The White Stone of Neglect

I wanted to drink a cup of bitter sorrow,
and what do you bring me but coffee!

All across the courtyard of my heart your love letters
lie crumpled here and there,
yet here I am, cleaning my writing desk!

Your touch made all the colors of my mind blend together
painting rainbows, and what do you tell me—
that plain white is your favorite!?

In dreams, I placed metaphors beneath the kohl of your eyes,
only to wake and find you've bought new glasses today!

The alta on your fingers that mixed with Rabindra songs
to wake me from sleep—
today nail polish sits in place of that alta!

I wanted to fly away,
and what do you do but buy me a giant cage!

Standing by the stove twice daily without fail
I learned to make lentils and mashed potatoes,
and now you say biryani is what you prefer!

The day I wanted to become a silent saint for you,
the very next day you told me about that beloved ex of yours
who apparently knew how to speak so beautifully!

The pride I nurtured, thinking our love
blessed beyond measure—I hear
you've been calling it
a lifelong misfortune to your friends!

I wanted to build a home
from the thatch of wounded feelings, yet you
went ahead and showed me a mansion of white stone indifference!