A Longing of Struggle by Saee Shirolkar | Thursday Verse No. 19

  We often believe that stillness, when surrounded by comfort, means peace. Yet there are stillnesses that arise not from calm, but from unheard voices and unanswered efforts. 

  A Longing of Struggle closely listens to the uneasy silences that linger within care. 

A Longing of Struggle

Illustration by Mercy Rebonica

Why is it still so glum? 

Wondered the captor, carrying the usual treats, 

And now even a peach and a plum. 

To me till a year 

Didn’t you come daily 

Fluttering your wings, singing gaily? 

Chirped and sang, oh so merrily, while I fed you 

That one leftover dried chilli?

What has happened now? 

Wish you could speak to me, even if for a row. 

The longing to hear you warble... 

Why don’t you? 

Your home is now made of gold and classic Roman marble. 

Just to find a home now, 

You don’t need to fly miles and miles 

Which, by the way, you made out of withering leaves and stone piles. 

I bring to you the best treats 

While you hang restful on this high rise retreat 

So close to your favourite rumbling sky.

“The answer to your questions, my innocent dear,”

Said a soothing voice from afar. 

No matter which creature 

Each a hopeful dreamer, mind you.

Ultimately desires to be its own seeker. 

Only then any being evolves 

And chirpily, happily absolves. 

Even if the captors gift them the moon 

And twinkling stars, 

We do tend to forget, 

Birds just aren’t meant to be ensnared.

- Saee Shirolkar

About the writer:

  Ms Saee Shirolkar is a fellow bibliophile with a passion for studying and teaching literature. Her flair for writing emerges when she muse on the beauty of daily life. Through her writing, she seeks new journeys and hope they lead her to beautiful destinations.