230.Stranger

I opened my eyes one night
To find the nightmare lurking
Near the foot of my bed 
With scary hooded face
Luring me with its viciousness.

I recall being dragged 
To the unknown land.
My eyes searched for light
To explore the unexplored
Helplessly in the darkness
I became the prisoner of destiny.

A loud mourn from the corner
Chilled me to the bones.
The shriek was so deafening
And I realized I would fall
Into the oblivion.
I tried to find my way
Out of this maze 
But darkness blindfolded my eyes.
Unheard voices whispered
I kept looking from where they emerged.

Like a shadow melting in the dark
The strange nightmare
Vanished in the broad daylight.
Only to follow me next night
From behind the trees in the dark
As if keeping a watch over me.
I felt petrified yet helpless.
And ran across the field
To the nearby well
And shouted Help! Help!

My voice echoed
My shadow 
Reflected back 
Like a stranger from the well.
I lend my hand to her
She grabbed it and came out 
It was like me returning
From the well.

She did not run away like a traitor.
She was there to stay.
I found out at last
It was me who followed
The unexplored
The stranger
The hooded
The nightmare
The shadow
The reflection.

Today I am facing myself 
Answering all questions
I refused to address long ago.
Now I know why it followed.
It was I who needed to know myself
After all the stranger was me


By Binita Jha