Skip to main content

The Unwanted Burden

As I walked down the deserted road, I felt someone was following me and knowing of the dangers of being stalked in the dark, I quickened my footsteps. Seeing a lamppost a few steps ahead, I hastened to reach it. Probably I was a fool in finding solace in light, but I believed the words of a great literary figure – ‘It is the unknown we fear.’ For me, what lurked in the darkness, trailing my footsteps, was unknown. It was only after I had reached the lamppost and formulated a plan consisting of kung-fu moves learnt many years back that I turned around.

My adrenaline, gushing out in huge amounts, had done something strange, making me more calm than nervous. Surprisingly, I found myself almost anticipating the fight. Greater was my surprise, when a quick scan of the surroundings revealed nothing apart from the empty road and ever-watchful lampposts. There was no one around me! I took a deep breath, steadying my shaking nerves and resumed my walk.
I reached home safely.

Destiny seemed to be a cruel thing since I found myself down the same deserted road the very next week. Once again I had the feeling of being followed. I didn’t turn around this time as my fear of what lay behind was overshadowed by the terror of not finding anything.

Luckily I reached home safely again.

When I found myself down that road once more, for the third time in two weeks, I was extremely annoyed and cursing destiny with my limited vocabulary of bad words. So great was my aggravation that I didn’t feel anyone behind me. Once again, I reached the dark stretch where this mysterious sensation of being followed would escalate. My irritation slowly gave way, to something… different.

The sound of lapping water met my ears. The wind seemed to playing hide-and-seek amongst the scattered trees that appeared to be discussing matters of great importance. Somewhere a dog barked and a younger, more joyful sound responded. The path before me was illuminated, not just by the light of the lampposts, but also by that of the fireflies’ dancing in the air.

Unsurprisingly, I reached home safely once again, but surprisingly I had enjoyed the walk.

Only after I had hit the bed, and lay in wait for sleep, did I realize what I had been followed by – I had been followed by fear. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Clothes on the Bedroom Floor

  Clothes litter the bedroom floor, Memories of a lover's heart ripped and thrown, Fading like the will to knock on the door And pick up the pieces that have now been outgrown. The blue sweater truly suited you - White stripes from a country not my own... It saw the sun rise over a ballsy victory or two Before sinking to the floor, heavier than stone. On the same stained floor lie clothes of the night, Once shared with love amongst you and I Till you lost your drive and all strength to fight While I abandoned the energy to cry. The cargo pants were his to rock, Dotted with pockets to carry his smile... Now it lies lopsided, contorted like a keyless lock, Only to be stepped on with scorn every once in a while. And there - a friend's jade jerkin, a union's sign, Both still thriving and alive, Though now I can call neither of them mine - Too tired to buzz with the busy bees of the hive. That black jacket was a gift from the dead To provide an illusion of warmth in a land of sn...
2 comments
Read more

Memories of 2020

Remember that ride to school When a spider fell on you? You screamed so loud I slipped off the seat. But you don't 'Cause that's a memory we never made. Remember that day we got late Hence I was running up the stairs? Suddenly I tripped, And brought you down with me. But you don't 'Cause that's a memory we never made. Remember when you forgot your breakfast So we had to share mine? We sat 'neath the trees outside, And he saw you for the first time. But you don't 'Cause that's a memory we never made. Remember that time you didn't do your homework And he let you copy his? He called it your first date. You were so happy. But you don't 'Cause that's a memory you never made. Remember when I discovered That that quiet girl had the same interests as me? We'd spend our breaks in the library Discussing everything. But you don't 'Cause that's a memory I never made. Remember the tears we shed During our farewell party? We exc...
2 comments
Read more

The Lass

Past the footprints on the muddy track If you walk through the grazing grass, Find you will a knife stained and black With old blood from a young lass. Follow the drops and you shall see Flattened grass where the dull spots end, A young lass with tears running free To form a river just 'round the bend. Born from a puddle of red despair, Flowing through a barren way To the sea and from there the air, Resting in the gathering clouds of the ending day. All the lass had ever needed was a shoulder; Now her own tears rain down to wash away sorrow, For no kind voice ever told her Of the light that shone in the morrow. Her tears stay to water the tired, Her blood forever staining the silent ground; The Earth shall rise to claim the wired, Only then will start the sound Of what made the lass the knife to yield? However did she drown in despair? Why did she keep her secrets sealed As she sought to destroy all beyond repair? Perhaps she'll hear from the starry sky The apologies and condol...
2 comments
Read more