Photography © Jennifer Matthews

 

Out of Order

Hard to mend broken things,
they never remain the same
the dents and marks-
are a reminder of what once fell apart
suddenly so vulnerable can be triggered again.

Today, life also has a similar vibe
reality is harsher, hard enough to deal
nothing makes sense with no time to heal
like the present, the future also seems bleak.
a constant reminder of this thought-
enough to make me feel out of order

Like that malfunctioning lift or that creaking door
even the comforting rain turned into a storm
with no forecast, this reality got struck by hurricanes
the negative tide of emotions washed away the optimism
waiting for older wounds to return,
the new cracks may also find some space
just like that, things will go out of order again.

Yes, it happens quite often in life
memories of failure usually visit the mind
emptiness and frustration keep adding to the pile
either way the bandaged-self revives itself again
eager to fulfil the borrowed dreams
but the ever-present thought
scared of the time-
when it will begin to overflow again
all that hard work to stand up will be a waste
as the petty emotions will betray once again
Just like that for a while
life will go out of order again.

 

Priyanshi Singhal is a poet and a student from Uttrakhand, India, who writes about nature, society and the self. She holds a Masters’s Degree in Sociology from the Delhi School Of Economics and B.A.(hon.) in Sociology from Delhi University. Her works have appeared in the book named Invitation to Religion published by Sri Venkateshwara College (Delhi University) and in Rhizomatic Revolution Review.

Poet/Photographer Jennifer Matthews’ poetry has been published in Nepal by Pen Himalaya and locally by the Wilderness Retreat Writers Organization, Midway Journal, The Somerville Times, Ibbetson Street Press and Boston Girl Guide. Jennifer was nominated for a poetry award by the Cambridge Arts Council for her book of Poetry Fairy Tales and Misdemeanors. Her songs have been released nationally and internationally and her photography has been used as covers for a number of Ibbetson Street Press poetry books and has been exhibited at The Middle East Restaurant, 1369 Coffeehouses, Sound Bites Restaurant in Somerville and McLean Hospital.