-Afnan S.M

P!NK’s ‘Raise your Glass’ is hosting a party. Next door Martin Garrix’s ‘Animals’ and BTS’s ‘Dionysus’ are dancing wild and LOUD. That’s Cobra Starship’s ‘Hot Mess’ and Fall Out Boy’s ‘I Don’t Care’ throwing up. Linkin Park’s ‘Iridescent’ and Black Veil Brides’ ‘Goodbye Agony’ are wailing.

               You don’t mind meeting them individually. A quick greeting from the open door of a shop on the sidewalk. Small talk from a fellow passenger’s headset on the bus. Deep conversations in the café.

But together – NO

The other neighbours threaten to call the cops.

You muffle your ears with the pillow,

hoping the playlist party will stop.

———————————– Cacophony #1 ————————————

You are in a can, stuck in traffic.

                If you can’t make it there in twenty minutes,

                you will have to seek other roads to travel.

                         Horns blaring, out of rhythm.

                         Drivers swearing, too much rage.

          ‘Who do you think you are?’

          ‘This road is not your father’s property.’

                       Panic murmers the same question 

                             over and over again,

      ‘Will you make it on time?’

      ‘Will you make it one time?’

           Panic sinks in your ribcage

               into a scream.

———————————— Cacophony #2 ———————————

You are hanging out with your friends acquaintances. They speak a language you can’t understand.

“It’s my Self-Care Saturday tomorrow

I’m gonna stay in my room all day 

with a movie, chocolates and

scented candles.”

“Gucci is overrated,

Versace is better.”

“They are stuck so deep in their privilege that they don’t care what’s happening. I’ll go to the protest and then come to the party.”

“Yeah, he’s really cute,

is he with someone?”

Suddenly your silence becomes too loud. . they turn their heads to you for inclusivity. 

“Have you been sleeping well?”

“Your (thrift-bought) outfit is so cool.”

“I know its hellfive of a time for 

you, but please don’t lose hope. If

you need anything, we are always 

here for you.”

“Tell us about the girls you like. 

Do you have a crush on me?”

—————————————— Cacophony #3———————————————-

Run off to your room.

Meet your neighbor and inform them

that you will be leaving for home

and won’t be back for a week.

Get into your room,

Shut the door,

Close the windows,

Turn off the lights.

Create Silence.

You are no longer there.

————————————–Silence # 1———————————————

Actually, run away.

Don’t wait, don’t turn back.

Run.

Run till you find silence.

Go far away.

You are a dewdrop, meditating

     on a cobweb

—————————————- Silence # 2 —————————————-

——————————————- Stillness———————————————

                There’s a mug of coffee

                next to your open book.

                                        Stir the mug.

            Stir, even if it has enough sugar.

                    The aroma spirals up

                Listen 

                       as you brew a storm in the mug

————————————– Sound #1—————————————

Sit alone in a car parked in the midst of pouring rain.

Have you always felt at home in the shadows, darkness and cold?

        Eavesdrop the conversation between the rain and the glass.

Close your eyes

        You are not eavesdropping now

You are enveloped in the conversation

       You are inside a cosy

        blanket of sound.

————————————- Sound #2—————————————-

Listen to your voice.

Hear yourself speak.

                 Create your own language.

         Don’t let them call it gibberish.

Sing love songs to yourself in this language. 

    Scribble poetry in this language.

     Listen to the pen bleed on the paper

————————————– Sound #3—————————————