Memory Trail

'Maa, did you not always tell me?

That for you, my happiness -

It was above anything else

It was the reason you could

Sleep peacefully at nights.

And now, when I'm unhappy

You say, it's how the world works

It's how life is, and that we

Should experience every emotion.

So tell me maa, when was it -

The last time you slept at peace?

I'm curious maa,

How is it that you could always

Manage to say that you were doing fine

Right after wishing me good morning

When I couldn't sleep the night before

Because I heard you wailing until sunrise

And didn't know how to console.

I'm unhappy maa,

And utterly disappointed at you

For not finding me fit enough

To share your pain and the struggle

That you go through everyday

Holding the shattered pieces

Of your heart and - mine

Making me believe that all is well.

So yesterday, I finally asked you

If all this struggle was worth it

And you said that throughout life

If there's anything you've learnt -

It's the fact that everyone comes out

More stronger than before

And that it no more mattered

If we saw sweet dreams or had good nights

Because if anything mattered,

It was that we endured it - just like

Every other time.