Murdrum

Mirror image, of chalk and cheese,

She had nails long and pink.

Shi never noticed her red hands,

Being too busy admiring She’s crest.

Adored most by her mum,

She got the dolls and frocks.

The broken twigs fell on Shi’s lap,

Shi neither frowned nor smiled.

She explored the gardens and streets,

Shi longed to step out of the doors.

She brought home the rainbows,

And the stars listened to Shi’s stories.

Shi followed her to the corners,

She looked into the mirror.

Shi silently watched her,

Shi wanted to be her.

Shi loved Mommy’s shiny, silver knife,

With which Mommy buttered She’s toasts.

While drinking the cold, stale soup,

Shi ‘s insides turned cold too.

The scars were too much,

So was the wild, untamed hair.

The voice that was lost,

Shi then decided to go there.

Shi dressed like She in the room,

That held secrets known by none,

She came in and the room lost air,

Because of the tempest undone.

Dressed in head to toe,

Was a stranger, a victim.

Pebbles cracked her feet,

As the slow poison sank in.

The raven finally smiled,

As She asked, “why?”

Shi pointed to the reflection,

And all the pain bid goodbye.

Smithereens cut right through,

The pink became red,

And the red became black,

And the mirror was finally broken.

- Sayantani Sarkar.