Image

The Enemy Within

An evocative body poem, as Meher describes it, exclusively for Different Truths.

I live at the mercy of a liver
that dictates what I can eat
what I can’t drink
even determines
the colour of
my skin.
 
Have a field day, fiend!
 
Force me to see
with a jaundiced eye.
 
The trouble is, I need
your cooperation
to survive.
 
But by obeying
I can shrink you
back to size.

Picture design by Anumita Roy

author avatar
Meher Pestonji
Meher Pestonji is a veteran journalist writing on street kids, housing rights, and communalism while covering theatre, art and interviewing creative people. She has written two novels, Pervez and Sadak Chhaap, three plays, ‘Piano for Sale’, ‘Feeding Crows’ ‘Turning Point’ and short stories. Her first collection of poems will be out shortly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Releated Posts

A Time for Reflection: An Untrodden Path & Human Transience

Sumita translates the song “Jakhon porbe na mor paayer chinnho ei baate,” by Rabindranath Tagore, exclusively for Different…

ByBySumita BhattacharyaNov 21, 2024

The Silent Scream: Love is a Dream

Rajashree’s poem explores the destructive pursuit of power, leaving a trail of sorrow and despair, exclusively for Different…

ByByRajashree MohapatraNov 20, 2024

No Licks, No Bows

Mehzabeen’s poem explores individuality and authenticity, challenging conformity in a world that values flattery. It embraces unique perspectives,…

ByByMehzabeen HussainNov 19, 2024

Compose on You…

A poignant poem about loss of a friend, an elegy, by Rituparna, exclusively for Different Truths. There lies…

ByByRituparna KhanNov 15, 2024