shelling out- Sagarika Rastogi

(I)

shards of glasses lying all around

like a pseudo labyrinth that has wrapped itself

on the dusty walls, creaking floor boards and mouldy cupboards

with it's rough, crassy texture

swallowed this room, this bed and me.

(II)

the medicine cabinet starts overflowing

for the stack of medicines and syrups

and ugly tasting capsules

fill up the space,

the aura/room/my insides

with sickness, scarcity of life

and the absolute need for a bowl of hot soup

like mom used to make.

(III)

scrutinizing myself in a "43×13" mirror

i find myself dressed almost like my

favorite princess, like the one in the story books

with long, chestnut brown hair, big blue eyes and

a dazzling smile that always ends up winning the prince's heart

"almost" because i don't look half as charming and suave as she did, as they all do

everywhere, in all the storybooks, in all the shows

(IV)

i see cellulite dripping from my arms, eye bags falling from my face, almost repulsive tummy rolls, unable to withstand the sight of beauty im so used to not seeing,

my shoulders stiffen, gut tightens

and i can feel squirrels greeting me,

jumping, scraping & scratching my insides

like an old friend, playing between my ribs, crawling up my throat, strumming my fingers

as i struggle to let go of the monster I've just witnessed in the mirror

the shell of a human being, picture of whom deserves to be in a wanted poster

with hideous background and an equally hideous face.

(V)

drenched in the smell of nicotine

with half bitten nails and yellow fingertips

eyes sunken inside the socket, pale blue lines coloring my face and frail bones,

i pick yet another pack of cigarettes,

take a long, comfortable puff

and let the smoke sit on my face for five seconds

before it dissipates into thin air;

the only form of touch I've been allowing myself these days,

and think,

"how could life get any better

than almost drowning in a semi sized bathtub with a glass of róse"

(VI)

half eaten vegetables and shredded paella

is what decorates my plate

the sauce spilled all over and the pizza crust half smashed, half gone;

i sit in the middle of the table, feeling more

like a vessel of a person than a person itself.