INSOMNIAC

I see a crescent of white shining in the heavens,

engulfed in an embroidered black blanket of stars.
Watching over the land as a silent guardian,
frowning at humankind's never-ending wars.

I see giants of concrete staring at me from everywhere;

their empty eyes glinting with tiny little lights of hope.
Standing still and solemn on deserted boulevards,
unaware of the shadows that move within their folds.

I hear the cricket chirping persistently in the silence;

hidden in the darkness that cradles fragile homes.

And the sound of wind rustling through mahogany leaves,

gently whistling a lullaby as the wearied city snores.

I inhale the scent of flowers in the midnight air,
laced with broken whiffs of steel and dust.
I smell the despair of a prolonged summer
praying for rain to heal earth's barren crust.

I can feel the night robbing me of slumber
like an evil sorceress relishing sadistic thrill.
Do what it may, I'm going to dream
as soon as I close my eyes against its will.

~ Arnav