A Bonfire of Memories

Waiting to reach my destination
Standing under the shade I see
On the other side of the road
A black hooded figure, studying me.

I feel a thread of connection
He seems to recognize me too
So familiar, yet so strange
Deep brown eyes piercing through.

Shuddering, I wake up
Sweat dripping from every vein
A nightmare plaguing me always
Never different, ever the same.

Rummaging through doors closed and shut
Digging the junkyard of the past
Deep down the back of my head
Phantasmagoric visions play along.

Joys of pink, tears of grey
Rainbow memories playing hide and seek
Pictures crumpled with shades of yellow
The wounds still fresh and bleak.

Forgotten promises and murdered feelings
Spring up like a weed
Mollifying my imbecile heart with a rebuke and a smile
I gather the courage to do the deed.

Letting go of the volcano in my chest
Trembling with pain, I bury it all forever
Having burnt every souvenir of cursed love
And taking the oath of not looking back, ever.

A numbness runs through my spine
My unburdened soul finally feels free
I go back to get some blissful sleep
Knowing now there will never be another haunting dream.

- Sayantani Sarkar.