February 2018 Issue

HERB
NITIN KADEKAR
A dab of the dawning of imperative consequence
arrives.
Instinct takes over and I feel alive.
I feel the need but I don’t have to feed it.
It’s there but I don’t have to acknowledge
it.
I have dismissed it before,
more than once.
But this particular time I want to lunge.
So I make the journey bearing the costs.
Like I don’t give a damn about the fact
that I’m lost.
But I do see light at the end of the tunnel.
I’m fighting my way there.
It will probably never stop and never end.
All I know is,
it is warmer and pleasant as I move
forward.
If you are not able to make this transition,
you are probably a coward.
Fortunately, the night is young.
I say this because it doesn’t take long.
We sit and the green fades away.
It’s tranquil here.
It was the right decision after all.
We have a fecund existence.
I find yet another strand in my hair,
so to speak.
It’s the metaphorical company that I
keep.
After a beautiful flurry, I revert to my indifference,
my version of it anyway.
I’m wiser.
I can feel it.
Like that northern wind on the pale skin.
I see that the walls are falling.
It’s fine,
they can go.
I’m more free by the passing minute.
More open.
I feel the endearment.
It’s strong and frankly a little uneasy.
But, I guess this is how it should be.
Food tastes good.
Now I have Justin Timberlake telling me,
Whatever goes around comes around.
Meanwhile, I’m writing.
It happened,
Now it’s time to move on.
And she’s the last thing I think about,
Before my day is done.
20 Ink Drift Magazine
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