same place with the red rose
On seeing him she cried bitterly and had a red nose
She went straight to him and started hitting him on his chest
That was the moment when he felt so blessed
She wanted to hurt him, but he was smiling, oblivious of his pain
It was she who was crying on being happy again
Then  he told her how much he loved her and swore in the name of Jesus and Moses
And she couldn't believe her eyes when she saw that he was carrying a bagful of crushed roses.

Picture design Anumita Roy, Different Truths

Harinder Cheema

Harinder Cheema is a renowned poetess and an internationally published author. Her novel, ‘The Temple Stop’ received ‘The Best Book of the Year Award 2020’ by Aghaaz, Author in You. She is the co-author of 17 poetry anthologies. Her short stories have been published in the coffee table books. Her articles have been published in various international magazines, and she has also received many prestigious honours and awards in the field of literature.