I remember that day in 5th grade
The Math teacher's blood-shot eyes!
His favorite student had failed the class test
In effect, I had failed him
I could see the hurt in his eyes
Through dark-rimmed spectacles sliding onto his nose
I stood on the last bench - holding my ears
What an embarassment!
Abhay, Asha, Saurabh, Nishant had all passed
They'd look behind every few seconds
I was free entertainment!
It pained me - Who invented 'Punishment'?
How cruel!
In a strange parallel today, someone
Stands on the last bench in my memory
I've spared her the embarassment
She's excused from holding her ears :)
Endure she must though! As I bleed -
With every inch of gaping distance
She has failed me, miserably
This is her just punishment
As for me, I now realize
Why someone who loves and cares -
Punishes
The Math teacher's blood-shot eyes!
His favorite student had failed the class test
In effect, I had failed him
I could see the hurt in his eyes
Through dark-rimmed spectacles sliding onto his nose
I stood on the last bench - holding my ears
What an embarassment!
Abhay, Asha, Saurabh, Nishant had all passed
They'd look behind every few seconds
I was free entertainment!
It pained me - Who invented 'Punishment'?
How cruel!
In a strange parallel today, someone
Stands on the last bench in my memory
I've spared her the embarassment
She's excused from holding her ears :)
Endure she must though! As I bleed -
With every inch of gaping distance
With every recapitulation of past neglect
With every begging yearn
With every image of my lonely tomorrow
With every moment in my hibernation
She has failed me, miserably
This is her just punishment
As for me, I now realize
Why someone who loves and cares -
Punishes
